This tractor was brought by George Moore the second of Merriwagga in 1949 as his first tractor to replace horses.

Griffith Pioneer Park Museum’s curator Bonnie Owen shares the history behind her favourite piece of machinery in their display in the video below:

“This Bulldog is a 1949 model, with 25 horse power, and was donated by George Moore who lived on Avendale in Merriwagga,” Ms Owen said.

The Lanz Bulldog was manufactured in Germany in Mannheim from 1921 to the 1950s.

This particular tractor is a standing testimony to the trials and tribulations the company experienced during the Second World War.

“This one here was one that was manufactured in Germany, so we have a connection to the broader journey that the Lanz company went through with manufacturing and exporting here, Ms Owen said.

What is interesting about this tractor, was that to start it was a little bit harder then the key ignition used today.

“The front bulb needed to be heated up with a blowtorch,” Ms Owen said.

“It is known that in the time it took it to heat up, you could almost service the entire engine, so it didn’t do much for productivity in terms of working on the farm.

The steering wheel was actually taken off and used as the fly wheel, to get the entire vehicle going, and that could cause some issues of its own.

“We do know some stories where people were knocked back by the fly wheel, so it wasn’t the easiest thing to start.

“It cost twice the amount of a Fordson here in Australia, but it was very hardy, so it was worth the money.

Mannheim was a very big industrial area at the time, which of course made it a target for the allies in the air raids. 

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“Unfortunately the Lanz Bulldog did cease in production, as the factories were completely destroyed. Another interesting thing about the Bulldog, is that Australia and many other countries, had a copycat version of them.

“We are so lucky to have the gorgeous, original piece of machinery.”