We’ve been bursting with joy to tell you of the recent GEM
tour to Germany, Switzerland, Holland, etc. By all accounts, it was
a memorable two weeks!
Our group totaled 120, and due to its size, some came into
Zurich, Switzerland on September 8, with the remainder on September
9. After a pleasant journey by coach we arrived at the Sun-star
Hotel in Grindelwald, a beautiful Alpine resort town. On September
10 we had a beautiful day in Grindelwald, and took a ski lift up
into the Alps. Fortunately, the manager of this multi-million
dollar lift system gave us a special tour of the mechanical side,
and this alone was a highlight of the day.
The next day we left for Luzern via the Brunig Pass. The scenery
was beyond belief, and our three coach drivers managed the hills
and curves in masterful style. That day we also managed to spend
some time in the Swiss Transport Museum, a fantastic collection of
almost everything to do with transportation. We also got to ride on
the steam ship Unterwalden. The huge steam engine is entirely
visible on this paddle-wheeler and was certainly a sight to
behold.
On September 12 we visited the Swiss Agricultural Research
Station at Tanikon, and among other things, viewed a tremendous
collection of antique farm equipment. After a brief stop at the
magnificent Rhine Falls, we headed for Stuhlingen and the private
collection of Roland Porten.
The Porten collection is undoubtedly one of the most impressive
private collections of engines and tractors in Europe. His sheds
were virtually bulging at the seams. While not all the engines and
tractors have been repainted, it is a requirement that nothing goes
into the museum that isn’t in running order. That evening
Roland treated us to a magnificent meal at his Rebstock
restaurant.
The following day we were off to Furtwangen in the Black Forest
and stopped at the German Clock Museum, truly a sight to behold.
Then we coached to Ehningen and the private collection of Willi
Hoffman. Although dampened a bit by rain, we nevertheless saw a
tremendous collection of engines and tractors, most of them being
meticulously restored and painted. As with our stay at the
Porten’s, the hospitality left us with a warm glow.
The University of Hohenheim was our first stop on September 14.
Dr. Klaus Herrmann welcomed us; he is a well known authority on the
history of German and European tractors. The collection at
Hohenheim was again a real joy to behold. Topping the list was a
big 250 horsepower plowing engine. In the afternoon we took in
demonstration of the Unimog built by Mercedes-Benz. Only after
watching these vehicles perform can one get a true sense of their
capabilities.
Friday, September 15 started out with a tour of the John Deere
factory at Mannheim. It was formerly the Lanz factory, home of the
Lanz Bulldog tractors. From there we went to Sinsheim and enjoyed
the afternoon at the Auto Technik Museum, an unbelievable
collection of almost everything, trucks, tractors, engines, planes,
automobiles of every description, locomotives, and the world’s
largest band organ.
After a free day in Heidelberg, we took a leisurely cruise down
the Rhine past the Lorelei Rock and other interesting sites on
Sunday, and then pushed on toward Cologne.
We visited the Cologne Cathedral on Monday, September 18 and
then left for Holland and the wonderful engine and tractor
collection of William Van Schayik. This collection was
breathtaking, to say the least. There were engines of every
description, including some extremely old and rare examples. The
tractor collection was beyond belief as well. After seeing the
collection we enjoyed a wonderful meal with the Van Schayik
family.
On Tuesday and Wednesday we visited various points of interest
in Holland, including their Nieuwland Polder Museum which recounts
the history of land reclamation from the sea. We must admit that
until actually seeing the hardships and problems faced in these
projects, we had no understanding at all of what was involved. A
special treat was to visit the Machine Museum at Zwolle. Here was a
building completely full of rare, beautiful engines, virtually all
of them operating at some point or other during our stay. Outdoors,
the Friends of the Crankshaft Engine Club were on hand to welcome
us with a wonderful outdoor display of operating engines and
tractors.
During the day of September 21 we traveled through Holland,
Belgium, and France to arrive at Calais and the entrance to the new
Channel Tunnel. The big coaches are driven right into the rail
cars. Shortly after being loaded we left for England, arriving
about a half hour later. On the English side there’s a large
exhibit of the equipment used in making the tunnel, and explaining
how it was accomplished.
We wound up our touring on Friday, September 22 with a tour of
the London Science Museum in the forenoon. That wasn’t nearly
enough time; there’s at least a couple of days needed to view
the exhibits of interest, even for those who are interested only in
engines. That evening we went to the Brattle Farm Museum at
Staplehurst, Kent, where again we saw an outstanding collection of
engines, tractors, automobiles, and antiques. A wonderful dinner
accompanied this trip, followed by some fine music by a local
group. The next day, it was fond farewells, and the eight hour
flight back to America.
Our thanks to all those people who hosted us along the way!
Without the cooperation and hospitality of our many hosts, we would
never have been able to see many of the fine collections. Walter
Reiff accompanied us through much of Germany, and was instrumental
in setting up much of our agenda along the way. Walter also got
pressed into being a translator much of the time. The three coach
drivers, George Chenery, Simon Shead, and Steven Fox, were a
constant source of amazement as they made their way through crowded
and narrow city streets or through high mountain passes. Alex
Skinner was our resident engine expert and provided lots of insight
into various designs. Don Mac Millan and his wife accompanied the
tour as well, as did Jackie Coggan and Rob Rushen-Smith. To all of
these folks, and undoubtedly there are others, our collective
thanks from all who were on the tour. On behalf of my wife Sheila,
and myself, our thanks to all of you who joined with us on the
journey. We truly enjoyed meeting with you and visiting with you
during a most memorable excursion.
After a month’s sabbatical, it’s time to begin answering
your queries once again. Unfortunately, the pipeline isn’t
running full at the moment, so we’ve only got a few queries for
this month. However, we begin with:
30/12/1 Dempster Engine
Q. / have a Dempster with the following
nameplate data, 2 HP, s/n 63911, Class 2H, Patented February 19,
1907. All gearing, pushrod, and magneto are opposite side from most
engines. It has a Wico EK conversion that fits on the spark plug
adapter casting. Initially it probably used a rotary magneto and an
igniter. The rod is lubricated by an oil on the cover, but I’m
not sure if the parts are all there. Can anyone supply information
on this engine, including when built, and the correct colors? Jim
Osnes, 16420 Fillmore St., Brighton, CO 80601
A. We’ve never been around one of these, so
can anyone be of help?
30/12/2 Universal Marine
Q. See the two photos, 2A and 2B, of a
Universal marine engine, Type WKH, s/n 14263. Does anyone know the
horsepower, date built, or the proper carburetor?
Also see photo 2C of a 1 HP Sattley sold by Montgomery-Ward. It
is No. 13599. How old are these engines?
Finally, does anyone know of any existing Scripps/Timken hemp
decorticators? (It. removes or peels off the outside.) Any help
will be appreciated. Charles Balyeat, 332 Stephens Loop, Mathis, TX
78368.
A. We have no information on the Universal
marine engines. We believe your Sattley engine came out in the late
1920s and continued into the early 1930s. Beyond that, we’ve
found no specific information.
30/12/3 F-M Type H Engine
Q. I have a Fairbanks-Morse Type H engine, s/n
91879. When was this engine made? Zach Nagel, 9176 S CR 380W,
Rensselaer, IN 47978.
A. The first serial number listing we have on
Fairbanks-Morse engines is for 1911, starting with No. 100408.
Given the massive production of F-M by this time, we’d guess
that your engine probably is another year or two older.
30/12/4 Hercules JK Engine
Q. I have a 1 HP Hercules engine, No. 6464E.
When I purchased it the engine was a dark red or maroon color.
Thinking that it had been repainted or changed with time, I
restored it and painted it the usual Economy red. After showing the
engine several times and talking to other owners I found that they
also had the darker red or maroon on their engines, and they did
the same thing as I. Could it be that the J and JK engines were
sold to Sears with this darker red or maroon color? Any information
would be appreciated. Gene Ellingsworth, 1759 – 60th Ave., Osceola,
WI 54020.
A. Any comments from anyone? We have no ideas
about this question, and as we’ve noted in the past, the paint
colors seemed to change from time to time, depending on where they
got the paint.
30/12/5 Clinton Engine
Q. I have a Clinton 2 HP air cooled engine. It
is a Model 800, and I would like to know where I might find parts
for same. Is the Clinton Machine Company still in operation? Any
help would be appreciated. D. C. Evans, 3670 – 5th Line Clarke, RR
I, Orono, ONT LOB 1M0 Canada.
A. We can tell you that Clinton has been out of
business for some years now. Perhaps some of our readers might be
of help on the other questions.
30/12/6 Affiliated Engine
Q. I have an engine made by Affiliated
Manufacturers and sold by Montgomery Ward. It is a 1 HP model with
a 3 x 5 inch bore and stroke, and is called a Dairy Maid with s/n
1631. This engine is shown on pages 14 and 316 of American Gas
Engines. The complete governor assembly is missing, so I would like
to hear from anyone that can supply drawings, photos, or sketches
of the governor system. Any help would be appreciated. Wesley
Faust, 1395 S Peach St., Medford, OR 97501.
A. Can anyone be of help? If so, please contact
Mr. Faust.
30/12/7 Thanks! to Kevin Scott of Chester, NH
for his helpful information on my Fuller & Johnson engine. T.
J. Shipman, RR 2, Box 371-13, Buckhannon, WV 26201.
30/12/8 Sheffield Engine
Q. I’m restoring a 1910-13 vintage
Sheffield 6 HP engine, see page 462 in American Gas Engines. It was
in terrible condition; every part that wasn’t stuck was broke
or missing. What I need to find is someone who has one of these
engines or a sideshaft Weber (nearly identical) so I can take some
pictures to reproduce some parts. I know this engine was originally
on a hay baler made in Kansas City, Missouri. Also, would anyone
know the color of the Sheffield engines? Your help will be
appreciated. Bill Anderson, 884 W.Jackson, Marshall, MO 65340.
30/12/9 Brownwall Engine
Q. I would like to obtain information on a
Brownwall engine made at Holland, Michigan. I acquired a Brownwall
and need information to restore it. Any help will be greatly
appreciated. Ronald Lutz, 4863 Hillside Rd., Northampton, PA
18067.
30/12/10 An Old Plow
Q. See the photos of an old plow, along with
one showing the reversible part and the name printed in raised
letters on the plow. I’d like to know the colors, when built,
and the company that made it, if at all possible. Fred Rhinehart,
Route I, Box 336, Piedmont, AL 36272.
A. The Royal was made by Chattanooga Implement
&. Mfg. Company, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
30/12/11 DeLaval Cream Separator
Q. See the photo of my DeLaval cream separator;
it is a No. 18. I’d like to know the type of oil to use, since
‘cream separator oil doesn’t seem to be available. It seems
to be complete but I’d like to have more information on it. Any
help would be appreciated. Dave Brown, 13813 Travois Trail, Parker,
CO80134.
A. If it was our separator, we’d probably
go for Marvel Mystery Oil or some other high quality lubricant. A
few companies still might make a machine oil that would also be
suitable. Obtaining some of these products is about as difficult as
finding No. 3 cup grease. We’ve had no luck at all in finding
it during the past few years, and made the horrible mistake of not
buying a couple gallons of it when it was still available.
30/12/12 Haney Tractor?
Q. See the photos of a small tractor. All
castings are stamped Doylestown machine Co., Danboro, Pa. The Novo
single-cylinder engine was sent to Haney Corp. Tractor Division in
Philadelphia about 1948. The colors appear to have been light blue,
and the tractor may have been called a Blue Boy. 1 would appreciate
any information on this tractor. Guy E. Walker, RD2, Box 140AA,
Friedens, PA 15541.
30/12/13 Unidentified Engine
Q. See the photo of an unidentified engine. It
is throttle governed. Any information will be appreciated. Rich
Howard, Hy-sham, MT 59038.
A. It is a Hercules Model X engine.
A Closing Word
It’s been a delightful year for ye old Reflector. After
going to the show in Brooks, Oregon, we once again attended the
Midwest Old Threshers Reunion at Mt. Pleasant. A couple of days
later, it was off to Europe for a couple of weeks. We made a lot of
new acquaintances on these various excursions, and for this
we’re very happy.
As noted in one of the queries above, the question of where to
find cream separator oil arises. The same holds true for those
special things like castor machine oil, steam cylinder oil, and the
familiar old No. 3 cup grease. Does anyone have any idea of where
to find a reliable source for these products?
It’s interesting to us that when at the Science Museum in
London, most of the engines are quite accessible, that is, they
aren’t guarded by impenetrable glass or a tangle of ropes. It
was quite a thrill to walk up to an ancient Lenoir engine and
actually touch it. Likewise with the first British-built diesel
engine. It was only fifteen horsepower, but big as a barn. After a
whole morning, we barely got past the first floor, and moved pretty
fast at that! The exhibits are astounding, and for anyone who will
be in London, the Science Museum is highly recommended, especially
if you have a day or two.
In closing, we couldn’t resist the Wico Electric Company
advertisement from a March 1924 issue of Tractor & Gas Engine
Review. Upon reading the ad, it appears that Novo made the decision
that all of its engines, beginning in 1924, would be furnished with
the Wico EK magneto. This bit of information might be helpful in
establishing an approximate build date for Novo owners. Possibly
there were some earlier engines retrofitted with the Wico, but we
would guess that very few were changed over.
Meanwhile, by the time this copy is in your hands, cold weather
will soon be upon us. Did you drain your engines and tractors? All
of them? Are you sure? You’re sure? Okay!