The Bates Steel Mule Tractor 1918
design and text by Bruce Geange
photographs by Bruce Neilson.
The Meccano model is a 1918 Bates Steel Mule Tractor driven by a Meccano Magic Motor.
Bolt a 51/2” Perforated Strip and a 2” Perforated Strip to a 1/2” Angle Bracket (1) by the slotted hole. Build two of these to make the front of the model. The other ends of the 51/2” Perforated Strips have an Angle Bracket (2) on the inside and a Fishplate on the outside. A 11/2” Strip connects the Angle Brackets (2). A 41/2” Perforated Strip (3) is bolted to each Fishplate and the other ends are bolted with Fishplates to the 51/2” Perforated Strips. Angle Brackets (4) are bolted in the 2nd hole on each 51/2” Perforated Strip. by their round holes. These will hold the front axle. The left side Angle Bracket is held with a 3/4” Bolt (5) with a Magic Motor held between a further two Nuts. A second 3/4” Bolt (6), six holes back on the same side has a five hole 2” Perforated Strip and then a Nut. A further two Nuts bolt the other end of the Magic Motor. A five hole 2” Perforated Strip (7) is also bolted in the sixth hole on the right side. Angle Brackets (8) are bolted seven holes back on the 51/2” Perforated Strips by their round holes facing inwards with a 21/2” Angle Girder bolted to these by their slotted holes. A 1/2” x 1/2” Double Bracket (9) is bolted in the second hole of the Angle Girders and also carries two Fishplates with Angle Brackets for brake and clutch pedals. There is a Washer between the Fishplate and Angle Girder. A four hole 2” Perforated Strip (10) is bolted to the centre hole of the 1/2” x 1/2” Double Bracket. The other end of the 2” Perforated Strip has a Angle Bracket bolted by the round hole. The other hole in the Angle Bracket has a 11/2” Perforated Strip bolted to it. The centre hole is bolted to the rear of the chassis with a second 11/2” Perforated Strip and Angle Bracket bolted to the last hole making a simple drawbar. A 2” Narrow Strip is bent at each end for the seat bracket. This is bolted to the second hole on the 2” Perforated Strip (10) and the other end has a Flat Trunnion bolted to it. The steering is a 2” Axle Rod with a 1” Pulley on one end and a Rod and Strip Connector on the other. A Narrow Fishplate is bolted to the Rod and Strip Connector. The Narrow Fishplate is bolted to the front hole on the right side Angle Girder spaced with two Washers. A Rod and Strip Connector (11) is bolted to the brake on the Magic Motor.
The radiator is made up from a Flat Trunnion (12) , two 2” Narrow Strips and a 11/2” Perforated Strip bolted to the 1/2” x 1/2” Angle Brackets (1) at the front of the chassis. The top of the radiator has a 11/2” Narrow Strip, Flat Trunnion and two Angle Brackets secured by their round holes. A 3” Angle Girder is bolted between the 2” Perforated Strips that form the bonnet. The right side has a 21/2” x 11/2” Flexible Plate also. The left side has a 11/2” x 11/2” Flat Plate and a 1” x 1” Flat Girder leaving room for the Magic Motor key. Two 21/2” x 11/2” Flexible Plates form the top of the bonnet held by two Bolts. A 2” Axle Rod (13) is fitted in the second holes of the 41/2” Perforated Strips and carries a 1” and a 1/2” fixed Pulleys with suitable spacers. A second 2” Axle Rod (14) is in hole six and carries a 3/4” Pinion and a 1” fixed Pulley with Washers. The rear 4” Axle Rod (15) has a 11/4” Gear Wheel and a Collar spaced with Washers. ‘O’ rings are used for driving bands. The front Axle is a 31/2” Double Angle Strip bolted to Angle Brackets (4) and spaced by a P/N 38b Plastic Spacer using 3/8” Bolts. A 4” Axle is used with two 11/2” Pulleys.
