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Title: |
1904 Article-Buffalo Pitts Co., Steam Traction Engine |
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Source: |
English and American Steam Carriages and Traction Engines 1904 pgs 398-403 |
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Insert Date: |
8/29/2011 5:00:15 PM |
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BUFFALO PITTS COMPANY — There are certain qualities, which a traction engine should possess. Under the term strength — driving, hauling, and traction power; durability — superiority of material, workmanship, and construction; under the word efficiency — quick steaming qualities, economy in fuel and water. The Pitts' factories have been enlarged; a building with 35,000 square feet of floor space has been constructed. The foundry has been enlarged by an addition of 10,000 square feet; a third cupola has been added of 25 tons per hour capacity, and the entire plant has been equipped with electric power from the Niagara Falls. Fig. 243 shows a Pitts' traction engine. The engine frame is of the square box pattern, which is a strong form of construction; the box acts as a feed-water heater, as is pretty generally used by the American makers; the feed-water from the injector or steam-pump passes through the heater on its way to the boiler. The cylinder and bored guide are cast with the box-shaped heater. A large round tank is supported on channel bars in front of the smoke-box, the position of the main axle renders this necessary. The driving-wheels have flat steel spokes bolted or riveted to the nave, at one end, and to the tire at the other, as shown. On the 22 horse-power engine the main gearing is five inches on the face of the cogs, and the driving-wheels are 6 ft. 6 in. diameter. Both ends of the connecting-rod are of the solid type. Pitts' universal direct-flue locomotive boiler is illustrated by Fig. 244. A fire-brick arch is adopted for burning straw; the fire-box has a water-bottom, as shown; ash-pan doors are fitted to both ends of the fire-box; suitable hand - holes are provided for cleaning purposes. A sloping fire-box top stayed direct to the shell is shown. Some of the larger sizes of traction engines have double side-by-side cylinders (non-compound); dip-cranks, of course, are used. Double-cylinder traction engines have some disadvantages which need not be named, but they are well known to experts. |
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1904 Buffalo Pitts Co., Steam Traction Engine
1904 Buffalo Pitts Co., Steam Traction Engine Boiler
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