Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1918-04-27
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49,, 'dne'S are used in plantation work in Cuba
80 tP"FS' Java Hawaii, South Africa and
- ''I''ushout the world. There are almost
,,o,a Ea1i Gu Vl them at work in Hawaii, taken
''eIt from California where the tractor fourisbes
"eS are hauling logging trains in Maine Mon
lana Wisconsin, Minnesota and Corod 90 a
't"'F as they are Transporting supplies in tbe
regions Of the West. On the dusty roads
u me Fanamint range. where the steep grades
""i uo"h the spirit of the strongest mule teams
m" "heTe water stations are few and far he
'"ee"' track layers are valuable for freghting
as they are in the heat and whirltnp sand clouds
of the Mojave Desert
ihere are at the present time about fifteen
hrms engaged in making tractors with the end
less beit type Of drive. There are between eight
""u zen thousand tractors Of this type of all diff
ierent makes now in in the world
Factories speeding the construction OF
these rack-laying tractors for the use of the
united States In the field artillery. marine corps
signal corps and other branches OF the service
Armored track layers used in hauling sup
plies over ground that motortrucks cannot travel
on. Today manufacturers Of track layers find the
war orders tax their facilities to such an extent
that they are not able to keep up with the COM
mercia demand.
The advance of the tank over the earth sug-
gests the movement of a living creature Yet it's
operation is simple The track layer lays it's
track down in front of the frame, rolls over il,
The track consists of a broad-geared belt
endless chain of fiat steel links. which is put In
motion by large chain supporting wheels which
fit into the inside of the belt by gears. 1t thus
resembles a belt stretched around the front and
wheels of automobile and presenting
fiat surface the ground.
The outside of the belt is comprised Of broad
links known as track plates which ridged TO
prevent their slipping. The inside of the belt
contains the twin tracks upon which rest the
rollers that support the weight of the tractor
Nine OUT of ten persons who watch a tractor
demonstration for the first time get the impress
sion that the track itself is moving upon the
ground The illusion is created by the fact that
the top Of the belt is observed TO be going for
ward But the forward motion Of that part Of
the belt is taken up by the forward motion OF
the car If the car is raised from the ground and
the motor set in motion the belt will be seen re-
yolvtng around the supporting chain wheels. In
This case the tank is absolutely at rest
There are two belts. one on either side Of the
car When the car goes straight ahead both belts
revolve at even speed But the right and left
hand tracks may be operated independently.
Through the operation Of clutches that CORE
spond TO those In an automobile one track may
be brought to standSt while the other track
continues To move ri normal speed The tank
with all its power applied on one side Will make
a sharp turf II he right hand track Is moving and
the left il sim the tank viii turn TO the.Jeft.
The weight Of the tank is distributed along the
whole length " the track In the cam bling new
Is reclaimed land Of Tie San Joaquin detH, Call
fornia track layers travel soil that will not
support the weight Of "a man, much less horse.
They viii pass over cracks in the crlfubling earth
that horse could fail into dragging nsrrows
over the uneven ground until all erevices are