It’s all hands to the pumps as the Burdekin Machinery Preservationists prepare for their Open Day celebrations on Saturday 10th May at the Brandon Heritage Centre.
President Bruce Munro and fellow Burdekin Machinery Preservationist Peter Smith are reportedly sweating away on the final preparations of the historic Austral Hot Bulb Engine—a quaint old engine made in Australia by Ronaldson and Tippet. The burning question is: Can they get the hundred year old engine ready for Open Day?
This particular engine was donated to the Club by the McMahon Brothers of Bowen. It was then stripped down to the main chassis and meticulously renovated, part by part, by expert artisan Smith, whose motto is “measure twice, cut once.”
There was a palpable sense of excitement a few weeks ago when the engine finally roared to life with a bang and a great cloud of smoke. Following some adjustments to the governor and careful fine-tuning, it’s now operating much more smoothly.
The hot-bulb engine, also known as a semi-diesel or Akroyd engine, is an early type of internal combustion engine that was widely used in agriculture, marine, and stationary applications, and was the link between the steam era and diesel engines. They were simple, versatile and would run on a variety liquid fuel, crude oil, kerosene, old engine oil and even vegetable oil.
The hot-bulb engine is one of a host of different machinery, tractors and other items that will be on show at the Burdekin Machinery Preservationists Open Day.
For more information about the Burdekin Machinery Preservationists please call Lex on 0488 366 443 or email us at burdekinmp@outlook.com
What: Burdekin Machinery Preservationists Open Day
Where: Brandon Heritage Centre
When: Saturday 10th of May
Peter Smith measuring up for the Austral renovation. Photo supplied
The first start of the Austral Hot Bulb Engine. Photo supplied
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