Recently we acquired a considerable amount of gas engine and
tractor literature, some of it quite rare. Among this material is
an 1886 brochure from the Korting Gas Engine Company, with the back
page being shown here. Note that ten different sizes were
available, ranging all the way up to 40 horsepower. Also note that
it was 5 feet from the floor to the center of the crankshaft; the
specs don’t give us the flywheel diameter, but assuming it to
be say, 60 inches, that would put us up to 93 inches at the top of
the flywheel!
Within the brochure, the engine is known as the
Krting-Lieckfeld gas engine. We are also told that this
engine operated by varying the quantity or fuel admitted to the
cylinder, with the air-to-gas proportions remaining the same. The
interesting part of the design is that the system operated through
the exhaust valve, doing so by varying the amount of exhaust gas
expelled from the cylinder. Thus, the proportion of spent gas left
in the cylinder and the amount of flammable fuel taken up on the
intake stroke was variable, depending on the governor.
Also, note the full-page insert from a Stephen B. Church
(Boston, Mass.) folder. The top figure is of a ‘Joy’ hopper
cooled farm engine. A close look with a magnifying glass reveals
the word ‘OHIO’ inside the triangle on the hopper. The
lower engine is called an ‘Ohio Standard Kerosene Oil’
model. At first look it appears to be a Primm from Power Mfg. Co.,
Lima, Ohio. A closer look shows it to be a sideshaft engine.
We’re not saying that Power Mfg. Company never built a
sideshaft, but if so, this is the first illustration we’ve
found. Likewise, we are puzzled by the OHIO mark clearly in the
illustration above. Perhaps all of this will be grist for the mills
of some of our readers.
Further details are coming together on the 1995 GEM tour to
Germany and elsewhere. As we’ve noted before, this tour departs
September 9, returns September 23. A major new development, and a
wonderful one at that, comes with our arrival in Switzerland.
Rather than stay in Luzern, Switzerland, for two days on our
arrival, we’ll instead He staying at the beautiful Sunstar
Hotel in Grindelwald. Most rooms have balconies for viewing the
spectacular mountain scenery. Grindelwald has a world-wide
reputation as the ‘glacier village’ and has a 300km/180
mile network of hiking and mountain paths, plus a mountain bus,
rail routes, and cable cars.
THE JOY HOPPER COOLED FARM ENGINE
Built in sizes 2, 4. 6 and 12 Horse. The 4 Horse and larger
furnished with TRIP MAGNETO.
All engines 4 H. P. and larger are equipped with Oscillating
magneto. No batteries, wiring, switches, coil, gear or friction
drive. EASY STARTING
OHIO STANDARD KEROSENE OIL
CONSTANT DUTY HEAVY SERVICE ENGINES
Built in Sizes 4 to 50 Horse Power with Gear Driven Magneto for
MACHINE SHOPS. SAW MILLS, GRIST MILLS. ELECTRIC LIGHTING and
ANY POWER WORK STATIONARY and PORTABLE
Ohio Engines have been used in New England for twenty years.
Hundreds of satisfied owners.
Also, our first night in Holland has been changed from Arnheim
to the Golden Tulip Val-Monte Hotel in Nijmegen. This hotel is
situated in its own private park and gardens, surrounded by
forests, and overlooking the River Waal. Of course, as the tour
develops, it will continue to get fine tuning from the Wade Farm
Tours people.
My wife and I will be your tour hosts; we look forward to the
opportunity to meet and visit with everyone in our entourage. If
you were on our tour to England, you already know that Wade Farm
Tours packs a lot of activity into its tours, yet spreads it out so
the days don’t get too hectic or tiring. They also have the
distinct advantage of having built a network of contacts throughout
Europe, and of course, each detail is carefully checked out ahead
of time.
If you haven’t sent for the descriptive tour brochures, do
so to days. Write: European Tour, Gas Engine Magazine,
P.O. Box 328, Lancaster, PA 17608-0328, or call them at (717)
392-0733.
We’ve just received confirmation that Successful
Farming magazine is putting on a huge engine and tractor show
at Ankeny, Iowa (next door to Des Moines, and right off of
I-35). It will run from July 1-4, 1995.
We’ve got a whole stack of letters this month, and we begin
with:
30/4/1 David Bradley Parts
Joseph T. Nitka, PO Box 537, Fishdale, MA 01518 writes: I just
got informed that Sears no longer stocks parts for David Bradley
tractors. I apologize to GEM readers for misinformation or outdated
info. Please refer to 27/11/23 (Nov 1992) and 29/5/13 (Readers
Write Oct 1994).
30/4/2 Laurentide Beetle Q. See the photo
(30/4/2) of a small bulldozer that we were able to purchase in
September 1994. As the photo shows, it is very small, with tracks
approximately four feet long. This machine weighs about 1,500 to
2,000 pounds. It is called a Laurentide Beetle and was made by
Vickers Machine Co. in Montreal. We have been told that it may have
been used in the War efforts, and perhaps dropped by parachute in
remote areas. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has one,
or any information that may help in the restoration of this
machine. Paul Sisson, RR 3, Bracebridge, ONT P1L 1X1 Canada.
30/4/3 Thank You John B. Gardner, 209 S.
Anderson, PO Box 68, Plevna, KS 67568-0068 tenders his thanks to
everyone who responded to his recent queries on Cushman, Detroit,
and other engines.
30/4/4 Ideal Engines Q. See photo 30/4/4A of my
1920 Ideal HP engine. Does anyone have any information about
the mowers on which these engines were used’ Chester Davisson,
3101 St Anthony Gardens Dr., #9, Louisville, KY 40214.
A. See photo 4B which shows how the
engine was mounted on the mower frame. While an improvement over an
old-fashioned push mower, it was a man’s job running one of
them.
30/4/5 Clinton Panther Q. See the photos of a
Clinton Panther engine, s/n XI721160, Model 400-1151. It has a cast
iron sleeve, and is 2 HP. It was made by Clinton Engine Company,
Maquoketa, Iowa. Wayne B. Lower, Rt 4, Box 500, Somerville, AL
35670.
A. We have a couple of small brochures on
Clinton, but otherwise, nothing in our files to be of help.
30/4/6 Success Manure Spreader Q. I have an old
Success manure spreader with 54-inch rear and 26-inch front wooden
wheels. The front axle is missing, and perhaps someone might know
of one, or have other information that would help in restoring it.
James E. Andrews, 9559 Horizon Drive, Spring Hill, FL 34608.
A. The Success spreader was built by Marseilles
Mfg. Company, and this firm was taken over by Deere. Possibly there
might be some catalog data or other information in the Deere
Archives in Moline, Illinois.
30/4/7 Le Roi Engine Q. I have a Le Roi engine,
four – cylinder, Model 2C, sin 30775. If possible I would like to
know the year built, and would also like to correspond with anyone
knowing the carburetor and magneto used as mine are missing. What
is the bore and stroke of this engine?
Does anyone have any info on a CH & E triplex water pump? I
have one with a broken crankshaft. Can this crank be repaired? Karl
]. Townsend, 325 N. Tarragert Ave., Colorado Springs, CO
80909-5631.
Four Cylinder ‘L’ Head Models 10 TO 20 HORSE POWER | |||||
Model | Bore | Stroke | Water Capacity | Fuel Tank Capacity | Oil Capacity |
K | 2?’ | 4′ | 13 qts. | 4 gallons | 1 gallon |
2677 (K) | 2?’ | 4′ | 13 qts. | 4 gallons | 1 gallon |
CR | 3?’ | 4?’ | 19 qts. | 4 gallons | 1 gallon |
2577 (2C) | 3?’ | 4?’ | 18 qts. | 4 ? gallons | 1 gallon |
2877 (CT) | 3?’ | 4?’ | 22 qts. | 4? gallons | 1 gallon |
30/4/7
A. See the illustration at 30/4/7 for basic
specs on these engines. This information is from a 1934 brochure,
and that’s all we have on LeRoi engines. There’s probably
someone who might weld the crankshaft. Assuming it will now be used
only for show duty, it won’t likely get much strain, now that
it’s in retirement.
30/4/8 Unknown Foreign Motor Q. See the photos
of this engine; the head has these numbers cast in: 87-23; C&A;
and on the block is 50B and 11279. The magneto is a Wipac; Wipac
Group Sales Ltd., Buckingham, England, Series#161. The muffler and
carburetor are missing. These two items are clamped onto this
motor. The carburetor is a fixed system, there is no internal or
external governor. The motor is about ten inches square, weighs 12
pounds, and is painted red. Any information will be appreciated.
Michael E. Schultz, 1650 Schust Rd., Saginaw, MI 48604.
A. If anyone can help, kindly contact Mr.
Schultz.
30/4/9 Wico EK Information From William C.
Kuhl, 464 South Fifth St., Sebewaing, MI 48759-1559 we have some
timely comments regarding the venerable Wico EK magneto:
I have a 2 HP Fuller & Johnson with a Wico EK magneto, but
it didn’t start good. The magneto trip seemed to be lazy, and
didn’t trip fast enough. I checked the magneto and everything
seemed okay. I took the push rod trip apart and found on each end
of the spring there were some flat washers of different
thicknesses. By adding a 3/32 washer to make
the spring pressure stronger, the engine then took right off.
Another thing is to check the armature guide pin to see how much
it is worn. If this ? inch pin is worn bad, the armature pulls off
on one side first, and then the other, and the magneto won’t
fire good.
Mr. Kuhl makes some good points. We’ve wondered for
years how to go about remachining the guide pin. It looks to
us like a special lathe jig is the only way, and given the fragile
nature of the pot metal casting, one would have to be very careful
indeed! Has anyone come up with a sure-fire way to repair the worn
guide pins? We also thought of making a very thin steel sleeve to
push over the old guide pin, and then bore out the armature to fit
the new guide.
Reflector
30/4/10 Information Needed Q. On page 22 of the
February 1995 issue is a photo of a road roller from Dale Frazier.
What is the make? I have never seen a flywheel of that type; it
almost looks like Canadian or British. Also on page 12 with the
Glasgow tractor, could it be that the John Deere Dain tractor was
copied or based on this tractor? I see a great resemblance and I
believe they were both produced about the same time. Dwight B.
Pletcher, 61931 C.R. 15, Goshen, IN 46526.
30/4/11 Backus Water Motor Q. See the photo of
my Backus water motor. It is 20 inches high and 12 inches wide, and
uses a 1 inch water inlet. It was made by Backus Water Motor
Company, Newark, New Jersey, and patented January 6, 1874-Any
information would be appreciated. Bazil Rogers, 8 Davison St.,
Hantsport, Nova Scotia, BOP IPO Canada.
30/4/12 Adams Grader Q. See the photo of an
Adams No. 6 road maintainer, s/n 907. It was made by J. D. Adams
& Co., Indianapolis, Indiana. The solid rubber tires are
Firestone 32×4. Is this company still in business? What color was
this machine, and when was it made? It was pulled by a Rumely
OilPull tractor years ago. Melville Hands, RR 3, Caledon East,
Ontario LON IEO Canada.
A. We believe Adams has been off the scene for
a long time. Another reader made inquiry regarding the proper paint
color recently, and told us that when dismantling some of the parts
he found dark green paint. Perhaps someone might have some
information on this rather old road grader.
30/4/13 Foundry Patterns Q. See the five photos
of a set of engine patterns I found last year. The only information
I have is that the man who had them said they were from the Howard
Motor Company at Chicago, Illinois, and went back to about 1930.
Any information will be appreciated. Richard E. Lee, 1128 Rathbone
Are., Aurora, IL 60506-5807.
A. Howard Gasoline Engine Company is listed in
the manufacturer’s index of American Gas Engines. Beyond that,
we have no information on this company, nor do we know where or how
we ran across the company name.
30/4/14 Bolens Tractor Q. I have a Bolens
tractor, Model AR, No. 452, made by Gilson Mfg. Co., Port
Washington, Wisconsin. It has a Briggs & Stratton engine, Type
60621, Model BR, s/n 6268.The engine has a Kingston carburetor,
#Z82712. I have determined from the B-S serial numbers that the
engine was made in 1935. The list I have has models BR-4 or BR-6.
My engine is just Model BR. The 4 and 6 have to do with the gear
reduction. How do I determine what mine is? Is there a way to know
if this is the original engine for this tractor? I am also
interested in the correct paint colors. The gas tank and frame of
the cultivator haw traces of bright red paint and the engine seems
to have some bluish green. The lubrication plate specifies Mobil
products. Was this common in 1935? Was there a connection between
the companies? Any help on this tractor will be greatly
appreciated. See the three photos of the tractor and the engine.
Tom Ebeling, 140 Van Dyke Rd., Hopewell, NJ 08525-1004.
A. We have no books on the Model BR engines, so
can offer no help. Can anyone advise?
30/4/15 F-M Marine Engine Q. See the photos of
an engine that belonged to my grandfather and uncles during the
early 1900s, and was installed in a number of boats. It was made by
Fairbanks-Morse , it has a 4 x 5 inch bore and stroke, and is
stamped with the number M23JJ. Can anyone supply information on
this engine? William Pearce, 117 Beath, Metis Beach, Quebec G0J 1W0
Canada.
A. We think your engine is similar to those
shown on page 41 of our book, Fairbanks-Morse: 100 Years of Engine
Technology, published in 1993. However, it appears that this engine
was built by Canadian Fairbanks-Morse, and we have no catalog data
or service information. The bore and stroke dimensions of your
engine do not match up to anything we can find in our
references.
30/4/16 Easy Engine Q. See the photos of an
engine I just bought. I would like information on the washing
machine, how it was connected, fuel tank and connections, and the
like. Also, how does the governor work? Any information will be
greatly appreciated.
Also please find enclosed an old printer’s cut. My
brother-in-law got this in some ‘stuff somewhere. His name is
Dave Baue. He said while I was writing to send it along. Don Wiley,
Sparta, IL 62286.
A. First of all, this is an Easy Engine from
Syracuse Washing Machine Corporation. In all of our literature, we
have absolutely nothing, not even a file folder on this group. So,
can anyone be of help?
This old letterpress printer constantly looks for cuts relating
to engines, tractors, and old machinery, but alas, with very little
success. So, we’re very grateful to add something to the
collection, and got busy, posthaste, and printed a proof, which is
shown as 30/4/16D. This one is an advertising cut for the Standard
Cream Separator and Engine combination. Thanks!
30/4/17 Air Cooled Motor Co. Q. See the photo
of an engine from Air Cooled Motor Company, Lansing, Michigan. It
is described on page 15 of American Gas Engines. I would appreciate
hearing from anyone with any information on this engine, or from
anyone who owns one. Eugene Decamp, 646 N Ocotillo, Cotton-wood, AZ
86326.
30/4/18 Ex-Military Homelite Q. See the photo
(ISA) of a Homelite generator unit I acquired. Hanging from one of
the handles were three ‘Repairable Part Routing tags, printed
by the War Dept. in 1942 and 1944- One of these has a handwritten
date of May 22, 1944. They were filled out at Chanute Field
(Rantoul, Illinois) and describe a ‘Class 19A power-plant,
stock no. 8200-726000.’ I believe they serve as a clue to the
years of service. The nameplate reads: Type C-9, mfrs. serial
22590, 1500 watts, 115 volts, 60 cycles. It was made by Homelite
Corporation, Port Chester, New York.
I would like to hear from anyone who has used this equipment, or
who might have any information on it. Especially needed is the
fuel/oil mixture ratio.
Finally, I’m enclosing some pictures of a 1943 Briggs &
Stratton ZZ engine (18B and 18C) that I restored last summer.
Thanks to everyone who was of help for that project. Christopher G.
Beebe, 1720 Meadows Road, Madison, OH 44057.
A. We have no information at all on the
Homelite military units. If you can help, kindly do so..
30/4/19 Some Interesting Photos Brad L.
Rodenkirch, N2365 Hury SS, Campbellspon, WI 53010 sends along four
beautiful 8 x 10 prints with the following comments: 19 A Looks
like someone’s idea of how to make a million by making a sulky
plow out of a hand plow. 19B and 19C look like Bolens’ idea of
the Handi-Hoe attachment. Note the aircleaner, carburetor and
genuine accessory belt pulley.
Photo 19D needs a magnifying glass. First, what is hanging on
the hoist? However, in the lower left comer, behind those
sandboxes, you see a water hopper and a cylinder from an engine,
but what make of engine.’ In the foreground of that water
hopper but right behind that bright white brick-like box is another
hopper lying on its face and on the side you can see the letters
‘mplicity.’ Perhaps, ‘SIMPLICITY?’ I love factory
photos, but sure would like to know what is on the hoist!
A. It’s also interesting to observe the
well-used foundry flasks in the foreground and the flywheels in the
left center of the photograph. Any further information on these
photographs would be most welcome to Brad, as well as to ye old
Reflector!