A Tale of Two Gas-ups

By Staff
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Woody Sins' 3 HP Pohl oil engine and Phil Antonio's sideshaft Milwaukee.
Woody Sins' 3 HP Pohl oil engine and Phil Antonio's sideshaft Milwaukee.
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Just two of the stunning engines on hand at Wayne and Alex Grenning's annual gas-up in Lockport, N.Y.
Just two of the stunning engines on hand at Wayne and Alex Grenning's annual gas-up in Lockport, N.Y.
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Wayne Grenning's #12 Dempster windmill;
Wayne Grenning's #12 Dempster windmill;
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A 1937 John Deere Model BO at Don and Sue Odin's Pasture Party in New Hartford, N.Y.
A 1937 John Deere Model BO at Don and Sue Odin's Pasture Party in New Hartford, N.Y.
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Very nice 2 HP 'Baby' Geiser owned by Fred and Rick Lederhouse.
Very nice 2 HP 'Baby' Geiser owned by Fred and Rick Lederhouse.
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This Model T engine at the Pasture Party (below, left) was modified for belt work. Craig Prucha's 5 HP Fowler
This Model T engine at the Pasture Party (below, left) was modified for belt work. Craig Prucha's 5 HP Fowler
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A nice selection of restored Farmalls was on hand for the Odins' Pasture Party.
A nice selection of restored Farmalls was on hand for the Odins' Pasture Party.
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On display at the Grennings' gas-up in Lockport, N.Y.
On display at the Grennings' gas-up in Lockport, N.Y.
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As was this Hercules-powered hay loader.
As was this Hercules-powered hay loader.

Here in the Northeast the show season comes to an end earlier
than in other parts of the world. But I was privileged to ring out
the 2003 season at a couple of very interesting gas-ups in early
September. A ‘gas-up,’ in case you are wondering, is a
private engine show. It is usually by invitation only, although an
uninvited guest is never turned away.

Lockport Gas-up

Wayne and Alex Grenning, Lockport, N.Y., hosted the first show,
and like every gas-up Wayne’s ever held, this one had some very
interesting machinery. The most prominent item was Wayne’s new
lawn ornament, a Dempster No. 12 windmill. Wayne set it at ground
level for the gas-up, giving people who didn’t want to climb a
tower a chance to see a real prairie windmill up close.

Craig Prucha, Pavilion, N.Y., brought his 4 HP Fowler,
manufactured by R.M. Fowler, Bradford, Pa. Craig’s Fowler was
designed for oil-pumping duties in the Pennsylvania oil fields, and
since it was expected to be under a load at all times it was never
equipped with a governor. Engine speed is controlled by varying the
natural gas mixture.

Fred and Rick Lederhouse, Ransomville, N.Y., brought their very
nice, very original 2 HP ‘Baby’ Geiser, complete with its
original low-tension magneto and cart. Manufactured by Geiser
Manufacturing Co., Waynesboro, Pa., this sideshaft engine has a
flyball governor, disk crank and other features usually found only
on much larger engines.

Another interesting sideshaft was a beautifully restored
Milwaukee engine brought by Phil Antonio, Arcade, N.Y. Manufactured
by Milwaukee Machinery Co., Milwaukee, Wis., this very rare engine
runs as well as it looks. My contribution to the show was my latest
project, a 3 HP Pohl oil engine manufactured by Geo. D. Pohl
Manufacturing Co. of Vernon, N.Y. Although it is not one of their
larger sideshaft engines, it is extremely rare. Restored earlier as
a static display, it hadn’t run in a very long time when I got
it. After correcting some minor issues with the injector (and some
major issues with the cylinder bore) I got it running in time for
the gas-up, where it ran most of the day – just long enough to
point out some other problems that need attention. There were
several other engines there, including Wayne’s pair of 5 HP
Ottos and Alex’s 2- HP Economy.

Pasture Party

The following weekend I went to the 3d Annual Pasture Party
hosted by Don and Sue Odin of New Hartford, N.Y. Engines were few,
but there were many tractors, including a nice selection of
restored Farmalls. One of the most enjoyable aspects of the party
was Don’s collection of working farm machinery, of the type
usually seen rusting away in hedgerows and old barnyards.

One of my favorite displays was a ‘2 Horse Power’
International hay loader in operating condition. I have seen a few
of these devices lying derelict around the countryside, but this is
the first one I’ve seen in operation. The hay was then unloaded
with a Hercules-powered unloading setup.

An interesting stationary engine on hand was a Model T engine
converted for belt work. Although this type of rig isn’t seen
very often these days, at one time this was a popular way to get a
20 HP power plant.

A potluck dinner, tractor pulls, a kiddie tractor pull and many
other interesting things to see and do were featured at this
two-day event. It was a very enjoyable time.

Contact engine enthusiast Woody Sins at: 3 Edna Ter, New
Hartford, NY 13413 or e-mail: hitnmiss1@juno.com

  • Published on Feb 1, 2004
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