Traction Engine [8 NHP McLaren]
Maker and role
J and H McLaren Engineers, Manufacturer
Production date
Circa 1920s
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
1971.223
Production period
Description
Steam driven traction engine - (Road) No.1428 - in red and green colours. Steam powered.
Before coming to MOTAT, this engine spent its working life in the Christchurch area. Many of these engines were used in the Canterbury plains to drive threshing machines, which separated the grains from the stalks and husks. They were also used in pairs to pull ploughs across the paddocks. It was a common sight to see these machines on country roads, pulling a ‘train’ which might consist of a threshing machine, a caravan and a water cart from farm to farm. McLarens were major producers of traction engines and exported half of those they made to other countries.
Before coming to MOTAT, this engine spent its working life in the Christchurch area. Many of these engines were used in the Canterbury plains to drive threshing machines, which separated the grains from the stalks and husks. They were also used in pairs to pull ploughs across the paddocks. It was a common sight to see these machines on country roads, pulling a ‘train’ which might consist of a threshing machine, a caravan and a water cart from farm to farm. McLarens were major producers of traction engines and exported half of those they made to other countries.
Brief History
A traction engine is a wheeled self-propelled steam engine, which can be moved to any location to provide power. These engines originated in England in the 1860s and were produced until the 1930s. MOTAT's traction engine is one of many J&H McLaren & Co. manufactured in Leeds during the late 19th and early 20th century. Traction engines were the precursor to internal combustion tractors developed during World War One (1914-18).
In New Zealand traction engines were mainly used in farming, providing power for work previously powered less efficiently by horses. This engine spent its working life in Canterbury, where traction engines were used on the plains to drive threshing machines, which separated the grains from the stalks and husks. They were also used in pairs to pull ploughs across the paddocks.
J & H McLaren was founded by brothers, John and Henry McLaren in 1876. Their Midland Engine Works was situated in Leeds where the first McLaren traction engine was built in 1877.
The company rapidly developed a range of traction engines, road rollers, ploughing engines, agricultural implements and stationary engines. A branch in Christchurch was established by another brother, William McLaren in 1890 and there were other local offices in Australia, South Africa and South America. McLaren's had a large overseas market with over half of the steam traction engines built at the Midland Engineering Works sold to overseas buyers.
In New Zealand traction engines were mainly used in farming, providing power for work previously powered less efficiently by horses. This engine spent its working life in Canterbury, where traction engines were used on the plains to drive threshing machines, which separated the grains from the stalks and husks. They were also used in pairs to pull ploughs across the paddocks.
J & H McLaren was founded by brothers, John and Henry McLaren in 1876. Their Midland Engine Works was situated in Leeds where the first McLaren traction engine was built in 1877.
The company rapidly developed a range of traction engines, road rollers, ploughing engines, agricultural implements and stationary engines. A branch in Christchurch was established by another brother, William McLaren in 1890 and there were other local offices in Australia, South Africa and South America. McLaren's had a large overseas market with over half of the steam traction engines built at the Midland Engineering Works sold to overseas buyers.
Media/Materials
Collection
Credit Line
J and H McLaren Engineers. Circa 1920s. Traction Engine [8 NHP McLaren], 1971.223. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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