An American Motor Plough.
Page 19
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An Interesting Surrey Demonstration of its Capabilities.
The extreme importance of agricultural activity no doubt accounted in a great measure for the unusually large number of observers present at the ploughing demonstration which took_ place on Wednesday, the 17th inst., at Cuddington Hall Farm, Chew', Surrey, where by the courtesy of the owner, Mr. W. B. Wallace, a demonstration of the capabilities of the new Moline-Universal motor plough was given. Added importance was lent to this event by the presence of several important Board of Trade officials.
Fair Conditions for the Trial.
The demonstration was timed to commence at 11 o'clock ann. Commendable promptitude was observed, an unusual feature of suoh proceedings. bad ad fallen the previous day, and the night had been frosty; the condition of the ground might therefore be expected to be unfavourable. As a matter of fact, however, the snow appeared to have penetrated very little below the crust. The soil was light and particularly adaptable for the work in hand, so that on the whole it cannot be said that the demonstration was conducted in any particularly trying circumstances.
Favourable Impression Made.
Operations were commenced with a three-furrow plough, and as the engine was cold at starting, the first traverse of the field served for warming-up purposes, and a shallow furrow only was ea. Almost immediately afterwards, however, the full depth, 6i ins. to 7 ins., to which it is customary, using this tractor, to plough with a three-furrow implement, was successfully attempted.. The field itself, although of an undulating nature, did not present any unusual difficulties in respect of ground inclination. A good, straight furrow was ploughed and although, as remarked by so-me of the farmers present, the soil was not turned over to the extent which they regarded as being essential, the general concensus of opinion appeared to be to the effect that the work was being done in quite a satisfactory manner. The occasional traction difficulties met with in patches of loose soil where one of the driving wheels failed to get a grip, or when turning on the slippery grass-covered headlands, were generally overcome by reversing for a yard or so, so as to get a fresh grip of the ground ; the facilities which the machine possessed for being readily reversed were the cause of much favourable comment. The headlands, too, were of reasonable depth, six yards being apparently ample. This should be compared with the space needed for horses, which require, as a rule, four yards in which to turn.
An hour and a half of this work sufficed tapie-Pare both demonstrators and observers for the next stage of the proceedings,. consisting principally of lunch, which was succeeded by one or tsvd speeches from which the following are important selections Run a Farm Like a Factory.
On behalf of the agent, British Empire Motors, Ltd.. of 115, Fulham Road, S.W., Mr. Geo. Brooke stated that although a large demand was already being experienced for this particular motor plough, arrangements had been concluded with the makers for a plentiful and continuous delivery so that all reasonable requirements of purchasers in this country would be met. Professor Wibberley, who has for some time now been lecturing throughout the United Kingdom on the necessity for intensive cultivation and for the increased use of machinery on the farm, made a striking suggestion to the effect that the farm could be run on lines usual in a factory, and claimed that it was
possible, instead of suspending agricultural operations until suitable seasons, so to arrange matters that farm work could be continuous throughout the year, and that one operation, such as, for example, harvesting, instead of being concentrated into a period of a week or a fortnight, should be spread over two or three months. He gave what appeared to be very sound arguments in favour of:the possibility of the suggested procedure. Afterwards a further demonstration of the capabilities of the machine was afforded, when in another portion of the same field deeper ploughing, up to 9 ins. deep, was performed with a two-furrow plough instead of a three-furrow implement.
Details of the Tractor.
An examination of the Moline-Universal tractor revealed one or two unusual features, which it may be of interest to describe. It is carried on two wheels, equilibrium being sustained by means of the implement or trailer toe the ase or haulage of which the tractor is used. The engine has two cylinders, horizontal and opposed, 4 in. bore by 6 in .stroke. The transmission is by means of a cone clutch to a gearbox which affords one speed in either direction, forward or reverse. From there the drive is via a differential cross-shaft to spur pinions meshing in internal gears bolted to the ground wheels. One of the latter is so carried that it can be lifted out of.the normal position of being in the same plane as the other wheel until it is at such a height that with one wheel in the furrow, the other will conveniently run on the level of the untilled ground. The wheel in the furrow is of considerable assistance in steering the vehicle. A rearward extension of the frame work carries the control levers and connections for whatever implement is to be utilized. The driver sits at the extreme rear, so that he has under his eye the whole of the machinery, both tractor and implement, an indisputable advantage, and he controls the plant through the medium ot a steering wheel and clutch, gear, brake, and throttle levers. At the demonstration in question, the normal speed of ploughing seemed to be about 3i miles per hour.. The actual manipulating and manceuvring of the tractor and plough will present no difficulties to the usual 'type of farm labourer ; it was suggested, with some' ground for the suggestion, that ploughing with this machine would be suitable employment for women.
The weight of the machine is approximately 2800 lb. It affords horse-power of from 5 to 6 on the drawbar. Equipped with a suitable plough, the machine sells for £325, and at the present time we understand delivery within one month may be expected.