Charles Burrell and Sons, Limited.
Page 14
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Exhibit : One Compound Tractor.
As a result of the behaviour of the tractor which was entered in the R.A.C. trials last autumn by Charles Burrell and Sons, Limited, of the Saint Nicholas Works, Thetford, Norfolk, that company was awarded a gold medal, and, although the identical machine is not shown on stand No. 4, the company is showing a similar one. These tractors are built on the same lines as the large traction engines which are made by this company, and the enormous experience which has been gained by this maker during the many years that such engines have been on the market, has been brought to bear on the production of this sturdy little machine.
The tractor which is staged is one of this maker's compound type, but, we would point out, a similar model, with a simple engine, is also made. The two models are mounted on springs both fore and aft, and the differential gear, unlike that of all other steam tractors, is mounted on the second-motion shaft; from that shaft, the power is transmitted to each of the driving wheels through spur
pinions and gear wheels. The axle is, thus, a "dead " one, and it is not called upon to take any of the driving strains. The manner in which this is effected is shown in a sectional drawing which was reproduced in " THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR" Of the izth of December last.
They are also fitted with a patent instantaneous-grip, differential locking gear, which can be operated from the foot plate without the necessity for dismounting. Mr. J. E. W. Harding, of Church Street, Woking, who owns one of these machines, and who undertakes haulage work, received, during the early part of last year, a letter from Messrs, Robertson Brothers, of Chertsey Road, North Road, and Walton Road, Woking, the text of which we reprint :—" On going through our account of removals for 1906, we find that your tractor has covered over 3,000 miles during that period. We have pleasure in stating that our various clients, one and all, have been well satisfied in every way as regards time and safe delivery made by this kind of transit. We may mention that your tractor has some weeks covered the distance of 350 miles and over."
The work which was done for Messrs. Robertson Brothers represents only a fraction of the total work thai the machine performed during the year 1906. Such expressions of satisfaction must be very gratifying to manufacturers of utility motors.