SPECIAL MERITS OF EXHIBITS. 139 



the way of the front wheels. It has a novel arrangement for reversing, which is 

 effected by means of a spiral feather in the main shaft over which the eccentric 

 slips and is revolved by it sufficiently for the purpose. It is easily operated. Water 

 is supplied by the usual arrangement of pump under the cylinder. The wheels 

 are all iron, the driving wheels having an internal spur wheel attached to lugs from 

 their rims, by which they are driven. Has compensating gear. 



Traction Engine, by Northwestern Manufadunng and Oar Co., Stillwater, Minn., J. B. 

 Parker, Agent, Indianapolis. This engine is of the same style as their portable in 

 all respects, except in having traction attachments. The boiler has a lire-box with 

 water bottom and cast iron front, which may be removed to facilitate repairs in 

 the fire-box, when needed. It is claimed that the large direct flue and smaller re- 

 turn flues gives this boiler the bes-t steaming capacity with any fuel, and enables 

 it to burn straw advantageously, which others can not do at all. The engine is 

 well constructed, and is diflferent in some of its arrangements from others, the 

 most noticeable being the friction clutch, or pulley, by means of which the engine 

 may be instantly connected or disconnected from the traction wheels, enabling the 

 engine to get under headway after being stopped in a difficult place, and thus 

 enable it to move its load, which it might not be able to do otherwise. One of 

 these friction pulleys carries a sprocket chain which drives a counter shaft carry- 

 ing the compensating gear, and pinions that engage in spur wheels that are fast on 

 traction wheels. There is also a novel arrangement of the eccentric for reversing, 

 that is claimed to effect all that can be accomplished with the link in a very simple 

 manner, and is not afiected by wear as is the link. 



Traction, Engine, by Frick & Co., Waynesboro, Pa. This engine is so well gotten 

 up in all respects as to arrest the attention of the most casual observer. The boiler 

 is well made of good material, with waterfront and bottom, and has a large heating 

 surface for the work it is intended to do. The main frame of the engine consists of 

 two wrought iron sills, which extend from the front axle back of rear end far 

 enough to support engineer's platform and water-tank. They are not rigidly con- 

 nected to the boiler, though the rear end is supported from them by a wrought 

 baud passing around under the fire-box. The engine frame is also supported at 

 the back end by these sills on vertical plates, which are riveted to them, while the 

 forward end rests on the boiler, but is not rigidly connected to it. By the ar- 

 rangement of these sills and engine frame, all strains from unequal expansion and 

 contraction of boiler and other parts are avoided. Uses the link reverse on en- 

 gine, and has an elastic compensating gear in its propelling gearing that serves a- 

 valuable purpose in breaking the force of shocks from sudden starting, striking 

 obstructions or other cause. 



Traction Engine, by Gaar, Scott <fc Co., Richmond, Ind. This establishment ex- 

 hibits one of their traction engines, in which the design, material and workman- 

 ship are excellent. The boiler has the water front and bottom, and is well made 

 of the best iron. The truck wheels are all iron, the drivers having an internal 

 gear wheel, by which they are driven, attached to their rims, relieving the spokes of 

 .any strain. A spiral groove or corrugation in the roller on which the guiding chains 



