Chapter 67 The runaway tractor

As Qin Tao tiptoed over, he saw a tractor appearing next to the pile of dismantled scrap metal.

The brand new Dongfanghong-15 tractor has a complete cover on the front of the machine. There are two square headlights on the front. Under the cover is a single-cylinder horizontal diesel engine. The characteristic of this diesel engine is its large torque, even if it is just A 15-horsepower engine can also pull seven or eight tons of cargo. Not only used on tractors, some small fishing boats also use this engine as power.

However, the sound of this kind of engine is relatively loud. Normally, it should attract people's attention when it comes over. However, if you look at the route of this tractor coming down, you can guess it.

They turned off the tractor and slid down the river bank, so they didn't make any noise when they came over.

As for going back, it was already late at night when we went back. If we start the engine at that time, we won’t disturb others. This is the wilderness after all.

If the ship-breaking work was still carried out in the dock of the shipyard, this situation would not happen. After all, there are people living there next to the shipyard's offices, dormitories, etc., but because of the ship building, the ship-breaking work would be moved to Here comes the river beach.

This place is quite desolate. During the day, some people may come to collect shells and catch crabs, but in the middle of the night, there is usually no one around.

Since the dismantling of the ship went very smoothly, Qin Tao did not arrange anything more. Everyone had done physical work all day during the day and was very tired, so they went back to sleep at night.

Who would have thought that someone would come and steal it?

Four figures, sneaking together, worked together to lift a steel plate, carried it into the cargo bed of the tractor, and put it down gently.

　　咣!

There was another soft sound. In the darkness, the sound was relatively clear.

 “Be careful!” one person said.

"Um."

 Four people moved over again.

Qin Tao's body moved quickly at this moment. He emerged from the reeds nearby and went straight to the nose of the tractor. Then, he skillfully pulled out the crank handle from under the steering wheel.

 Hmph, let’s see how you go in a while!

Not to mention tractors, even the old Jiefang was hand-cranked. The old masters took good care of their vehicles. Before starting, they would crank the handle dozens of times to let the lubricating oil flow to the bearings, and then start the engine.

 As for tractors, they are only hand-cranked. People in this era have a lot of strength. Starting the engine by hand is just a relaxing warm-up activity.

Qin Tao held the short crank handle and was about to leave. He looked at the gate behind the tractor, then went over and pulled it. With a bang, the brakes were released.

In this era, the police are not strict about checking vehicles, especially agricultural vehicles such as tractors, and they are not very well managed. Therefore, the assembly of tractors is quite casual.

You generally have to buy the front of the car, and most of the cargo box at the back is welded by yourself. The most complicated part is the axle. Usually, discarded car axles are directly used, such as old Jiefang, old Dongfeng, 130, etc. What should I use? Remove the gear bag and the like to reduce weight, leaving only the axle housing. (Some axles are bought by oneself, used are discarded car axles, and some are made by cutting off two wheel hubs and then welding them together with square steel.)

The original brake is an air brake. Generally, tractors are not that tall. Just remove the brake cylinder of the air brake, connect two tie rods there, extend to the front of the rear bucket, and then connect to the brake lever.

The nearly two-meter-long brake lever has a very long moment arm, so the braking effect is quite good. However, the tractor driver's arm in front cannot directly reach the brake lever at the back. At the top of the brake lever, there will be a For tractors, the rope is usually made from local materials, using a transmission belt and connected to the front.

 When driving a tractor, you need to be very flexible with both hands. Use one hand to hold the steering wheel and the other hand to reach between your legs to shift gears. When you need to brake, you need to reach behind with one hand to reach the pull rope.

After parking, the braking force of the tractor head is not enough, so you need to pull the rope on the brake lever to the front, wrap it around the appropriate place, and tighten the rear brake directly.

Now, Qin Tao easily loosened the rope.

The river beach originally sloped towards the river. Now, Qin Tao released the gate of the tractor, and the tractor began to make a slight squeaking sound.

Qin Tao finished all this, turned his head and glanced at the four figures who were about to continue moving the steel plates, and hid back among the reeds gracefully.

The four figures originally planned to continue moving the steel plates, but when the creaking sound was heard, they still raised their heads. Under the night, they saw the shadow of the tractor, moving.

 It moves slowly at first, but as the distance increases, the speed continues to increase.

 “No, the car slipped away!”

 “Quick, stop the tractor!”

In desperation, their voices were not suppressed. The four people put down the steel plate they planned to lift and ran towards the tractor.

 The speed of the tractor is getting faster and faster.

A figure rushed over and was about to jump on the driving seat of the tractor. At this time, the steering wheel in front happened to hit a stone. As a result, the front of the tractor tilted and rushed directly towards him.

This man was startled and quickly took two steps back. The tractor roared past him.

“Fourth, you idiot!” the other three people cursed. They had missed the opportunity to intercept head-on and had to chase from behind.

Their two legs couldn't outrun the wheels. The tractor was getting faster and faster, and they could only chase after it desperately.

 The tractor is flooded.

The tires split water and made a splashing sound. Then the nose of the machine hit the water, and the water splashed even bigger. At the same time, the speed of the tractor also began to slow down.

By the time the people behind caught up panting, the tractor had stopped. Only the air filter and exhaust pipe were left exposed on the water at the front of the vehicle. The rest were submerged, and most of the rear bucket was submerged.

“The air intake and exhaust are exposed, and the river bottom is also hard. As long as we start the tractor, we can drive out.” A figure said, and then went to touch the crank handle under the steering wheel of the tractor.

 Where's the rocker? Where's the rocker?

I have been touching it for a long time, but I still can’t find it!

"Did the handlebars get knocked off when we were rolling away? It shouldn't have happened." This guy was full of suspicion.

 “Bah, what are you still doing in a daze? Hurry up and find the handle!”

Without a crank handle, the tractor cannot be started. It cannot be started, and the four of them cannot drag the tractor out of the river, so now they can only find a crank handle quickly.

 “His grandma’s, we found the crank handle, let’s go, we are so unlucky tonight!”

 (End of this chapter)