REFLECTION

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After heavy snow and record-breaking cold weather, there are few
of us ‘northerners’ who don’t look forward to Spring!
While it’s nice to snuggle up in a comfortable chair with a
good book (an engine book, of course) while the snow falls and the
wind blows, it’s not nearly so much fun when it comes to
shoveling out! For ye olde Reflector, Spring is the great reward
for having suffered through Winter!

By the time this copy is in your hands sometime in March, a bit
of outdoor activity will again resume, even for those of us in the
snow belt. One time in the 1970s we even put in our small oats crop
on March 19th. A few days later it snowed, but that didn’t last
long; those were the best oats we ever had. Too bad we weren’t
still threshing, because that crop would have been pure pleasure to
put through the threshing machine.

Over the past few years we’ve noticed that more and more
people are beginning to collect old farm implements. Unfortunately,
the crop is rather small, since the big majority of them have long
ago been cut up for scrap. I he big changes in farming over the
past few years have eliminated a great many of the small farms,
with entire farmsteads disappearing, and being replaced with open
crop land. At the same time, any old implements still remaining
have gone to scrap. At our farm, we torched numerous old plows,
cultivators, and other implements in years gone by.

Although farm implement collecting may never attain the status
of tractor and engine collections, we believe that within the next
few years farm implement collecting will become very popular. And
why not? We already collect everything from cream separators to
meat grinders, so why not farm implements?

Isn’t it interesting that in all of recorded history, the
half century from 1870 to 1920 saw the most dramatic changes in all
time? In 1870 there was no electricity, no running water, no
tractor power, no automobiles, and very few farm implements. For
instance, there were no corn planters, very few disc harrows, and
few corn shelters. For the average farmer, his complete tool and
implement repertoire would fit in a rather small shed. By 1900,
many farms had begun the trek toward mechanization, and by 1920,
virtually all American farms were mechanized to some degree. Thus,
we view this period as the Golden Age of invention, and it’s
this time in history we’re all trying to preserve. Our hobby of
collecting old engines, tractors, and implements is unique in that
we number into the thousands, each having our own specialties, and
each being able to find artifacts worth preserving. So, we’re
on the cutting edge, even though a lot of folks haven’t yet and
perhaps never will understand why on earth anyone would spend hours
and hours putzing with an old engine, trying to bring it back to
life, or carefully cleaning and restoring an ancient corn Sheller
that probably endured far more abuse in its life than in actual use
as a corn Sheller. (Those old spring shelters are excellent to hull
black walnuts, and then, an old Maytag washing machine is ideal to
clean ’em up.) Moral of the story: Whatever we’ve got
today, those developments of a century ago are the ground- breaking
events that made it all happen. Our queries this month begin
with:

31/4/1 ‘The Tractor Show’ On Thursday
January 19, 1996 ‘The Tractor Show’ will debut at 9:30 EST,
on T302, transponder TBA. It will be an hour-long weekly, live show
dealing with classic farm equipment. This program will invite
viewers to call in and talk on air live, as well as interviews, on
location and in the studio.

This show is designed especially for ‘Rural America’
although not limited to only the United States. It will be
available throughout the Northern Hemisphere and it can be picked
up on any backyard C-band dish. The show will be hosted by Gerald
Devine, producer, and co-host Rachael Landau, with reporting by
Linda Wysockey, chief engineer William Heselden, and technical
supervisor Philip Devine.

For more information call: Rachael Landau at (315)683-5669, or
mail at PO Box 137, Fabius, NY 13063.

31/4/2 Some Interesting Items John A. Davidson,
Box 4, Bristol, WI 53104 sends along some interesting photocopies.
One is a letterhead from P. F. Olds & Son at Lansing, Michigan,
dated September 1895. It shows a small vertical steam engine
packaged with a tiny horizontal boiler, the latter being fired on
liquid fuel, probably kerosene. John also sends along patent
drawings on the Joyner patents; they covered an interesting tandem,
double-acting gas engine.

A 1905 letter from Witte Gasoline Engine Co. indicates that they
could supply their 2HP horizontal model for $78, the 4 HP vertical
for $104, and a 6 HP vertical for $158. A pump jack was available
for $6.50

From 1910 comes a Fuller & Johnson letter to dealers, noting
that their pump jack engine has ‘turned the engine business
upside down in a year.’ The letter goes on to say that ‘the
engine retails at $ 70… it nets the dealer $ 16.80, and the
people are delighted to pay the retail price.’

Another letter is from J. W. Ruger Mfg. Company. Dated in 1902,
the letterhead indicates a rather interesting product combination;
‘Manufacturers of Gas & Gasoline Engines & Baker’s
Machinery.’

Thanks to John for sharing these items with us.

31/4/3 Wizard Dynamo Q. I have acquired part of
an old Wizard dynamo. It was made by Hercules Electric Co.,
Indianapolis, Ind. It is Type 01, and was patented Sept. 20, 1904.
The drive is a hub with a 2 inch leather insert. It is missing some
parts. Any information or literature on this ignition dynamo would
be appreciated. Ernest T. Werner, 6613 State Road 158, Millstadt,
IL 62260-1741.

31/4/4 A Couple of Rare Ones See the photos of
two rare engines. Photo 4A is an Ideal from Olds Engine Works. It
is stamped #3 with a Maud S logo on the crankcase cover. The
Aermotor horizontal in 4-B is completely original, including paint,
battery box, and skids. Al Hauschildt, 19010 Yost Ranch Rd.,
Sonora, CA 95370.

31/4/5 Unknown Engine Q. See the photo of an
engine I got from my uncle some years ago when I went to Wisconsin.
He had passed away, but wanted me to have it, so I crated it and
brought it back to California with me. I don’t know any history
on the engine, but in letters, it had ‘one of a kind’
written on it, along with my uncle’s name, Bernard
Vandenheuvel. The engine has a 1 x 2 inch bore and stroke, 8-inch
flywheels, and weighs 65 pounds. Any information on this engine
would be appreciated. Richard W. Eisenreich, 6808 – 24th St.,
Rio Linda, CA 95673.

31/4/6 Thanks! To Carl T. Mehr, 12513 Elnora
Dr., Perm Valley, CA 95946. He writes in part:

I can only imagine how you react every time someone writes to
ask what color a green Fairbanks-Morse should be painted, etc.,
etc., especially in light of the source materials available. I find
your Notebook very valuable, and it goes to every gas-up and swap
meet with me. Your ‘Power in the Past’ series and other
books are excellent companions. In closing, I’d like to thank
you for your efforts in Reflections and hope you will keep up the
feature, as I and countless others enjoy and appreciate your
contribution to the engine hobby.

Every so often we get taken to task by someone, and sometimes
perhaps with good reason. However, it really makes our day shine
when we get an ‘attaboy’ letter. Don’t misunderstand,
we’re not doing this for the adulation; we just hope to be of
help to a wonderful hobby. Now for a word of explanation: We
publish every letter that’s sent to us, and answer every letter
we can through the column. The only exceptions are letters that
tend to denigrate ourselves or others. With our fast-growing hobby,
we constantly gain new readers, or have readers who perhaps
don’t follow all the latest developments. We have young folks
who don’t have the experience of us oldsters. So, we always try
to answer the queries, whatever they are, and hopefully, we will
give new members of our fraternity a feeling of welcome and
acceptance. Thanks Carl, for your kind words!

31/4/7 Unidentified Engine Q. See the photo of
an unidentified engine. It is 1 horsepower and the s/n is CIC (or
CIG) 211. The shaft bearing caps have the number 22N1, and the
wheels are 15 inches in diameter with six spokes, and a 1-inch
shaft. It has a Webster magneto, Type M. I’d like to find more
information on this engine.

Can you suggest a method of removing the wheels? I haven’t
found a puller large enough to fit. Any assistance will be
appreciated. Roger Dunham, 2045 W. Barron Rd., Howell, Ml
48843.

A. Look under the Webster magneto bracket for a
number; it should begin with 303????. Our Notebook has a listing of
Webster magneto brackets, and perhaps this one will be listed.
Presto! you know the make of the engine. (Of course, there are some
numbers for which we have no record, but we won’t think
negatively here). Secondly, why would you want to remove the fly
wheels? If there’s a specific reason, that’s surely okay
with us, but this can be quite a job. Don’t use a puller around
the rim, or you’ll likely spring the wheel. You’ve got to
get the gib key out of the shaft first, and once it is removed, the
picture brightens. Occasionally, it is possible to pull the gib
key, using various appliances to wedge it out of the flywheel.
Another method is to make up a slide hammer on a rod, and then weld
or braze the rod to the key. We’ve used this idea with some
success. You may be able to drill and tap the key and pull it, or
as a last resort, you may have to drill the key and dig it out in
little pieces. All in all, we’d recommend avoiding the process
entirely if at all possible.

31/4/8 Information Needed Q. See photo 8 A of a
Lauson water cooled engine with a light and power plant,
manufactured by Universal Motor Co., Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It is
Model 500’MS, s/n 44161. The name Lauson is ground off the
block and there’s no place for the name tag. The engine looks
like a Model RSC with 2 x 17/8a inch bore and stroke, Zenith 11160A
carburetor, and Eisemann magneto. I’d like to know the model,
and when it was built.

I also need information on the small air cooled gasoline engine
in photos 8B and 8C. It is in good running condition but I cannot
find any decals, nameplates, or casting names to help identify it.
It has a cast aluminum block and head, the photo is off the
camshaft, and it has a sheet metal flywheel, and a Carter Model N
carburetor. Any help will be appreciated. Michael E. Schultz,
1650 Schust Rd., Saginaw, Ml 48604.

31/4/9 AMRC Diesel Q. I have a 6 HP air cooled
diesel by American AMRC Corp., Inglewood, California. It needs a
glow plug, 12 or 24 volt, and inch SAE thread. Would anyone know
where to look or be able to suggest a substitute that would work?
Kenneth Hegenderfer, 5291 Conrad Rd., Rock-port, W A 98283.

31/4/10 Maytag Upright Q. I have a Maytag
upright HP engine. I have completely overhauled the carburetor, new
piston rings, etc., but cannot get it to run. It is the old style
with the carburetor on the bearing flange. I had to use a head from
the newer one with the carburetor on the crankcase. Is this my
trouble? Answers please! David Krueger, Rt 1, Box 135, Blackduck,
MN 56630.

A. It very well might be the problem, but
perhaps the Maytag experts can tell you for sure.

31/4/11 Sawmill Information Q. I would like to
know where I could find information on a Frick No. 0 or No. 01
sawmill, or just some brochures on any type of sawmills. Ed Harter,
AK-9268, 1100 Pike St., Huntingdon, PA 16654-1112.

A. Sawmill literature is hard to find; the only
thing we can think of offhand is the book, The Circular Sawmill,
available from GEM.

31/4/12 Farmall Support Groups Q. I have a 1935
Farmall F-12 tractor. It is in remarkably good condition, and I
‘d like to know if there are any clubs or organizations
dedicated to Farmalls. Any help would be appreciated. Don Claxton,
536 Locust St., Lebanon, MO 65536.

A. May we suggest: Red Power Magazine, Daryl
Miller, Box 277, Battle Creek, IA 51006

IH Collectors Association, Fremont Hoover, RR 2, Box 286,
Winamac, IN 46996

31/4/13 Letz Grinder Q. See the photos of a
grinder made by Letz Mfg. Co. There are blades inside the hopper.
What were these for? Greg Camp, RR 1, Box 386, Randolph Center,
VT 05061.

A. The Letz burr grinder was very popular; the
blades are for grinding ear corn. They broke up the corn and cob so
that it could be fed into the burrs.

31/4/14 Identification Needed Q. See the photos
of a Wizard engine, 1 HP, with a 3’/2 x 5 inch bore and stroke,
and s/n 1697. It is four-cycle, hit-and-miss. Temple Pump Co. made
a Wizard, but it was an inverted vertical style. Any information on
this engine would be appreciated. Dean Axtell, 1924 SW G
Street, Grants Pass, OR 97526.

A. We can’t tell you who made this one, but
we don’t know of Temple Pump ever making a horizontal. Also,
our book, Gas Engine Trademarks, only lists the Wizard trade name
with Temple Pump Co. Can anyone be of help?

31/4/15 Stover CT Engines Q. I’ve just
purchased my first engine, a Stover CT-1, and would like to know
the original color scheme. Thanks for your help. Robert S. Harris
Jr., 138 Bon Ton Rd., Lynchburg, VA 24503.

A. Our latest information is that DuPont GS188
Green is a comparable match. We also have Ditzler 44616 Lt. Green
listed. Some of these engines have the cast letters trimmed in
gold, and some have a combination of red and gold striping.

31/4/16 Champion Line Q. I have a 1919 price
list of the Champion Harvester line, but it is from B. F. Aver))
Company. Did 1H and Avery have some sort of agreement for the
latter to sell the Champion line? Thomas E. Gipson, 202 Mary Sharp
Drive, Decherd, TN 37324.

A. Shortly after International Harvester Co.
was organized, the U.S. Government stepped in, alleging violations
of the Sherman Anti-Trust Law. This whole business went on for
years, finally terminating in 1918 when IH signed a consent
agreement whereby they would divest themselves of certain product
lines. Included was the Champion Harvester line; it was sold to B.
F. Avery & Sons. However, IH retained the manufacturing plants,
selling only the product line to Avery.

31/4/17 Standard Twin Q. I have a Standard Twin
garden tractor, s/n 34C196. Can anyone tell me when it was made,
and the correct color scheme? Any information would be appreciated.
Robert Redman, 932 Mimosa St S., Salem, OR 97302.

31/4/18 Economy and Mogul Questions Q. I have
an Economy engine, sold by Sears, 1 HP XK, and wonder about the
original color. The engine is fire engine red, but on the flywheel
there is some darker red, almost maroon. Which decal does it
use?

I also have a 2 HP IHC Mogu! engine, and need information on
timing and making adjustments. William R. Breitkreutz, 600 Church
St., Hartford, WI 53027.

A. The only thing we have listed for Economy is
DuPont 674 Red. Also, we’ve been informed that Sears changed
over to the ‘bow-tie’ decal about the same time they began
using the Wico high tension magneto.

On the geared magneto used on the Mogul, there are marked teeth
on the crank gear and the magneto gear; time them so the marks
coincide. The engine should be timed so that ignitor trips when
mark on flywheel is in line with the mark on the top of the
crankcase.

31/4/19 Sheldon Engine Q. Can you help with the
date and color for a Sheldon 2 HP engine made in Water loo, Iowa?
It is s/n 130898. Tom Hart-field, 6206 Oak St., Harvard, IL
60033.

A. We’re not sure of the color for the
Sheldon engines. They were one of several makes sold by Sandy
McManus Inc.; the latter also sold the Sandow engines. These were
blue, DuPont BS915 or Ditzler 12375. No specific data is available
for the Sheldon, but they were sold about the same time as the
Sandow.

31/4/20 Beam Trammels Q. Some time ago I was
reading a book on old engines that had a section on how to use a
trammel for properly setting engine valve timing and ignition
timing, and I was wondering if anyone could write up something on
it. James N. Oster, 4 Julia Ave., Chicopee, MA 01020.

A. One method of precisely obtaining top dead
center, for instance would be: Turn the engine over so that it is a
little ways past obvious top center. Carefully mark off the
position of the piston by whatever method is possible. (Prior to
this time, make up a tram so that one of its points reaches the
frame, and the other point of the tram reaches the flywheel. Make a
center punch mark in the frame in which one point of the tram will
rest.) Having carefully marked the position of the piston, make a
scratch mark on the flywheel with the other end of your tram, and
carefully make a center punch mark in the flywheel. Now turn the
engine on the other side of its center until the piston again
reaches its previous mark. Take your tram and scratch another line
on the flywheel, and make a center punch mark on the scribed line.
Now, you can measure between the two scribed marks, and that will
be the exact dead center point.

31/4/21 F-M Engine-Compressor Q. See the photo
of a 25 HP Fairbanks’ Morse Type N engine with an integral air
compressor. It is a hit-and-miss, and was built about 1910. The
trip arm for the ignitor at front is different, and all the gears
are on the outside of the frame (as compared to the usual plan of
the gears being inside the frame). If anyone has any information on
this unit, we would be happy to hear from you. Charlie Parish,
4498 E. Hwy 140, Merced, CA 95340.

A. About all we can find is that this unit was
made in three different styles, each of them having a different
outlet pressure. Also, our information is that this outfit weighs
about 8,500 pounds. We’d also guess that despite the size of
Fairbanks, Morse & Company, very few of these units were
built!

31/4/22 Coldwell Lawn Mower Q. See the photos
of a Coldwell mower. It’s a Model H42 from Coldwell Lawn Mowers
Co., Newburgh, NY, and has patent dates of 09/24112; 12131/12; and
05/11/15. It is powered by a Fuller & Johnson engine, Mode! NC,
3 HP, s/n 16669. Any information on this unit, including the
original color scheme, will be greatly appreciated. Dr. David
E. Rotigel, RD 4, Box 143, Greensburg, PA 15601.

A. The engine appears to be of 1915 or 1916
vintage, and we’d guess that is close to the time this mower
was built. Can anyone be of further assistance on this query?

31/4/23 Warner Aircraft Engine Q. See photo 23
A of a Warner Aircraft Corp. engine, made at Detroit, Michigan. It
is Model 1, s/n 1490, and uses a Tillotson YA6A carburetor. Photo
23-B is a Clipper, made by Guy-Leroy Engine Co., exclusively for
Ray Whyte Products Inc., Detroit, Mich .It Model 250, s/n A634,
with a Bendix-Stomberg carburetor. Any information would be
appreciated. Michael E. Schultz, 1650 Schust Rd., Saginaw, Ml
48604.

31/4/24 Lincoln Tractor Q. See the photo of a
Lincoln tractor. It has a Wisconsin engine, front blade, individual
rear brakes, rear implement lift, and no clutch. The latter bothers
me, so I’d like to hear from anyone having information on this
unit. Don Simpson, 15485 Star’ flower, Oak Run, CA
96069.

31/4/25 Repairing Cracked Blocks In repairing
cracked blocks, I start at the end of the crack with a drill, and
drill almost through, then start in edge again, and again till I
get to the end, then using a good nickel rod. Weld not over % inch
and move to the other end. Weld slow, keeping heat down, and peen
each tack weld to stress relieve it, and grind smooth. Then with a
sharp round point chipping hammer, pick the surface to give same
surface as the original metal, and it is hard to find the weld.
Burley Mayo, Rt 3, Plat Rock AL 35966.

31/4/26 Fairfield Engine Q. I am restoring a
Fairfield engine, s/n 1431 made at Fairfield, Iowa. It is similar
to the one shown on page 168 of American Gas Engines. I’m
looking for any information on this engine, including the color
scheme. My engine has a Dixie magneto and a Holley Model K
carburetor. Kirby Olson, 23795 Sunrise Rd., Stacy, MN 55079.

31/4/27 Table Saw Q. See the picture of my
table saw. It is a JIFF, boughtin 1928 from the A. O. Aloe Co. of
St. Louis. It is powered by a B & S Model Q kick-start engine.
Further information on this unit would be appreciated. Kenneth
W. Keck, 229 Maple, Benld, IL 62009.

31/4/28 IHC Famous Q. I recently acquired an 8
HP IHC Famous that my grandfather converted into a wood splitter
more than fifty years ago. I wish to restore the engine, but it is
missing many parts, so I’d like to hear from anyone that can
help. I’m also advertising for parts. Milan Deprez, PO Box 5,
Sherwood, WI 54169.

31/4/29 Alpha Engine Q. See the three photos of
an Alpha 8 HP engine we got two years ago. It runs real good, has
oilier pump, screen cooled, and a round rod. I was hoping someone
might know when it was built; it is s/n 15522. Sherm Simpson,
E8305 Greenbluff Rd., Colbert, WA 99005.

31/4/30 Clark Air Drop Cat Q. I went out
looking for a Cat or a John Deere crawler, something for a good
project. Then I found out about a 1942 Clark that hadn’t run in
over 20 years. Has anyone got any information on the Clark Air Drop
Cat? I’ve tracked this model down to four previous owners. I
know it came to Cohoe, Alaska, in 1946 from Fairbanks, and I’m
trying to find out who manufactured it, and where. See the two
photos. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Roy
Baldwin, PO Box 327, Sterling, Alaska 99672.

31/4/31 Waterloo Boy Q. See the two photos of a
Waterloo Boy 2 HP engine, s/n 209717 (taken from the end of the
crankshaft). It has a Wizard Type 70 magneto. We believe it is a
Model K and burned kerosene. Any information on this engine would
be greatly appreciated. Ed & Agnes Turner, 8294 Halsey Rd.,
Port Byron, NY 13140-9530.

31/4/32 Identification Needed Q. See photos 32A
and 32B of a vertical engine, not unlike Novo, but different. It is
44 inches high, with a hopper diameter of 15 inches. Note that the
intake and exhaust openings are centered on the hopper, unlike
Novo. It is 6’/2 HP, s/n 16009.

Photo 32C is an unidentified engine with a 3 x 4 inch bore and
stroke. Any information on these engines would be appreciated.
Wayne Matson, 1190 Edge-wood Rd., Chetek, WI 54728.

31/4/33 Cooper-Bessemer Q. My father and I have
just acquired a Cooper-Bessemer 25 HP engine, s/n 38100, and using
a Wico OC magneto. I’d like to find more information about this
engine that might help in restoration. Larry R. Holder man, 2328 W
300 N., Warsaw, IN 46580.

A. We’d suggest you contact the Cool-spring
Power Museum at Cool spring, Pennsylvania.

31/4/34 International 1-6 Tractor Q. Malen
Bennett, 8798 Hayne Rd., Terre Haute, IN 47805 has an International
I-6 tractor for which he needs information and a source for parts.
If you can help, please contact him.

31/4/35 Unidentified Engine Q. See the three
photos of a small and surprisingly light four-cylinder engine from
a pump house. It is a water cooled headless design with eight
bronze valve access plugs. A bronze plate says it was sold through
Bruns Kimball & Co., New York, but we have no other
information. Can anyone be of help? D. C. Robie, PO Box 414, S.
Weymouth, MA 02190-0003.

Readers Write

Steam Cylinder Oil

Carl Justice, 86 Belle Ave., Delaware, OH 43015 writes that they
get steam cylinder oil from G & G Oil Co. of Indiana, Inc., 220
E Centennial Ave., Muncie, IN 47303.

Welding Cast Iron

In reference to the article in the December 1995 GEM, we can
tell you that cast iron (and steel) can be welded. The flexible air
intake lines on the old Case 15-27 etc. were soldered to the cast
iron air cleaner fittings. The cast iron is tinned first, using a
commercial acid flux like Dunton’s Tinner’s Fluid (M. W.
Dunton, Providence, RI). Clean the surface bright with a wire wheel
or light grinding. Proper heat and application of acid are critical
but easily learned. A propane torch is adequate unless the cast
iron is too heavy to heat up. Running the copper rod on the rough
cast iron deposits some copper on the surface and facilitates the
tinning process. Acid core solder also helps to keep the surface
clean to allow tinning. The surface, once tinned, solders almost as
easy as copper or zinc. Steel tins more easily than cast iron, so
one should practice on steel first. Bill Wojciechowski, 13729 -1st
Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98177.

Marvel Mystery Oil

Several people wrote to tell us that various auto supply houses
and farm fleet stores have Marvel Mystery Oil. Since that time,
we’ve seen it in the local Target Discount Stores, along with
Western Auto, and other places.

31/1/11 Rusby Patent Drill In reference to this
query, what you have is a Rusby Patent drill. The part you are
missing is a conventional two-jaw chuck that is attached to a long
shaft that slides down in the tool from the end with the crank. The
small pin with the spring just above the gear was used to lock this
chuck assembly in the part that turned. This allowed the user to
slide the chuck and shaft in and out. From time to time I see these
at tool club meetings from $35 to $75 complete. Ed Hobbs, 4417
Inwood Rd., Raleigh, NC 27603.

30/12/5 Clinton Engine The Model 800 Clinton
was made from 1951-1954 when it was replaced with the Model 900,
3.0 HP engine. The 800 series was available in three basic
configurations: 800, which was air-vane governed; VS-800 which was
a vertical shaft variant with air-vane governor, and A-800 which
was mechanically governed. All engines were cast iron block, 2.375
bore x 1.875 stroke and rated at 1.95 HP @2600 rpm, 2.35
HP@31OOrpm, and 2.5 HP @3600 rpm. All models sported a Phelon
magneto and Carter carburetor. Standard color was a very dark green
enamel. Clinton was purchased, and thus out of business, on March
31, 1982 when all stock holdings were bought by Lomart Industries
for $6 a share. Bob’s Small Engine Repair, a steady GEM
advertiser, has as many parts for Clintons as can be had. Cris
Nystrom, PO Box 17054, Fayetteville, NC 28314.

A Closing Word

We love sharing some of our old photos with you, and this month
we’ve got a couple of those interesting attachments that
converted an old car into a tractor. Photo 31/4/A shows a
conversion for which we have no name; we’re not even sure of
where we came up with this one. In 31/4/B there’s the Smith
Form-A-Tractor, made primarily for converting ye olde Model T Ford
into a farm tractor. The Model T was prone to overheating to begin
with, and that no doubt necessitated the hasty removal of the
engine hood. The splash lubrication system had its drawbacks too,
and so all in all, we’d guess this might have been a handy
little chore tractor, but really wasn’t all that great in the
field, especially v/hen compared with a real tractor. However,
these units were quite popular from about 1915 and for about a
decade after.

Photo 31/4/C shows an early version of the Big Four tractor from
Gas Traction Company. This huge tractor had the belt pulley on the
rear of the tractor. Photo 31/4/D is apparently a Cady engine from
C. N. Cady Co., Canastota, New York. Outside of this information on
the back of the original, we know nothing at all about the engine,
its size, or when it was made.

We’ve recently discovered some slide film that we find to be
very satisfactory for making color slides from original color
material in catalogs and literature. We’ve got a number of nice
color illustrations of engines that we’d like to share with
you, but give us the time and opportunity to make some slides, and
once that’s done, it takes some time and scheduling for GEM to
provide the color photos in the magazine. The comparison might be
something like calling the cows in from the back forty, ‘It
takes time.’

  • Published on Apr 1, 1996
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