Oil Field Engine News

By Staff
1 / 3
2 / 3
Flywheel for Carlton Ekdahl's Farrar & Trefts engine.
Flywheel for Carlton Ekdahl's Farrar & Trefts engine.
3 / 3

I’m sure readers are getting anxious for the start of the
busy engine show season now that the chilly grip of winter is
beginning to loosen. We’ve had spurts of Engine Society
activity this winter, both on the Internet and through mail
correspondence, and I had the pleasure of spending a few weekends
traveling and visiting engine friends here in the Ohio and Indiana
area. Activity on the OFES Web site at www.oilfield engine.com has
increased markedly as of late, and 123 people have subscribed to
the OFES e-mail discussion forum hosted by the Antique Tractor
Internet Services, or ATIS as it’s commonly called. You can
sign on by going to www.atis.net, where you’ll find directions
for subscribing.

30 HP Primm belonging to the Western Illinois Threshers. Made by
The Power Mfg. Co., Lima, Ohio, and later in Marion, Ohio, these
are rarely seen engines.

Correspondence to the OFES society desk has been steady, with
around 50 requests for membership coming in since the last show I
attended in October.

And speaking of correspondence, we received a thank you note
from Carlton Ekdahl of Manchester, N.H., concerning a request he
made in this column for help in locating a flywheel for his Farrar
& Trefts engine. Carlton’s request led to a solid lead, and
after 15 years of searching Carlton finally located the correct
flywheel for his engine.

Rob Coyle, Hamilton, Ill., contacted the society about a rare
Primm engine. Rob writes: ‘Dear Russell, I had contacted you
earlier last year via e-mail about a 30 HP Primm engine our club
(Western Illinois Threshers) has on the grounds. As you can see
from the photo it’s missing all the goodies. I am still in
search of any photos or information about these engines. We have
acquired a bunch of miscellaneous parts, but are still looking for
pieces for the governor, fuel system and, most importantly, a rod
cap. This engine originally pumped three wells on a lease in
Colmar, Ill., and we have the power, eccentric and sucker rods it
used. I would like to have it all set up to make a great working
display at our show. I would appreciate it if you are still willing
to help spread the word about this engine.’

Consider it spread – it would be wonderful if Rob set up this
oil field engine and equipment at the Western Illinois Threshers
show. I do not know anyone who has a Primm, and Rob would love to
hear from anyone who could offer any assistance in his endeavor.
Please contact Rob Coyle at: 1484 N. County Road 800,

Hamilton, IL 62341, or e-mail at: oldengn@adams.net

Lastly, I would like to thank the directors of the Southeastern
Kentucky Antique Gas Engine and Tractor Association show at Renfro
Valley, Ky, for the plaque they presented to OFES last October in
recognition of our members’ support of their show. The
hospitality at their show was great.

As always, OFES membership is free of charge, and if you need
assistance concerning your engines do not hesitate to contact the
society at the address below.

Contact the Oil Field Engine Society at: 1231 Banta’s
Creek Road, Eaton, OH 45320-9701, or e-mail at:
oilengine@voyager.net

  • Published on Apr 1, 2003
Online Store Logo
Need Help? Call 1-866-624-9388