A NEW STEAM TRACTOR.
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A Yorkshire Firm's Production Primarily for the Agriculturist.
IT WAS NOT to be expected that the British engineering industry would allow for long the British tractor market to be monopolized by imports from America, and already more extensive efforts have been made in several quarters for the capturing of this trade by the placing upon the market of British-made implements suited to the requirements of the British farmer. The steps taken have been in two directions, firstly, the adaptation for the particular needs of agriculture of a type of machine already on the market and used for some other purpose, and, secondly, the designing of an entirely new type of . tractor in which the needs of the farmer have been considered first.
Difficult questions have to be settled before progress can be made on either al these lines. Probably war time difficulties stand in the way of the second alternative to a greater extent than the first, but in view of the ultimate success which is sure to follow the introduction of a tractor specially made for agri cultural purposes there is much to be said in favour of this method of procedure even at the present time. This is the conclusion which has been arrived at by a prominent agricultural engineer in the North of England whose plans have reached such a stage that a large establishment of Yorkshire engineers, Summerscales, Ltd., of Keighley, have taken.up the matter and have already passed through its initial tests a tractor built on novel lines. These tests have been of an extremely rigorous character, yet the machine has come up to every expectation, and it is hoped that machines can be placed on the market almost at once. Naturally the first real tests were with the tractor attached to a plough. The only land available at the time was a, piece of uncultivated moorland, .on which heather, with stems and roots like whipcord, was growing. Yet, even with a four-furrow plough and plain coulters, the tractor never hesitated. The driver had had no previous experience with such a machine, and the second man very little experience of ploughing, but there was never a hitch which could in any way be accounted to the tractor. In fact, . the few engineers who were privileged to see the tractor at work were unanimous in. proclaiming it "a little marvel."
Not only were the farmer's real needs taken into consideration in designing the tractor, but account was also taken of his particular inclinations, and even of his fads and fancies. Primarily this led to steam being adopted as the motive power, because it was felt that though the majority of tractors at present in use employ petrol, the farmer is more familiar with steam engines, Further, Steam is more flexible, and with it there is no likelihood of overheating, and no troubles such as the change over from petrol to pi, ra.ffi a .
Cost is a great consideration with an implement of this character, and not only did steam lend itself to the production of a machine with fewer and simpler working parts, and, consequently, a lower first cost, but with it running costs and repairs were able to be kept at a minimum. Being less. complicated than a petrol tractor, the steamer is more suited to the 1032 needs of the man who has little or no knowledge of engineering.
Orthodox steam engine practice has not been followed, however, and the result is that the best features of petrol tractor design have been obtained in a much simpler manner than by the use of an internalcombustion engine. The simplicity of the machine has enabled the weight to be cut down to 65 cwt., which compares well with that of other agricultural steam engines (so far as it is desirable' to Cut down weight) and the makers will be able to adopt the principles of quantity production, and turn out a machine at an extremely low price. All parts will be standardized, and with every part easy of access it will be a simple matter for any man with the least engineering knowledge to refit spare parts should they be needed.
Though the first model is naterally somewhat rough in appearance, subsequent .models. will have a neater appearance, but, in 'view of-the manner in which-the' tractor has stood up to Its test, it has not been thought necessary to alter any vital parts: The tractor is built on a channel' steel frame._ An upright, side-fired boiler is set about the centre of, the frame, the engine being bolted direct to the frame members immediately in front of the boiler, and in a position relative to the front -wheel similar to the engine of a petrol car. This position obviates the expense and trouble of bedding and alignment, a costly operation and, tone which presents difficulties only partially overcome. in *moat cases. In more ways than" one the engine is similar to a petrol engine. It is a four-cylinder " V " type singleacting unit, with tappet. valves, ,and all the working parts run in an oil bath. Running at about 350 revolutions per minute, a three-to-one reduction gear is provided frOm the crankshaft.to the secondary shaft, this shaft aCtuating the valve-'operating earn and carrying the power to a sprocket wheel on the lefthand side of the machine. From this sprocket wheel power is taken to the back axle by a Renold chain, A reverse motion is obtained by sliding along the shaft the cam which operates the valves, and thus link motions, and other gear actuated by eccentrics on the crankshaft are avoided. A power unit with a fewer number of parts it would be difficult to design, The differential gear, like the engine, is totally enclosed and runs in Yet it is easy of access., and can he locked when necessary.
There. is no necessity for ail, hourly or daily oiling of working parts, however, an important point in view of the class of men into whose hands. the tractor will fall. All that is necessary is to see that the oil-bath of the engine is full up to a certain level as indicated by a gauge and the engine does the rest.
The driver stands beside the bailer, at one side of the tractor and takes his supply of coal or coke from a bunker placed on the top of the water tank over the rear wheels, The boiler works at 200 lb. pressure with superheater, and it has been found in ploughing that 60 lb. of coal per acre is the average consumption.
The wheels are well sprung, and the tractor is suitable for road work. Laminated springs are fitted to the rear wheels, and a spiral spring to the steering wheel. Steering is from a hand wheel, operating a worm and worm wheel, and circular rack, and there is little chance of wear affecting the movement. In action 25 b. h.p. is developed, and with rear wheels of ample width a four-furrOw plough can be drawn without any indication of the soil being "packed." An outside flywheel of good size is fitted for the attachment of a belt, and another novel fitting is an arrangement whereby, after the day's work is done, the steam still in the boiler on arrival at the farmstead. can be used for cooking poultry and cattle foods.
The endeavour of the designer and patentee has been to secure lightness, efficiency and cheapness., and
there is little doubt that be has succeeded to a remarkable degree. A low first cost has been fixed, and with reasonable handling there is no apparent reason why the • tractor should not prove as reliable, and give such long service as the ordinary steamer of commerce which has proved itself so useful. in so many spheres. Further, it would be a simple matter for the tractor to be adapted for any form of heavy road haulage, and take the place of a steam wagon. A tour of the tractor is being arranged, commencing at Mr. H. Kent's, Grove Farm, Moortown, Leeds, where ploughing will be done from 10th September to 14th September inclusive.. The tractor will then pro(Ted byroad to the Holderness district of Yorkshire.