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Title: |
1891 Article-Edwin Foden, Sons & Co., Ltd., Steam Traction Engine |
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History & Development of Steam Locomotion on Common Roads, 1891, pgs. 246-254 |
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12/14/2014 10:50:32 PM |
All Messrs. Foden's traction engines are mounted upon large driving wheels, nearly 7 ft. diameter, the rims are of tough cast iron, shod with steel cross-plates. A peculiarity of these wheels consists in increasing the number of the spokes and using a light section of iron for them. Wheels of such a diameter obtain a great amount of tread, giving them more grip on the surface of the road, thus rendering them much less liable to slip, and allowing the engine to pass over soft ground where wheels of ordinary diameter would sink.
Two traveling speeds are provided, the fast speed ratio of gearing being 16 to 1, the slow speed ratio is 27 to 1.
Fig. 105 shows a traction engine as made by Messrs. Foden, but since the block was cut a few alterations have been made in the design, which must be named. Messrs. Foden are making nearly all their road locomotives with piston valves, they have had them in work two years, and find they answer very well, the wear and tear being practically nil, compared with the slide valve. If the feed water in use is dirty, as it very often happens to be, or if the lubrication is neglected, the flat slide valve is a cause of trouble, it wears away at a most rapid rate, and not infrequently wears the port faces away, which is a serious matter. Hence the number of expedients, which various makers have tried, to prevent this irritating wear and tear. |
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1891 Edwin Foden, Sons & Co., Ltd., Steam Traction Engine
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