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Automation in Agriculture
Published in Edward Y. Uechi, Business Automation and Its Effect on the Labor Force, 2023
The traction engine was changed to use the internal combustion engine. In 1902, Charles Hart and Charles Parr began to manufacture their gasoline-powered Hart–Parr tractors. Usage of the term “traction engine” would be simplified to the word, “tractor,” which was first coined by Hart and Parr.3 In 1917, Henry Ford and Son produced its Fordson tractors. These gasoline-powered tractors, which eventually were sold the most, had larger rear wheels for power and smaller front wheels for steering.
Steam engines on UK roads, 1862–1865: Banning orders, agricultural locomotives and the ‘red flag’ Act
Published in The International Journal for the History of Engineering & Technology, 2020
Could a traction engine, like a modern-day tractor, just pull a plough directly attached behind it? No! - the very heavy ‘monster’ engines of the 1860s would have over-compressed the soil before the plough-shares could reach it. Admittedly, one early ‘endless railway’ design might have offered less compression. But it was ‘indirect’ ploughing that demonstrated practicability in trials at agricultural shows - using ploughing tackle drawn by a moving rope system. Rope movement could be powered either (a) by a ‘portable’ engine typically static at a field corner (the ‘roundabout’ method) or (b) from a traction engine moved in stages along one field edge, the rope passing round an ‘anchor’ moved in stages along the field’s opposite edge - Figure 2 illustrates the two methods.36 The ‘portable’ engine had to be horse-drawn for transfer onwards to the next field that needed ploughing. But the traction engine could make this journey under its own steam, hauling also the ploughing tackle and other equipment. Traction engine ploughing needed an engine, with integral rope winding gear; a reversible plough-share assembly; and an ‘anchor’ on the field-edge opposite the ‘headland’ where the engine moved (Figure 3).37
Building a 21st Century Newcomen Engine
Published in The International Journal for the History of Engineering & Technology, 2018
Ken Pointon served an apprenticeship in Fitting, Turning and Machining with the New Zealand Government Railways after which venturing into tooling making, machine design, construction, factory maintenance, marine and hydraulic engineering both in NZ and Australia. Employed at the Applied Arts and Science Museum in Sydney, NZ National Maritime Museum, and MOTAT, Auckland. Qualifications include First Class Steam Engineering Operator, Traction Engine and Locomotive Driver and Steam Marine Engineer and is currently the President of the Auckland Steam Engine Society. His has operated his own business for 40 years.