We’re assembling this copy in early February, with about two
weeks to go before embarking on our distant journey to Australia,
along with about 40 of our colleagues. Thus, while we’re
enjoying the Australian autumn and all the things to see and do,
Linda will be filling in for ye olde Reflector next month. In all
fairness to Linda, she does an excellent job of standing in, and
we’ve even agreed to help out with a few things before we
leave. However, that’s probably our only sabbatical for this
year.
Now that we’ve got our bases covered for the Australian
Tour, we’ll give you early notice of our next tour. This one is
planned for perhaps June or July of 1998. Right now, we’re
looking at flying into Vienna, Austria, and spending two or three
days in the area. That’ll give everyone a chance to do their
thing, whether it’s spending all their time in the world-famous
technical museum, sightseeing, shopping, or whatever. Personally,
I’d love to have a chance to walk into that famous concert hall
in Vienna that’s the home of the Vienna Symphony, along with
the technical museum, the giant ferris wheel, and other
attractions.
From Vienna, we’d likely go west and north, picking up Linz,
Passau, Salzburg, Innsbruck, and go on into Germany. Eventually,
we’d plan on ending up at Sthlingen and Roland Porten’s
tractor and engine collection. After a couple of weeks, we’d
like to finish our tour with a couple of days at Grindelwald in
Switzerland. For those who have been there, we think this would be
a marvelous closing for the tour before flying home from
Zurich.
We don’t have everything put together yet, but there would
be very few repetitions from our recent European tour. Sthlingen
would be a likely exception, and lots of folks on the last European
tour would have liked more time at the huge displays at the
University of Hohenheim. Also on the last tour, the famous
Mercedes-Benz Museum was closed, so perhaps we’d try to include
it in the 1998 tour.
We’ve discovered some sizable engine and tractor collections
in Austria, and have charted some of them out on a map. Right now
we’re contacting numerous people in Austria to get a better
picture of what to expect.
According to all the tour books and from many people who’ve
been there, Passau (in Germany but near Linz, Austria) is a
must-see city. The cathedral there houses the world’s largest
pipe organ, and they give concerts each day. Many of our people
were disappointed in missing the weekly concert at Chester
Cathedral last summer, but we made up for it somewhat by the visit
to York minster. All in all, we hope to find that special blend of
culture, entertainment, sightseeing, and old engines that will make
the 1998 tour a memorable and exciting experience. One thing is for
sure; we will take a maximum of two coaches, or about 80 people.
Although our last European tour had 120 people, and everything
worked out just fine, it’s a real burden for ye olde Tour Host
and the couriers to keep everything going smoothly. More on this in
coming issues! By the way, if anyone has contacts, or knows of
‘must-see’ places, let us know.
We’ve finally given in to the Internet craze, and at this
writing, we’re getting set up for e-mail. We can see that it
has some tremendous advantages, but we can also see that it can
present some problems in that we have this fear of being deluged
with mail to read and respond to. Right now, ye olde Reflector is
thinking lots more about Australia than e-mail, so more on this
later, as well.
We sadly report the passing of Eddie Mittelstadt of Eldorado,
Iowa. Eddie was a great model maker, and a number of our readers
are proud owners of one of his works of art. Some time ago, the
Modelmaker’s Corner ran an article and some photos of
Eddie’s then-current projects. (See October 1995, page 12.)
Our queries this month begin with:
32/4/1 Cushman Question Q. Just to let you know
I’ve written to Reflections twice before and had my questions
answered. I hope this is number three.
I have a Cushman 3 HP engine, Model 3R20B, s/n 68590, and would
like to know the year built. At the bottom of the nameplate it
says: Bean Special Cub. I know it was a pump engine at one time,
and it uses a Wico EK magneto. Frank O’Meara, 19991 Birchwood
Loop, Chugiak, Alaska 99567.
A. The third time isn’t always a charm,
because there aren’t any known records of the Cushman
engines.
32/4/2 On Horsepower Ratings Q. In reference to
the information on horsepower in the January 1997 GEM, my father
who worked for Fairbanks-Morse in the 1930s always told me that
automobile makers and others used a false method of showing
horsepower. He said that to determine actual horsepower of
automotive engines in relation to steam, diesel and electric power
was to simply divide the published results by three. For example,
an engine advertised as 100 HP was actually about 33 HP. The truth
of this was proven to me in the early 1950s when Harley-Davidson
suddenly jumped from 8 HP in one model year to 25 HP the next year
without any significant changes in design. Jesse Livingston, 498 N.
Old Troy Rd., Troy, TN 38260.
A. To further muddy the already muddy waters
about horsepower, there’s theoretical horsepower, there’s
flywheel horsepower, there’s brake horsepower, and the steam
engine folks will steadfastly proclaim that the only true
indication is the nominal horsepower rating that was used for
years. We suppose it’s all relative, but we’ve never been
real sure of how the theoretical horsepower, that is, the ability
to raise 33,000 pounds one foot in one minute, came about. As a
farm kid, I know for sure that all horses didn’t pull the same
. . .
32/4/3 Unidentified Engine Q. See the photo of
an engine of 5 HP, s/n 92787. There are no other markings that I
know of. The engine is red. What is the make! Chet Chambers, 40
Uncatena Ave., Worcester, MA 01606.
A. Your engine is a 5 HP Economy sold by Sears
and made by Hercules. See page 457 of American Gas Engines.
32/4/4 Kleinmotoren Gmbh. Q. See the two photos
of a two-cycle engine (no reed valves; cylinder has open duct to
crankcase). It uses a Tillotson carburetor, and has a 2.5 x 3.0
bore and stroke. The only markings are Kleinmotoren GMBH Stuttgart.
The year made and any further information would be appreciated.
Raymond Gray, 2135 Little Valley Road, Sevierville, TN 37862.
A. We didn’t find this one in our recently
acquired book, Deutsche Stationr Motoren, but perhaps someone might
have some information for you.
32/4/5 Schramm Tractor Q. I just acquired a
six-cylinder, rubber-tired Schramm, Model COUH, s/n S112595. Three
cylinders power the tractor and the other three pump air to a tank.
The head froze and broke, so I need to find a source for parts. Can
anyone provide me with further information on this tractor and on
the company? Ed Kahlie, 7632 Vicki Dr., Whittier, CA
90606-2250.
32/4/6 Thanks! to John Bauserman Sr., 9185 6
Mile Rd., Battle Creek, MI 49014. He sent a photocopy of an early
Clifton Motor Works catalog, somewhat earlier than the one we
borrowed when compiling the American Gas Engines book.
32/4/7 Rawleigh-Schryer Q. What is the proper
color scheme for a Rawleigh-Schryer engine, and what is the year
made? Mine is s/n AA11418, 1 HP. William Paulsen, Rt 1, Box 83,
Finley, ND 58230-9766.
A. Our Notebook gives DuPont 036 Brown as the
proper color. It is trimmed in blue. Pages 408 and 409 of American
Gas Engines provide some clues on the striping scheme, as well as
providing some information on the production period.
32/4/8 From South Africa Q. See photo 8A of a
mechanical jack from Weaver Mfg. Co., Springfield, Illinois. It is
called an JO-WAY; I’d like to know more about it, especially
the color.
Photo 8-B 15 of an Aermotor Type Z (s/n 9429). I adopted the
engine from our local museum (Bathurst Agricultural Museum) who
have a wide variety of machinery. It had been standing there for
many years with only a coat of paint slapped on. Numerous parts
were missing. What is the year built, and the correct color?
Photos 8-C, 8-D, and 8-E are of an unknown make vertical
sideshaft engine. It has a face cam with governor underneath and an
ignitor with a spring blade contactor to break current when the
rocker depresses the exhaust valve. The engine has a 4 x 6 inch
bore and stroke, the flywheels are 24 inches in diameter. In
American Gas Engines, on page 323 is the National Engine Co. of
Rockford, Illinois, and on page 85 is an identical engine from
Cavanaugh & Darley of Chicago, Illinois. Can anyone provide
further information?
Lastly, my dad and I also have our own collection of engines and
a tractor. I have a Fairbanks-Morse Z Style C, 3 HP, a Maytag 72-D
(few of them in our country), and a Fowler PPB 3 HP (1943) and a 1
HP John Deere EK engine. My dad has only John Deeres. They are a 1
HP EK, s/n 303868; two 6 HP EK engines, 347703 and 278331; and two
3 HP EK engines, 359866 and 347486. Also we have a John Deere M
tractor, s/n 19563. Can you give me build dates on these?
There are many old and rare engines scattered throughout our
country, and the Vintage Tractor & Engine Club of South Africa
has a good following of dedicated people, young and old, keeping
the OLD IRON alive. Any help would be appreciated. Cradock Cuyler,
164 Charles St., Somerset East, Eastern Cape 5850, South
Africa.
A. Starting with the 1 Deere, s/n 303868 and
continuing, here are the build dates in order: 1929, 1938, 1927,
1944, 1938. The M tractor was made in 1948. If anyone can be of
help, kindly contact Mr. Cuyler.
32/4/9 Allen Oxford Q. See the photos of a
recently acquired sickle mower; it is powered by a Villiers
two-stroke engine. The 21-inch wheels have ‘Allen Oxford’
cast in them, and the engine tag reads: John Allen and Sons
(Oxford) Ltd., Cowley, Oxford. Machine No. R49729. How old is this
machine, and can anyone supply any information on same? Any
additional information would be greatly appreciated. Al Kopka,
35271 Acacia Ave., Yucaipa, CA 92399.
32/4/10 Stover Engine Q. I have a Stover
engine, #T64245. It looks like the one at the top of page 20, Power
in the Past, Volume 3, but has primer for cylinder, same as engine
at bottom of page 20. The head has an electrical connection for
battery ignition, same as engine at bottom of page 21. The HP was
never stamped on tag. What is the horsepower? Joseph P. Barss, 19
Kempley St., Canton, MA 02021.
A. Your engine is listed in the production
records as a 4 HP model. Sometimes certain features carried over
(or back) when changes were made. Probably the company used up the
older parts inventory before the changeover was complete. That
accounts for subtle variations in the engines.
32/4/11 International I-12 Q. I have an
International I-12, s/n IS909. What is the year of this tractor and
what was the original color scheme? The only traces of paint I can
find appear to be red. All help appreciated. Rick Kramer, Box 161,
Rehrersburg, PA 19550.
A. Without some serious digging, we can’t
be sure that the Industrial s/n’s don’t go along with the
W-12 serials. If that’s the case, your tractor is a 1934 model.
Chances are that it was red, although industrials were often
painted to order for the customer, so as to match up with their
plant, factory, or equipment colors.
32/4/12 Thanks! from John L. Moss, 709 Wendel,
Houston, TX 77009. He writes: Thanks to the nice people who
responded to my GEM ad regarding my interest in purchasing a
four-cylinder OHV Wisconsin engine. Calls and letters came from all
over the country, and as a result, I purchased two of the
engines.
32/4/13 Christensen Q. I am working on a
Christensen 7 HP Type FF sideshaft which turns counterclockwise.
Does anyone know the year, original color, and the striping scheme?
I’m especially interested in finding any further information on
this engine. Also, the original hopper decal was for Koehring
Machine Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Do they still exist? David
Walker, 1112 Betts St., El Cajon, CA 92020.
A. Our Notebook has DuPont 6654, 65541, and
G9348 all listed as comparable colors; also Ditzler 40496 Green.
The illustrations on page 99 of American Gas Engines show the
striping scheme, with the striping being a deep chrome yellow.
Koehring Co. is still building cranes and heavy equipment but we
don’t have a precise mailing address.
32/4/14 Ultimotor Q. I purchased an old Maytag
washer. The engine is an Ultimotor by Johnson Motor Co., s/n
D-11412. Can anyone give an approximate age of the engine, or
provide further information, such as a manual? Any help would be
appreciated. Norman Hansen, 2982 Hwy 71, Cambridge, ID 83610.
32/4/15 Re: Co-op TractorsDonald A. Olson,
4685 E Co Rd 134, Moose Lake, MN 55767 writes: Co-op Cockshutt
and Co-op are two entirely different tractors. Cockshutt Co-ops
were made by Cockshutt in Canada. They were painted orange and sold
in the U.S. as Co-op.
Co-op tractors were first made in 1936 by Duplex Printing Co. of
Battle Creek, Mich. There were three models; a #1, #2, and #3. The
#1 had a four-cylinder Waukesha engine; #2 and #3 both have a
Chrysler Industrial six-cylinder motor.
The correct paint for Co-ops was/is DuPont 674 Red. I’d be
happy to discuss Co-op tractors anytime. I have 20 of them and have
done a lot of research.
32/4/16 Boyer Marine Q. See the photo of a
Boyer marine engine that I acquired in 1995. The only information
I’ve found so far is an ad from a 1920 issue of Motor Boat
Magazine. It shows that the engine was made by Boyer Machine Co.,
East Oakland, California. It was built in 5 and 10 HP sizes, with
H. G. McLaughlin Co. being distributors for Washington, Alaska, and
British Columbia. I would like to hear from anyone having a Boyer
engine, or information on same. All replies will be greatly
appreciated. Albert Locatelli, 224 Goss Ave., Santa Cruz, CA
95065.
32/4/17 Rix Question Q. See the photo of a Rix
water cooled gas engine, about 200 pounds worth. The mag and crank
are missing. Any information would be appreciated. Roy Baldwin, Box
327, Sterling, Alaska 99672.
A. We don’t even have this one listed in
any of our books, so we’d like to know something about it
too!
32/4/18 Associated Q. I have an Associated
Johnny Boy, 1 HP engine, s/n 253225. Can you advise as to age and
color? Fred Tomlin, 80 Fairground Rd., Elma, WA 98541.
A. We can’t as to age, but as to color it
is DuPont 2622 Red, with the head and cylinder being silver.
32/4/19 Unidentified Q. See the two photos of
an unidentified engine. I have made some shows with it and no one
has any idea of its use or application. Can someone provide some
clues? Clayton Mezger, Route 1, Box 52E, Marble Falls, TX
78654.
32/4/20 Re: Koban Co.Bruce Hall, Rt 90,
King Ferry, NY 13081 writes: Regarding 32/1/36 on the Koban
engines, Koban was in business in Milwaukee in 1921 and was bought
out in April 1927 by Evinrude Motors, then headed by August Petrie.
Petrie sold Evinrude Motors to Briggs & Stratton in 1928, then
headed by Stephen Briggs. Briggs was responsible for forming
Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC), a move that essentially saved
the Evinrude line of motors from extinction. Further information on
Koban is available from: Orlin Johnson, 832 North Hibbard,
Staunton, IL 62088.
Bruce also suggests that possibly Mr. Johnson would write a
historical article on Koban, so we’ll contact him and see
whether he might.
32/4/21 Stover Q. I have a Stover 1 HP engine,
s/n K124783. When was it built, and what is the correct color? I
also have a 2 HP Lansing engine, made in Lansing; s/n 68037, and
would like to know more about it, including when it was made. I
also have a Co-op two-bottom plow with steel wheels and would like
to know the correct color scheme. Doug Miller, 318E 650N West
Lafayette, IN 47906.
A. The Stover was made in 1919; it is green,
similar to DuPont 2015. We can’t answer the other questions;
can anyone help?
Model makers Corner
Ted H. Stein, 3228 – 180th St., Ft. Madison, IA 52627-9767
writes that he is told that someone is making patterns and/or
castings for a model of the IHC Mogul engine and would like to know
who’s making them. We’ve talked with the fellow who is
working on this project, but we don’t know the stage of his
activities, nor has he given us permission to use his name in this
regard, at least at this point. Perhaps (and hopefully) he will see
this query and respond directly to Mr. Stein. (Recognizing
everyone’s privacy is often a problem when writing a column
such as this … and we hate the ringing sound in our ears when
someone gripes that we haven’t looked after these things
properly).
A Closing Word
We’re finishing up this column late in the afternoon on
February 6, 1997. We started early this morning, but something went
awry on the keyboard for the computer, so that meant a trip to the
computer shop where we bought a brand new one (and a good one at
that) for under $25. Isn’t that something! A few years ago the
same thing happened, and a new keyboard was almost $100. Would to
goodness that most other things would come down in price instead of
go up! While there, we gazed upon some of the newer machines that
have blazing speed, especially when compared with our old Gateway
386DX model. Ah well, it’s done its job for several years, and
for the most part doesn’t have any serious limitations. The
Internet connection will be on an Apple Performa, so essentially
what we’re doing is keyboarding books and our monthly articles
on this old standby. By the way, Stemgas has an e-mail address for
those of you so inclined. It’s weidman@pptnet.com. The office
reminds me that this e-mail connection is not yet set up to take
credit card transactions.
That’s all for this time. After a very long day, we’ll
make a hurried trip to the Post Office with our monthly packet,
then we’ll come home, sit back in the recliner with a wee dram
of liquid refreshment and call it quits for the day!
