Motors and Tractors at the Royal Show.
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Park Royal has been a sore difficulty for the Royal Agricultural Society of England, whose sixty-sixth annual show is to be opened on Tuesday next, the 27th instant. Lord Middleton is president for the year 1904-5, and his Majesty the King is patron of the society. If the views of exhibitors in the implement section carry any weight, as they certainly must, the forthcoming show will be the last held on the present site. The exhibits, which should be examined by all interested in road transport, are fewer in number than last year, Jesse Ellis, Ltd., John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., and other prominent makers being unrepresented, but their average of merit shows an advance in keeping with the greater degree of freedom conferred by the Heavy Motorcar Order. It is of interest to observe new entrants to the field of motor wagon construction, among whom we are pleased to report William AlIchin, Ltd., of Globe Works, Northampton, whose wide experience as manufacturers of traction engines, road rollers, traction plant and portable engines should enable them to cater most successfully for the requirements of users in the modern developments of mechanical road haulage. The wagon which we illustrate is designed to carry five tons on its own platform and to draw a further two tons on a trailer. An area of S2 sq. ft. is available for the load on the wagon's deck, and the two water tanks hold a total of 220 gallons, which is sufficient for a run of about Is miles under full load. A loco. type boiler is employed, working at aoolb. on the sq. in., this being lagged with sheet steel and carrying the usual mountings. Two pumps, one driven from the engine and an independent steam pump, are fitted, and a tubular water heater is introduced between the exhaust pipe of the engine and the discharge nozzle. An enclosed engine of the horizontal compound type is used, with cylinders 43,,i. and 7Ai11. in diameter by fin. stroke, and having ordinary link motion reversing gear. A special foot pedal lever enables the driver promptly to give h.p. steam to the 1.p. cylinder and an independent exhaust to each. Machine-cut steel gearing, and high-class roller chains, the whole enclosed in steel casings, convey the drive, and convenient provision is made to lock the compensating gear. Another novelty is the patent, motor, water-ballast roller constructed by Messrs. Barford and Perkins, of Queen Street Iron Works, Peterborough. This machine is it combination of an Sh.p. Simms petrol engine with the Peterborough firm's well-known road roller, and is another e.gample of the co-operation between the two industries. The hind roller is 36in. in diameter by 42in. long, with rounded edges, its structure allowing the introduction of 'water to any desired weight. When the cylindrical roller is empty, the total weight is a tons iscwt., of which i ton tocwt. is on the back roll. With all possible water put in, the rolling weight at the back is increased by newt. Two forward and reverse speeds, of one and three miles an hour, arc provided by means of spur wheels and a final chain drive. Natural circulation of the cooling water is made use of from the tank carried above the hind roller. It will be observed that the steering roller has a bridge pin to allow of oscillation in surmounting stones or other obstructions, whilst a pulley can be fitted to use the power externally for cutting chaff or other purposes. The world-wide reputation enjoyed by
Messrs. Barford and Perkins as makers of rollers augurs well for the new extension they have taken in hand. The St. Pancras Iron Work Co., Ltd., of 171, St. Pancras Road, S.W., which company was recently successful in securing the contract for two wagons from the Corporation of the City of London, is showing one of its standard 5-ton wagons. The features which should be examined in this vehicle are—(a) the rocking fore-carriage, which has a central pivot both fore and aft of the boiler; (b) Krupp's cast steel wheels; (c) the differential locking gear; (d) the cut steel gear wheels ; and (e) the valve motions. Each bearing is lined with phosphor-bronze, as are the bushes of the road wheels, and the whole machine is designed to fit it for hard work. The makers also sell float wagons, with the well only 'Sin, off the ground, for the conveyance of safes, cable drums, masonry, and other heavy pieces of small bulk. To manufacturers of agricultural implements, and the great body of general visitors, the stand of the Simms Manufacturing Co., Ltd., of Welbeck Works, Kimberley Road, Vtillesden Lane, Kilburn, N.W., will prove of much practical interest. Under the persona] guidance of Mr. Frederick R. Simms, great strides have been made in the application of the Simms petrol motor to farm and country house needs, whether for moving or stationary purposes. It will also well repay the time spent if an inspection is made of the tah.p. Simms-We:beck delivery van, to carry from i5cwt. to 2ocwt, of load. The engine has mechanical valves, low tension, Simms-Bosch magneto ignition with variable timing, and an automatic carburetter of proved merit. Other features which should not be missed in this system include--(a) dash pot to prevent undue slamming of clutch; (b) dust-proof spring adjustment to clutch; (c)coupling between clutch and first gear shafts; (d) " fool-proof " train of gears; (e) universal joint at rear of gear box ; (f) arrangement of live back axle; and (g) excellence of brakes. A large number of these vans are now on order for stores and general trades delivery in all parts of Great Britain.
Mann's Patent Steam Cart and Wagon Co., Ltd., of Pepper Road Works, Hunslet, Leeds, is exhibiting a 5-ton tipping wagon, built to the order of the Ealing Borough Council, and a 5-ton millers' wagon, which is a repeat order from Edmunds and Kench, Ltd., of Banbury. This company's exhibit will also include a specimen of its patent winter wheel, of which a description appears on page 299. Many parts of the machines testify to the fact that road experience has been the teacher, and these vehicles have proved their worth to a first place by the excellent records furnished by numerous users. The same may be said in regard to Fodens, Ltd., of Elworth Works, Sandbach, whose standard 5-ton wagon was spoken of so highly by the company's customers, who contributed exclusive accounts to our special issue of June 8th. This machine now carries no superfluous weight, and comes well within the new Local Government Board regulations. Another old traction engine name is found in Richard Garrett and Sons, Ltd., of Leiston, R.S.O., Suffolk, and the 5-ton lorry on this stand will probably be second in interest only to the small tractor which is staged beside it. The same tendency to turn out a light traction engine, so that the machines may be classed in the eyes of the law as "Heavy Motorcars," is evidenced in the case of other engineers whose fame as makers of road haulage engines is firmly established. Thus it is that Clayton and Shuttleworth, Ltd., of Lincoln, Aveling and Porter, Ltd., of Rochester, and Ruston, Proctor and Co., Ltd., of Sheaf Iron Works, Lincoln, are able to put forward excellent examples of these "doll" type traction engines which fall under the more recently adopted nomenclature of" tractors." Strictly speaking, and with perfect legitimacy, they are heavy motorcars within the meaning of the 1896 and 1903 Acts. As the Ruston engine has not been shown before, we may mention that it embodies what the makers regard as the best and most suitable features of their traction engine practice, necessarily modified for the purpose in view. It is designed to haul a load of five tons up a gradient of I in 12 on average roads, and the engine runs normally at only 320 revolutions per minute.
The IveI Agricultural Motors, Ltd., of 45, Great Marlborough Street, W., is showing two of the latest products of the Bigg-leswafle works. One of these is fitted with two speeds, and the engine has a paraffin carburetter. Alongside the motors is a 3-furrow plough-such as they regularly haul through heavy soils with deep cuts. Two mowing machines, fitted with the company's patent, joint, hauling attachment, which enables one motor to draw both, can be examined at the same inspection. One of the motors will, during part of the time, be engaged in driving a 5-knife chaff-cutter. It may here be noted that the IveI motor came through the trials of the National French Agricultural Society, held at Bordeaux three weeks ago, most successfully. The tests took place in vines planted 6ft. 61n. apart, with 141t. headlands. Notwithstanding the fact that the soil
was very difficult to plough, the motor proved sufficiently powerful to pull the special O-share plough, the work done in one turn being equal to six turns of the ordinary onehorse plough. It was, in addition, demonstrated that it was possible to get in and out of the rows without damaging the vines. The Ivel machines also secured a gold medal at the recent Essex County Show at Southend-on-Sea. The stand of Smith, Parfrey and Co., Ltd., of the Pimlico Wheel Works, Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith, W„ calls for notice by reason of the excellent and varied collection there displayed. Apart from lighter specimens of admitted interest, the artillery wheels for omnibuses and lorries are of sound construction and ample strength. The assortment of artillery axles, forgings, motor scrolls, springs, hubs, sprockets, brake drums, steering wheels, bent timber, and other useful parts is well worthy of close scrutiny both by manufacturers and users of motor vehicles. The same max' be said of the exhibit of the Shrewsbury and Challiner Tyre Co., Ltd., of Kay Street, Ardwick Green, Manchester, which includes some rubber specimens of exceptional value..
Wallis and Steevens, Ltd., of Basingstoke, includes in its exhibit two steam tractors and a trolley fitted with the Wallis patent backing gear. Ransornes. Sims and Jefferies, Ltd., of Orwell Works, Ipswich, shows two motor lawn mowers, fitted with Simms engines; one has a 24in. and the other a oin. roller. Other exhibitors whose stands should be visited are enumerated on page 291, and our report of next week will deal more fully with the various exhibits than has been found possible in this first account.
The best way to get to Park Royal is by train from Paddington Station. A special service will run from No. 6 platform, during the four days of the show, every 2o minutes between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m., and return trains will leave Park Royal for Paddington at the same intervals throughout the day to 9.20 p.m. The first class return fare is is., second class 9d., third class 6d. A service of direct trains will also run from Clapham Junction vi4 Addison Road, calling at Battersea, Chelsea, West Brompton, Uxbridge Road, and St. Ouintin's Park. These trains will leave No. g platform at Clapham junction about every hour from 8.3.5 a.m. to 8 p.m., and there will be a corresponding return service from. Park Royal to Clapham Junction every hour to 8.32 p.m. , The fares will be the same as from Paddington. Visitors from the City can travel from Broad Street and change at Willesden Junction, arriving at the Royal Showyard station, on the L. and N.W. Railway, adjoining the eastern entrance to the Show. The return fares from Euston or Broad Street arc, first class is. 6d., second class is. 34., third class is. Tickets by District Railway should be taken to Park Royal and Twyford Abbey Station, which is near the western entrances. The show ground can also be approached by electric tram from east or west along Uxbridge Road to Ealing Common Station, and thence by District Railway as above. Admission on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 27th and 28th, is 25. 6d. for each person; on Thursday the admission is reduced to is. after three o'clock in the afternoon, and on Friday the admission is is. throughout the day. It is announced that H.R.H. the Prince of Wales will visit the Show on the opening day, and that H.M. the King will pay a visit on the second day—Wednesday next.