Oxford Democrat., 1921-05-03
AMONG THE FARMERS
"sPEED THE PLow."
Fuel for the Tractor.


Gasoline 10 the most common tractor
fuel. One gallon of average gasoline
should deliver about 10000 units oi
heat. Heavy gasoline contains more
heat but the heat 10 not as easily OBJ.
tained. The oxygen is supplied by the
air. Gasoline vspor and air are mixed
In the correct proportions for burning In
q carburetor.
The steady increasing price Of gasoline
has forced other fuels into use. Kero-
sene is also product of refining crude
oil. IL is heavier than gasoline and dis.
tills at higher temperature. The heat
value of kerosene is about 1890 heat
units per gallon. A special csrburetor
Operation is much improved by the In.
lection of water with the fuel mixture.
Advantages may be claimed for either
fuel. Gasoline is lighter and vaporizes
easily which is necessary for starting.
Gasoline is much cleaner and gives less
engine trouble unless proper precautions
are taken with kerosene. Kerosene II
properly burned will deliver more power
per gallon. The operating expense may
be lower. An incompletely burned mix
ture of either fuel forms poisonous gas
called carbon monoxide. Great care
should be taken not to run engines idle
or for adjusting without proper ventila-
| ton.
In view of a possible shortage Of these
| Hydrocarbons for fuel many substitutes
have been tried. Alcohol has been most
successful. II admits higher compress.
sion and shows better efficiency. 1t is
a vegetable product and the supply
could be increased indefinitely. The
present cost of alcohol and the design Of
engines make It's use prohibitive.
A very great percentage of all tractor
troubles are due to one or two causes,
insufficient fabrication or incorrect lubri-
cation. All moving parts of q machine
must be held apart by an oil film In
order that friction may be decreased and
the wear may be less.
The engine is the most important part
Of the tractor and needs most careful
attention. A good engine oil should
provide fluid film between the bearing
surfaces. 1t should be heavy enough so
that it will not squeeze out under pres
sure. II must stand q temperature of at
least 500 degrees Fahrenheit without
burning. 1t should contain no acid
Simple tests may be applied.
The farmer will do we'll to follow the
fabrication suggestions as given In the
instruction book accompanying the tract
or. 1t Is to the manufacturers advan.
tsge to have the machine successful aud
his Instructions are reliable. Certain
factors may require change OF lubricant.
Some seasons of the year require lighter
oil than others. Engines with worn or
cut cylinders give better satisfaction by
use of heavy oil. Any oil becomes
thin when heated in the engine. The
operator must use careful Judgment
when changing from one kind of oil to
another.
Too much oil in the engine will cause
poor operation, smoky exhaust, carbon
deposits, leaky valves and fouled spark.
plugs. The remedy is to clean out the
engine and use less oil. Do not use too
little oil as this causes overheating,
knocking, sized bearings and pistons,
and cut cylinders. II the engine begins
to overhead, stop and investigate the
cause. After it cools add oil, fill radi-
ator and turn over slowly. II nothing
appears to be wrong start the engine
and allow 1t to run idle for short time.
II no knock develops proceed slowly
with the work. Have bearings examined
as soon "a possible.
All transmission and shaft bearings
must be kept we'll fabricated With the
oil or grease recommended by the manu-
facturer.-W. D. Emerson.