Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1919-09-12

Q'repared by the United States Depart
ment Of Asriculture.)
Manufacture of tractors for agricu!-
tural use has grown greatly in a com
paratively few years, but a big field is
still open to manufacturers in the
small farmers business, which can be
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
plowing was done by steam. IF there
was any machine in use at that time
employing an internal l-combuStion en-.
CINE as It's source of power, the ease
apparently has never become matter
of record. Steam plowing has been
in vogue for q number of years, espe-
cially in regions such as the Dakotas,
Montana, and the Canadian provinces
Of the Northwest, Here were found
bonanza farms consisting Of thousands
If acres, one, crop of wheat sometimes
naytng for the entire farm. These
large tracts, stretching away for miles
in level and unbroken plain, offered
conditions which were suitable for
shese mammoth steam outfits weighing
many tons:
Several factors had a. heaping On the
elimination of steam as source OF
power for plowing and the substitu-
ticn of the internal-combustion en-
gine. .
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 az
:hcn constructed could not stand the
constant strain and rough usage neceS'
AIRY in plOwing. 1t was necessary to
:pcnd considerable time in care and re-
Dair. just as is required by the rail
road locomotive after a five or sly
lOur. run.
How Use of Gas Engine Began.
There was a demand by operators
for q machine which would do away
with these disadvantages. Interest.
vas shown by various manufacturers
and their attention was directed to-
ward the development of machine
using the lnterna! combustion engine
Apparently 1905 was the first year
thct gas tractor advertised as
source of power was placed on
the market. This machine employed
A double-cylinder engine, using gaso
line for power and oil for cooling: II
had rating of 90 nominal and 4C
actual brake horsepower and was
capable of pulling six to eight Pinch
plowS, depending on the SOIL The
weight was practically the same as
that Of the steam engine, about nine
md one-half tons. While operators
were not satisfied with the steam tract
ors on the market, there was then
considerable prejudice against the ga"
tractor, so that machines were bl1!!;
which. looked as much like a STERN
engine as possible. Perhaps this fact
TO some extent, tended to overcome III"
preiulicc and make for the popularity
of the outfit.
.Ey 1908 SO much interest was mani
fest throughout the Northwest IN the
gas tractor that it was decided to hold
motor competition in connection WITH
the Industrial exhibition at Winnipeg
Canada. During the week Of July l3'
IT,. 1903, 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 onc-half tons to keep out steam
iigs. 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, ploW'
ing and manipulation. Some of the
soil conditions were not ideal, and a
bad impression was given in the haul
ing tests. The barred machine put
on a private demonstration and made
an excellent showing, using kerosene
except to warm up the motor at the
beginning. The significance Of this
contest was that the hweak points
We're shown and that it started the
development of practical motors for
small farms.
In 1909 similar test was held al
Winnipeg and six companies demon.
strated machines. The contest was
divided into fora. classes: (a) Internal
combustion 20 horsepower and under
(b) 20-3O horsepower, (c) over sc
horsepower, and (D steam engines
This contest created much interest ir
manufacturing circles, and many man
ufacturers were present to obtain use
full information, which showed that
they were alive to the possibilities at
tending the development of a success
lUl tractor.
To Winnipeg must go the honor o.
starting an idea which has done .
great deal to develop the tractor in
f!ustry rapidly. These tests were. the
forerunners of others in various sec.j
lions Of the United States and Canada