A Bedford plough in China

This photograph was taken in China in 1911, and shows Howard's 6 furrow balance plough in use. The plough was made at the Britannia Works in Bedford.

J & F Howard were not the only company to export to China. The Bedford Engineering Company designed this 2 Ton electric travelling Jib crane for the South Manchurian Railway in the 1920s [ref.Z331/3/48] Click on the image for a closer look.

Why are these documents at Bedfordshire & Luton Archives?

Documents relating to the firm of J & F Howard, ref.BR, were deposited by the Official Receiver for Agricultural & General Engineers, Ltd.

The Z331 collection includes records of Grafton and Co, Vulcan Works, Elstow Road, Bedford (Later Grafton Cranes Limited) and Bedford Engineering Company. The technical drawings were given to the Record Office by Messrs. Taylor and Hubbard, Kent Street, Leicester, on 1 November 1978 and 20 October 1980.