Fordson Major on Tracks
Page 54
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COLLOWING extensive tests under
practical operating conditions, County Commercial Cars, Ltd., Fleet, Hants, will shortly be in quantity, production of a track-laying machine based on the Fordson Major tractor. The County Tracklayer will be available only as a complete working unit.
Power is taken from the Fordson gearbox to the track sprockets via a spiral-bevel pinion and crown wheel, two steering clutches, and two straighttoothed reduction-gear assemblies. The steering clutches are mounted one on each side of the crown wheel, from which they are directly driven. Each clutch comprises internal-expanding spring-loaded shoes, which bear against a brake drum splined on to the reduction-gear pinion shaft.
Steering is carried out through the medium of two levers, connected one to each set of shoes. A foot-operated brake band contracts on to the outside of the drum when it is desired to make a sharp turn.
The tracks have hardened steel pins and bushes pressed into steel links which carry 12-in. plates. As the bushes are non-interlocking, they can be turned or renewed with the shoes in position.
Adjustment of the track is carried out by a single-thread adjuster connected to the front idler unit. Each track frame is flexibly attached at three points to the tractor body; at the rear by a Silentbloc trunnion; at the centre by a transverse leaf spring, from which is taken a Silentbloc-jointed radius arm• forming the third point of attachment.
Five double-flange bottom rollers carry each track frame, and each track is supported by a spring-mounted top idler roller, which, it is claimed, reduces noise and track impact. The general design of the County Tracklayet permits Fordson hydraulic equipment to be used, whilst the standard Fordson pulley, power take-off and electrical fittings can be accommodated.
It is understood that the price of the machine has been fixed at £765, and that delivery, through Fordson tractor dealers, will start in March or April.