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Prolonging Tractor Life

25th September 1942
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Page 15, 25th September 1942 — Prolonging Tractor Life
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

THIS country will 'clon be forced to depend far more upon its own agricultural produce than ha been the case solar. The release of ship ping for even more important purposes, including, we hope, the deVelopment of our second front (or should we say third or fourth?) is of such importance as probably to over-ride all other -considerations. This means not only that the importing of food stuffs will have to be reduced, but that there must be a drastic cut in the supply_ of agricultural implements, including tractors. As we mentioned last week, there is another reason for this latter .reduction, that is the cutting of production by the U.S:A., and Canada, and the supply will be limited, so far as pgssil)le, to .spare parts.

Coupled with this stringency is the new scheme for the greater use of tractors, etc., during the black-out hours. Additional drivers will be trained for this purpose, but the same machines will have to be employed, consequently it is of vital importance that all such ecfuipment should be maintained in the best possible condition.

Recently an official of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fishes, who had just returned from the States, made a particularly interesting comment upon the average life of tractors. This was to the effect that a census had shown that the life of such machines in the State of Iowa averaged 14.7 years it is estimated that in Britain the average is more like 9 to 10 years. _ Good Maintenance Means Long, Useful Life It pays in every way to take better careY oi mechanized equipment. The tractor is a sturdy beast, but despite this it can easily be seriously harmed by several forms of neglect. With care its life is very long, as is exemplified by the fact that quite a number of the machines put into operation in the later stages of the war of 1,914-18 is still in service.

In what ways can this lengthening of life be achieved? Most important of all. is frequent and adequate lubrication. Possibly next is protection from the weather ; with this we may couple the removal of mud and grit and a careful _drying of _ the more important parts. Incidentally, this care Tractor Imports Must Decline, also applies in full force to the storing of the implements used so Everything Should be Done to with tractors, also to other Conserve Those in Service forms of agricultural machinery. Ploughshares and cutters of various types certainly require special attention, yet—far too often--they are found in the morning covered with rust. In binders, particUlarly, the knife-bar should be rethoved, and the knotter kept' well oiled.

Where appliances are equipped with pneumatic tyres it is also essential to see that the latter are kept to their recommended pressure and not allowed to stand in pools of oil, for replacements will undoubtedly become more difficult if obtainable at all. It is of especial importance that tractors should not be left on "deflated tyres, even if temporarily out of commission. • Keeping the Mechanism in Fit Condition Other precautions concern mainly he engine ; so far as its cooling system is concerned, radiators should be kept well filled and precautions taken against freezing. The conditions under which many machines have to operate require efficient filtering of the air ; consequently the filters should be frequently cleaned. The oil in the sump should not be allowed to remain for long periods as it will become contaminated with carbon and other abrasive material, and Will eventually largely lose its lubricating value. Therefore, the sump should be emptied and refilled strictly in accordance with the maker'sinstructions. A periodical run over with a spanner will assist in preventing parts from working loose, and we would here emphasize that movement between the bits and pieces which should be held firmly together is the cause of much wear and early disintegration.

Often—and particularly on the smaller farms— the only person available to perform such maintenance work is the driver, and in many cases a woman is employed on this work ; it is therefore important that the driver should receive tuition in at least the important points in the care and attention Which should be paid to the machine in his or her charge. The driving of a tractor is sometimes tiring and the hours often long, and it is, actmittedly, a great temptation to look upon the job as being completed when, say, a day's or night's ploughing has been done ; but just as horses must be attended to and bedded down, so must the tractor and its implements receive those little attentions which mean so much to their efficiency.

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Organisations: Ministry of Agriculture

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