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AGRIMOTOR NOTES.

19th December 1918
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Page 19, 19th December 1918 — AGRIMOTOR NOTES.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

A New Austin Tractor. A Novel Alldays Coupling.

The announcement of the Austin Motor Co.'s programme including as it does a farm tractor, is interesting, although the, inclusion of a tractor was not unexpected by those who had watched the interest shown by the company in tractors during the past two or three years. During that period when the production side of the factory was more than fully occupied on. the production of munitions, the company acquired and worked the agencies for several American farm tractors—the Peorria, Killen-Strait, and Bates Steel Mule, if I remember aright—and altogether, I believe, imported a considerable number of these machines, which it marketed under the name of the Austin Culti-tractors. I understand it was an open secret that these machines were mainly imported and handled with a view to obtaining tractor experience on which to base the design of a, machine to be subsequently produced in their own factory. The new Austin tractor, then, would appear to be the result of this policy. , I have net yet seen the new production, nor have I seen an illustration, or a detailed specification ; but one thing puzzles me about it and that is why only a two-plough tractor has been decided upon, seeing that all American experience goes to show that the real economic value of the tractor is only found when it is doing the work of the maximum of horses and men which the acreage allows

to be worked and that four-plough tractors, rather than two-plough tractors, form the better purchase.

Another point that occurs to me from reading the brief description I have seen. is how, if it is only a. two-plough tractor, it can be capable of driving a 54-in, threshing machine. I have. seen no mention anywhere of the size of engine employed, but no American tractor I have any knowledge of, short a a four-plough (14-in, ploughs) machine, having abont 35 h.p. power at the belt pulley, is capable of efficiently operating a thresher of this size. If, in fact, it will do so, then it seems to me the engine is thwwn away in a tractor• to pull only, two ploughs-9 m. I presume, it being an English make for English farms. I feel sure that it is not a mere matter of inefficiency resulting in a big loss between engine and drawbar. This supposition is untenable, seeing who are the sponsors for its production. Of course, if all is as stated, then no doubt it is a good fault—if it can be so called—for it is certainly most desirable that a. tractor should have a surplus, rather than a shortage of power, so that it may be doing its work well within its power capacity allithe time, instead of labouring with work it is only just able to manage, which is a fault with many of the American makers, which are often sadly deficient in power for the work they are

sold to perform. On one point the new machine will certainly score, for the. quoted figure of 1200 is 252 less than the Fordson, which also is but a two-plough machine, so that it would appear as if, in the tractor field, the redoubtable Henry Ford had at last met his match-and, if I know anything of Sir Herbert Austin's ability as a. designer ;i.and approver of designs, stability rather than the reverse is likely to be a characteristic, which will be a valuable factor in its competition with its American rivals.

Alldays and Onions Pneumatic Engineering Co., Ltd., of Birmingham, the makers of one of the bestknown English tractors, have taken up the manufacture of the AlIday Fosbery patent tractor coupling attachment, which is herewith illustrated. The object of this attachment is to make the average farm cart available for use in connection, with farm tractors, without in any way altering the make-up of the cart ; it is intended that it shall be left so that it can be either horse or motor drawn—in other words, • any farm implement having shafts can be coupled up to a tractor by the aid of this coupling.

Four brackets in the form of bolts and plates are permanently affixed on the underside of the shafts of the car or other implements, and do not in any way interfere with the harness or trappings, ahould it be desired to use the implement for horse traction at any time. When the brackets have been permanently fixed on to the shafts, the

into position of putting the attachment position or ,emoving it can be accom

plished in a few minutes. One of the illustrations will make this clear, and from this it will be seen that two bars are employed in connection with a triangular-shaped draw-bar, ancl,the crossbars are held in position by means of sliding collars. In order to take care of the varying heights of different implements, a bracket is provided at the front, having a number of holes drilled in it so as to permit of the tie-bar being coupled up at the correct height. The initial pull is taken up through the spring, which will be seen at the front end of the tie-bar. The attachment consisting of the draw-bar, with other fittings shown in one of the illustrations, and four sets of ,brackets kr attaching to the shafts (thus enabling the user to fit up four carts or implements for immediate use with a tractor) are provided. The length of the attachment over-all is 5 ft. 4 ins., and the length of the rods is 3 ft. 2 ins. ; the total weight is 84 lb.

The Allday

The present price of this fitting is 26 17s. 6d. per set. The work of having the plates fitted to the shafts of a number of vehicles being a comparatively small matter. It will be noted that the plates pass through the shafts vertically, and not horizontally, and, being clamped together, very little weakening, if any, of the shafts takes place, which, of course, is ,a point that has to be considered. Provided other matters were permissible by law, it would be possible for the -tractor at one journey to couple up several implements instead of making several journeys, because these implements, if provided with such an attachment, could easily be drawn one behind the other by some simple method.

With the. end of the war with us many of the restrictions which are at present being imposed in various directions on both sides the Atlantic will no doubt be removed. But, as matters stand at present, the price of American tractors is likely to advance considerably, and they may become quite difficult to obtain, for, in consequence of the heavy demand for steel for ships and munitions, the American Conservancy War Board haS announced that the supply of steel to tractor makers will be reduced 25 per cent, whilst at the same time there is an enormous •demand for tractors amongst American farmers, caused by the shortage of labour on the farms. Farmers who still hesitate to make their purchase may have to pay dearly for _their delay. AOIUMOT..

. A Contrast.

The Three-tonner.

Work and worry, worry and work, The lorry's not the one to shirk. Load her up with a load too big, It's good enough for that old pig! Never mind the paintwork—lorries don't care, Never mind the mudguards—what if they're not there ?

Never mind the solid tyres—they're jolly tough, Never mind the driver's seat—he's pretty rough! "

My Lady Limousine.

A little work and lots of play, Those little journeys every day, And lots of care and washing down, A dainty car for work in town. ' Now mind that pain twork, John, it's nearly new, And those domed mudguards cost a pound or two..

Tyres Took much betler for a little care, That seat all right, John ? Dry enough in there I"


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