1. Engine: The heart of the tractor was a single-cylinder, four-stroke gasoline engine. This engine was similar to those used in early automobiles.
2. Power Transmission: The engine's power was transmitted to the rear wheels through a gearbox and a chain drive. This system allowed the tractor to move forward and backward.
3. Steering: The tractor was steered by a tiller bar, which was connected to the front wheels through a steering mechanism.
4. Fuel System: The engine was fueled by gasoline, which was stored in a tank on the tractor.
5. Ignition: The engine was ignited by a hot tube igniter. This system used a heated tube to ignite the fuel-air mixture in the combustion chamber.
How It Worked:
* Intake: The engine drew in a mixture of air and gasoline through the intake valve.
* Compression: The piston compressed the fuel-air mixture.
* Ignition: The hot tube ignited the compressed mixture, creating an explosion.
* Power: The explosion pushed the piston down, turning the crankshaft and generating power.
* Exhaust: The burnt gases were exhausted through the exhaust valve.
Key Features:
* Heavy and bulky: Early tractors were large and heavy, requiring a strong team of horses to move them into position.
* Limited power: The engine produced relatively low horsepower compared to modern tractors.
* Limited speed: The tractor could only reach a maximum speed of around 3-4 miles per hour.
* Limited fuel efficiency: The engine consumed a significant amount of fuel.
Overall, Froelich's gas traction engine was a significant breakthrough in agricultural technology. It demonstrated the potential of gasoline engines for powering farm machinery, paving the way for the development of more powerful and efficient tractors in the future.
