Tractor Research Paper

Some people who have owned a John Deere two-cylinder tractor have most likely wondered why it makes a “putt putt” noise when it is running. The engines in the two-cylinder tractors were very similar in shape, but not in size. The biggest tractor, the model D, had a 501 cubic inch engine (TractorData). The smallest tractor, the model L, had a 66.4 cubic inch engine (TractorData). The tractors that were smaller and were meant for lighter duties have a vertical inline two-cylinder engine. This means that the pistons run parallel to the tractor. All the other models have a side-by-side horizontal two-cylinder engine, which means the pistons in the engine run parallel to the ground. The vertical engines sound the same as the horizontal engines.

These engines consisted of two, four-cycle engines and one, two-cycle engine. A two-cycle engine means that the piston completes two strokes, one up and one down. A four-stroke engine means that the piston goes down to collect the air/gas mixture (stroke one), then goes up to ignite the fuel (stroke two). The piston is pushed down by the force of the explosion (stroke three) and then goes back up to push the exhaust out (stroke four). The first engine that the engineers tested was a two-cycle. The pistons operated in opposite directions on separate crank throws and the engine fired every 180 degrees (Pripps, 56). The power strokes were smooth and balanced, but the engineers could not make the engine work properly. This two-cycle engine problem was resolved in modern times and was put to good use in lawn mowers, motorcycles, snowmobiles, etc. The second engine that engineers attempted to build was a side-by-side two-cylinder four cycle engine with only one crank throw. The two pistons in the engine would operate in unison, firing every 360 degrees. One disadvantage to this engine was the vibration could not be offset by rotating counterweights. This engine was similar to Henry Ford’s gigantic International Harvester Titan (Pripps, 56). The third and final engine that was built was the side-by-side two-cylinder four-cycle engine that had pistons on separate throws. This was the engine that was used in the John Deere two-cylinder tractors. The disadvantage to this engine was the uneven firing at 180 degrees and 540 degrees. Flywheels were added to the engines to help smooth out the power strokes. Flywheels are large cast iron wheels that are found usually behind the engines in four-cylinder tractors. They are found on the left side of the tractor on two-cylinder John Deeres. Flywheels also help as a weight to keep the engine spinning at a good