Kent Gas Producer

The Kent Gas Producer is a gasifier unit fitted onto a tractor, a unique example of engineering technology during World War II. This specific producer, photographed in Victoria, Australia, in 1942. It features an engine exhaust pipe covering the main combustion chamber and sits on top of the motor unit. The Producer converts wood chips, biomass or charcoal into fuel for the tractor and other machines at the time. It has many manual controls, such as valves, to regulate air pressure and fuel input during combustion. There are also pipes leading from the Kent Gas Producer that supply fuel to the tractor’s engine. The Producer requires cleaning after every ten bags of charcoal and maintenance of its other components to keep it running efficiently.

“Clean and remove charcoal from the hopper after every ten bags used. Remove all charcoal and dust from the machine seat before closing the hopper lid. Smear asbestos gasket with grease and graphite.”

Advert from the Age, run on August 27th 1941 and November 1st 1941.

The Kent Gas Producer is an ingenious piece of engineering technology from the 1940s. Developed in 1942 and fitted onto a tractor.

This gasifier unit has many manual controls to regulate air pressure and fuel input during combustion. It also features an exhaust pipe that covers the main combustion chamber. There are also pipes leading from the Kent Gas Producer, supplying fuel to the engine of the tractor. Its design is such that it requires cleaning after every ten bags of charcoal or biomass.

The Kent Gas Producer’s design was to increase agricultural production. Without relying on gasoline or diesel fuel which was scarce during wartime. The device was considered efficient in the production of combustible gases for engines. Partuclry when traditional fuels were unavailable. The design stands out for its simplicity and effectiveness in producing energy from alternative sources of combustible material.