The Emerson Farm Tractor.
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A Medium-weight, Petrol-propelled Tractor a! American Origin.
The increasing use of mechanically-propelled implements for agricultural purposes is now one of the signs of the times. We had occasion to comment on this tendency when discussing the general trend as exemplified at the last Smithfield Show. In the United States, as weil as in Canada, where larger areas are under cultivation, opportunities for the economical use of large-powered tractors are more frequent, and the advances made in the construction of this class of machinery are in certain respects notable. They are perhaps' more evident in respect of petrol-propelled tractors than in those in which steam is the actuating fluid. This country is, of course, pre-eminent in the manufacture of machines of the latter class, and equalled only in respect of variety and numbers in the former. The export statistics relating to this class of goads are a sufficient indication of this condition.
That American agricultural-implement makers are endeavouring to find a market in this country for their products has been increasingly evident of late. There were several machines from the States taking part in the recent tractor trials at Stirling, which we reported so fully in these columns a short time ago ; moreover, there were several on view at the Smithfield Show, to which we have above referred.
Official Trials in France.
Due notice of these last was given in our columns, and we now take the opportunity to present particulars of still another new arrival, the agency for which has been secured by Brainsby's, Ltd., Broadway, Peterborough. It is known as the Emerson Farm Tractor, Model L, and it is interesting to note that the example of this form of construction took part in the tractor trials at Alfortville, Paris, in the early part of this year, and to judge by a copy of the report, which we have before us, it gave a very good account of itself. The time occupied in ploughing three-quarters of an acre of ground, presenting rather more than average difficulty. was 1 hour 204 minutes, the petrol consumption being approximately 31 gallons. A three-furrow plough was used ; for half the time, the depth ploughed was an average of ins., and for the remainder 51 ins,
The makers of this machine claim to have a sound knowledge of the requirements of the farmer, as they have been for 62 years manufacturers, on a large scale, of all kinds of farming implements. The present machine embodies the results of 14 years experience in designing and building farm tractors.
Simple, Light, and Low-built.
The principal claims for the Emerson are simplicity and light weight. Complete and, ready for use, it weighs 5000 lb., and it is claimed that the pressure per sq in under the driving wheel is less than under a horse's hoof. Its simplicity lies in the absence of redundant parts. Only six gearwheels are in mesh when the machine is in forward motion. It is so built that the highest part of the machine is the top of the driving wheel. By reason of this low construction, it is claimed to be readily adaptable for orchard work.
Belt Pulley Provided. Weatherproof.
In addition to being available for use as a tractor— and in this respect it is capable of hauling any of the farming implements,in general use—the machine is provided with a belt pulley and allows of the engine power being employed for driving chaitcutters, grinders' circular saws, or any other such machinery for which the exigencies of modern farming operations may call. The power available is 20 h.p. It is capable, as stated above, of drawing a three-furrow plough, and ploughing to a depth of seven or eight inches in fairly heavy ground. A commendable feature is the manner in which the whole of the mechanism is encased by metal covers which are, nevertheless, readily removable, facilitating inspection and access to the components.