and Miscellaneous Implements at Bristol. 
121 
Fig. 27. — PZan of Messrs. Fowlers Traction Engine. 
The driving-gear of this engine is also inclosed between the 
frames. On the left-hand side of the crank-shaft are keved a pair 
of pinions, which engage with spur-wheels on a second motion- 
shaft, on which they slide together on a pair of feathers, and can 
be moved into three positions by a lever, under the driver's control, 
so as to be in fast or slow speed, or out of gear altogether. The 
second motion, on its right-hand end and within the frames, 
carries a pinion which gears into the spur-wheel of the differential 
gear on a third motion-shaft. The right-hand bevel-wheel of 
the differential gear has a pinion which is cast solid with it, and 
which gears overhung into the right-hand driving wheel, while 
the third motion-shaft on its left-hand end carries the pinion 
actuating the left-hand driving-wheel. Both driving-wheels 
have internal annular wheels, about 18 inches less diameter than 
themselves, and bolted to their peripheries. By this arrangement, 
which is novel as regards traction engines, the power is trans- 
mitted direct to the rim of the road-wheels, instead of passing 
in the ordinary manner through the spokes. Care is taken, 
by a deep upper flange on the outside of the wheel as well as 
by a shield, to keep dirt out of the teeth of the annular wheels. 
In other respects the engine is of the ordinary type, with the 
strength and finish for which this firm is justly celebrated. 
Another engine of Messrs. Fowler and Co., No. 80 in the Cata- 
logue, is an 8-horse Traction Engine, fitted with a spring between 
the main driving-wheels, and is thus described bv Mr. Anderson. 
The main axle is square where it passes between the frames 
through ap>ertures considerably deeper than itself, and in which 
it is guided laterally, but is free to rise and fall. To the central 
portions of the axle are riveted a pair of plates, which descend 
vertically to within a foot of the ground, and carrv the centre 
of a powerful transverse spring, the outer ends of which support 
the engine on pairs of adjustable swinging links. Round the 
