MORE NEWS OF THE FORD TRACTOR.
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The light agricultural tractor, in which the famous Ford Manufacturing Co. is interested, and to which we have previously referred, has recently been exhibited at the Michigan State fair, where it was demonstrated in various ways. Although some satisfactory performances have apparently been made by this machine, its sponsors assure us that they have not yet finished experimenting, nor have they finally decided upon several of its importantdetails. To such an extent is this so that it seems to be _very unlikely that the: machine will be marketed during the next 12 months. At present it is continually on test, and as •Continnally suffers improvement in details.
Tows Five Tons or Ploughs Five Acres per day.
It has been engaged as a road tractor, pulling a five-ton trailer
over 150-mile journeys, the average speed throughout which is generally in the neighbourhood of 16 m.p.h. It has also been proved capable of ploughing between five and ten acres per day, the amount, of course, depending on the nature of the ground and the depth to which it is to be tilled. As a general rule, it is arranged to pull either one 76 in. or two 12 in. shares.
Standard Ford Engine, Using Paraffin.
The engine is arranged with a special carburetter so that. it can Use paraffin, provision for carrying le gallons of which is made. The same power unit and radiator are used as in the standard Ford car, with a special worm-driven rear axle and two-speed gearbox, the combined reduction being 32 to 1 on top and 77 to 1 on the low
gear. Two sets of road wheels are provided, one for use when the tractor is being utilized as a road tractor ; this set is fitted with solid rubber tires. The other set of wheels is steel-rimmed, the rear wheels being fitted with spuds. These are utilizable on cultivated ground.
One-fifth the Cost of Horses.
In order that the engine may be efficiently cooled an auxiliary water tank is carried with a—cepacity of 10 gallons. From comparative tests made and allowing the total life of the tractor at only 100 working days, it has been found possible to plough five times the acreage possible with horses for the same overall expenditure. These few additional particulars will no doubt be noted with interest in the country generally.