Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1919-07-11

Prepared by the United States DEPART
ment of Agrlculture)
Manufacture Of tractors for acricul-
'ural use has grown greatly in a com
paratlVely few years, hut a big field Is
still open to manufacturers in the
| small farmers business. which can he
gained only by the Introduction of all.
| purpose tractors that can be used eco
nomically on farms Of under 100 till
able acres.
Prior to 1905 practically all power
blowing was done by steam. If there
was any machine in use at that time
employing an Observation-Disclosures en-
CINE as IFS source of power. the case
apparently has never become matter
of record Steam blowing has been
In vogue for number Of years. espe-
ciaily in regions such as the Dakotas.
Montana, and the Canadian provinces
of the Northwest Here we're found
bonanza farms consisting of thousands
OF acres. one crop of wheat sometimes
paying for the entire farm. These
large tracts, stretching away for miles
in a level and unbrolen plain, offered
conditions which were suitable for
these mammoth steam outfits weighing
many tons
Several factors had hearing on the
elimination Of steam as source of
power for blowing and the Substitu-
ton of the nal-combuStion en-
CINE
The fuel was bulky for the power.
transmitted, and the storage space on
the engine was small Several men
We're required. The steam engine as
then constructed could not stand the
constant strain and rough usage neces-
sary in blowing. II was necessary to
spend considerable time in care and re-
pair, just as is required by the rail-
road locomotive after a five or six
hour run.
How Use Of Gas Engine Began.
There was a demand by operators
for q machine which would do away
with these disadvantages, Interest
was shown by various manufacturers
and their attention was directed to-
ward the development of a machine
using the internal combustion engine.
Apparently 1905 was the first year
that gas tractor advertised as a
source Of power was placed on
the market This machine employed
double-cylinder engine, using gaso-
line for power and oil for cooling. II
had a rating Of % nominal and 40
actual brake horsepower and was
capable of pulling six to eight 12-inch
plows, depending on the soil The
weight was practically the same as
that of the steam engine, about nine
and One-half tons. While operators
were not satisfied with the steam tract
0rs on the market, there was then
considerable prejudice against the gas
tractor, so that machines were built
which looked as much like a steam
engine as possible. Perhaps this fact,
to some extent, tended to overcome the
prejudice and make for the popularity
of the outfit.
BY 1908 so much interest was mani
fest throughout the Northwest In the
gas tractor that 1t was decided to hold
a motor competition In connection with
the industrial exhibition at Winnipeg
Canada. During the week of July ID
II. 1908. this contest was held, the
first of its kind on the American con-
tinent. Machines were exhibited by
five companies; two other companies
entered but withdrew. The rules OF
the contest limited the weight to seven
and one-half tons 10 keep out steam
rigs This rule barred one gas
tractor. as it weighed nine and one
half tons.
Early Tests Unsatisfactory.
The tests upon which final award
was based consisted Of hauling plo"'
ing and manipulation. Some OF the
soil conditions were not ideal. ana a
had impression was given IN the haur
ing tests. The barred machine pun
on private demonstration and mace
an excellent showing. using Kerosene
except to warm up the motor at the
beginning. The significance OF inns
contest was that the weak points
were shown and that it started tne
development Of practical motors TOT
small farms.
In 1909 a similar test was heid al
Winnipeg and six companies demon
strated machines. The contest was
divided into four classes: (a) Internal
combustion 20 horsepower and under,
(bl 2O-3O horsepower, (c) over ~
horsepower, and (d) steam engines
This contest created much interest III
manufacturing circles and many man
nfacturers were present to obtain use
ful information, which showed thal
thev were alive 10 the possibilities at
tending the development Of a success