FARM EXPERIENCE WITH THE TRACTOR. 



19 



most important differences being in the estimated life and the cost 

 of repairs required annually; but the percentage of replies, days 

 used annually, hours lost, horses replaced, and percentage finding 

 custom work profitable, all of which are favorable to the kerosene 

 tractor, are worthy of note. 



While this table shows that the amount of equipment per tractor 

 is greater for the kerosene than for the gasoline tractors, the difference 

 being $42, this figure is really favorable to the kerosene tractor, as it 

 is shown in Table X that the kerosene tractor pulls a greater cross 

 section of plows, etc., than does a gasoline tractor of equal rating. 

 It will, therefore, require a larger gang to prowide a full load, and 

 consequently the cost of the equipment is slightly higher. 



Table X presents a comparison of the operating factors for gasoline 

 and kerosene tractors of 15 and 30 horsepower, drawbar rating. 

 These figures were furnished by men in North Dakota with only one 

 year's experience and are therefore probably slightly more favorable 

 to the tractor than would be the case if the owners were men of longer 

 experience. The reason for using figures furnished by men with only 

 one season's experience is the fact that among the reports for tractors 

 which had been used for two seasons there were very few for gasoline 

 and kerosene tractors of exactly the same ratings for which complete 

 information had been furnished. While the number of these machines 

 among the 1-year-old tractors is not large, it is believed to be sufficient 

 to insure a fairly reliable comparison. 



Table X. — Comparison of results obtained on farms in North Dakota with gasoline and 

 kerosene tractors during their first season's use. 



Item of comparison. 



Drawbar ratings of tractors. 



15 horsepower. 



Gasoline. Kerosene. 



30 horsepower. 



Gasoline. Kerosene. 



Number of tractors reported 



Plo wed per hour acres. 



Depth plowed inches. 



Width of plow do. . . 



Width of harrow drawn at same time as plows. . . do. . . 



Distance traveled per hour miles. 



Fuel used per day gallons. 



Cost of fuel used per day "dollars. 



Cylinder oil used per day gallons. 



Cost of cylinder oil used per day dollars. 



28 



1.4 



5.9 



77.1 



98.1 



2.1 



33.0 



6.41 



2.5 



.91 



24 

 1.5 

 6.2 



80.6 



102.9 



2.1 



44.0 

 5.50 

 3.3 

 1.29 



41 

 2.1 

 6.1 

 110.8 



96.3 

 2.3 



57.9 



10.26 

 4.1 

 1.69 



27 

 2.3 

 6.3 

 123.3 

 107.7 

 2.2 

 66.5 

 8.78 

 4.6 

 1.84 



Table X shows that the acres plowed per hour, the depth plowed, 

 width of plow, and width of harrow are all greater for the kerosene 

 than for the gasoline tractor. The amount of fuel consumed is 

 greater for the kerosene tractor, but the cost is less, on account of 

 the lower price per gallon. Both the amount and value of the lubri- 

 cating oil used are greater for the kerosene tractor, however. 



