The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1916-07-11
GAS TRACTOR STUDY
Difficulty in Operation Is Prin.
cipaI Objection Given.
Decidedly Unwise for owwer to In
dertake to Gain Necessary knowI-
edge by Experimenting With
His Own Machine.

prepared by the united states Depart
ment of Agriculture)
The authors of Farmers Bulletin
7l9, '.An Economic Study of the Farm
Tractor In. the Germ Belt" point out
that in REPORTS from nearly 200 own
ers Of tractors in Illinois difficulty in
operation was mentioned as the prin-
cipal disadvantage Of the tractor. In
discussing this fact, especially in it's
bearing on the reliability of the trac-
tor. the writer's say:
In view of the fact that difficulty
in operation is mentioned by tractor
owners as the principal disadvantage
of the tractor, 1t seems pertinent to
state that while any man of ordinary
ability can operate and care for a gas
tractor very satisfactorily after little
study and experience, it is decidedly
unwise for him to undertake to gain
the necessary experience by expert
menting with his own machine. In
most cases he cali obtain the expert
ence more cheaply elsewhere. Ex-
perience in running stationary engines
or automobiles, while of some value,
is not enough; the mere starting of
the motor, changing of gears, and
stopping are simple matters. and any
farmer can quickly learn to do these,
but the important thing is the ability
to detect trouble the minute is be-
gins to develop, and to be able to
| remedy 1t promptly instead of allow
ing it to run along until an expensive
delay results.
"A great many owners report that
it is extremely difficult to get hired
help capable of operating a tractor
satisfactorily. Where a tractor is to
be operated by hired help it is very
important for the owner to understand
the proper care of the outfit In order
to see that it is not abused.
The fact that a tractor does de-
mand a certain amount of knowledge
on the part of the operator can scarce
ly be considered disadvantage, mas
much as the necessary training can be
obtained easily and at very nominal
expense. 1t is to be regretted that SO
many men will ignore the opportun-
tiles for equipping themselves for the
proper operation of a tractor before
attempting to run one.
THAT it pays to sread 4 few days
in gaining experience under a com
petent instructor is attested by a great
many tractor users That 1t Is un-
wise to attempt to run tractor with
out such preparation has also been
demonstrated many times. One farm
er writes:
I had no experience with the trac-
tor when l started and would have
made five hundred dollars during the
season, if had had the same expert
ence when l started in the spring as
had in the fall when / quit
Many others could truthfully make
similar statements.
With the increasing use of tractors,
as well as OF automobiles and station
airy engines, farmers are rapidly be-
coming familiar with the care and op-
Grafton of gas engines. At the same
time tractors are being improved and
simplifed, so that difficulties in opera
ton are growing less each year. One
generation of well-trained and compe-
tent operators will disseminate In
formation so that future generations
will acquire knowledge on the subject
as unconsciously, yet as thoroughly,
as the average son acquires his knowl-
edge of horses.
The mistake should not be made OF
assuming that any boy can operate
tractor in an efficient manner; 1t is a
job which only a proficient operator
can handle properly.
Reliability.
THE reliability OF tractor depends
very largely upon the ability of the
operator OF about 200 tractor owners
in Illinois, 81 per cent report that their
outfits were not out of commission a
single day when needed during the
past season. OF the remaining 43 per
cent, tie average number of days their
tractors were out of commission when
needed was seven. This average, how
ever, does not include the experience
of seven men who stated their ma
chimes were out of commission nearly
all the time and one who said half the
time.
The reports of tractor owners indi-
cate that with careful and proficient
operator a gas. tractor is a very de-
rendable source of power; occasional
slight delays probably will be encount-
cred, but serious ones will be excep-
tional. With a careless or incompetent
operator, serious delays are apt to be
frequent.
About 80 per cent of tractors in Illi-
nOis are operated by the owner or
some member of his family. The re-
ports of these men show that an aver
age of about three-fourths of an hour
is lost per day on account of trouble
with the tractor itself