Tractor: Difference between revisions
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The most common use of the word is for a tractor designed for use on farms, typically a simple open vehicle with very large driving wheels and one seat, used for pulling agricultural machinery over rough ground, ploughing, harrowing and similar tasks. Most farm tractors have a means to transfer the [[engine]]'s power to another machine such as a baler or reaper. |
The most common use of the word is for a tractor designed for use on farms, typically a simple open vehicle with very large driving wheels and one seat, used for pulling agricultural machinery over rough ground, ploughing, harrowing and similar tasks. Most farm tractors have a means to transfer the [[engine]]'s power to another machine such as a baler or reaper. |
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A less-well-used term is used to describe [[road]] tractors, |
A less-well-used term is used to describe [[road]] tractors, which are heavy-duty vehicles with large engines and several axles. These tractors are designed to pull long road trailers, most often for the transport of freight of some kind over a significant distance (See [[Semi-trailer]]). |
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A 'rig' is slang for Tractor Trailer. If you wish to drive one you will need a license to do so and the instructor will refer to the tractor as a truck and ask you to sit in the 'cab'. Most drivers refer to them by their manufacturers name, such as: International, Western Star, Mack, Volvo, etc. You sit up very high in the cab to command a good view of the road. All big trucks are manual transmissions rather than automatic. They can have anywhere from a simple four gear transmission with a high/low switch on the axel to make eight gear ranges, or they can have multiples of four extra gears. |
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Shifting gears on a 'rig' going up and down hills is an art. It takes good skill to know how and when to change gears. Truck drivers who don't have this skill will damage the transmission, engine or both. Over reving a large truck engine in first gear with a heavy load can twist the drive shaft into something resembling spiral macaroni. |
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Tractor trailers use air rather than hydraulic fluid to actuate the brakes. Air brakes can also be operated by a lever on the steering column or a switch on the dash board when parked. If a trailers air lines fail and the pressure drops during driving, the trailer brakes will actuate and stay applied. This is often why you will see double tire skids down a hiway and onto the shoulder of the road. |
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The large trailers pulled by a truck tractor come in many styles, lengths and shapes. Some common types are: vans, reiffers, flatbeds, tankers, etc. They also come in refrigerated, roller vans, heated, and with metal or wood floors. Some are specialty makes with air holes for transporting farm animals. They can have two sets of tires on one axle, four sets of tires on two axles and six sets on three axles. Some trailers can adjust the position of the wheel axles by moving them on a track underneath the van body and securing it in place with large pins (thick unthreaded bolts). |
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Other forms of tractor include [[artillery]] tractors, highly-specialised vehicles used to tow [[gun]]s of varying weights. |
Other forms of tractor include [[artillery]] tractors, highly-specialised vehicles used to tow [[gun]]s of varying weights. |
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Revision as of 15:36, 16 May 2003
A tractor is a vehicle intended for drawing, towing or pulling some other vehicle or object which cannot propel itself.
The most common use of the word is for a tractor designed for use on farms, typically a simple open vehicle with very large driving wheels and one seat, used for pulling agricultural machinery over rough ground, ploughing, harrowing and similar tasks. Most farm tractors have a means to transfer the engine's power to another machine such as a baler or reaper.
A less-well-used term is used to describe road tractors, which are heavy-duty vehicles with large engines and several axles. These tractors are designed to pull long road trailers, most often for the transport of freight of some kind over a significant distance (See Semi-trailer).
Other forms of tractor include artillery tractors, highly-specialised vehicles used to tow guns of varying weights.