FARM TRACTOR

Otago Witness, Issue 3467, 24 August 1920, Page 13

FARM TRACTOR

A BRITISH PRODUCTION

DEMONSTRATION ON THE TAIERI

Years after the motor car first came on the market farmers were still talking about it, and wisely remarking that "it hadcome to stay." No one expects the horso to go, no one wants it to go, but all must realise that the traotor, too, has come to stay, and that it has a place to fulfil. At present touring New Zealand is Mr Stephen Statham, representing the Austin Motor Company, the groat manufacturing concern in the Old Country- His special mission is world wide, being nothing less than a demonstration of a new product of the firm, the Austin farm tractor. Mr Statham has already travelled 18,000 miles in South Africa. He has been in South America, in Spain, in France, in Germany, and elsewhere, and after visiting the North Island will go to Australia, and thence to the East. In England he is known as the "Tractor King." He has taken part in numerous international contests with his Austin, winning them all, and most notably a trial in France last year in which 68 different makes from all parts of the world, including tho United States,, were represented. On one day his was the only machine in operation, and the feat included tho ploughing up of a big waterhole. So great was the impression made in France by the Austin tractor that the firm is establishing there a largo branch of its -works, capable of turning out 20G0 tractors a year. Mr Statham has already given a number of demonstrations in Canterbury, and on the 17th and the preceding day he was at Mr Cecil Hazlett's farm on the Taieri. The demonstration on the 17th attracted quite a number of agriculturists to look at the machine and to witness the results. It is a comparatively small-looking tractor, but appears to be what is claimed for it, a good, honest piece of British manufacture. Evc.rytlung is of a substantial nature, wonderfully simple and accessible, well finished and protected. It is adapted for all purposes. It can be used for haulage—moving 4£ tons along the road —or by the simple addition of a split pulley—a few minutes' work —will drive any farm machinery. For work as a tractor in the field it is provided with spuds on the rear wheels and a metal ridge of the forewheels, the spuds being obtainable in different sizes to suit different country. Tho ridges on the front wheels can be removed when the tractor is wanted on the foad, and the spuds are replaced by rubber knobs, this, in combination with _ a special sprung fore-axle, ensuing easy riding and causing a minimum of vibration. Next to the simplicity and strength of the tractor the mechanic will note that everything is dustproof. All the working tarts are absolutely protected, running in Oil, which is forced through by a pump, Returning to a filter, and so going through Again. An indicator shows how things are going, and there is nothing to worry about br to fear. Next will be noted the accessibility of the parts. The small gears 6an be got at by the removal of a plate meld by a few nuts which pan be undone Jri a very short space of time. To get at the main drive there are 12 bolts to free, it being then only necessary to run the .whole rear portion back to expose the lot.

The bearings are flexible, a specially fine feature.

The engine is a four-cylinder one, similar in construction to that on the Austin car. There are two forward speeds and a reverse. The crank shaft is carried on five bearings, the whole enclosed in a continuous dust-proof cylinder. All the air is purified through water before reaching the engine, the valves are completely enclosed, though accessible in a moment or two. and the fan is gear driven, so that troubles arising from faults in a belt drive are obviated.

With regard to the work of the tractor it is considered capable of averaging up to eight acres a day. The paddock in use on tho 17th was a specially favourable one, and for a time Mr Statham turned five furrows, adding a doub'.o-furrow plough to the three-furrow Booth, Macdonald plough he is taking round with him. Tho power of the tractor wa s amply proved, there being no effort in starting at any point, a noteworthy difference from what is u3uallv witnessed. Ploughmen wore greatly struck by tho Kingsbury patent lift, a little pull on a string from the tractor operating n. lever so as to cause it to throw the plough out and return it to the furrows automatically, no demand being made on the strength of the man himself. It is certainly very different from many of the clumsy contrivances often seen to get over a special difficulty that has hitherto faced tractor ploughmen and othei-3. The furrows turned on the 17th were 11 inch wide and seven inches deep. The ploughing was of very high quality, and the ease with which tho machine worked was manifested by tho fact that the operator was frequently away from it, leaving it to go down the field "on its own" and catching up when the end was reached. The field had been started by horse ploughing, and the headland was more than ample for the turning of the gear. The rear wheel 3of the tractor are oraked separately, so that one oan be chunped. and the other running free; the tractor turns in a very small circle. ' With the patent jift and hitch, and a rear, guiding wheel on the plough, no stop i s necessary, nor need the driver descend from tho tractor unless he desires.

Among numerous other features of the machine it will suffice to mention that it is mounted at only three points. The advantage of this, of course, could not bo seen in a flat paddock; it is distinctly for' the hills and sidelings, giving the machine great capacity to negotiate difficulties. . "

The tractor is a fino example of British manufacture, and certainly seems ahead of the American product hitherto on the New Zealand marlcet. A number of the machines aro now on the water, and it is to be hoped that farmers will give the British manufacturers a genuine trial. The tractor, like the .motor car and the lorrie, must prove a success in its own sphere: it will find country that will answer nrofitably to its use. and the British product is entitled, apart from it 3 own intrinsic worth, to a big hearing.