Messrs. Tasker & Sons.
Page 24
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Exhibit :—Compound "Little Giant " Tractor.
Messrs, Thsker and Sous are showing one of their " 132 " type compound steam tractors, which are well known as " The Lithe Giant :" they are capable of hauling 6 tons along any ordinary macadam road. The tractor is built on the usual traction-engine lines, with the boiler of the loco-multitubular type well proportioned as regards heating-surface and grate-area. The seams are double-riveted wherever necessary, and all holes are drilled in position. The plates are of best Siemens-Marlin mild steel, and are thoroughly stayed. Although the safe working pressure is stated to be teah. per square inch, the boiler is tested, under hydraulic pressure, to a considerably higher pressure. The boiler carries all usual and necessary fittings, including safety-valve, water-gauge, blow-off cock, etc., and is provided with mud-holes and plugs to facilitate thorough cleaning. A damper gear is fitted to the ash-pan, for regulating the draught to the fire. Water is fed to the boiler by a plunger pump, which is driven by the engine, and which is sufficient for all ordinary working, but, as a stand-by, and for keeping up the water level when the motor is standing, an injector is fitted. The tractor has a reasonably large water tank, which can be quickly filled, from any roadside stream or pond, with the askis.zf,,nce of a steam-operated water-lifter and a flexible hose and strainer. Although not fitted on the particular motor on exhibition, a steam-driven pump is sometimes lilted in lieu of the other methods of boiler feeding.
The engine is of the clinipound type. Both cylinders are made in one tasting, which is bolted to the barrel of the boiler. The valves are arranged in a very accessible position on the top of the cylinders, and are operated by a link-motion, which is neatly screened and protected without in any war mak_ ing access to the parts a matter of difficulty. A thorough system of lagging and jacketing of the cylinders has been carried out, in order to obtain greater economy of steam consumption, and they are fitted with drain-cocks and an efficient lubricator ; they have, also, liners of extremely hard wear-resisting material. The crankshaft, secondmotion shaft, and axles are all made of suitable steel, and the gearing is of toughened cast steel. To ensure perfect relative accuracy in the bearings, and to minimise strain in the motor, the crankshaft, intermediate shaft and main driving-axle are all carried on the born plates. The change-speed gears provide for a low speed of about three miles an hour, and a higher speed of six miles an hour, the change from one gear to another being readily effected from the foot-plate.
in low gear the motor has a tractive effort sufficient for all ordinary purposes, but, should the vehicle or its load become " bogged," there is a windingdrum and 3a Yards of --inch diameter steel rope provided, with which in meet the case and haul itself or_ its load out of the mire. Thu drum is loose on the axle, but can be instantly locked to it when required; being loose, it is, of course, free for paying out cable when the motor is travelling in either a forward or reverse direction or whilst the motor is stationary. The motor is mounted on an arrangement of coil and laminated springs which, the makers claim, effectually controls the jar and vibrations of travel, and greatly promotes the durability of the motor and the comfort of the driver, It gives a larger range of movement than the methods adopted on some light tractors and, at the same time, avoids all sliding of the teeth in the gear. The wear and tear should thus be considerably reduced.
The road wheels are of the tractionengine type, built up of Tee-section steel rings, with wrought-iron or steel spokes, finishing, at one end, in a Teeshaped palm which is riveted to the vertical web of the Tee-ring ; the inner ends are " ragged," and round about them is cast the hub of the wheel. The tires are quite smooth and, therefore, less liable to damage the surface of the road than is the case with stroped tires; but, whether sufficient grip is thus obtained, is, of course, a matter which experienced users can best answer. The driving wheels arc 4 feet in diameter by 8 inches wide, and the leaders are 3 feet in diameter by 4 inches wide. An awning, or canopy, is fitted to protect the driver from rough weather, and this extends well forward.
The approximate overall dimensions of this tractor are : length, tt feet 3 inches; width, 4 feet 6 inches; height, 8 feet 3 inches; and weight, about 3 tons r8rwt. The capacity of the fuel bunker is about T lcwt., nod the fuel may consist of coke or ceal. Although a really powerful little machine, it is very easily handled : as all levers and regulating arrangements arc readily accessible, the speeds can be promptly changed without the possibility of there being two in mesh at any one time, and a powerful brake can be quickly applied so as to arrest the engine in anv ' position. A jointed spring seat, placed in the tender, can be folded back out of the way when not in use. The address of Messrs. Tasker and Sons is Waterloo Iron Works, Andover, Hants. The earliest tests and experiments upon this class of road engine were carried out here, and Messrs. Tasker will, we hope, now reap the benefit of their long experience in this branch of the mechanical-transport trade.