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Title: |
1899 Article-O.S. Kelly Mfg. Co., Triple-Cylinder Steam Road Locomotive |
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Source: |
Scientific American, V 81 #5, 29 Jul 1899, pg. 68 |
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Insert Date: |
5/18/2014 9:29:10 PM |
One of the largest traction engines ever built was recently completed by the O. S. Kelly Company, of Springfield, Ohio, and shipped to Cuba, where it has been used with considerable success on one of the largest sugar plantations.
The engine is essentially a triple-cylinder geared locomotive with enormous drive wheels, especially adapted to the roads over which they are to travel. The three cylinders with their valve-chests form a single large casting placed on the forward end of the boiler. Steam passes directly from the boiler to the central steam-chest and thence to the outside chests. The engine has a three-throw crank-shaft with cranks 120 degrees apart, fitted with three pairs of eccentrics. As the point of cut-off is carried late enough always to insure admission of steam to two pistons, heavy loads are easily started. The boilers are of the locomotive type with grate surfaces varying from 9 to 12 square feet. The boiler pressure is 180 pounds per square inch. The engine gives a continuous tractive force of 12,000 pounds at the wheel rim, moving at a rate of 330 feet per minute; the horsepower developed is therefore 120.
The drive-wheels are eight feet in diameter and are built up from center castings to which side sheets are riveted. The steel plate tires are provided with cleats four inches wide and two inches thick, extending completely across the face at such an angle and distance apart as to insure the complete bedding of one cleat on each wheel before the preceding cleat has left the ground. The front wheels are five feet in diameter, and are similarly constructed. Steering is effected by the usual hand-wheel, worm, and shaft, fitted with chains secured to the front axle.
By the use of steam traction-engines pulling wagons adapted to the kind of freight which they are to contain, not only may large loads be readily transported, but an economy is effected even in countries Where beasts of burden are cheap and easily obtained. With a grade not exceeding five per cent, a load of thirty tons exclusive of engines and wagons can be hauled thirty miles per day. Over dry, natural soil, even 112 tons have been hauled. The engines are adapted to haul freight from plantations and from mines so remote from railways that the transportation of low-grade ores becomes unprofitable. |
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1899 O.S. Kelly Mfg. Co., Triple-Cylinder Steam Road Locomotive
Rear view of triple cylinders
Front view of triple cylinders
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