New Zealand - Traction Engine
- Shows a small traction engine built by Herbert Jones when he was a teenager. A small trailer is attached to the engine.
- 1905-1910
A traction engine
- A steam-powered tractor used to move heavy loads on roads, plough ground or to provide power at a chosen location
- The name derives from the Latin tractus, meaning 'drawn', since the prime function of any traction engine is to draw a load behind it
- They are sometimes called road locomotives to distinguish them from railway locomotives – that is, steam engines that run on rails.
- Traction engines tend to be large, robust and powerful, but also heavy, slow, and difficult to manoeuvre
- Nevertheless, they revolutionized agriculture and road haulage at a time when the only alternative prime mover was the draught horse.
(Reference: Wikipedia)
Image source: Small traction engine: Photograph, 1905-1910
Item from Collection: Percy, Carol : collection (12-114)
https://masterton.spydus.co.nz/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/WPAC/ARCENQ?SETLVL=&RNI=534117