12 BULLETIN 1447, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
Asked regarding the profitableness of tractors, 29 out of 40 owners 
thought the tractor a profitable investment but 11 thought otherwise. 
Table 8 shows that only 50 per cent of the owners of tractors of less 
than 28 horsepower thought they were profitable. Of the 28 tractor 
owners represented in the groups of 28 horsepower and over, 23 
thought that their tractors were a profitable investment. 
TABLE 8.—Opinions of tractor owners relative to profitableness of tractors, 1922 
Tractor 
Owners | owners 
who who do 
FT PALLOES think the|not think 
a: 1 0) tractor the 
Size of tractor specified | isa tractor 
sizes __| profitable isa 
invest- | profitable 
ment invest- 
ment 
Number | Number | Number 
10 horsepower. 2222) 2 es ee ee ee 6 3 3 
20‘horsepower = 42) .c. 2 See eS ee ee ee Ne ie rie ee eee 8 yee eee 6 3 3 
28 NOTSCPOWEL 2 ote sree eee eee eee eee et emit Serpico ps ergs oa oe 3 BHF [ete eg tas 
40 horsepower. 2 Ske es Se ee Shae a ae ee ee ee he ane 13 12 1 
50 HOrSePOWePr so ese se Se ae ee eee eee 12 8 4 
Total 222i. fe See ss oe Eee as en ee ae eee 40 29 11 
RELIABILITY OF TRACTORS 
The number of days that a tractor is out of commission when 
needed for farm work is an important factor in determining its 
profitableness. Reliability of a tractor depends to a large extent on — 
the skill and experience of the tractor operator in keeping it in good 
running order. It is not enough for the tractor operator to guide the 
tractor skillfully. He should possess enough mechanical skill to 
detect quickly any mechanical trouble which may occur, and should 
be able to remedy minor engine troubles promptly. If a tractor 
operator has a thorough knowledge of the operation of gas engines, 
he is often able to foresee and avoid long and serious delays. In 
addition, he should be certain that he can obtain repair parts and 
repair service promptly. 
To determine the reliability of the tractors on these farms, a record 
was made as to the number of days in 1922 the tractor was out of 
running order when needed for farm work, and for what work it was 
needed during the time it was out of commission. Twenty-five trac- 
tor owners made complete answers to these questions. Eleven men 
reported that their tractors were not out of commission during the 
year ; 14 reported time lost because of tractor trouble. 
Fourteen tractor owners who reported time lost because of tractor 
trouble reported a total of 47.5 days lost, or, approximately, three 
and one-half days per tractor. During this time these tractors were 
needed for 27.5 days of plowing, 10 days of harrowing, and 10 days 
of combine work. Twenty-four of these 25 tractors were purchased 
new. Of 13 that had been used three years or less, 9 had not been 
out of order when needed and 4 had been out of order for an average 
of 6 days each. Of 11 tractors which had been used four years or 
