Big Foot, Big Bertha, big tractors
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325759)
Rockingham, Australia
June 5, 2023 8:01pm CST
I wanted to write about ‘Big Bertha’, one of several tractors which were put together by farmers in the Lake King district of Western Australia. I took a photo of the sign about Big Bertha but stupidly didn’t take a photo of the actual machine. The one in the photo is ‘Big Foot’ but again, home-made. Note the use of a utility/truck cabin.
Most farmers in the area did their own mechanical repairs as they were in a very isolated area.
The available tractors were not suited to the conditions there – not powerful enough and/or too expensive. The soil was heavy clay and tractors needed to be four-wheel drive.
Big Bertha’s creator went to Perth in his truck, brought back all the parts he needed and, with the help of a friend, put the tractor together in six weeks, in time for seeding. The tractor was very economical, using only half the fuel that more modern tractors were using.
14 people like this
15 responses
@RasmaSandra (73408)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6 Jun
All I can say about tractors is that they are a pain to get into. I was helped into a tractor in Latvia and after being scared of heights I almost could not get out of it, Have not been near a tractor since,
2 people like this
@thislittlepennyearns (58134)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
6 Jun
We are looking at purchasing about a hundred and seventy five acres and we are looking at getting a tractor so this post made me laugh.
My great grandmothers name was Bertha as well.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Jun
@thislittlepennyearns It will make life so much easier.
1 person likes this
@thislittlepennyearns (58134)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
6 Jun
@JudyEv were going to get a bush hog
2 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (86757)
• United States
6 Jun
Massive and so expensive to run I imagine or no?
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (86757)
• United States
6 Jun
@JudyEv Well if that is true then good Judy.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (29129)
• United Kingdom
7 Jun
@JudyEv Interesting story (yes I could read it OK, thanks).
I'm sure there were tests that didn't work, but they basically just had to keep going to make it work, didn't they? Even after the catching alight incidents 
It says he used it to tow two combines - does that mean combine harvesters? The ones here are self-propelled, or were their engines not powerful enough for the terrain? Or does it mean something different?
It says he used it to tow two combines - does that mean combine harvesters? The ones here are self-propelled, or were their engines not powerful enough for the terrain? Or does it mean something different?1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Jun
There were about five of these monster machines stored under a roofed area. They were all a bit different but each had a cabin which had been taken from a ute of some sort. One guy linked up his two tractors. Imagine if it hadn't worked.
Another part of a sign gave a couple of the problems encountered and how they were solved. I'll add the photo here. Note that part that says 'Occasionally it caught alight.'
Edit: I didn't realise it would be so small. Hopefully you can enlarge it.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (156098)
• United States
6 Jun
My husband would be interested in this and probably would want one.
2 people like this
@Butterfingers (66585)
• India
6 Jun
That's a very good information you shared with us thanks
2 people like this
@Beestring (13320)
• Hong Kong
6 Jun
Such a huge tractor were put together manually. Amazing.
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (45467)
• India
22 Jun
That is true innovation !
Local conditions' knowledge often helps.
Big Foot reminds me of well the Big Foot/Abominable Snowman/Yeti stories!
The Tractor surely looks impressive.
I see a lot of John Deere tractors in India and from the Indian brand Mahindra.
