Burrell 7 nhp steam traction engine

Before tractors, cars and heavy haulage vehicles began to be regularly used in Australia from 1910, steam traction engines hauled and operated threshing machines and other machinery on farms. They were also used for pulling ploughs, running chaffcutters and the heavy haulage of wheat and wool.

This engine was built in 1907 by Charles Burrell & Sons of Thetford, England. It illustrates a number of significant technical advances in traction engine design pioneered by the Burrell company in …

Summary

Object No.

B2595

Object Statement

Traction engine, 3 speed, sprung, single crank compound, full size, 7 n.h.p., engine No. 2901, metal, made by Charles Burrell & Sons Ltd, St Nicholas Works, Thetford, Norfolk, England, 1907, used by Corio Shire, Victoria, Australia

Physical Description

This Burrell traction engine is a self propelling steam vehicle. It has worm-driven chain steering operated from the driving position at the rear and is fitted with a built-in tender which served as a water tank, fuel bunker and footplate. The fuel was burnt and steam raised in a locomotive-type boiler which consists of a firebox containing an inner firebox, a round boiler barrel containing fire tubes and a smoke box.

This engine is a three-speed type with a single crank compound cylinder arrangement. The single crank compound was patented by Frederick Burrell (patent No. 3489, 1889), and combined simplicity and economy by linking the piston rods onto a common crosshead. This meant that only one connecting rod, crank throw and valve set were required. The engine also has a double-geared final drive, also patented by Burrell (No. 2881, 1878). In this system the spur gear drive to the back wheel was duplicated so that each wheel was driven independently, halving the stress in the most highly-loaded part of the gear train. The compensating gear, or differential normally on the axle, was placed on the second shaft away from road dirt and stones. The higher rotating speed of the second shaft resulted in reduced torque, allowing the assembly to be built much smaller and enclosed to allow for thorough lubrication.

Specifications
Engine No: 2901, 7 n.h.p.
Made to order: No. 4550
Sent away to order: No. 2523
Cylinders: single crank compound
Bore: 10 inches & 6 inches
Stroke: 12 inches
Steam pressure: 160 p.s.i.
Speeds: 3
Driving wheels: 7 ft diameter, 24 inch width
Leading wheels: 4 ft 7½ inches diameter
Total weight: 14 tons

Short URL

https://ma.as/213451

Dimensions

Height

3500 mm

Width

2700 mm

Source

Credit Line

Purchased 1984

Acquisition Date

30 October 1984

Cite this Object

Harvard

Burrell 7 nhp steam traction engine 2023, Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, accessed 25 March 2023, <https://ma.as/213451>

Wikipedia

{{cite web |url=https://ma.as/213451 |title=Burrell 7 nhp steam traction engine |author=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences |access-date=25 March 2023 |publisher=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, Australia}}

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Traction engines