The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1919-06-20


Manufacture Of tractors for agricul
tural use has grown greatly in n 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
blowing was done by steam. II there
was any machine In use at that time
employing an Observation-Disclosures en-
CINE as It's source of power, the case
apparently has never become a matter
Of record. Steam blowing has been
in vogue for number of years, espe-
cialiy in regions such as the Dakotas,
Montana. and the Canadian provinces
of the Northwest. Here were 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 level and unbroken plain, offered
conditions which were suitable for
many tons.
Several factors had bearing on the
elimination Of steam as source of
power for blowing and the substltu
ton Of the nternal-combustion en-
CINE.
The fuel was bulky for the power
transmitted, and the storage space on
the engine was small. Several men
were required. The steam engine as
then constructed could not stand the
constant strain and rough usage neces-
sary in blowing 1t was necessary to
spend considerable time In care and re-
pair. Just as Is required by the rail
road locomotive after five or six
hour run.
How Use Of Gas Engine Began.
There was demand by operators
for machine which would do away
with these disadvantages. Interest
was shown by various manufacturers
and their attention was directed to-
ward the development Of machine
using the internal combustion engine.
Apparently 1905 was the first year
that a gas tractor advertised as q
source of power was placed on
the market This machine employed
double-cylInder engine, using gaso-
line for power and Oil for cooling. 1t
had rating Of % nominal and &c
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
and one-half tons. While operators
were not satisfied with the steam tract
ors on the market, there was Their
considerable prejudice against the gas
tractor, so that machines were built
which looked as much like 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 thu
gas tractor that 1t was decided to hole
motor competition in connection witt
the industrial exhibition at Winnipeg
Canada During the week Of July 13
II, 1908, this contest was held, the
first Of its kind on the American con
tinent. Machines were exhibited b.
five companies; two other companies
entered, but withdrew. The rules o
the contest limited the weight to sever
and one-half tons to keep out steam
rigs. This rule barred one ga
tractor, as it weighed nine and one
half tons.
Early Tests Unsatisfactory.
The tests upon which final aware
was based consisted Of hauling, pillow
ing and manipulation. Some Of tn
soil conditions were not IDEAL and
bad impression was given In the hau
ing tests. The barred machine pu
on a private demonstration and mad
an excellent showing. using kerosene
except to warm up the motor at tn
beginning. The significance Of thi
contest was that the weak point
were shown and that 1t started tn
development of practical motors 10
small farms.
In 1909 similar test was held q
Winnipeg and six companies demon
strated machines. The contest wa
divided into four classes: (a) Inferno
combustion 20 horsepower and unde
(b) o0-3O horsepower, (c) over
horsepower, and td) steam engines
This contest created much interest |
manufacturing circles, and many maj
ufacturers were present to obtain us'
full information, which showed ths
they were alive to the possibilities a
tending the development Of success
full tractor.
To Winnipeg must go the honor {
starting an idea which has done
great deal to develop the tractor II
dustry rapidly. These tests were tt
forerunners of others in various Sc
lions of the United States and Canad