Historical / Technical
Known variously as “logging wheels” in North America and in England as a “neb”, “nib”, “bob” or simply “pair of wheels” the term ‘linker” may have been applied only to the Australian version. Because of the hard work these vehicles were required to withstand and the weathering environments in which they were often left to deteriorate, there are few examples preserved in collections. The massive scale of their construction is itself significant as testimony to the achievements of the coach building industry that built their wheels and bolsters and forged their heavy cranked axles. The use of the term “bob-tail” means cut-off or shortened tail, more likely in this case referring to it’s relatively small size. It should be noted that there is a potentially confusing use of the term “bob” in English horse drawn vehicle language to describe a two wheel jinker.
Provenance
 Found in a forest reserve near Bega by Duntroon cadets in the 1980’s. Donated initially to the National Museum of Australia (1986.37) the artifact was deaccessioned and accepted into the Bega Valley Historical Society’s collection in 1997. A rare survivor of the local timber getting industry, this vehicle is of high importance in the collection. It is in fair original condition and shows interesting evidence of makeshift in-service repairs.

Historical / Technical

The origin of the German Wagon can be traced to heavily built farm and goods vehicles of the Roman times They were sometimes brought to Australia by German settlers who reassembled and used them locally A characteristic of the body was the adjustable sloping sides supported by stays Later designs were often much modified versions that still bore the name “German Wagon” by then a genetic term for a heavy unsprung farm wagon

Provenance

Purportedly brought out from Germany by the Fourter family who settled in the Bega region, post 1855, the wagon has been in their possession ever since Donated to the Bega Valley Historical Society in 2002, the wagon can be directly linked to existing artifacts in the collection including harness, agricultural equipment, personal items and memorabilia. A rare and important example of its type, this vehicle is in very good and complete original condition. The provenance increases it’s value substantially, as does the interesting design feature of the removable body and adjustable perch (the main longitudinal undercarriage member) and the apparent potential of the fore and hind carnage with the body removed to be used for other heavy work such as carrying logs Evidence of original blue and red paint shows the traditional colours of farm wagons of the time in Australia

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Historical I Technical
The two main types of mechanical harvesting machines used in Australia in the late 1 9th century were the reaper-binder and the stnpper The former cut off the crop at the base of the stalk, requiring subsequent threshing to remove the grain from the chaff, while the latter knocked off the heads of grain and left the stalks standing The grain was then winnowed to remove the chaff in Australia reaper-binders were preferred in cool moist areas where the grain was rarely either hard or dry enough to be stripped off The binder was used when the crop was being grown for hay for stock feed and for harvesting barley and oats

By 1890 there were 3000 reaper-binders at work in Victoria, almost all being imported from English, Canadian or American companies International Harvester Co reaper-binders were first manufactured under this name in 1902 resulting from a merger of several companies The international harvester Company transfer on the body of the machine is obviously a very important identifier of its origin

Provenance

Last used in 1994, repairs and modifications took place during its working life, including “knotter” modified in 1930 Owned by late Ray Archibald until his death in 1977, then used by his son Graeme for the next 17 years This is an unusually original and well-preserved example with an interesting and long local history It is uncommon to find the canvas sails, normally the first parts to fall into disrepair, in such relatively sound condition no doubt helped by its use until relatively recent years This is a very significant example