AGRIMOTOR NOTES.
Page 19
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In a recent issue we described the agri-trailer which had been devised by a Kentish firm for use in the field. This has prompted a correspondent to remind me that a similar device has been available for an appreciable period, and, indeed, forms part of the.output of the Saunderson tractor. This particular accessory, which I have seen upon more than one occasion, is a three-wheeled vehicle of simple design with strong girder frame and substantial coupling. It is certainly neat and compact, and capable pf standing up to the rough wear and tear which field work imposes. On the main frame are two tanks mounted in tandem fashion. The one carries 100 gallons of water, while the other carries an equivalent supply of oil fuel in bulk. A couple of pails serve for replenishing the tanks as desired. Along either side extends a tray, the one for carrying 10 tins of petrol, or amixed supply of petrol and lubricating oil, while the other locker carries tools, spare parts, and spare ploughshares. All receptacles are of the lock-up order, except the water tank, so that a -check upon supplies may be maintained.
Talking about trailers persuades me to point out • that it is an inexpensive and simple_matter to fashion one of these accessories if the conditions of work warrant such an auxiliary, and that without dipping -unduly deeply into the pocket. The scraphea_p of the average agricultural blacksmith will furnish the necessaries—axle, three wheels and a tank for the paraffin. The latter if more convenient may be stowed in petrol cans, in which event a, wooden locker would suffice. The frame might be Contrived out of available lumber usually to be found in plenty upon the average farm, while the local smith would assemble the whole for a few shillings. A barrel for the water would complete the outfit. Such a contrivance would be crude, but it would suffice for the work.
• It is ever a dangerous procedure to cite a certain • performance as a record. A few weeks ago it was stated that at Liverpool recently an unprecedented performance. had been put up by ploughing 12 acres in 12 hours. But Mr. Cecil Browning, of Steppingly, Beds., can go one better than that with his record, which, by the way, was put up so far back as 5th September, 1914. This gentleman had generally ploughed his land with a single-furrow plough drawn by two horses, but it had become so hard that animal effort
could scarcely penetrate it. So_ he invested in a petrol-driven tractor, a 30 b.h.p. Saunderson, by the way, to which he hitched two three-furrow ploughs. The machine was put to work at 7 a.m. in a 21-acre field, and by the time it left off at 7 p.m. it had ploughed 16.01 acres, the only 'occasional stops being for lubrication, as well as fuel and water replenishment. The total working costs for the day's work22 ls. 0d.--were made up as follow:— Driver and two ploughmen for 12 hours 14 0 Paraffin, 31 gallons at 6d. ... ... 15 6
Petrol, 2,1 gallons at Is. 6d. ... 3 9
Lubricating oil, 11 gallons at 2s. 3 0 Six ploughshares at 100.
41 6 representing an average of 2s. 7d. per acre for ploughing, while the average speed came out at approximately 1* acres an hour. Thus it will be seen that the so-called Liverpool achievement is really some way behind.
It is a healthy sign of the times in matters affecting motor farming to note the fertility of thought in the direction ef nvercoming the defects which, contemporary practice is so potentially emphasizing. It is generally admitted that the pressure of the moment is compelling us •to rest content with compromise—implements designed for use with animals are being employed in conjunction with mechanically-driven units, whereas, as is generally conceded, the plough should be designed to fit the tractor. The acceptance of this last-named principle is proving responsible for the manifestation of progressive thought. In some quarters it is even averred that success will only be fully achieved by making the power unit and the implement a homogeneous whole, and self-contained, but separable at wilt. Pursuing this line of thought brings one to the logical conclusion—the Motor plough. Bat so far the efforts in this direction have proved neither productive nor promising, especially in connection with the multiple-furrow unit, the reason being that the implements to this end have suffered from erroneous fundamental scientific reasoning, which becomes reflected in application by the erratic behaviour of the plough, and unevenness of the
resultant work. * I am tempted to refer to this subject from the new motor plough of which I have seen the complete drawings, and of which the first model is already at
work. This machine, represents the outconle of 20 years continuous experiment on the part of one of our power-farming pioneers. The first machine of this character was built 16 odd years ago, but was abandoned, as were subsequent models, inasmuch as the designer considered them to be unsatisfactory. The new machine, of which I hope to publish a fullyillustrated and detailed description in an early issue, is noteworthy from its simplicity, high-efficiency, excellent Work irrespective of number of furrows ploughed, applicability of attachment to any tractor, and full compliance with the demands for a one-man outfit. Furthermore, if desired the plough may be left permanently attached, although it is designed for ready removal by a simple release device. If retained the tractor may be driven along the high road or country lanes on high speed in ordinary haulage work without any risk of damage to the implement. The key to the success which has been achieved is the incorporation of means of securing requisite flexibility between the plough section of the unit and the tractor, which flexibility ensures all the furrows, say in a fourfurrow 'implement, penetrating to the soil to a uniform depth, and maintaining that depth from one end of the land to the other, as well as enabling the machine to operate on a square turn with the plough at right angles to the tractor, enabling the most awkward corners to be turned even up to the hedge-row or ditch. AGRIMOT.