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Building a contour bank using an Agricultural D grader, Mid-North c.1950

This is a grader-ditcher made by Hursts Agricultural Engineers of Gystal Brook. They were pulled by tractors with a simple linkage. The blade was adjusted manually, both angle and depth, by the operator on the grader who was often jolted off when reefs were encountered.

The contour banks were built by the grader as it was pulled backwards and forwards along the surveyed line. The banks had a slight gradient to enable excess water to run to a safe disposal area.

The graders were hired to farmers for two shillings a working day. Many thousands of hectares of undulating farming land were protected in this way.

(Source: Bill Matheson)