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Title: |
1908 Article-Buffalo Pitts Co., Steam Traction Engine |
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Source: |
The Traction Engine, Its Use and Abuse, 1908, pgs. 153-156 |
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Insert Date: |
3/20/2014 8:19:55 PM |
BUFFALO PITTS CO. TRACTION ENGINE.
This company mounts also the machinery directly on the boiler shell and secures, therefore, the advantage of a short wheelbase.
The boiler is of the locomotive type, with Shelby's cold drawn seamless tubes and full water bottom. On the water bottom the fire is dumped instead of dumping it directly on the ground, thereby preventing the starting of tiers. The boiler can be arranged for burning either coal, wood, or straw. When only straw is to be used for fuel, the return tubular flue type of boiler is generally used. Whatever the type of boiler may be, a fire-brick arch is put in the fire-box as well as special straw-burning grate bars.
All longitudinal seams are double-riveted. The steam space has been made relatively large and so has the dome in order to secure as dry steam as possible.
Both a pump and an injector are furnished, and have been so arranged that either can be used for filling the tank as well as taking water for the boiler from the tank
The tank, holding about 100 gallons of water is of steel and located on the front of the boiler.
Two independent engines of the center-crank self-contained type are mounted side by side. Each has its own steam-chest, piston-rod, cross-head, connecting-rod, etc. Figs. 37 and 38 give you a view of the engine. The cylinders are fastened together on the inside of the frame and have the steam-chests located on the outside. The cylinders and the guides, cast in one piece, are bored out together and therefore always in line. Due to the construction the moving parts of the engine are always well protected, and can be very easily inspected, oiled, and cleaned. The governor is of the vertical type, and is driven by a small belt from a little counter-shaft located on the front part of the guides. (See Fig. 36.) It is mounted on the pipe flange just before the steam-pipe branches to the cylinders.
The locomotive reversing links are used. The crankshaft is made of a steel forging with cranks at quarters and is provided with self-oiling attachments. A train of spur gears transmits the power from the engine to the driving wheels. In this train is introduced the compensating gear containing three bevel pinions. The maker claims that this number is preferable, as it prevents the rocking motion and therefore reduces the wear.
The traction wheels are of the built-up type with broad rolled steel rims and flat steel spokes riveted to the rim and the hub. Large mud-cleats are also riveted on the outside of the rim of the wheels. The fly-wheel has been provided with a friction clutch. |
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1908 Buffalo Pitts Co., Steam Traction Engine
1908 Buffalo Pitts Co., Steam Traction Engine (Details)
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