EIGHT HORSE AGRICULTURAL LOCOMOTIVE
Traction engine exhibited by Messrs. Ruston, Proctor & Co., of Lincoln, showing the peculiar arrangement of steam admission valve, which forms one of its special features. The engine is rated as an eight-horse, and its principal dimensions area s follows:
Diameter of cylinder 0 ft. 9 ¾ in.
Stroke 1 0
Diameter of driving whells 6 9
Diameter of leading wheels 3 9
Diameter of flywheel 4 0
Length of engine over all 15 9
Total width of engine 7 4
Ttotal heating surface 174 sq. ft.
Grate area 5.06 sq. ft.
Slow speed 1 ¾ miles per hour
Quick speed 3 ½ miles per hour
Weight in working order 9 tons 15 cwt.
The bearings for the crankshaft, countershaft, and driving axle are carried by a couple of plates, one on each side of the engine, these plates being stayed together transversely, and being connected to the cylinder by Messrs. Ruston’s well-know tubular expanding stays, to which steam is admitted from the cylinder jacket. One of these stays is also made to serve as a steam pipe for supplying steam to an injector fixed at the side of the firebox, as shown, the other stay similar supplying steam to a water elevator by which the tank can be filled. In the arrangement of the gearing the are some special points. Thus tge countershaft carries the intermediate gear running loose on one end, which is eccentric to the bearing in which the shaft itself is mounted. The shaft is fixed in these bearings by a cotter, but by slacking back the latter the shaft is left free to be revolved, so as to readjust the gear when this is rendered necessary by the wear of the crankshaft brasses. The differential gear, or “jack-in-the box” motion is also fitted with a neat locking gear actuated from the footplate, so that when desired the gear can be thrown out of action. This arrangement is sometimes handy in the event of an engine getting stuck in an awkward place when the amount of “hold” obtained by the two driving wheels varies greatly. The governor of the Porter type, but with the weight arranged below the top bearing of the governor spindle, so that the upper part of the governor being light there is less tendency to vibration. The reversing lever, also, in place of being provided with the usual catch lever, is held in the desired position by a catch, which is operated by a foot treadle.
The arrangement of the patent regulating valve inside the boiler is shown by the detail view of the drawing. This valve regulate the supply of steam to the cylinder in such a manner that is always taken from the highest and consequently driest end of the boiler, thus greatly obviating the inconvenience of priming. In the present instance it is arranged to work automatically, but if preferred it may be operated by a lever or screw passing through a stuffing-box in any convenient part of the boiler. The action is as follows: Two weights are supported in unstable equilibrium by levers centered at their lower ends, and these weights are connected by means of a pin passing through slots in the casing to a valve which has two seats facing respectively the opposite ends of the boiler. As soon as the boiler is inclined, these weights by their own gravity fall over, pulling the spin to the lower end of the slots, thus closing the valve facing the lower end of the boiler, and opening the other valve. These valves being directly connected to two collecting pipes passing to either end, the steam is therefore always taken from the most advantageous point.
The feed water is carried in a tank under the footplate, and one of the hand-rail pillars at the back is made hollow, and is traversed by the rod of a float in the tank. The rod carries an index which works through a slot formed on one side of the pillar, and the driver has thus a ready means of a any time ascertaining how much water his tank contains. At the sides of the tank tool boxes are provided. The footplate is protected by a light roof of corrugated iron, and the whole of the details of the engine are very neatly worked out.
Ruston, Proctor and Company
Ruston, Proctor and Company was established in Lincoln, England in 1857, and were manufactures of steam tractors and engines. They later became Rustons & then Ruston & Hornsby.
The firm started as millwrights and implement manufacturers 'Burton & Proctor' in Lincoln in 1840. Joseph Ruston became a partner in the company in 1857, and the company changed name to Ruston, Proctor & Co. and grew to become a major agricultural engineering firm.
In 1918 the firm merged with the established Richard Hornsby & Sons company, from Grantham, Lincolnshire.
Rustons were primarily steam engineers, manufacturing portable, stationary and traction engines, boilers, and associated engineering products such as winding gear, shafts and pulleys. Threshing machines, clover hullers, corn mills, maize shellers and pumps for steam power were also made. As well as engines for agriculture machines Rustons made railway locomotives, industrial equipment and mining machinery. The company also expanded into electrical and diesel engineering.
The firm were one of the first to manufacture steam-powered excavating machinery – in the 1880s producing the "Dunbar & Ruston's" steam navvy (excavator). These 2 cu yd machines were used in the construction of the Manchester Ship Canal. In 1906 they built the "Ruston Light Steam Shovel", and exhibited it at the Royal Agricultural Show of 1907 held in Lincoln, the machine being of 3/4 cu yd capacity.
The firm later became Ruston-Bucyrus.
