[AT] Gas turbines in Tractors

[Gene Dotson]

    Oliver experimented with gas turbine engines in the mid 50's. There was 
a prototype in the Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, Our FFA chapter 
visited there in 1958 and saw it there.

    Gas turbine engines have some characteristics which make them unsuitable 
for tractor applicatinns, at least at this time.

    1, They are very light weight for the power output, exactly opposite 
what a tractor requires.

    2, They have a high fuel requirement for the power output.

    3, Slow governor response.

    4, Low power output at less than full throttle.

    5, High initial cost.

    Turbine engines are more suited to high power, constant speed 
applications. Airplanes, helicopters, ships and electric generators are very 
good uses for turbines.

    Turbine technology is improving and small turbines are getting more 
efficient with new materials and manufactiring methods to reduce operating 
clearances to reduce wasted bypass gases and capture more power from the 
power turbine stage.

                    Gene