"Blue Thunder"

This is a short contribution by Rob to start introducing you to some of the characters on the Silk Road. We seem to have developed the habit of naming various pieces of equipment on our enterprise, Im not sure if we have done this because we are slowly loosing our marbles, or if it is just our way of bonding with and getting along with the temperamental ways of most of our equipment. I am hoping its the latter!!

Anyway, the first little gem I'd like to introduce you to is "Blue Thunder", our first tractor. Blue Thunder is about a 1963 Fordson Power Major, she is a 75hp 6 cylinder (Wheat belt special) and was named due to the fact that she is bloody loud.. Most of the neighbouring properties know when we have sparked up Blue Thunder..

Blue Thunder was purchased from a caravan place in the Busselton Industrial area, where I noticed her sitting out the front with a "For Sale" sign hanging off her, anyway after a bit of negotiating, she was soon on her way to the Silk Road. Thunder has served us well for about 5 years, she has pulled a slasher around the mullberry padock and looked after our fire breaks during that period, as well as other odd jobs such as post hole digging, and removing old fence posts etc.

Sadly Blue Thunder developed some internal problems with her PTO clutch pack about a year ago, and had to be retired from slashing, but she is still a faithfull member of the Silk Road Family, and is often called upon to carry out the heavy jobs that require a bit of grunt.

Blue Thunder has also introduced a few people to the wonderful world of tractor operating. Our daughter in law, Rachel, has had her photo taken with huge smiles a couple of times while she has been in the pilots seat. There was also another occassion when we had an Irish tourist visit us, who absolutely fell in love with Thunder and begged us to let him do a bit of work with her. Needless to say he was promptly herded into the operators seat and given instructions on how to go round and round slashing... He came back 2 hours latter with a grin from ear to ear, and our front paddock completely slashed.. I wish they made more tourists like that.