Family favourite tractor gets a makeover

Less than six months ago, Graeme Burges’ 1948 Case DEX tractor was a shadow of its former self.

The tractor’s once vibrant orange panels were instead a dull brown, darkened by years of built up dirt, grime, oil and grease.

After a lick of paint during an astute restoration, Mr Burges had the machine primed for this year’s Dowerin GWN7 Machinery Field Days.

“It took me 31/2 months to do the bulk of the work,” he said.

“It was just the externals that needed to be fixed up, it had been well maintained all of its life, so just needed a few cosmetic things done.”

The Beard family, of Jennapullin, purchased the tractor — fondly named Dexi by original owner Harry Beard — in 1948.

It was then passed to Mr Beard’s son Neil Beard and daughter-in-law Valda Beard until 1992 before it was moved to relatives Avon and Lorna Beard’s farm, Windemere.

After leaving Windemere, Dexi was transported to Harry Beard’s granddaughter, Lorraine Moylan, in 1995 where it was stored at her Northam property.

Mr Burges acquired Dexi on March 30 this year. Fitted with new hoses and fan belts in addition to the paint job, Mr Burges said it was rewarding to have members of the Beard family travel to Dowerin to see Dexi.