Box 76, Devils Lake, North Dakota 58301
One of the largest shows having the biggest number of different
makes of steam engines and gas tractors in operation was the
threshers show at Rollag Minn, put on by the Western Minn. Steam
Threshers Reunion. The machines are of the largest size down to the
small ones in gas tractors. A new addition was a Corliss engine in
operation. A Rider-Ericcson Hot Air engine. Wouldn’t you like
to watch the six ton Kline stationary gas engine running so quiet
and smoothly with its 78 inch diameter flywheels? It is owned by
Mr. Jim Withers of Osakis, Minn. Another new comer is a 35-70 hp.
Nichols-Shepard Oil-Gas tractor all painted and lettered owned by
Mr. Norman Pross of Luverne N.D. That is the heaviest built engine
I have ever worked on. It was restored at the Larson Machine Shop
in Fargo into perfect running order.
May be a show is not complete if someone hasn’t got some
trouble and this time it was my share to have it when the thin
babbit lining melted out of the brass shell in one of the
connecting rod bearing in the 40-80 Avery tractor. I had no idea
that one of the small holes in the oil tubes in the crankcase had
plugged up and I was deep in trouble. Soon some of the good fellows
helped take the engine apart and lift the heavy cover off the
crankcase. Mr. Larson took the brass shell to his shop in Fargo 35
miles away. Made a new shell out of aluminum in his shop in two
hours and was back at the tractor, all in three hours time. Now
could anyone beat that or come anywhere close to it? The bearing
fit just perfect and was the most beautiful job I have seen. With
all the good help, we had the tractor back in operation in short
order although to begin with I was a pretty sick man and thought we
were all thru for the season. Among the helpers who were so handy
with tools were Mr. C.J. Krieger and Mr. Norman Anderson. They
worked like beavers which made me feel pretty good when we were
ready to crank up again.
This being one of the first 40-80 Avery tractors built there is
no way to tell from the outside if a hole may be plugged in the
crankcase. I would advise anyone having one of these tractors to
disconnect all the tubes and blowing air thru them to make sure
they are open and keep the crankcase flushed clean and change the
oil regularly, otherwise it is too much guesswork. I am very
thankful to all who helped to get the tractor back into operation
in such record time.
Pictured is an Oil Pull friend, Mel Rees of Topeka, left, by
front wheel, and Del Seuser with his 14 x 28 oil pull in 1916.
Vintage taken in evening with shade from willows filtering through.
Better shot of engine on top picture. This is an early tractor with
the old round water tank under your feet like the old Model F. It
has dual spigot oilers on fender tops for heavy traction work.
