Steam Vs Diesel --tug of war

[BigDad]

[SuperBuickGuy]

tree'd by Chad who tree'd me
that makes you the 3rd tree

[DanStokes]

As SBG said, Chad posted this - but I still like it. I'll take torque over HP, especially when pulling. Steam trumps even my beloved Diesel! Actually, a more interesting matchup might be steam vs. electric. Both make max torque right at the start of rotation. Seems like traction would be the main factor but a steam tractor and an electric one (if there IS such a thing - I'll Google for it) would both be plenty heavy.

Back from Google. A quick look didn't show (as far as a I could tell) a large farm tractor that was powered by electricity though John Deere is messing around with one that runs the attachments with electricity so it has a big generator as part of it's flywheel. Probably more exploration is in order.

HMMMmmmmm!

Dan

[BigDad]

[jcharliem]

...Actually, a more interesting matchup might be steam vs. electric. Both make max torque right at the start of rotation...

I didn't know that...yet, it makes sense.

[joebogey]

As SBG said, Chad posted this - but I still like it. I'll take torque over HP, especially when pulling. Steam trumps even my beloved Diesel! Actually, a more interesting matchup might be steam vs. electric. Both make max torque right at the start of rotation. Seems like traction would be the main factor but a steam tractor and an electric one (if there IS such a thing - I'll Google for it) would both be plenty heavy.

Back from Google. A quick look didn't show (as far as a I could tell) a large farm tractor that was powered by electricity though John Deere is messing around with one that runs the attachments with electricity so it has a big generator as part of it's flywheel. Probably more exploration is in order.

HMMMmmmmm!

Dan

Wouldn't that equate to the huge by large off road equipment? (SilverBuick jump in here) Aren't they basically diesel powered generators with individual electric motors in each hub? Would be interesting to see

[SuperBuickGuy]

You gonna arrest yourself?

[oletrux4evr]

Immediate torque, along with a slight leverage/weight advantage with the drawbar not being level.......but, if steam was so much better, we'd still be using it in our fields.

[Deaf Bob]

There is also the weight factor... I kinda doubt the Deere could pull the Steamer in neutral...
Old Case I had was so heavy even in N it was hard to pull start...

[DanStokes]

Immediate torque, along with a slight leverage/weight advantage with the drawbar not being level.......but, if steam was so much better, we'd still be using it in our fields.

Jay Leno tells the story of interviewing Mr. Doble, who perfected the steam car in the late 20's. Jay has one and it's ready to drive in 30 seconds after start-up. Mr. Doble (then in his 90's) was asked why steam cars went away and he answered with a bit of annoyance "water freezes". I think that's your answer. More maintenance, one way or the other. But they did have their strong points.

Dan

[Whelk]

And if you don't do the maintenance properly, they can explode.

http://www.farmcollector.com/steam-engines/tragedy-at-medina-county-fairgrounds.aspx