Allis-Chalmers tried and tested over half a century

Allis-Chalmers tried and tested over half a century

There is no doubt that Warramboo broadacre farmer, Rolf Hagedorn knows his tractors. He bought the first Allis-Chalmers 7040 (160hp) to roll out of the Ramsey Bros dealership back in 1976 for around $30,000.

Rolf later added a L2 Gleaner (then a division of Allis-Chalmers, now under AGCO) with a Hannaford screen in 1981.

“The L2 was way ahead if its time with state-of-the-art monitoring systems and all electric hydraulic controls, which would probably still be relevant now,” Rolf said. “They’re just a great all-round machine.”

Bringing home his new toy, Rolf attached the comb and headed straight out to the paddock to test it out.

He paused as he passed through the gate, to make sure he had a handle on all the controls including the up and down button which he’d never used before.

He grasped the lever…

There was a big thud, and a plume of dust immediately rose in front of him.

Right, Rolf thought looking at the comb that had just dug a sizable hole in the gateway – it must go the other way.

He grasped the lever again…

Thud…thud.  More dust.  The hole increased to a decent size ditch.

Maybe not.

Puzzled but not deterred, Rolf reversed a little and once again, ever so gently, lifted the lever.

This time: success!

The comb raised high above the cab and Rolf continued forward, relieved that in the middle of 5,800 acres, there was no-one around to witness his unplanned hole digging efforts.

Fasttrack to today, and Rolf’s shed is home to numerous pieces of farm machinery, but his pride of joy is clearly that original Allis-Chalmers 7040 tractor that he still uses today.

In fact, our Ramsey Bros Service team feel they need to don a pair of slippers (and leave their work boots on the ground) just to climb into the cab – it’s in immaculate condition.

“We’ll, I reckon it’s a good solid tractor that has withstood the test of time,” Rolf said. “I taught my grandson Brandon to drive it when he was just 9 years old.  He’s aged 17 now and working as a mechanic at Ramsey Bros in Wudinna.”

The love of machinery is obviously a Hagedorn family affair.

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