The Agrimotors: Eight Exhibitors of Internal-combustion Sets, and One Exhibitor of Steam.
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The action of the Ministry of, Munitions, in barring many ot the usual types of exhibits., and in limiting the exhibits of others to machines which were completed net later than the 6th April last, accounts for' the fact that the machines with which we shall next week have to deal as the result of a stand-to-stand inspection will be small in number. The object of our references to the agrimotors in the present forecast is to direct .attention to names and features which should help to lead many agriculturists and estate owners in and around Manchester to decide to make a personal inspection on the spot next week.
Bull (Stand 184).
Messrs. Cyrus Robinson and Co., of New York, whose English representative is Mr. D. R. Irwin, of 34 and 35, Queen Anne's Chambers, Broadway, Westminster, London, S.W., will exhibit a, Bull tractor. . Both the driving and steering wheels of this machine, which we illustrate, run in the same furrow., the object being to make the 'steering automatic and ,positive, and to prevent any packing of the land by the weight of the. machine upon it immediately before ploughing. Considerable use of the engine shows that it will. give a regular 20 is.h.p. when on stationary work, and a steady draw-bar pull of 7 h.p. when used as a tractor. The price of the Bull tractor is 2250 c.i.f. London Docks, and it weighs 1 ton 19 cwt. net. When adapted to use paraffin as sv 1 as petrol, the price is insr ased by 25. We are informed that approximately 1400 of these nachines have already been sold in
the United States for agricultural purposes. It is stated that, according to the stiffness of the ground, the petrol consumption varies between l and 2 gallons per acre ploughed., and the time between and 2 hours, unless exceptional conditions prevail.
The Bull tractor can be used to pull any make of plough, and Mr. Irwin also supplies one of special design, the use of which enables one man to look after both the engine and the plough. His price for a two-furrow, 14-in, plough is £30 c.i.f. London Docks.
Daimler (Stand 191).
The Daimler Co., Ltd., of Coventry, will show a 40 h.p. agricultural tractor, as illustrated on page 330. It will be shown hauling a threshing machine. This make of tractor has for some years past been sold in considerable numbers_for use overseas, to which branch of business the Daimler Co. has more particularly directed its attention in this department.. As a matter of fact, since the outbreak of war, the company has not been permitted to manufacture them for general sale, but has had to be content to file numerous inquiries whilst refraining from making actual deliveries. These agrirnotors are fitted with the company's standard sleeve-valve engines, of the four-cylinder or sixcylinder type according to the power required, and are finished throughout, both as to material and workmanship, in a manner which is fully equal to the best practice amongst the leading British makers of high-class agnmotors who have specialized in this branch. It will be seen that, from
its general outlines, the machine approaches in appearance the external form of a steam-engined tractor; the tunnel in this case accommodates the exhaust from the engine, whilst the power installation is placed " amidstups."
1ve1 (Stand 190).
A standard Ivel agricultural tractor, fitted with a 24 h.p. engine, will be shown by Ivel Agricultural Motors, Ltd., of Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. The machine will not be a new one, but one which has been lent to the company by its owner, Col. the Hon. W. Le Poer Trench, R.E. (Rtd.), C.V.O.' J.P., St. Hubert's, Gerrards Cross, Bucks. The machine can be run either on paraffin or petrol, and has only one speed in either threetion. Its usual work is to haul a three-furrow plough, or a cultivator, or two binders, or two mowers. It has a power pulley for use in stationary work. Alongside the tractor will be a three-furrow plough, representative of the type of plough which is usually drawn behind the Ivel tractor.
Mann (Stand 182).
Practically the only steam exhibit, which falls within the limits of the Motor Car Acts will be the agricultural tractor on the Stand of Mann's Patent Steam Cart and Wagon Co., Ltd., of Pepper Road Works, Hunslet; Leeds. This light steam agricultural tractor will prove to be one that has been• sold to Messrs. J. Peck and Son, Borough Iron Works, Grand Sluice, Boston, Lincs. It is a standard Mann machine, designed and suitable for pulling a fourfurrow plough, when plough'ng 6 or 7 ins, deep in strong land. It is also capable of hauling two self-binders, or loads of between five and six tons upon the road ; it can alternatively be applied to the usual stationary purposes, such as driving a thresher or other barn machinery.
A special feature of this Mann
engine is the satisfactory manner i in which t combines the functions of an agrimotor for use on the land and a tractor for use on the road. Its stout construction is primarily • with a view to road haulage,, whilst. its large bearing surface on the land yields a desirable low pressure per unit of area. We illustrate the machine, hauling two selfbinders, at the foot of page 332. it is an all-the-year-round type. Martin (Stand 126).
A fairly-comprehensive exhibit wilt be on the stand of Martin's Cultivator Co., Ltd., Lincolnshire Iron Works, Stamford. This will comprise : a motor plough ; a cultivator; a potato digger ; harrows; a swath turner ; a combined side delivery rake, swath turner and tedder ; a Canadian-made mower ; a Canadian-made binder.
The novelty of the Martin machine is the manner in which• the inventor has embodied the chaintrack type of driving mechanism. The company has worked upon the problem of mechanical aids to farming for a number of years past, and the special lines of its cultivator, based upon long experience, are clearly shown in the accompanying photograph. A combination of plates and roller chains
forms a pair of endless bands ; these serve to carry the machine*, the chain-plate band on each side being driven by a sprocket on .a cross-shaft, whilst provision is made according to necessity to fix studs in the steel plates. This type of machine undoubtedly possesses characteristics which should enable it successfully to undertake cultivating work.
Omnitractor (Stand 185).
• The Oinnitractor Syndicate, Ltd., of 15-19, Gt, St. Helens, London, E.C., claims the absence of all chains and mitre wheels as a meritorious feature in its design, in conjunction with three direct reductions in the transmission. The syndicate will exhibit a standard machine, of 30 b.h.p., one of which is illustrated on page 331. The design is such that only stock sizes
of steel are used for construction of the chassis, wheels and framing, the whole of which are put together in such a way that repairs can be done by a local smith. There is a safety starting gear, and the pull when ploughing is taken from the centre of the machine, to obviate rearing. The designer has studied the position of the driver, with a view to his having the plough or other load under close observation. He has also provided space for sufficient fuel, which is fed by gravity, hi cover more than a normal day's work. The engine uses either petrol or paraffin.
Overtime (Stand 196).
The Overtime Farm Tractor Co., of 124-127, Minories, London, E.G., will exhibit one of its "12-24 h.p." farm tractors along with one of its self-lift ploughs. The weight of this agrimotor is only 30 cwt. in working order, in order to comply with the requirement of farmers that a machine shall not be heavy enough un
duly to impress the ground, and therefore to thin the ensuing crops along its wheel-tracks. It is claimed that the Overtime tractor gives the least trouble in this direction. It uses paraffin, and is of the two-cylinder type. As to the self-lift plough, it cuts three or four furrows of 10 ins. each ; it is designed with an all-purpose breast for working in England. Delivery can be given from stock at short notice— one day if necessary. The company also makes a practice of selling the machines through local agents, and is inviting further applications for appointments.
Universal (Stand 192).
Saunderson and Mills, Ltd., of Elstow Works, Bedford, will exhibit the middle one of its range of three sizes of Universal tractor. This tractor was described very fully in our last issue—pages 318 to
evolved an agrirnotor which is admirably suited for general purposes on the farm, including cultivating, harrowing, etc., as well as ploughing. The%engine is a twin-cylinder one of 20 h.p., fitted with a vaporiser so that paraffin can be utilized as a fuel after a start has been made on petrol; transmission is by spur gears through a three-speedand-reverse Kearbox, with the final drive to a differential on the rear axle with locking gear fitted. Provisign is made4or the usual belt pulley to drive .threshing and other. agricultural In RellineS.
Wyles (Stand 193).
The WyleS motor plough, which will be exhibited by Vryles Motor Ploughs, Ltd., of 5, Carr Street, Manchester, began its life as a machine selling for 2100. Two examples are expected at Manchester. This journal was the first to direct
attention to the unique features of the Wyles plough ; the facts that it has become heavier' and more costly, during the intervening years of development, do not in any way detraet fr6m.the high opinion which we originally formed as to its capabilities. This agrimotor is now 'priced at. £190, plus 10 per cent. due to the increased cost of raw materials.
The Wyles machines are rated at
11 hilt theyfrequeptly give 13 h.p. The agrimetbrs at DoNnchester will be of the latest ty' eacla with a two4urrow plough and patent lifting gear, the whble selfcontained. Tl-ie plough is mounted on a frame which slides under the main frathe at the rear of the motor in conjunction-with a swivelling arrangepent. This agrimotor is also designed for the use of power ex. ternally, and in stationary work the pulley drive, is controlled by means of the main clutch. Twc forward speeds are fitted, and one reverse speed, with the whole of the transinession totally enclosed.
It is interesting to note that, during the past year, Mr. Wyles has adopted a larger and improved type of radiator and fan, and has increase the arrangements for lubricating the gearbox bearings, whilst the water-jacketing of tlit engine cylinder has been enlarged. Adjustment has been provided for the engine governing, so that the operator can vary the amount of movement to be allowed to the governors, as may be required for ally particular work. The fuel tank has been considerably lowered, and with it the centre of gravity.
Positions of Other Exhibitors.
We can only this week make passing mention of other exhibitors, or would-be exhibitors, although we shall in our "Royal Show Issue" of next week deal with the position of many of these companies at greater length. Representative supporters of the " Royal " for varying terms of years are now so fully occupied on production for the Admiralty and the War Department, that no other position than the one which has asserted itself is really possible. Their stands, notwithstanding these facts, and in a large measure because of of thew, merit the attention of visitors.
Aveling and Porter, Ltd. (Stand 72), will include a compound road locomotive, an eight,ton compound steam road-roller, a, trailer wagon, and a travelling sleeping van ; Clayton and Shuttleworth, Ltd. (Stand 164), will include one traction engine, two portable engines, a large thresher, a clover huller, and a knife chaff-cutter, wiiilst the company may be able to show a combined steam. tractor ; Wm. Foster and Co., Ltch (Stand 180), will send only a 7 h.p. single-cylinder agricultural traction engine, and a threshing machine; John Fowler and Co. (Leeds), Ltd. (Stand 136), had not up to Monday last been able to advise us of its, exact intentions ; Richard Garrett and Sons, Ltd. (Stand 135), will include amongst its exhibits a single-cylinder, superheated, portable engine, as well as two of the saturated-steam type, and two threshing machines ; J. and II. McLaren (Stand 197) will be showing one of its heavy steam ploughing motors, with a gang of ploughs and a wagon ; Marshall, Sons and Co., Ltd. (Stand 186), will be showing a single-cylinder traction engine, a single-cylinder port. able steam engine, and a largesized threshing machine ; Ranseines, Sims and Jefferies, Ltd. (Stand 166), will be showing only one portable steam engine ;Ruston, Proctor and Co., Ltd. (Stand 174), will be showing a single-cylinder road-roller, a single-cylinder traction engine, a single-cylinder
portable engine, three centrifugal pumps, a threshing machine with chaff bagger, a clover huller, an eight-ton traction wagon, a chaffcutting machine, and a press for baling hay and straw ; Charles Burrell and Sons, Ltd., does not expect to have any exhibits on its stand, nor does W. Tasker and Sons, Ltd., whilst Fodens, Ltd., Leyland Motors, Ltd., Scottish Commercial Cars, Ltd., the Yorkshire Commercial Motor Co., Walsh. and Clark, Ltd , T. Green and Son, Ltd.,Wallis and Steevens, Ltd. and Wm. Allchin, Ltd , are definite absen tees, Prominent amongst aeces sory and supply names are W. H. Willcox and Co., Ltd. (Stand 141), Price's Co., Ltd. (Stand 195), and the North British Rubber Co., Ltd. (Stand 125); Some of these will arrange a display of exhibits, whilst others will practically only have rG-. presentative& at their stands.