Australia has some of the world's largest and most labour-efficient farms, and tractors are an essential part of their operations. This historical overview documents the development of the indigenous tractor industry, from the McDonald Imperial of 1909 to the cane, olive and grape harvesters.

Australia has some of the world's largest and most labour-efficient farms, and tractors are an essential part of their operations. The average Australian farm has three or more tractors. In this historical overview, Graeme Quick documents the development of the indigenous tractor industry, from the McDonald Imperial of 1909 to more recent cane, olive and grape harvesters. Histories of individual manufacturers include much technical detail, but the story also puts the industry in an economic and social history context and provides information on a wide range of Australian farmers, engineers and others who have made significant contributions. This revised edition includes much fresh information, many new illustrations, and appeals both to the mechanical enthusiast and the social historian.