tractive force

British  

noun

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

---

Example Sentences

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.

For a test load of 120 tons the tractive force is 70 lb per ton, which is sufficient for acceleration, and maintaining speed against wind pressure.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3 "Brescia" to "Bulgaria" by Various

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.]

The tractive force was, of course, the Eskimo dogs, and sledges were the means of transportation.

From The North Pole Its Discovery in 1909 under the auspices of the Peary Arctic Club by Peary, Robert E. (Robert Edwin)

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