MACHINERY FOR ROAD-MAKING

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 40, 9 August 1911, Page 2

MACHINERY FOR ROAD-MAKING

COUNTY COUNCIL'S NEW STItAM . ROLLER. I > In no class of road engine Is silent working more desirable than in the steam road roller, and the Taranaki County Council has endeavored to secure this in its Ruston compound steam roller, which it has purchased, and which was given a trial on the Kgninnt road yesterday. This silence is achieved by the compound engine, reducing the pressure of the steam when exhausted into the chimney. It is claimed bv the makers that, in addition to securing this desired silence, they have also —thanks to the ; compound engine, using cylinders of different sizes and passing the stf-iim front the smaller to the larger, or compounding, as it is called, wherein the differonce 'between the initial .and final cylinder or steam pressure is proportionately increased and a greater degree of steam expansion is effected—secured a large economy in steam. Economy in steam means economy in fuel, which is an important point. These compound road rollers, the Council has been assured, run very steadily, and start easily upon steep inclines, a special device being fitted whereby steam at boiler pressure may be admitted to the lowpressure cylinder for starting and climbing on very steep inclines. This roller, it is claimed, represents the highest degree of efficiency that has been reached in engines for road-rolling purposes. This one is thoroughly well finished, the workmanship and materials being firstclass, and the wearing parts well made with the object of reducing wear to a minimum. The low-multitubular boilers are constructed for a working pressure of ISOlbs to tile square inch. Yesterday's trial was none too satisfactory, but better things are hoped for. The machine is a Ruston compound steam road roller, manufactured by Messrs. Ruston, Proctor, and Co., of Lincoln, England, with a weight when empty of eight tons, and !>'/[ tons when in working condition. The diameter of the hind rollers is sft, and their width lft 3in. The diameter of the front rollers is 3ft Gin, and they are 3ft fiin ' wide. The approximate width of the I road rolled is sft. Din.

A party, at the invitation of the county chairman (Mr. J. Brown), left t*wn about one o'clock to witness the trial of the roller. There was quite a large gathering of settlers, and several comity councillors. The place selected for the trial was a very steep grade on the Egmont road, al>out half a mile from the railway crossing. At the steepest part there had been spread about three chains of newly broken metal six inches deep. Mr. Arden had charge of the engine, and CUr. Parkin was at the steering wheel. The roller started at the foot of the hill shortly after two o'clock, everything going well until the newly-laid metal was reached. This proved too much for the engine, the back wheels skidding, and every attempt proved fruitless until the spikes were inserted in the back wheels. This remedied tilings a little, but even with these in the roller had to go over the same ground several times before its work was accomplished. But eventually it reached the top of the grade, and once the metal had been gone over, it was fairly easy for the machine to repeat the process. The trial did not satisfy the councillors, and it was decided that before taking over the roller it would have to be subjected to another trial. The engine was taken out to Egmont road only yesterday morning, its erection having been just completed, and some of the councillors expressed the opinion that if it is first worked a little on easier grades it mav fulfil the requirements. The time and place of the next trial have not yet been decided upon.

At the conclusion of the trial those present were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Bishop at a splendid afternoon ten., and this proved eminently satisfactory.