Ruston, Proctor and Company
| Company type | Private company (limited company from 1899) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Agricultural engineering, steam machinery, locomotives |
| Founded | 1 January 1857 in Lincoln, England |
| Founder | Joseph Ruston, James Toyne Proctor, Theophilus Burton |
| Defunct | 1918 |
| Fate | Merged with Richard Hornsby & Sons to form Ruston and Hornsby |
| Headquarters | Lincoln , England, United Kingdom |
Area served | Worldwide (including Ukraine, Argentina, Chile, Australia) |
| Products | Steam tractors, steam engines, boilers, threshing machines, locomotives, mining machinery, electrical systems, diesel engines |
Number of employees | Over 1,000 (by 1899) |
Ruston, Proctor and Company was established in 1857 in Lincoln, England, initially producing steam tractors and various steam-powered machinery. Over time, the enterprise transformed into Rustons and subsequently became part of Ruston & Hornsby.
History
The company traces its roots back to 1840 when James Toyne Proctor and Theophilus Burton founded 'Burton & Proctor,' specializing in millwright services and agricultural implements. In 1857, Joseph Ruston joined as a partner by purchasing Burton's stake, leading to the rebranding as Ruston, Proctor & Co., which expanded to become a prominent name in agricultural engineering.
By 1865, Joseph Ruston had assumed full ownership. The firm produced its inaugural Traction Engine in 1877. Transitioning into a limited company by 1899, it employed more than 1,000 workers and introduced its first steamroller. The Engineer recognized the company in 1889 for its locomotive innovations within agricultural machinery. Ruston exported thousands of portable steam engines internationally to destinations such as Ukraine, Argentina, Chile, and Australia. In 1918, it combined forces with Richard Hornsby & Sons from Grantham, resulting in the formation of Ruston and Hornsby. This entity later merged with Bucyrus-Erie in 1930 to create Ruston-Bucyrus.
Rustons’ core expertise lay in steam-driven machinery including portable, stationary, and traction engine models; boilers; along with associated components like winding gear and pulleys. Their production also encompassed threshing machines, clover hullers, corn mills, maize shellers, pumps, and steam-powered winches designed for sailing trawlers. Beyond agricultural equipment, Rustons manufactured railway locomotives, industrial apparatus, mining machinery, and expanded their portfolio to include electrical systems and diesel engine technology.
During the 1880s, Ruston was among the pioneers in steam excavation equipment development. They engineered the "Dunbar & Ruston's" steam navvy (excavator), which played a significant role in constructing the Manchester Ship Canal. In 1906, they launched the "Ruston Light Steam Shovel," featuring a capacity of three-quarters of a cubic yard, which was displayed at the 1907 Royal Agricultural Show held in Lincoln.
Preserved machines
- Ruston Proctor No.10227 (1884) steam engine located at Museum Žeravica in Novo Miloševo, Serbia
- Ruston Proctor registered as CT3949 traction engine no. 33189
- Paraffin-fueled mechanical locomotive works no. 51168 (1916) at the Vale of Rheidol Railway
- Paraffin mechanical locomotive works no. 52124 (1918) preserved at Museum of Lincolnshire Life
- Flywheel-driven overhead belt mechanism by Ruston Proctor at Sapucai Steam Train Maintenance Depot, Paraguay
- Ruston Proctor no. 18188 housed within Thinktank, Birmingham
- Ruston Proctor no. 27360 maintained by Freunde historischer Fahrzeuge Immensen in Lehrte, Germany
- Flywheel drive No.15033 / 811XL repurposed as playground equipment at a recreation park in Jugiong, New South Wales, Australia
- Ruston Proctor no. 29677 preserved at Centro Interativo da Ruralidade - Arronches, Portugal
See also
External links
- Ruston & Hornsby - Company history
- Ruston Proctor Engine Photos - TractionTime
- Articles with short description
- Defunct manufacturing companies of the United Kingdom
- Defunct aircraft engine manufacturers of the United Kingdom
- Agricultural machinery manufacturers of the United Kingdom
- Millwrights
- Steam road vehicle manufacturers
- Companies based in Lincoln, England
- British companies established in 1857
- Manufacturing companies established in 1857
- Manufacturing companies disestablished in 1918
- 1857 establishments in England
- 1918 disestablishments in England
- History of Lincoln, England
- History of Lincolnshire
- Articles containing video clips
- 1918 mergers and acquisitions
- British companies disestablished in 1918
- Ruston (engine builder)