ASCENDING HILLS.
Q. How do you ascend a hill with a traction engine?
A. When approaching a hill which you have to climb with a traction engine, see that about two inches of water shows in the glass gauge when engine is on a level. Open draft door wide, stir the fire and get it to burn briskly, and get up a good head of steam. Put reverse lever in last notch, then open throttle gradually, allowing just the necessary amount of steam to pass into the cylinder to keep the engine pulling steadily up the hill. Always start up the hill slowly; do not attempt to go up a hill at full speed, but go slowly and steadily, keeping the speed as uniform as possible by opening or closing the throttle as the case may be. Never attempt to go up a hill on a decreasing steam pressure, as there is a great liability to become stalled, in which case great damage may be done to the front end of flues. Always start on a rising steam pressure; then you know the boiler is making steam, which assures a steady ascent, as at every exhaust of the engine on an increasing or steady pressure the power becomes stronger, while at every exhaust on a decreasing pressure the power becomes weaker. Keep a uniform supply of water in the boiler at all times by use of either the pump or injector. Always when going up hill keep the draft door wide open until the steam gauge indicates that the pressure has risen almost to the blow-off point, then close the damper. Never allow steam to blow off when going up hill, as it will cause the water to raise and be carried over into the cylinder, greatly diminishing the power of the engine. Do not under any circumstances allow your engine to be stopped when going either up or down hill, as great damage may be done to the boiler.
FRICK TRACTION ENGINE.
The illustration of the left side of the [Frick Traction] given on opposite page represents it as being a Center Crank, Rear Geared traction engine.
This engine is constructed with an overhanging cylinder, bolted to the cast iron engine frame, which contains the locomotive style guides and both pillow block bearings for the crank shaft. It has a Cross-head Pump connected with long heater, has a specially designed Reverse Gear, also a [Friction Clutch] attached to the band wheel.
The round bottom fire box boiler swings in a channel iron frame, which reaches from front axle to the rear of the boiler, around the fire box, to which it is attached, and has a spring in front end only.
The wheels are made entirely of iron, with forged spokes and wrought tire, with high mud grouters bolted on.
On the channel iron frame in front of fire box is placed a heavy plank, to which two large water tanks are attached on either side. The steering wheel and band wheel are on opposite sides of engine and it has all the necessary fittings, so that with proper handling it will be found perfectly safe and reliable. The platform in rear is also supported upon the channel iron frame.
Frick Traction Engine.