Tractor

The Tractor is a Versatile machine that has evolved from the original Steam powered machines, though the Iron horse stage to a very powerful computerized workstation, for a vast range of applications. A tractor is a vehicle specifically designed to deliver a high tractive effort at slow speeds, for the purposes of hauling a trailer or machinery used in agriculture or construction. Most commonly, the term is used to describe the distinctive farm vehicle: agricultural implements may be towed behind or mounted on the tractor, and the tractor may also provide a source of power if the implement is mechanised. Another common use of the term is for the power unit of a semi-trailer truck (Lorry).

National variations

In Britain, Ireland, Australia, India, Spain, and Poland the word "tractor" usually means "farm tractor". In Britain it can be short for Tractor Unit or lorry used in road haulage (Road Locomotive). In Canada and the United States the word is also used to refer to a road tractor.

The Tractor Definition

The most common use of the term is for the vehicles used on farms. The farm tractor is used for pulling or pushing agricultural machinery or trailers, for ploughing, tilling, discing, harrowing, planting, and similar tasks. Charles City, Iowa is the birthplace of the farm tractor in the early 1900's by the Hart-Parr Company, Later sold to White Tractor.

History

Before Tractors

Horse power and the steam tractor and [[stationary engine|stationary steam engines ruled for provision of tractive power. The first powered farm implements in the early 1800s were portable engines – steam engines on wheels that could be used to drive mechanical farm machinery by way of a flexible belt. Around 1850, the first traction engines were developed from these, and were widely adopted for agricultural use. Where soil conditions permitted, like the US, steam tractors were used to direct-haul ploughs, but in the UK different soil conditions, made ploughing engines more sitable and they were used for cable-hauled ploughing instead, without heavy engines compacting feilds. Steam-powered agricultural engines remained in use well into the 20th century, until reliable internal combustion engines had been developed.

Earliest Combustion Engined Tractors

In 1892, John Froelich built the first practical gasoline-powered tractor in Clayton County, Iowa. Only two were sold, and it was not until 1911, when the Twin City Traction Engine Company developed the design, that it became successful.

In Britain, the first recorded tractor sale was the oil-burning Hornsby-Ackroyd Patent Safety Oil Traction engine, in 1897. However, the first commercially successful design was Dan Albone's three-wheel Ivel tractor of 1902. In 1908, Saundersons of Bedford introduced a four-wheel design, and went on to become the largest tractor manufacturer outside the USA at that time (till Fordson introduced there model N.

These were very much an engine mounted on a chassis that resembled a steam tractor, without the boiler.

While unpopular at first, these gasoline-powered machines began to catch on in the 1910s when they became smaller and more affordable.

Early mass production Models

Henry Ford introduced the Fordson, the first mass-produced tractor in 1917. They were built in the U.S., Ireland, England and Russia and by 1923, Fordson had 77% of the U.S. market. The Fordson dispensed with a frame, using the strength of the engine block to hold the machine together. By the 1920s, tractors with a gasoline-powered internal combustion engine had become the norm.

The classic farm tractor is a simple open vehicle, with two very large driving wheels on an axle below and slightly behind a single seat (the seat and steering wheel consequently are in the center), and the engine in front of the driver, with two steerable wheels below the engine compartment. This basic design has remained unchanged for a number of years, but enclosed Safety Cabs are fitted on almost all modern models, for reasons of operator safety and comfort.

Originally, ploughs and other equipment were connected via a draw-bar, or a proprietary connecting system; prior to Harry Ferguson patenting the three-point hitch. Recently, Bobcat's patent on its front loader connection has expired; and compact tractors are now being outfitted with quick-connect attachments for their front-end loaders.

Variations

There are also lawn tractors. Cub Cadet, Husqvarna, John Deere, Massey Ferguson and Toro are some of the better-known brands.

Another type of early tractor was the Iron horse, which the operator walked behind, or sat on a seat on the implement.

(this history section needs building up)

The War Years

Lend lease tractors The Number of tractors increased in the UK during the War Years due to the supply of Lend lease tractors to farms to help increase production, to meet the countries need for home grown food supplies. To increase tractor production other firms were licensed to manufacture them. Vast numbers were imported from America under the agreement (Lend lease). To free up UK production capacity for the manufacture of Arms and Munitions for the war effort.

Post War Developments

Initially after the war there was little demand for new tractor as there was no money to buy them and rationing was still in place with price controls. But as time progressed demand increased, and some machines were re engined by enterprising farmers and blacksmiths with surplus diesel engines from surplus trucks. Following the war as demand increased, development of the tractor was stepped up as bigger engines and more sophisticated hydraulics were developed. Farm implements can be attached to the rear of the tractor by either a drawbar or a three-point hitch. The three-point hitch was invented by Harry Ferguson and has been standard on agricultural tractors since the early 1960s. Equipment attached to the three-point hitch can be raised or lowered hydraulically with a control lever. The equipment attached to the three-point hitch is usually completely supported by the tractor. Another way to attach an implement is via a Quick Hitch, which is attached to the three-point hitch. This enables a single person to attach an implement quicker and put the person in less danger when attaching the implement as it can be done from the cab.

The Evolution of the Modern Tractor

As power increased in the 60's the problem of getting increased traction lead to people experimenting with fitting surplus truck axles to the front to make 4-wheel drive tractors. Improved hydraulics lead to the building of bigger implements and attachments.

Safety Cabs, came about as a result of the realisation that deaths due to tractors turning other were significant. Research was carried out into the cause and the search for a way of protecting the operator lead first to the roll bar which could be fitted to any tractor. then in the 70's the safety cab was invented, then developed into the modern sound proofed cab of today.

Tractor Safety

Agriculture in the United Kingdom is one of the most hazardous industries, only surpassed by mining and construction. No other farm machine is so identified with the hazards of production agriculture as the tractor. Tractor related injuries account for approximately xx% of the fatalities and xx% of the non-fatal injuries in agriculture. Over xx% is attributed to tractor overturns.

The roll over protection structure(ROPS) and seat belt, when worn, are the two most important safety devices to protect operators from death during tractor overturns.[6]

Modern tractors have rollover protection systems (ROPS) to prevent an operator from being crushed if the tractor overturns. It is important to remember that the ROPS does not prevent tractor overturns. Rather, it prevents the operator from being crushed during an overturn. This is especially important in open-air tractors, where the ROPS is a steel beam that extends above the operator's seat. For tractors with operator cabs, the ROPS is part of the frame of the cab. A ROPS with enclosed cab further reduces the likelihood of serious injury because the operator is protected by the sides and windows of the cab.

ROPS were first required by legislation in Sweden in 1959. Before ROPS were required, some farmers died when their tractors rolled on top of them. Row-crop tractors, before ROPS, were particularly dangerous because of their 'tricycle' design with the two front wheels spaced close together and angled inward toward the ground. Some farmers were killed by rollovers while operating tractors along steep slopes. Others have been killed while attempting to tow or pull an excessive load from above axle height, or when cold weather caused the tires to freeze down, in both cases causing the tractor to pivot around the rear axle.

For the ROPS to work as designed, the operator must stay within the protective frame of the ROPS. This means the operator must wear the seat belt. Not wearing the seat belt may defeat the primary purpose of the ROPS.

(From American quote, UK % needed)

Electronic and computerised control systems

The Power Revolution

Modern farm tractors employ large diesel engines, which range in power output from 18 to 575 horsepower (15 to 480 kW). Tractors can be generally classified as two-wheel drive, two-wheel drive with front wheel assist, four-wheel drive (often with articulated steering), or track tractors (with either two or four powered rubber tracks). Variations of the classic style include the diminutive lawn tractors and their more capable and ruggedly constructed cousins, garden tractors, that range from about 10 to 25 horsepower (7.5-18.6 kW) and are used for smaller farm tasks and mowing grass and landscaping. Their size—especially with modern tractors—and the slower speeds are reasons motorists are urged to use caution when encountering a tractor on the roads.

Most tractors have a means to transfer power to another machine such as a baler, slasher or mower. Early tractors used belts wrapped around a flywheel to power stationary equipment. Modern tractors use a power take-off (PTO) shaft to provide rotary power to machinery that may be stationary or pulled. Almost all modern tractors can also provide external hydraulic fluid and electrical power connections (commonly called services).

Most farm tractors used a manual transmission, until recently in the UK. They have several sets of gear ratios divided into speeds. In order to change the ratio, it is usually necessary to stop the tractor. Between them they provide a range of speeds from less than one mile per hour suitable for working the land, up to about 25 miles per hour (40 km/h) for road use. Furthermore it is usually not necessary to change gear in order to reverse, one simply selects a lever. Older tractors usually require that the operator depress the clutch in order to shift between gears (a limitation of straight-cut gears in the gearbox), but many modern tractors have eliminated this requirement with the introduction of technologies such as power shifting in the 1960s and more modern continuously variable transmissions. This allows the operator more and easier control over working speed than the throttle alone could provide.

Slow, controllable speeds are necessary for most operations that are performed with a tractor. They help give the farmer a larger degree of control in certain situations, such as field work. However, when travelling on public roads, the slow operating speeds can cause problems, such as long queues or tailbacks, which can delay or aggravate other road users. To alleviate conditions, some countries (for example the Netherlands) employ a road sign on some roads that means "no farm tractors". Some modern tractors, such as the JCB Fastrac Range, are now capable of much more tolerable road speeds of around 50 mph (80 km/h).

the Fast tractor revolution 500hp + Multi axel 3+ Quad Track machines

The Future

Automated driver less robotic tractors are coming, some time soon to a field near you.! Space technology has found its way down to agriculture in the form of GPS devices, and robust on-board computers installed as optional features on farm tractors. These technologies are used in modern, precision farming techniques. The spin-offs from the space race have actually facilitated automation in ploughing and the use of Autosteer systems drone on tractors that are manned but only steered at the end of a row, the idea being to neither overlap and use more fuel nor leave streaks when performing jobs such as cultivating.

Preservation Movement

From the early 70's people started to collect older simple tractors like the Massey Feguson 35 and little "grey fergie", or the early Fordson's to use on small holdings and as garden hobby tractors. This lead to the Formation of owners clubs for different makes. Some of these tractors could be picked up for a few pounds, as farmers just left them at the bottom of the yard when they broke or they got anew more modern tractor in the late 70's. The Farm subsidies helping pump money into the industry to modernise it, and increased mechanisation with bigger machinery needed more horse power and less manpower. So farms moved to fewer but bigger tractors, and traded them in every few years, leading to lots of cheap small tractors. a lot were exported at times to Ireland and Africa, but this market was effected by political factors and monetary policies of world governments. There is still agood export trade, but the model of choice varies for differing markets. Some markets prefering more basic tractors, but overs have moved to 1980s Massey Ferguson & John Deere models. (Source:Cheffins auction report)

Desirability

Some models are very rare and collectors are fighting to own that special model, this has driven prices up. But tractor collecting is cheap compared to works of art like paintings, Vintage Cars, or Traction Engines and Steam Trains.

Some Collectors are trying to get one of every model in a range from a particular manufacturer. for example Ford 1000 series tractors, with a 4000, 5000, 6000, 7000, 8000 & 9000 model. Or the Massey Ferguson 100 series, comprising a 130, 135, 165, and 175. Others aspire to collect every variation of one model.

Because of the demand people are now re-importing tractors that had been exported years ago to foreign parts. Others in that quest for the unusual are importing models that were never imported originally into this country.

Some model were originally built in very short production runs whilst others there were 10's of thousands built.

The very rare can fetch in excess of £50,000 at auction. but good condition common tractors can still be found for £1000 ex farm condition, but increased scrap prices have driven prices up for non runners for spares. Some "Un-restored Ex-Farm" models have fetched over £10,000 in 2008

Types of Tractors

• Agricultural Tractors
• Industrial Tractors
• Special Purpose Tractors
• Steam Tractors
• Agricultural Machinery also Self Propelled Machines
• Tractors Mounted Implements

Tractor Related Listings

• Tractor Manufactures Index
• Tractor Dealers Listing
• Tractor Parts Suppliers
• Auctions & Sales Featuring Tractors

References

• Initial Information derived from Wikipedia Entry for tractors, and general articles in collectors publications;
  • Classic Tractors Magazine
  • Tractor & Machinery Magazine
  • Classic Tractors of the World by Nick Baldwin

Links

(links to external websites for information)

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tractors
• http://www.tractordata.co.uk

Note: Please place comments about structure in discussion section 1st , no major changes.