THE SLIP OF A WHEEL
The work done with the TX 19 prototypes would become a significant undertaking for me once I became a permanent member of the Field Test Group. All too soon I would be regularly taking part in DBHP tests on a lot of different models, including the International 454 and 574 diesel tractors. The latter was in fact developed through the TX 19 wheeled tractor programme.
Responsibilities
Drawbar performance and service brake testing became an integral part of my overall responsibilities for machines built at Doncaster for over ten years and included tractors with cabs, various transmissions (including hydrostatics) four-wheel-drive models and even with different tyre specification. Too many to mention, but the very last IH machine I was involved with on these types of tests was the superb 885XL. This was one of Doncaster’s flagship models and included a luxury cab and 4wd in standard build.
Whichever tractor I was on, the test method was always the same and exactly to OECD criteria for establishing drawbar performance. Fortunately, I learned the ropes from two very experienced test engineers, Frank Haller, and Norman Watson,
