Steam Traction Engine [Fowler]
Maker and role
John Fowler & Co., (Leeds) Ltd, Maker
Production date
1900
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Object detail
Accession number
2013.195
Production period
Description
John Fowler 5 HP Traction Engine. Painted bottle green, wheels spokes red with rubber tread. Green flywheel. Brass elements. Nameplate on front. Driver operates from rear. Small sized traction engine, sometimes called a steam tractor.
Brief History
This Fowler engine was built in 1900 and spent its working life in the South Island. Large belts could be run from the engine’s flywheel to a pulley on the equipment in use. It was used for chaff cutting, threshing, and haulage until being retired in the 1960s.
Traction engines are steam-powered tractors used to move heavy loads, plough ground or provide power to other engines. They are sometimes called ‘road locomotives’. Traction engines became popular from the mid-1800s when the first self-propelled portable steam engines for agricultural use were developed. They fell out of favour in the early 20th century when internal combustion engines began to be used in agricultural machinery.
John Fowler (1826-1864) was an agricultural engineer and inventor who is credited with inventing steam-driven ploughing engines and who established John Fowler & Co. The company merged with Marshall, Sons & Company in 1947 to form Marshall-Fowler Ltd.
This engine has the coat of arms of Leeds on it. John Fowler & Co was based in Leeds.
Traction engines are steam-powered tractors used to move heavy loads, plough ground or provide power to other engines. They are sometimes called ‘road locomotives’. Traction engines became popular from the mid-1800s when the first self-propelled portable steam engines for agricultural use were developed. They fell out of favour in the early 20th century when internal combustion engines began to be used in agricultural machinery.
John Fowler (1826-1864) was an agricultural engineer and inventor who is credited with inventing steam-driven ploughing engines and who established John Fowler & Co. The company merged with Marshall, Sons & Company in 1947 to form Marshall-Fowler Ltd.
This engine has the coat of arms of Leeds on it. John Fowler & Co was based in Leeds.
Marks
JOHN FOWLER & Co (LEEDS) LTD / ENGINEERS, LEEDS Maker's Plate
Little Honey Embossed
PRO RECE ET LEGE Impressed
Little Honey Embossed
PRO RECE ET LEGE Impressed
Media/Materials
Other name
Steam Tractor
Collection
Credit Line
John Fowler & Co., (Leeds) Ltd. 1900. Steam Traction Engine [Fowler], 2013.195. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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