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tractive force

British  

noun

  1. the force measured in the drawbar of a locomotive or tractor

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

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The boiler pressure is 140 lb., and the tractive force per lb. of steam in the cylinder 102 lb.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 458, October 11, 1884 by Various

Q.--What is the amount of tractive force requisite to draw carriages on railways?

From A Catechism of the Steam Engine by Bourne, John, C.E.

The tractive force of paddle wheel steamers is ascertained by a dynamometer fixed on shore, to which the floating vessel is attached by a rope.

From A Catechism of the Steam Engine by Bourne, John, C.E.

They inspected the powerful gasolene engines, saw how they worked the endless belts made of plates of jointed steel, which, running over sprocket wheels, really gave the tank its power by providing great tractive force.

From Tom Swift and His War Tank, or, Doing His Bit for Uncle Sam by Appleton, Victor [pseud.]

This is an enormous tractive force, as it would require but a mean effective pressure of 102½ lb. per square inch on the pistons to exert a pull of 10 tons.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 384, May 12, 1883 by Various