Ploughing by steam
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (323811)
Rockingham, Australia
July 4, 2018 6:43am CST
I grew up on a farm and have remained very interested in farming methods, particularly those of my forefathers. In Tasmania, we chanced upon a steam museum. Most of the exhibits were to do with farming and there were also a number of old tractors and other bits and pieces.
One massive engine had me very intrigued as under the main engine was a sort of horizontal flywheel with steel rope wound round it. I couldn’t work out the purpose of this but luckily a nearby sign told me all about it.
The engine was used for steam ploughing. In the low-lying wetter areas such as you might find in England, tractors were unable to be used for ploughing as they bogged too easily. These steam engines were usually made and sold in pairs. Each engine remained stationary at either end of the field. The plough would be pulled back and forth between them. The engines would move a few metres along the side as needed.
The plough was guided by a driver on the implement. One engine always pulled from the left and one for the right which explains why they were made in pairs. The steel ropes were 16mm (3/8 of an inch) and approximately 550 metres in length. Wouldn’t one of them take your head off if it snapped?
I found this fascinating but perhaps you not so much (sigh), But I can wish. (smile)
I don’t have a photo of the machine but I liked this tractor which only had one front wheel. I’m not sure how it managed to stay upright.
6 people like this
6 responses
@Jessabuma (31706)
• Baguio, Philippines
4 Jul 18
That's nice! I like this one front wheel tractor. So cute.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (323811)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Jul 18
@Jessabuma I suppose so but I wouldn't trust it.
1 person likes this
@Jessabuma (31706)
• Baguio, Philippines
5 Jul 18
@JudyEv yes hehe!!! It has a good balance coz it has 2 wheels at the back.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109865)
• Los Angeles, California
4 Jul 18
You were full of steam writing this post! Having three wheels is still balanced.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (323811)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Jul 18
They even have harvesters that can now steer themselves using GPS co-ordinates.
@JudyEv (323811)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Jul 18
It looks like something is missing, don't you think?