You may never have heard of Chamberlain tractors. They were far from a household name here, because they, like kangaroos, are rarely found outside of Australia where they were built. So it was a treat to stumble across this one parked alongside the Oxley Highway in Mullaley, New South Wales, Australia this past August.

The Chamberlain brand was founded by tractor mechanic Bob Chamberlain soon after the Second World War ended, and the company’s first production line began rolling tractors out the door of its home in a former munitions factory in Welshpool, Western Australia, in 1949.

The tractor has an offset steering wheel and bench seat that can accommodate a passenger.
photo: Scott Garvey

The C6100 model was introduced in 1970 and featured 101 engine horsepower, delivering 91 on the P.T.O. and 81 on the drawbar, according to tractordata.com. It relied on a six-cylinder 6.354 Perkins diesel engine for power and offered nine forward speeds and three reverse.

Production of the C6100 ended after a seven year run in 1976 with serial numbers topping out at 5599.

The same year the C6100 was introduced to farmers, 1970, John Deere bought a controlling interest in the firm, which eventually shut its doors for good in 1986 due to declining demand.

Hydraulic capacity was rated at 53.6 litres per minute (14.17 g.p.m.).
photo: Scott Garvey