The range of pedestrian-controlled machinery is certainly extensive and it is all covered by the VHGMC. Whether it was built in the 1920’s or the 1990’s it is all the same to us.
The walk-behind category is probably the largest one in the club and encompasses everything from the humble cylinder lawn mower to the larger Iron Horse type tractors that compete at ploughing matches.
Now that insecticide sprays are widely used in agriculture the motor hoe has completely disappeared, yet these were widely used in the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s to combat weed infestations and these remain one of the main collectible machines of our club members. They are generally light and easily transported yet very eye-catching, and were always painted in bright colours to increase their appeal.
Another favourite of collectors is the rotavator that has been used on allotments since it’s invention in the 1950’s and is still a firm favourite today, with manufacturers varying from Atco to Wolseley with every company in between.
The appeal of this machinery is that the collector can restore it using very few tools and in a very small workshop. It is generally inexpensive to buy and is widely available, and when the restoration is finished the restorer can use it at many of our club working events so that the work is never finished when the restoration is complete. You can actually play with the finished article, or even use it for what it was deigned to do originally – assist in growing food.
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