Novel Features in Latest Allis-Chalmers Tractor
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PLANNED for every job on small farms and for small jobs on big farms, the new Allis-Chalmers Model B is probably the first farm tractor to be marketed with pneumatic tyres only. Steel wheel equipment is not available for this machine, of which the whole design is modern and full of interest.
From the aspect of layout, the most striking feature is the high clearance provided for rowcrop work, it being obtained by an arched front axle and the adoption of a tubular transmission housing which forms the union between the front and rear sections of the machine, The engine is a valve-in-head fourcylindered unit, with bore and stroke dimensions of 3} ins. and 8i ins. respectively. The normal speed is 1,400 r.p.m., and it is worth noting that even on a small motor of this size, the maker's standard practice of installing removable cylinder sleeves is followed. The equipment is, in fact, as complete as on all the larger engines and includes ail', oil and fuel filters, water puinp and fan cooling, and pressure lubrication. Models for using petrol or paraffin are available.
There is a dry-plate .disc clutch, 9 ins, in diameter and foot operated, from which the power is delivered to a
three-speed gearbox, located on the-,
rear-axle unit, and giving forward speeds of 2L 4 and 71 mph., with a reverse of 2 m.p.h.
A standard type of power take-off shaft and a belt pulley, each with own control, are located to the rear of the driving seat. The drawbar is adjustable vertically and has a good, range of lateral positions.
The rear wheels are equipped with 7.00-24 low-presitire tyres and liquid ballast in the tubes is regarded as standard practice. The front tyres are of 5.00-15 dimensions. The rear track is adjustable to 40 ins., 44 ins., 48 ins. or 52 ins, from centre to centre, whilst at the front the fixed width is 43 ins. The turning radius is 14 ft., and to enable short turns to be made, there are separate hand-operated brakes for the rear wheels, by which the driver can practically lock either at will.
On the occasion of a recent demontration of the ModelB,nearNewmarket, the machine was working on light land under dry conditions, but was able to demonstrate its pulling power by handling, with ease, a Ransome twofurrow plough, on second gear, at a depth of 8 ins. With the help of a. dynamometer 'it was shown that a drawbar pull of 1,600 lb. could be sustained in second gear.
When it is remembered that this ratio' can give a speed of 4 m.p.h., if the engine be opened up to its rated speed, it is obvious that a great deal of ground can be covered in a short time and the maker's claim of five acres-to six acres of ploughing per day, would not be excessive in such conditions.
The machine was also quite happy on a nine-tine cultivator, at all ordinary depths in second speed and at full depth in first speed, and could, obviously, have covered a great deal of ground on straightforward work.
There is good reason for believing that the fuel consumption is going to be most moderate with this tractor. The carburetter is planned with that end in view, also there is the low weight of the machine—only 2,100 lb. complete with ballast in ,the wheels—to play a part in this direction. Coupled with the low tractive resistance of the pneumatic-tyred wheels, these factors should effect a big reduction in fuelper-acre figures, as they are generally known at present.
The new machine should make a strong appeal to numerous agriculturists who have not before thought of themselves as prospective tractor users, as well as to many who have felt the need for a small but efiective unit to fit in with larger machines.
We understand that the price of the new machine will be below 050. It is marketed by the Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Co., Ltd., 728, Salisbury House, London Wall, London, E.C.2.