A NEW FARM TRACTOR
Page 53
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AN interesting type of agriinotor has just been placed on the market by Rushton Tractors, Ltd., Felthain, Middlesex, at the price of 1198, including delivery. This tractor has been designed to run either On petrol or paraffin, according to the types of cylinder head and vaporizer which are employed. One enables the tractor to give its maximum power on petrol, the other permits it to operate on paraffin, gas-oil or petrol. The power developed by the former is up to 50 b.h.p., and that by the latter up to 37 b.h.PThe tractor is entirely British-built and is in production. The export trade will be catered for as well as the home market. It is confidently expected that sonic thousands will be made this year, and it is interesting to note that, apart from demonstrations which are now being arranged in various parts of this country, tractors of this make are being shown and demonstrated at the British Industries Fair, Birmingham.
There are many interesting points about the tractor, of which one of the most important is the design of the cleats and scrapers, which keep the tractor wheels free from mud, etc., thus enabling the maximum adhesion to be obtained at all times. There is also a satisfactory form of air cleaner—a fitting essential to the efficiency of a tractor, final drive by an overhead worm giving ample ground clearance, a means for adjusting the wheelbase from 6 ft. to 4 ft. 3 ins., and a proper distribution of the weight to obviate rearing. Going more fully into detail, the engine is a four-cylindered monobloc with a 41-in, bore and a 5-in, stroke; it develops sufficient power to enable a threefurrow plough to be drawn through
very heavy soils. Running on petrol, an even heavier load can be taken ; for instance, in one test at Dagnall, a fivefurrow plough was pulled for over 60 hours without the tractor being stopped.
The drawbar horse-power rating is 14, and the belt horse-power rating is 28.
The cylinder heads are detachable in one piece and are of a special design promoting turbulence. Special silicachrome alloy steel is utilized for the valves. An easily removable crankcase permits hearings, etc., to be reached rapidly without stripping the tractor. A. large-diameter crankshaft is mounted on three exceptionally long bearings with detachable shells. Three rings are provided for each of the cast-iron pistons, which are mounted on drop-forged connecting rods.
A circulating-splash system of lubrication is employed, the flywheel sending the oil to special feeds. Circulation of the water is effected on the thermo-siphonic system, assisted by a water impeller, and a fan helps to maintain the Air current through the radiator.
Ignition is by a hightension magneto equipped with an impulse starter, whilst carburation is carried out by a Solex instrument.
In the air cleaner the air passes through a quantity of clean water and then through a series of baffles.
Three speeds forward and a reverse are provided by the gearing, and only one reduction is necessary for any ratio. The travelling speeds at normal r.p.m. of the engine are : First, a m.p.h.; intermediate or ploughing gear, in.pffi.; top gear, 4-A. m.p.h. The gearbox shafts run on ball bearings and the gears are made of alloy steel, carefully hardened. Provision is made for a power drive for operating binders, etc., whilst there is a further drive at the rear of the tractor.
The method of holding the front axle is quite novel. The axle itself is a drop forging of 1-section, which is centrally pivoted, but two pivoting points are provided, and the whole axle can be moved from one to the other.
The unladen weight is approximately 1 ton 12 cwt., and the overall dimensions are: length, 9 ft. 5 ins.; width, 5 ft. 2 ins..; height, 4 ft. 9 ins. The petrol consumption is I gallons of petrol or paraffin per hour at normal working speed. A drawbar pull of over 3,000 lb. in second gear is obtainable.