Ploughing problem on Eilanreach Estate, Glenelg
The photos are courtesy of Geordie Davidson via Tom McLellan, Taynuilt and shows Geordie with the debogging tool for his tractor which had slid down a steep bank and stuck.
Geordie’s comment “I carried and dragged that beam which weighed around 2cwt (100Kg), 500 hundred yards and Sheena my wife carried the wee boy. I was quite fit in these days! Who would do that today? – Nobody!”
The PDF images show the debogging beam lashed to the lower track and track chain and lastly the tractor slowly climbing out as the tied wooden beam is pressed and pulled under the track. The end of the beam can just be seen.
This system was used where no other tractor or pull was available but required a very large beam as shown and sometimes old railway sleepers were used. However it was a high risk process if the peat was very soft. The beam was simply pulled through the peat ending deep under at the other end of the still buried track. You had to then dig down to near the drawbar and cut the wire that bound it to the track chain.
See PDF below
Groups: Forestry Areas, Forestry in Action, Tractors Ploughs and Drainage Machines