Readers Write
28/5/2 Minneapolis-Moline RE
Older M-M tractors have an engine serial plate and the tractor
serial plate is on the side of the transmission. RE engines power
the Z-Series tractors up to about 1950. EE engines are used on the
Model R, and KEF engines are for the Model U. Len Hoops, 3210
Tabora Dr., Antioch, CA 94509.
28/5/26 Sears Tractor
This is a Sears Handiman. Briggs 6k Stratton made the complete
transaxle for this tractor. It was made by B & S in 1939 and
1940. (Model No. 917-5154.) Also the engine is a Model Z B & S
uprated from 4 to 5 horsepower in 1939. Probably the rest of the
tractor was assembled by Bradley Mfg. Co. B & S didn’t make
transmissions and transaxles for garden and lawn equipment after
1940. Undoubtedly the Handiman 4-wheel tractor was still
being sold in 1941, but if any were made after WW2, either a
different transaxle was used, or someone else was making this
transaxle.
The 6 x 22 tires had been an option on Sears walking tractors
since 1935. Also, Montgomery, Ward 6k Co. and others used this size
tire. In GEM 22/11, page 25 is a short article and picture of a
similar Handiman. The transmissions of these two tractors are
identical except for the shift lever and axle shafts. Both of these
transmission variations were near identical to the walking garden
tractors introduced by Sears in 1938. Dave Baas’ ‘Vintage
Garden Tractors’ 2nd Edition has a 2-page spread of this
tractor on pages 40 and 41. Also a nice picture of a 4-wheel
Handiman on page 44. Also another picture of the 4-wheel Handiman
is in GEM 27/9/31.
Of the Walking Garden Tractors, Briggs 6k Stratton made all of
the large models for Sears from 1933 through 1940 except for the
handlebars and wheels, these being furnished by an outside
supplier. Kenneth Scales, 2601 Shadynook Way, Oklahoma City, OK
73141.
28/4/23 Chained Flywheels
We’re still getting letters about the engine shown with a
chain over the flywheels for lifting the engine. Folks, the message
is always the same … if you’re determined to lift an engine
that way, put a block between the two wheels to eliminate the
inward pull on the flywheel rims!
Stuart Perry Engines
There is a substantial amount of information in Internal Fire by
Lyle Cummins. Pretty much the same material appears in both the
original and revised editions. Mr. Cummins confirms your
information, and in addition offers a detailed description of the
principles of operation of the engine. The patent model resides in
the Smithsonian. Gerald B. Lombard, 5120 Belcrest Avenue,
Bakersfield, CA 93309-4705.
28/5/8 It’s a Clinton
The engine in question is a 3 HP Clinton. I removed one like it
from a Bearcat walking tractor with steel wheels. It could have
been a Tigercat. My engine is missing the blower housing, and the
cooling fins are broken off the flywheel. If I can find the parts I
need or a complete engine I will restore the tractor. A friend gave
it to me about 25 years ago, and all it has done for me is gather
dust and rust. R. W. Doss, 5950 Wilson Dr., Huntington, WV
25705.
28/5/1 Fordson Carburetors
I’m sure anyone inverting the old Fordson carburetor had to
make other arrangements for the exhaust as the Fordsons did not
have a hood as such, but only a long kerosene fuel tank mated to
the rear of the large upper radiator header tank. James Fulkerson,
1057 S. 75th PL. Mesa, AZ 85208.
28/3/46 Hallicrafters Generator
Back a couple of months ago I wrote to Reflections asking for
the electrical diagram on the 1942 Hallicrafters PE-108A
generator.
Mr. G. B. Lombard of Bakersfield, CA, read my request and wrote
suggesting who I should contact, a noted Hallicrafters collector.
After some correspondence, I got the diagram/book I needed. I got
this material because Mr. Lombard in California read my request and
pointed me in the correct direction. Thank you all for your help!
Kenneth L. Roland, 3205 Circle Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402.
Modelmaker’s Corner
My Steam Projects
Ernest T. Werner, 6613 State Route 158, Millstadt, IL 62260
sends along photos and information on the following:
Photo MM-1 is a code boiler once used in a cleaning
establishment. It was gas fired, and is shown as it was under steam
the first time after replacing the flues. It is shown operating the
oscillating cylinder engine shown in the last issue. The stack is
made up of four-inch galvanized vent pipe. It takes six gallons of
water to fill the boiler to the right place on the gauge glass.
Photo MM-2 shows the firebox for the boiler on truck after the
wheels were installed. The firebrick were cut tapered on two sides
for a tight fit in the round firebox. The firebrick is 1 inches
thick. The firebox is made of 12 inch steel pipe with a
5/16 inch wall. Fire door and ash door are
made of inch steel plate. All fabrication was done in my shop, as
well as installation of new flues in the boiler.
Photo MM-3 shows the boiler, as well as my engines mounted on a
5 x 10 trailer. A factory-built engine was also on the display,
namely an Engberg, built at St. Joseph, Michigan. It has a 3 inch
bore and stroke. It can be seen on the photo between the two signs,
directly behind me sitting on the trailer. It is an upright engine,
and has quite an elaborate boiler. The driver of the Economy
tractor is a close friend and a fellow steamer. He had built
several small steam engines, as as well as two
1/3 scale Case threshing engines. He has also
built a miniature threshing machine and sawmill.
Don Achen’s Models
Thanks to Don Achen, RR2, Bellevue, IA 52031 for sending photos
of recent models, shown and described as follows:
MM-4 is a ‘Panther Pup’ four-cylinder engine which I am
just getting finished.
MM-5 is a 1/3 scale Economy engine that
provides power for a line shaft; it drives a pedestal grinder,
table saw, drill press, and wood lathe.
MM-6 illustrates a 1/6 scale Economy. The
flywheels of this little engine are only three inches in
diameter.
A CLOSING WORD
The other day we received a detailed letter from Mr. Gerald B.
Lombard, 5120 Belcrest Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93309-4705. In his
letter, Mr. Lombard offers a number of suggestions that might
improve the column, and also poses the double-pointed question of,
‘What response from readers does the Reflector want/expect/hope
for? and what does the Reflector offer in return?
The response we want/expect/hope for is that if we don’t
have an answer to a question, then perhaps some of our readers
might. That’s really the bottom line . . . that’s really
the purpose of this column … to serve as a clearinghouse of
information … and occasionally as a matchmaker for the benefit of
the readership.
The question is also raised as to what we might offer in return.
Ye olde Reflector has dabbled with vintage iron for a long time,
and the longer we’re at it, the more we find out we didn’t
know. Over the many years that we’ve been writing the
Reflections column, we’ve never thought of it in terms of
anything but being a sincere attempt to disseminate information for
the benefit of all, and to be as helpful as possible within our
capabilities. Sometimes we’re succinct, sometimes we’re
vague, sometimes we’ll tell you we don’t have the answer.
Thus, we’ve never subscribed much to having well-defined
procedural rules. Sometimes our readers send us information that
replicates that sent to an inquirer, sometimes not. Although we
appreciate receiving all the information we can, we’re not sure
it’s necessary that each and every response show up in the
column. Sometimes there are inquiries of a rather narrow nature,
and we try to write the column with as much information which in
our judgement is of interest to the majority of our readers. This
is sometimes a judgement call on our part, a phenomenon sometimes
known as intuition.
Regarding priorities, we think the first priority is to our
readers. It’s far more important to us that an inquirer receive
a letter or response from someone knowledgeable than it is for us
to receive that same information. In this case, the old rule of the
customer (reader) is always first’ applies. All in all,
we’ve never set up many rules regarding this column or its
content, and this by design. It’s not ye olde Reflector’s
column, it’s YOUR column, and we’re quite happy to be the
caretaker, the matchmaker, and occasionally, the referee!
Might we once again add the notice that it would behoove anyone
sending out an inquiry letter to at least include the return
postage or a stamped envelope. If someone replies to your query, is
it too much to ask that you send a ‘Thank You’ note, along
with a stamp that can be used for another letter?
Mr. Lombard’s letter, together with his suggestions and
comments are greatly appreciated. We’ll take up some other
interesting points in coming issues. Meanwhile, ye olde Reflector
is gearing up for a trip to England in June, one that we hope will
be a memorable experience!
