The Smithfield Show.
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Motor Wagons and Tractors alternate with Fat Cattle.
The annual show of the Smithfield Club at the Agricultural Hall provides not only a locale for the exhibition of very fine specimens of the cattle-breeder's genius : it contains many line samples of the work of the motor and agricultural engineer. Among the large quantity of machines to be seen round the Main Hall, in the " Piggery," and above, in the Gallery, are numbered several types of machines both stationary and for traction purposes—of interest, we think, to our supporters. They include seven road tractors built under the Motorcar Acts; three motor wagons; the Ivel and Universal agricultural motors; and numerous internal combustion engines. For the convenience of our readers, we give a brief reference to various of the exhibits under their stand numbers; only the salient features are indicated, and any
Pcu details sl:owing novelty in constructional ideas, as prartically all the vehicles and unginos have already been illustrated by us.
AVELING AND PORTER LTD. (2).Shows three examples of work turned out in its shops at Rochester a heavy compound ploughing engine, a road locomotive weighing to tons, and a steam tractor. The tractor has been speciaf.y designed to conform to the new motorcar regulations; one man only—the driver—being required to look after it. The boiler and the fire box are constructed. throughout of the best mild steel plates. The engine is compounded, and the crankshaft, countershaft, and driving shafts are of a picked quality of the best steel. The engine has an auxiliary valve for the admission of live steam to the low-pressure cylinder, and outside valve chests are provided. The gearing throughout is of the best cast steel, with machine-cut teeth. The tractor is mounted on an improved arrangement of laminated steel springs to both _front and back axies. A powerful brake is fitted, which acts on the inner side of the rims of the driving wheels; and the back axle is furnished with a drum and a steel cable. An extra large feed water tank is fitted beneath the boiler, to enable the tractor to travel long distances without having to take in fresh water. The tractor will be found especially useful to market gardeners, contractors, millers, quarry. masters and furniture removers. The approximate cost per working day for a distance of from 40 to so miles is about is. Either coke or coal can be used as fuel, but the former has been found to give the most economical result in running. The price is 1:450.
ST. PANCRAS IRONWORK CO., LTD. W.—The exhibit at this stand is a 5-ton steam lorry, admirably adapted for much of the work of the larger builders and contractors. The engine is of the twoylinder compound type, and is fitted with a by-pass valve to facilitate starting. The highpressure cylinder has a piston valve fitted with Lancaster's patent packing rings, the low-pressure cylinder a D slide valve : link motion reversing gear is adopted. A water tube boiler, having ample heating surface, and a large grate area, is employed, the design being such as to maintain a full head of steam, even with inferior fuel : the feed is by a pump driven from the engine at a reduced speed by machine
cut gears, and is so arranged that the engine can he run to work only the pump while the vehicle is standing. A Gresham and Craven injector is fitted as a reserve. For e,..tate 'work, these steam wagons should do very useful work, and it may be mentioned that they are used by the City of London Corporation.
Fl. P. S_kUNDERSON AND CO., LTD. (to).The Saunderson universal tractor is one of the latest successful machines which can be used for a variety of purposes. In this machine the front wheels are driven, and the whole of the gearing is accessible and enclosed to prevent the ingress of dust or dirt. The engine has three speeds forward7 mires, 3;,. miles, and '2,L miles per hour—and it will use either petrol, benzolene, or petroleum. The two back wheels can be detached, leaving the front portion ready to receive a lorry for carrying three tons. By the addition of one back wheel it is easy to attach any of the following agricultural implements :—A oft. mower, a binder and reaper, or a 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6-furrow plough. .1n extension of the longitudinal shaft is brought through the front of the engine underneath the bonnet, and is furnished with a pulley. By using a belt the motor can thus be utilised for working threshing machines, chaff cutters, or, in fact, any work within its capacity. NVe had an opportunity of witnessing, the usefulness of this agricultural tractor at the last Royal Show, and were impressed with its good qualities.
RUSTON, PROCTOR AND CO., LTD. (12).-Three machines are staged two heavy road locomotives and a light steam tractor. The latter is built to conform with the Heavy Motorcar Order, and its tare weight is tons. A boiler of the locomotive type is used, and this is built throughout of Siemens-Martin mild, steel, and works at a pressure of 15o1b. per square inch. The single-cylinder engine is steam jacketed, and the whole of the movement is encIo-ed. An independent steam pump is fitted of ample size, and easy of access. Two speeds are provided-15 miles and three miles per hour respectively. The who;e machine is mounted on springs, and the gearing throughout is of crucible cast steel and machine cut.
WALLIS AND STEEVENS LTD. (20.—The tractor on show is specially fitted for agricultural purposes, and consists of a standard engine with the addition of two threefurrow ploughsone at each end. This combination should prove useful to large agriculturists, as the plough portions can be easily removed at any time, and the tractor then becomes capable of drawing any trailing weight within its power. When a furrow has been made, the plough is raised from the Irround and the one at the other end dropped into position. The whole arrangement is simple and practicable.
GARRF.TT AND SONS, LTD. (221.The steam tractor exhibited is one of the company's " No. 3 " type. The engine has one cylinder and is fitted with the usual link motion reversing gear. The crankshaft is balanced and the whole of the moving parts are constructed with large bearing surfaces. Two speeds are fitted, and the whole of the gearing is of cast steel, with all teeth machine cut. The boiler, which is of the loco type, has a large water capacity, and the lire box is the " Garrett " corrugated type. The working pressure is itio pounds on the square inch, and a feed pump is fitted, which is worked by an eccentric on the crankshaft. The tractor is mounted on laminated steel springs, and the front axle is pivoted at the centre, which gives a three-point suspension. A large curved water tank is placed beneath the boiler barrel. The engine has a governor to act when the machine is used for driving machinery, and a winding drum is fitted an the back axle, SAVAGE BROTHERS, LTD. (25).—A 5-ton lorry is on view, with a high railed body made especially for brewers' use, and to carry cases of bottled beer. It is fitted with a boiler of the loco type, haying 47 tubes, each 14 inch in diameter. The working pressure is 220 pounds on the square inch, and two gauge glasses are providedone on each side of the boiler-these are in full view of the driver and his mate. A small cylindrical transverse steam chamber placed near the centre of the boiler holds nearly all the steam fittings, viz., main stop valve, one of two safety valves, valve for pump, valve for water lifter, and tap for steam blower. A mechanical lubricator placed at the left-hand side of the en
gine, and worked from the road pump eccentric, supplies oil It) the high-pressure valve chest. Two fuel bunkers hold about 8cwt. of coke, and these are placed one on each side of the fore-part of the boiler. The company also shows a tractor with a single-cylinder engine. The cylinder is steamjacketed, and all the moving parts of the motion have ample wearing surfaces. The boiler is of the loco type, and works at a pressure of iso pounds on the square inch.
CLAYTON AND SHUTTLEWORTH, LTD. (29), exhibits a steam tractor of good design and excellent workman_ ship. The machine has been introduced to meet the wishes of those users who want a substantial engine to haul a specially-built trailer, or to pull an ordinary farm or other wagon. The boiler is of the loco type, thoroughly staved, and works at a pressure of iso pounds per square inch. The cylinder has a bore of 6.: inches, whilst the stroke is 8 inches. Two speeds are fitted, giving approximately six miles and three miles per hour. Both axles are mounted on springs to give easy running over ordinary roads. The weight empty is 4 tons mcwt., and the overall width IS 5 feet. A trailer loaded up to 5 tons can be drawn, and arrangetaunts can be made for running long trips without repeated stoppages for taking in fresh water. The diameter of the driving wheels is 4 feet 6 inches, and the tyre width to inches, whilst the diameter of the front wheels is 3 feet 4 inches, and the tyre width 6 incites. The total length of the tractor is ii feet 7 inches.
CHARLES BURRELL AND COMPANY, LTD. (sf).— A very workmanlike tractor is staged. The boiler is of the loco type, and works at a pressure of 17.5 pounds on the square inch. There are 20 tubes, each 2 inches in diameter. The boiler is built throughout of mild steel plates, and has a high factor of safety. The engine has a single cylinder, with link motion reversing gear. A stout water tank is carried beneath the boiler 'barrel, and this has a large capacity, and is kept high off the ground. The steering gear is by worm and pinion wheel, and the former is keyed to a short Vertical shaft carrying at its lower end a pinion gearing with an internally toothed ring on the fore-carriag,e. The tractor has a winding drum on the left-hand side of the bark axle.
HINDLF.Y AND SONS (33).—The 5-ton wagon exhibited is fully described on pages 267 to 269.
(To be continued.)