If there were any machines that revolutionized man and his eating habits, they would be tractors. These amazing machines allowed man to actually create an industry that was based on crops. Through man’s history if there is one machine that should be mentioned it is these huge monsters that have changed the world’s outlook on food production.
History of Tractors
Tractors get their name from the contraction of two words ‘traction’ and ‘power’. The word tractor was first coined by Charles W. Hart and Charles H. Parr who were the first to successfully build the first tractors in Iowa, in 1903. One of their products can still be seen at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington D.C.
While initially being unpopular and pretty much out of the reach of the average farmer, tractors really started to become popular and accessible when in 1917 Henry Ford introduced the first mass-produced tractor. Named the ‘Fordson’, these tractors were built in the USA and European countries like Ireland, England and Russia. By 1923, Fordsons held 77% of the US tractors market.
Types of Tractors
The image that comes to mind when almost everyone thinks of tractors is the two large wheels in the back and two small ones in the front. This look has largely been unchanged since the first ones were produced. A cabin can, and is usually attached for the drivers’ comfort and safety.
The major differences in tractors are found beneath the hood, specifically in the gears: there are two-wheel drives, two-wheel drive with front wheel assist, four-wheel drive and track tractors. The fuel of choice can be gasoline, kerosene or ethanol. The types of transmissions can be manual or automatic, but the tendency has been leaning towards the latter for a long time.
And then of course tractors can be classified into the task they perform and what implements have been added to perform these tasks. A gadget attached to the tractor usually separates the ‘farm’ tractors from the ‘city’ tractors. For example, adding a digger to the back can make it into a ‘backhoe loader’. This is a popular machine that is used on almost every construction site. But, it would really be an odd site to see a tractor with a plough attached to it roaming around the city.
Amazing Machines
In general these amazing machines are some of the best energy multipliers man has ever invented. With the help of tractors nations have launched successful green revolutions that eventually lead to feeding millions of mouths.
If you are looking for the best dealers in tractors you have to make sure that you visit the site for Australia’s #1 dealers, National Machinery at: http://nationalmachinery.com.au
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