A STEAM BUGGY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2399, 10 December 1881, Page 4

A STEAM BUGGY.

[Dunedin “Star.”]

Another new thing ia engines has recently been turned out, and is now being shown and completed at Messrs Outtcn and Co.’s. It is not only new from an engineering point of view, but also from its adaptability to many things. In its present form it is fitted up with a view to making it a buggy engine or private carriage driven by steam. It is capable also of being converted into a traction engine, and made to draw considerable loads, of being used for working steam ploughs, threshing machines, or for almost all general purposes, and is, in fact, one that is capable of doing such a variety of work, and of being moved from place to place with so little difficulty, that it cannot fail to be of groat value if’ it carries out what it professes to do. Tho form of this new and eccentric engine, as at present fixed, is vortical and is connected with a vertical boiler, both of which arc placed above tbo axle of the driving wheels, and so arranged ns to throw the whole of their weight on to them. A slot motion is arranged on cither tide of tho engine that allows of its being put into gear so as to work at a speed of ten miles an hour or at fifteen. The latter speed is used on level roads and the slow epeed in going up hill. Levers, &0., for starting, reversing, turning, and stopping are all carried forward to the front part of of tho buggy and placed in close proximity to the driver’s seat, who, at tho same time that he has a clear look out, has also full control of his vehicle. The seating part of tho buggy is between the driver and the engine, the latter being at the rear. Some slight description of the engine and boiler may, in concluding, give an idea of the size of the affair. The former is a double one, with 4in. cylinders, and fitted in a malleable iron case with a main plate and frame. The bearing surfaces throughout are exceptionally large, and consequently much more durable. The driving wheels are 3ft. lOin. ia diameter, and each fitted with a clutch, so as to allow of their being thrown out of gear when turning a corner. The boiler ia 4ft. 6in. high, and 2ft. 6in, in diameter, contains one large galloway and twelve Sin. field tubes, and is capable of being worked to a pressure of 1601 b to the square inch. Tho finish and fitting of this little engine has all the appearance of strength and durability, and ought, we should think, to be quite equal in this respect to what is required of it. This engine with all its connections has been designed by and is being built under tho superintendence of Mr B “ J. Scott, eon of Captain Scott, B.N.