Chamberlain Tractors A brief history 1947 - 1961 (once) Made in Western Australia

1947  Chamberlain Industries Pty Ltd, commenced work on converting the old "Small Arms" factory in Welshpool ( an industrial suburb in Perth, Western Australia ) for use as a tractor manufacturing plant. By November there were 84 workers, including the first two apprentices ( one electrician and one pattern maker ).

1948  A new foundry was completed in September. The workforce was increased to 150.

1949  The first ten production tractors were handed over on the 18th. of May. Problems were experienced with clutches and broken crankshafts due to casting problems.

1950  Shiftwork was introduced and the workforce was increased to 500. Late in the year the "40K" was introduced with a close ratio gearbox and the first tractors were shipped to the Eastern States. ( see pic on right )

1951  Ford started to flood the Australian market with Fordson "P6" Majors which cost 800 pounds ( $1,600 ) compared to twelve hundred pounds ( $2,400 ) for the Chamberlain.  Sales were down and 200 men were laid off.

1952  The "60DA" diesel tractor went into production and this was the most powerful tractor available on the Australian market. Orders outstripped production and there was a three to four month waiting list.

1953  A new plow was put into production that was a big technological leap over everything else on the market and sales reached more than 1000 units.  Plows more than any other product put Chamberlain on the map. In this year there were more than 400 farmers on the waiting list for plows.

1954  Four new model tractors were introduced - the "45KA", the "55KA", the "55DA" and the "Super 70". Plow production reached 2000 units and tests were undertaken to operate impliments hydraulically rather than manually.

1955  Production began on the "Champion" ( 6 speed gearbox ). The first Champion, the famous Tail End Charlie ( see pic on right ) was built and was used as a tender and sweep vehicle in the Redex trials to gain publicity.
Farmers were buying Chamberlain tractors and installing Ford or GM diesels.

1956  "Champion" tractor put into full scale production.   At the official launch of the Champion at the Cottesloe Civic Centre a problem arose when the tractor would fit through the doors.  Quick thinking engineers removed the wheels and "squeezed" it through the opening.
The chisel plow was introduced.
Bob Chamberlain resigned as Managing Director after wich the company lost its drive and little new development work was undertaken.

1957  The first industrial model tractors were put into production and seed boxed mounted on disc plows were introduced. There were three shifts working on producing the "Champion" and the industrial tractors.

1958  The "Champion" 9G ( 9 speed gearbox ) was put into production.   The "Countryman", the "Chieftan" front end loader and the "Commander" rear end loaded were introduced.In this year the Narrows Bridge was opened and television began in Perth.

1959  Two new tractors were introduced, the "Canelander"and the "Crusader"  Chamberlain opened its own sales showroom on Great Eastern Highway.

1960  "Countryman" Mklll tractor put into production.

1961  Chamberlain beat International Harvester with tractor sales in Western Australia.