1. Drive Wheel and Friction Wheel: The friction motor consists of two main wheels - the drive wheel and the friction wheel. The drive wheel is connected to the engine or a power source, while the friction wheel is in contact with the drive wheel.
2. Friction Material: The friction wheel is covered with a high-friction material, such as leather or rubber, which increases the grip between the two wheels.
3. Contact and Friction: As the drive wheel rotates, it comes into contact with the friction wheel. The friction between the two wheels causes the friction wheel to rotate as well.
4. Speed Variation: The speed of the friction wheel can be varied by adjusting the pressure between the two wheels. Increasing the pressure increases the friction and, therefore, the speed of the friction wheel. Conversely, reducing the pressure decreases the friction and slows down the friction wheel.
5. Power Transmission: The rotating friction wheel transmits power to other components of the tractor, such as the transmission, wheels, or implements.
In the case of the 1908 tractor, the friction motor was likely used to control the speed of the tractor by varying the pressure between the drive wheel and the friction wheel. By adjusting the speed of the friction wheel, the operator could control the speed of the tractor's wheels and the attached implements.
Friction motors were commonly used in early tractors due to their simplicity and ease of use. However, they were eventually replaced by more efficient and reliable transmission systems.
