MACHINERY GALLERY

MACHINERY

Our impressive machinery collection has been established over the course of many years, and has been expanded upon by various donations. Since the first machine arrived in the 1960s the Museum’s volunteers have looked after and restored everything from stationary engines to a running Cat 60 Bulldozer. Below are a few of our machines, and links to other collections with similar items.

Wade Power Saw

This Wade Power Saw was the predecessor of the chain saw. Considered to be ahead of its time when first available, it contributed to the transition of the timber industry from manual labour to mechanical power. Click the link below to see a Drag Saw running at the Pioneer Acres Museum, Irricana, Alberta, Canada in 2012. Thank you to Rainhill 1829 for letting us use your video

Blackstone Engine

This Blackstone Engine was purchased in 1934 to power a milking shed. It also powered a shearing plant and was used up until 1984. It has a 2 in a half horse power petrol driven engine. Click the link below for a video showing a running Blackstone Engine from a private collection in Denmark. Thank you to Bjarne V. Sørensen for letting us use your video.

Twigg Stationery Engine

This Twigg Stationery Engine belonged to Walter Brown from Ruawai. It was mostly used on the farm for milling timber and firewood, and was later passed down to his nephew Alan Brown. Alan passed it on to his brother Leslie Brown, who donated it to the museum.

Davey Paxman Portable Steam Engine

At the centre of the sawmill is a Davey Paxman compound Portable Steam Engine, built in England in 1921. It is one of only two surviving Paxman compound portables and probably the largest size of Paxman portable ever made. The engine is connected to a range of saws for ‘breaking down’ giant kauri logs and converting them into planks. The Paxman was originally brought from England in 1922, and used by the Public Works Department. Bought by George Miles and Sons in 1955 to drive their sawmill in Hawkes Bay, in 1987 it was purchased by the NZ Forest Service and shifted to Rotorua. Subsequently donated to the Kauri Museum, the engine was restored by Museum volunteers, and became the centerpiece of the Museum's sawmill when it opened in 1998.

Monarch Forge & Machine Works Band Saw

Dominating the Kauri Museum’s sawmill, this early 1900s Monarch Forge & Machine Works band saw was built in Portland, Oregon. Like other machines in the sawmill, low speed electric motors drive the band saw to give visitors an idea of what this giant machine looked like when operating.

A & G Price Limited Cant Frame Saw

The Cant Frame Saw or Dual Frame Saw that sits proudly in our sawmill was built by A & G Price Limited in Thames, the foundry was the largest in the country!. It is still New Zealand’s premier heavy engineering company and has been manufacturing high quality iron, steel and brass products since it was established in 1871. The Cant Frame Saw was used in Waipu sawmill for 50 years and was still in operation up until it was donated to the museum in early 2000.

Associated Manufacturer's Corporation Engine

The Kauri Museum is home to many small engines of different shapes and sizes. On the 15th of October 2022 on our Kauri Heritage Festival, our volunteers started this small engine for the public. The Associated Manufacturers Co. of Waterloo, Iowa, had 11 branches across the United States in 1913, along with about a dozen distributors. Surprisingly little is known about the history of the company. If anyone knows anything about this engine or the company please feel free to contact the museum.

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