EFFICIENT UPKEEP OF FARM TRACTORS.
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Some Interesting Hints on the Selection and Care of Petrol Tractors.
THESE HINTS on the selection, care, and . . maintenance of petrol agricultural tractors, . are intended for those farmers who are considering the purchase of, or have already purchased, a tractor or tractors, and thy particularly apply to those farmera who are relYing on their original staff and not on an expert driver brought in especially to look after the new machines.
it will not be out of place to commence by advising the farmer; in a. general Way, as to bowto get an insight into the cost of power farming and theetime which is saved by replacing the horses. Perhaps the best method for obtaining this information is, if possible, to hire a suitable tractor for a short period.
As regards, the suitability of the particular machine to be employed, the farmer is advised to follow the. usual practice and to get into touch with other, farmers who already have machines in operation. This is ,a better method than that of believing iniplicitly wleat. the salesman says, for, according to him, his ma-chine is often the most suitable, whatever the eireumstancds. A good method is to scan the report. of the Lincoln tractor trials, which can be obtained from. the SALM.. and T., 83, Pall Mall, London, S.W. A machine • which did well in these
. .. trials is noadikely to give.. the farinevumch trouble. In any ease, unless he ha S expertsto look after:,
the tractor, it is preferable to investein,one which combines strength of conetruCtion with simplicity.
Especial attention shank'. be paid to the means em ployed for utilizing the engine power for driving statianary machinery. More time is usually spent on this class of work than in. actual tilling, a-nd it is in this work that the simple, heavy engine scores. Now, when the farmer has obtained a tractor' on hire, he: should watch its performance yery carefully and, if he is certain as to which man he will eventually confide the care of the tractor be proposes to buy, this man should also be given every opportunity for examining and helping with the machine.
The lamer haying purchased a tractor, the driver should study the instruction, book and lubrication chart., one or both of which are practically always given with the machine. If it so happens that such instructions are absent, the purchaser should insist on the seller of the machine pointing out to his driver those points, which need particular attention, both as regards lubrication and adjustment. However strong a tractor may appear, it must be remembered that, in certain respects, it is very deli cate-. For instance, moisture has a very deleterious effect on it, particularly on such components 2.as the magneto, and therefore it is essential to provide good stabling for the machine, -or at' least cover it _over with a waterproof tarpaulin. No farmer who studies his interests would think of working his horse all day and leaving it out in the fields all night, and he should treat his tractor as he treats his horse, for, though his tractor may not develop asthma or complaints of a similar nature, yet it may develop others just as bad.
In connection with this stabling, it is advisable to keep a tractor, if possible, in a separate building. T,here is very little danger Of flue with the tractor itself, but possible carelessness on the part of the driver or others must not be overlooked. A little 1156 petrol spilt on the floor may afterwards be ignited by the throwing down of a cigarette end or match. It pays better to take precautions than to repair damage. In any case, it is preferable to keep a .fire-extinguisher, such as the Pyrene, handy, or if no extinguisher be available!, a box of sand.
There is no reason why the driver of a tractor should not carry out most of the repair work re quired, even if he' has not had previous experience with this type of mechanism. If he has any gumption at all, it will not., for instance-, be a difficult job
for him to take the cylinders off with view to removthe carbon deposit from them and from -the pistons and, at the same time, he should be able to grind in the valves with a little finecarborundurn powder and oil mixed to a paste.
When grindin.g in the valves, it will often be found convenient to place a short length of spiral spring between the valve head and the valve guide, so that the valve is lifted just clear of its seat when the pressure an it is released. To obtain a good face the valve should be given. a rotary motion in each
direction by a serew-driver for, say, three or four times, andshould then be given a half-turn, repeat
ing and continuing until both the seating and valve show goad surfaces. When all the valves have been finished, they and the seatings should be carefully washed with paraffin, add the cylinders replaced. It is now possible that there is too little: elearai.!ce between the valve stems and the tappets. This clear ance should be about as much as the thickness of an ordinary 'visiting card. The tappets are usually adjustable, and, if wrong, should. be altered until this clearance is obtained.
If the farmer is to. get the best work and longest life out of a tractor, its lubrication must be very carefully attended to, particularly as regards the engine. The oil used should be that recommended by the makers. It does not pay to buy cheap oil.
You cannot get oil "just as good " at a reduced price. If the tractor is called upon to work practically all day, the engine sump should be emptied once a. week and replenished with fresh oil.
If you want it to work efficiently, do not soak your magneto in oil. A drop or two once. a week in the oil holes provided will be found -ample, and the oil used should be very thin similar tothat used en_ a sewing machine. In those tractors hi which the final drive pinions are exposed, it is most essential that these should be greased well and often, as otherwise they will rapidly Wear, and will certainly absorb a considerable amount of the power. Where all the gearing is enclosed, oil or grease will not be required so often, but care should be taken to sec that the gears are not running dry.
The driver should make. a daily inspection of tho machine, and should tighten up nuts wherever these have worked lease. He should also have a weekly inspection, during which all the working parts should be carefully examined, and any small repairs or adjustments performed.
When a tractor is used for driving 'stationary machinery, care should he taken to see that the radiator is adequately supplied with water, as the
evaporation is sometimes greater owing to the fact that the tractor is not travelling, and, therefore, usually works at a. somewhat higher temperature.
For this reason also it should be given rather more lubricant than is usually employed. Much power
may be lost through keeping the belt too taut, and a great improvement will often he noted if the belt is loosened and a good belt dressing employed.