Maxitrak 1" scale Fowler BB1 ploughing engine
Fowler were the leading manufacturer of steam ploughing equipment from the 1870s onwards. In use there would be two engines, one either side of the field. The wire rope on the drum under one engine was wound out and attached to a double ended plough. The other engine's rope was attached to the other end of the plough. The plough could then be pulled across the field by each engine in turn, each engine moving forward slightly to align with the new furroughs before starting its pull as the ploughing progressed. This method prevented the heavy engines from compacting the soil as they would with direct action ploughing. Other implements could be used instead of the plough, a cultivator/harrow or a mole for land drain fields for example. One particular job which is still the reserve of the steam plough engine is dredging lakes and rivers, the great length of wire rope used in steam ploughing being ideal for this job. Our model represents the class BB1 engine, the largest engine to see common use in the UK. It comes as a twin cylinder compound, with two speed gearing and a coal fired boiler. There is a crankshaft driven boiler feed pump with bypass valve, and all the correct cable plough drum equipment with bevel gear drive and clutch, as on full size. Water and pressure gauges are provided along with lubricator, blower etc. When fitted with a suitable trailer the model is capable of pulling an adult on smooth firm ground.
[ for some further information on steam ploughing, concentrating on the "balance plough" rather than the various "roundabout" systems try http://www.steamploughclub.org.uk ]
1:12 scale Fowler BB1 ploughing engine
Coal fired, boiler 64mm x 288mm, grate 78mm x 45mm
Length 574mm
Width 211mm
Height 303mm
Wheels front 127mm dia, rear 170mm dia
Stephensons valve gear, cylinders 25mm stroke, hp 14mm dia, lp 20mm dia
Rtr £ 3090
3 type A lamps £35
Scale hosepipe £17
Scale bucket £15
Scale shovel £15
Display case kit £60
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