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Steam v. Petrol Agrimotors in Kent.

4th April 1912, Page 13
4th April 1912
Page 13
Page 14
Page 13, 4th April 1912 — Steam v. Petrol Agrimotors in Kent.
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A Daimler "36" Proves a Worthy Antagonist for a Fowler Cable Steamengine System. Steam-engine Maker's Views on Oil v. Steam Plough-mg.

An interesting and bomewha tunusual demonstration took place, on Friday last, at Pedham Place Farm, near Farningham in Kent, where Thomas Wood and Sons, Ltd., farms some 2000 acres. Representatives of well-known agrimotor manufacturers were present, including: Messrs. J. G. Brock hank and E. E. Boughton, of the Daimler Co., Ltd., Messrs. C. H. and A. Fowler, of John Fowler and Co., Ltd..: and Messrs. H. G. Pitts and Ralph Aveling, of Aveling and Porter, Ltd, An old gentleman of 79. years of age, who has spent his lifetime on the PeciTiam Place Farm, stated that he first employed a Fowler steam engine at Pedham Place over 50 years ago, when he used :3 ft. baulks of timber to prevent the wheels from sinking in the ground. The manager of the Oxford Steam Plough Co., Mr. P. E. Greening, informed our representative thatat the present time his company was engaged in re-boilering two late 14 h.p. Fowler engines, which were supplied to the Prince Consort 45 years ago for use on the Royal Farm at Windsor. This speaks well for their lasting qualities. During the last nine years, this firm has supplied over 100 high-pressure boilers for Fowler engines. Another interested spectator was Mr. E. Sewell, of Marshall and Sons, Ltd., Gainsborough, who has returned, after doing pioneer work with his firm's agrimotors, from S. America. Ploughing on a 1 in 10 Gradient.

Part of the test took place in an undulating field, where in places the gradient was 1 in 10. The test was more a trial of actual work performed, than one of fuel and cost. The cable system, under these conditions, showed twice the ploughed area of the directtraction system. In fairness to the latter, however, the question of initial outlay must be taken into eon sideration, before any unbiassed opinion can be reached. The Fowler plant used, we understand, is priced at 22300, whereas the oil-tractor works out at a, cost of £514 complete. The steam engines were of the latest Fowler 12 h.p. type (nominal), fitted with two-speed gears. A Fowler anti-balance six-share plough was used, with the ploughs set to a depth of 8 in. The Daimler oil-tractor was using a four-share Ransome'plough, cutting a width of 4 ft. to a depth of 9 in.

' After a two hours test, during which time some four acres of land were turned over, the company adjourned to the Lion Hotel, at Farningham, where lunch was provided by Thomas Wood and Sons, Ltd. After a pleasant meal, the party re-assembled in another field on the farm. This field is one of the largest in Kent. It marks, also, the second highest point in the county, and has an area of 450 acres without a hedge or ditch. The Respective Advantages ol the Sy item.

The second test took place in rather-heavier ground, and, although the cable-drawn plough covered an area of something like 2 to I, yet the consensus of opinion appeared to be that the quality of work performed by the oil-tractor was, if anything, :slightly superior. It is rather doubtful if the highest speed of the steam-plough—something like four miles an hour --would be advantageous in dry weather. The two-speed gear, however, certainly gives steam a certain amount of elasticity in this respect. At the :headlands, the direct tractor, by reason of its lightness and manceuvring power, showed to advantage.

As has been previously stated, the demonstration was in no way a test of actual cost. As no figures were taken of fuel and supplies for the steam engines, we are unable to supply our readers with comparative tables. The figures shown by the Daimler tractor, however, are of interest. They are : acres ploughed,

; petrol used, gallons ; lubricating oil consumed, 21 quarts ; hours worked, ei ; gallons of petrol per acre, 3; average cost per acre, 4s. 4d.

Mr. C. H. Fowler Chats on Petrol and Steam.

Our representative took advantage of the occasion to ascertain the views of a well-known steam-engine maker on the subject of the competing systems,

" What is your opinion of the oil-driven direct tractor, Mr. Fowler f" asked our man, plunging straight into the subject.

" There is room for both—plenty," was the answer, "Do you think they will supersede the steamdriven cable system? " "Frankly, I do not. Mind, I do not pin my faith entirely to steam. My opinion is that at the present time the steam-cable plough has numerous advantages which the direct tractor cannot encroach upon. Firstly in the order of advantage, I should place reliability. My personal view is that the petrol agrimotor has yet to reach the 365-days-work-a-year stage." " You think, then, Mr. Fowler, that oil has a future in farm work? "

" An enormous one."

"Am I to understand that your firm have in hand a new design of oil-tractor? " There was a twinkle in the gentleman's eye. " We really could not have a better day for a test," he commented. Our representative, perforce, agreed.


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