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THE COMFORT OF THE TRACTOR DRIVER.

29th June 1920, Page 33
29th June 1920
Page 33
Page 33, 29th June 1920 — THE COMFORT OF THE TRACTOR DRIVER.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

An Appeal for Better Protection from the Elements. The Need of a Simple Cab.

AN ARTICLE recently appeared in this journal under th.e above heading with the following

sub-heading, "Are the. physical needs of drivers of heavy commercial vehicles sufficiently provided for by body builders? The writer says No."

Well, then, may I ask what about the driver of a tractor who has not even a cab from which to get a bit of shelter, but generally has simply to be content with a seat of the antiquated farm implement type? Surely,, tractor manufactuiers can make driving more comfortable, as these machines have to be used in all weathers. Just imagine for a moment the driver out in the glare and heat of the sun. His fiery steed cannot coast down hills, at " twenty " and so create its own breeze, but instead slogs steadily ;round a field at about 3 'm.p.h. .The driver does not get blown out of his seat at this speed.

Then there is rain to be considered. If it be warm, it is bad enough to get• thoroughly soaked and have to "'carry on," but how much more unpleasant to have to face a cold driving rain. Going round a field, one gets wet in front, at the back, and on both sides, but the farmer wants the. job done, so it is a case of "stick it, Jerry." • Further, how about those cold March winds that search round for a weak place in one's apparel 1 Atter an hour exposed to them, the. driver becomes chilled to the bone, and continues more or less Mechanically, his eyes sore and full of dirt Is he likely to maintain his interest in the work in hand ? No, the probability is that he merely sits in his seat"an inanimate object, with his limbs and senses partially numbed. . •

Another point is to be remembered that some/ existing seats look positively dangerous, as they are directly in front of the implement. Should the seat spring break, or Whilst the man was trying to adjust something when the tractor was running, should he slip down, he might have a " harrowing " time.

It is true that some tractors are made with a shelter top, but even that affords insufficient protection, as a tractor driver should have as good protection as a driver of an enclosed car. Surely, it is not too much to ask for a cab, with a good springcushioned seat, an adjastahle wind-screen and sidewindows, as the additions would give goodprotection, and at the same time enable the driver to keep his work in view. The entrance could be through a half door at the rear, which would enable him to watch his plough, or ,whatever implement he was using.

When motorcars were. introduced no one thought about such " luxuries " as wind-screen and hood, yetwho would buy a car nowadays without these " neces.

• sities " ? We km:Qv it is only a matter of develop: meat, as the tractor-eala is bound to come, but why not get busy on it at once.?

• It is, sometimes_ an unduly far, cry from the farm to the drawing office fthe tractor manufacturer, hut it would, be rather'interesting to learn what the tract iii driver would like to say to the designer, after a day in particularly inclement weather. Perhaps, if the designerdid ten hours' driving in November or March he would take the subject very seriously to heart, and realize that a lot more should be done to provide comfortable accommodation for the man at the helm.

How often must a farmer get behind with his cultivation, and wish the driver to put in overtime, but Jacks the heart to ask him -tocarry on, the man perhaps being already wet through, and frozen and thoroughly worn out through battling all day with the elements. • There is a big market for a tractor equipped with a suitably enclosed cab, and it would be a great selling point, as the salesman would be able to demonstrate in all weathers, whereas, now, he is a Wily bird, who generally chooses a nice fine day to show off the abilities of his vehicle, of course, not breathing a word about the poor driver's condition in wet weather, or perhaps he glosses over the subject by saying that' there is nothing on the machine to hurt, and that the driver can wear an oilskin, etc.

One is reminded of experiences in the Food Production Dept. when the Government got the wind up about corn shortage, and wanted as much land as possible put under cultivation. A call was made for men to drive tractors, and volunteers were goon found from amongst persons who thought it would he. easy to drive a tractor as they Could manage a car. But, lo, and behold! when they mounted to the driver's seat and sailed away they found much to be desired; and there were many sore and bruised

-parts at the end of the first day's work. One humorist described it as like "holding on by 'your teeth during a .rough night at sea."

The manufacturer need not be afraid of making the seat too comfortable, as the driver is hardly likely to go to sleep on the job, although there would even be some excuse if he did, as tractor driving is a somewhat monotonous occupation.

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