Tractors Take the Stage at Smithfield
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FOR the second year in succession vehicle manufacturers are not represented at the Smithfield Show, which opened at Earls Court on Monday, although a battery-electric mobile shop is to be seen. There is. however, a representative display of agricultural tractors, trailers and accessories.
The new Fordson Major tractor, which was described in "The Commercial Motor" on November 23. is attracting considerable attention. It is the first time that this make of tractor has been offered with an oil engine of Ford design and construction. Petrol and vaporizing-oil engines are also available. The use of common major components, such as crankcase and cylinder block, crankshaft and other units, for all three engines not only cheapens production, but offers decided advantages to the operator.
Evidence of this is to be found in the price of the oil-engined version, which is £109 5s. less than that of the old model. As the mountings of the three engines are identical, no installation problems arise in changing from one type of unit to another. A notable feature of the new tractor is the use of a frame structure at the forward end, to which the front axle is pivoted and on which the engine is mounted at four points. The upstanding exhaust pipe and air-cleaner pipe of the old design no longer exist, except on the County full-track version, which carries a vertical exhaust. The maker is the Ford Motor Co., Ltd., Dagenham, Essex (Stand 83).
Another tractor that is shown for the first time is the Fowler Challenger Mark I made by John Fowler and Co. (Leeds), Ltd., Hunslet, Leeds, 10 (Stand 81). Designed primarily for agricultural and light industrial work, it has crawler tracks and is powered by a Marshall two-cylindered. two-stroke oil engine developing 50 b.h.p. at 1,250 r.p.m. The claimed drawbar pull in first gear is 10,000 lb.
A feature of the design is the hulllike construction at the front. Not only does this impart great strength to the main structure, but it also affords protection to otherwise vulnerable components.
An improved model of the Bristol 20 crawler tractor is being shown on Stand 02 by Bristol Tractors, Ltd., Earby, Colne, Lancs. The major improvement in this machine is the increased area of the track. It has an Austin overhead-valve engine which develops 22 b.h.p. at 1,500 r.p.m. Built on the unit-assembly principle, this tractor is easily maintained.
Three versions of the Ferguson tractor are exhibited on Stand 79 by Harry Ferguson, Ltd., Fletchampstead Highway, Coventry. These models include the oil-engined version, which was introduced during the year, and types with petrol and vaporizing-oil engines.
Model 60 and Model B tractors are shown by the Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Commercial Road, Totton. Southampton, on Stand 39. Massey-Harris, Ltd., Ashburton Road. Trafford Park, Manchester, are showing its 744D standard tractor on Stand 77. Stand 80, which is occupied by the Nuffield Organization, Cowley, Oxford, carries a range of Nuffield machines. Renault, Ltd., Western Avenue. London, W.3, is staging two Renault type' R.3042 tractors on Stand 138. Yeoman of England machines, made by the Turner Manufacturing Co., Ltd.. Wulfruna Works. Villiers Street. Wolverhampton, are exhibited on Stand 111. Farmall tractors form a part of the exhibit of the International Harvester Co., Ltd., Harvester House, 259, City Road, London, E.C.1, on Stand 82.
During the year, David Brown Tractors. Ltd., Meltham, Huddersfield, introduced its Cropmaster Diesel 50, and the Trackmaster Diesel 50, both primarily for export. These two machines represent the centre of attraction on Stand 78.
Stanhay (Ashford), Ltd., Elwick Works, Ashford, Kent (Stand 134), exhibit ditch-clearing equipment forming an adaptation of the maker's standard hydraulic hoist which is designed lot fitting to standard tractors. Two versions of the Skyhi hydraulic loader are being exhibited by Skyhi, Ltd., Norton Road, Isleworth, Middlesex (Stand 13). This equipment is also designed for attachment to the popular makes of tractor.
A mobile butcher's shop, using a 1-ton NCB battery-electric chassis, forms one of the fine exhibits of Smiths' Electric Vehicles, Ltd., Princesway, Team Valley, Gateshead-on-Tyne. The coachbuilt body is equipped with stainless-steel meat rails, chopping block, counters, detachable shelves, washbasin, Calor-gas water heater, a display cabinet, and an insulated storage cabinet. Both body and chassis were built by the exhibitor, Taskers of Andover (1932), Ltd., Andover, Hants, is featuring a new semi-trailer designed for use with Ferguson tractors. It is rated as a 3-tonner, the body having an approximate level capacity of 31 cubic yds. The all-metal chassis is electrically welded; steel is also used for the body frame.
Tt?e drawbar assembly is provided with a front skid and eye to suit the automatic hitch-coupling on the tractor: Tipping gear is an optional feature and can be hydraulically operated from the tractor by means of a front-mounted ram.
Another trailer exhibited for the first time is the useful Wheatley Universal made by Messrs. G. Rutledge, Colkirk, Fakenham, Norfolk. It has been designed for tipping either by screw gear or by hydraulic means. With a front-fitted rant it will tip a 3-ton load with the hydraulic 1ift of any standard British tractor.
Stand 228 is occupied by F. Perkins, Lt, of Peterborough. This exhibitor is featuring the Perkins P6TA oil engine with conversion parts for the old-type Fordson Major tractor, and the P3TA oil engine with conversion parts for Ferguson tractors.
The Show, which will close to-night, ranks as the biggest 'of its kind in the world. It is held under the organization of the Smithfield Show Joint Committee appointed by the Smithfield Club, the Agricultural Engineers' Association, and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.