The August 1908 issue of Practical Engineer illustrates and
describes a most unusual engine designed by F. C. Olin. Although
the two illustrations shown here are not of the highest quality, we
think they will suffice to give a general idea of this design.
Figure 1 illustrates the engine. .. it is of a four-cylinder
opposed design, and was rated at 60 horsepower. The engine was
designed with a 9 x 11 inch bore and stroke, and used a 4-inch
crankshaft.
The unusual feature is the scotch yoke design, as shown in
Figure 2. Olin’s design was intended to reduce the wear and
friction common to the scotch yoke design, and to this end, an oil
pump was used whereby there was constant lubrication of the
internal working parts. For those unfamiliar with the scotch yoke
design, the crank worked within the large center bearing. It
operated upon a heavy slide within the yoke, oscillating up and
down as the pistons moved forward and back.
The engine shown here was very compact, requiring a floor space
of only 5 x 6 feet. Total engine weight was 4,600 pounds. This
engine was installed in St. Anne’s Catholic Church, Buffalo,
New York.
Has anyone heard of, or seen one of these engines? Does anyone
have further information and/or photos of it?
The mail has been light this past month, as it usually is this
time of year. Presumably, the wintertime letter writing has been
replaced with physical activities such as dusting off that old
iron, putting in some gas, and giving it a turn or two. And of
course, they always start the first time over, don’t they?
Every once in awhile we’re reminded of the time we worked like
crazy trying to get one started. We had compression, fuel, and
fire, the three required elements . . . or did we? After a couple
of hours we finally discovered that some sort of spider had woven a
tight little nest up in the mixer. The engine would seem to have
been flooded to death with all the fuel running out the intake.
This foreign material would let air through, but it surely did
block off the gas, except for an occasional pop. A piece of wire
with a hook bent on the end took care of the trouble. We’ve
also witnessed what those mud dauber wasps can do to the inside of
a mixer. . . it’ll be plugged up completely with what to them
probably seems like the most secure dwelling they’ve ever
had.
And a final note. . . Thanks to Paul Kesselring for his recent
article spoofing engines and generators. Sometimes it’s nice to
take ourselves lightheartedly instead of always being so
serious.
Now, to begin this month’s queries we start with:
29/6/1 Twin. City Engine Q. See the photos of a
Twin City Engine, s/n 300782, Model IR, Type C, made by Minneapolis
Steel & Machinery Co., Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is an in-fine
four-cylinder. I would like to find out more about it before
attempting to restore it. Any information will be appreciated.
Ronnie Stanley, Rt. I, Box 24, Burton, TX 77835.
A These engines are quite similar to those used
on the heavy style Twin City tractors. We’d guess that someone
might have an instruction manual of which you may secure a
photocopy. Barring that, we’d begin with a careful inspection
of the bearings, etc., and go from there. When you first start it,
this engine should emit a mighty roar!
29/6/2 Bulldozer Pump Help Needed Q. See the
photos of a Myers Bulldozer pump. It was used on a truck farm from
the teens through the early 1930s. When my parents bought the farm,
it was used to irrigate nursery stock until the mid-1950s. Last
summer I located the old pump under a pile of brush, but one drive
gear is broken. I need help in finding a drive gear with casting
number 2529, or someone to reproduce one. Any help will be
appreciated. (Also see my ad in the Advertising Section.) Don
Erdos, 160 Spell Road, Kent, OH 44240.
A These pumps are relatively common, so we hope
you’re successful in your quest. If you can be of help, kindly
contact Don at the above address.
29/6/3 Liability Insurance Q. What do other
tractor and engine owners do about liability insurance when they
show their tractors? Is there a company that specializes in this
type of insurance at affordable rates? Any information will be
appreciated. Clarence E. Cobb, RD 3, Box 340, Canastota, NY
13032.
A We know that some shows at least, maybe most
of them, carry blanket liability insurance. Sometimes this consists
of the show carrying a liability policy, and the exhibitor
technically signing over the engines, tractors, or equipment to the
show group for the duration of the exhibit. We also know that many
collectors carry their own liability insurance for extra
protection. This is a difficult question to address, and one that
has been talked about for some time.
One idea that we’ve advanced is for shows and collectors to
band together on a self-insurance plan, perhaps with some major
company serving as an underwriter. We know virtually nothing about
the mechanics of this, but perhaps it’s a method that would
benefit the entire hobby.
(Editor’s note: The collective branches of the Early Day Gas
Engine and Tractor Association have joined forces on insurance for
their members. Information on this program is available from Jack
Versteeg, National EDGE&.TA president, 247 Russett Dr.,
N.Keizer, OR 97303.)
29/6/4 Information Needed Q. I would like to
know how to go about hooking up an air starter on my 68P FM and may
I ask if anyone has an idea of the age of a 6 HP Associated with
the mag on top of the igniter. David Fyke, RR 1, Brooklin,
Ontario, Canada.
A. If you would kindly be a bit more
descriptive regarding the air starter problem, perhaps we could be
of help. There’s no way to date the Associated engines, except
to say that the igniter style to which you refer probably dates the
engine sometime after 1917.
29/6/5 Associated Engine Q. I recently
purchased an Associated engine, s/n 9488. All the parts I can check
externally match part numbers for a 1 HP water cooled with the
exception of the flywheels that are marked AAY. The bore is 4
inches, which is different from either the 1 or 2 HP motors. What
year is this engine, and what type?Don W. Zobel, Rt 1, Box 736,
Miami, AZ 85539.
A. At some point the engine bore might have
been changed, either temporarily, or perhaps for an extended
period. Without the records, and of course they’re long gone,
there’s no definite way to determine this. It’s also
possible that the engine was bored out and a different piston
installed somewhere along the way, possibly even as a company
rebuild job. That could also account for the heaver flywheels.
29/6/6 Acme Harvesting Machine Co. Q. What
years was the Acme grain binder built, and did Acme build any other
farm implements? Did they merge with another company? Any
information will be appreciated.Richard H. Allspach, R 1, Box
360, Baxter, IA 50028.
ACME CRAWLER, 12-24
Acme Harvesting Machine Company. IVoria. Ill.
A. We’ve never found much information on
Acme except that they built tractors for a time, with one of their
1919 models illustrated in 29/6/6 adjacent. The company was located
at Peoria, Illinois, and the city directories show no listing for
Acme after 1924.
29/6/7 Thanks! To everyone responding to my
request in 29/2/4 on Mighty Mite. I received over ten letters, some
with pictures, etc. I got a phone call from Maxine Cannon in Texas.
I am sorry to say I don’t have an address to respond, so I hope
Mrs. Cannon reads this so I can thank her. Thanks again to
everyone! Bruce A. Dixon, 8880 Hartel Rd., Grand Ledge, MI
48837.
29/6/8 Witte Engine Q. I have a 2 HP Witte
engine, s/n B13249, and would like to know its age. Also, it’s
missing the nametag, and does anyone have a reproduction of these?
Kent Zobel, RR I, Box 35A, Monroe, NE 68647.
A. Your engine was built in May 1924.
29/6/9 Planet Jr. Tractor Q. I have a Planet
Jr. Tractor from S. L. Allen Co., Philadelphia, Pa. It was patented
May 5, 1922 and is a Type HT, s/n 3364. The engine nameplate is
from Toro Mfg. Co. I have seen other Planet Jr. tractors, but they
all have Briggs & Stratton engines. Can anyone provide further
information?Donald Pachesny, PO Box 214, Manistee, MI
49660.
A. Can anyone be of help on this question?
29/6/10 F-M Generator Q. Can you tell me the
age of a Fairbanks-Morse Battery Charging Generator, No. 3 Home
Light Plant, 1.5 kw, s/n X40407, Frame IH 6? Harley Collins,
2540 Fox Road, Bath, PA 18014.
A. In our research at Fairbanks-Morse, there
isn’t much to be found on their generators, as this entire line
was sold some years ago, and with it, all the records.
29/6/11 Kohler Information Needed Q. I have
restored a Kohler 4-cylinder home light plant, s/nC-119, built
1920. I have written to Kohler and the only information they have
is a parts list of about 1923-4. My unit has an American Bosch mag,
original Kohler carburetor and the self-start option. Does anyone
have instruction information and production dates on these
machines? I also have a 1923 version with the manual start. Any
information will be appreciated. Andrew K. Mackey, 26 Mott PL,
Rockaway, NJ 07866.
29/6/12 Dempster Engine Q. Can anyone tell me
the correct color for the Dempster? It appears to be green, but I
am not sure. The name plate is missing, and I would like
information on what it says .I need drawings on the carburetor, gas
lines, and needle seat. Also need a drawing of the rocker arm. Any
information and help will be greatly appreciated. Lee Gilley,
PO Box 364, Lake George, CO 80827.
A Can anyone be of help?
29/6/13 Thanks! To all the folks that sent me
helpful information about the restoration of my Associated Twelve
Mule Team engine. Kent Zobel, Monroe, NE 68647.
29/6/14 Pine Tree Dairy Engine Q. See the
photos of my Pine Tree Dairy Engine. I would like to know if anyone
might have a manual or further information on this engine,
especially the gas tank. Are any decals available? Any help will be
greatly appreciated. Dean Barr, PO Box 186, Hiddenite, NC
28636.
A. We thought that someone reproduced the Pine
Tree decal at one time, but don’t remember who it was, or if
they are still available.
29/6/15 Unidentified Engine Q. I have had this
engine over 35 years and still don’t know what company made it.
See the photo with arrow pointing at s/n 161393. It has 17-inch
flywheels, a 33/4 x 9 inch bore and stroke, and has been converted
to battery and coil with hit-and-miss ignition points. Can anyone
identify this engine? Charles A. Moore, 474 Laurier Dr.,
LaSalle, ONT N9J IM2 Canada.
A. Can anyone provide some input on this
one?
29/6/16 Bready Tractor Q. See the photo of a
Bready Model TC tractor, s/n D2666. It works very good in forward
and reverse. The book Vintage Garden Tractors by Dave Baas shows
they came out with one in 1953 with a 3 HP Kohler engine, with
solid wheels and 6.00 x 16 inch tires. Mine has wheels the same as
on smaller tractors, plus a Briggs & Stratton Model 14, Type
202010 engine, and no hood like the one pictured in the above book.
It all appears that this one came out this way. Would like to know
the proper color, plus any other information that might be
available. Charles M. Kraft, RR 2, Box 77A, Oquawka, IL 61469.
A. Please be of help if you can.
29/6/17 Standard Garden Tractor Q. Please see
the photo of a Standard Garden Tractor, s/n E1 1171 It uses a Wico
B-l magneto, but is missing the complete exhaust system. What year
was this tractor built? Can anyone provide further information on
the magneto and exhaust system, plus other information? Ernie
Stalford, 3526 NE 102nd Ave., Portland, OR 97220.
A. Standard owners, kindly be of help if
possible.
29/6/18 Alpha DeLaval Engine Q. I have just
purchased a 1 HP Alpha from DeLaval Separator Co. Can anyone give
me information on when it was built, and the color? Also, what
seems strange, it has Wico EK magneto and spark plug, but the
complete bracket is put on with two bolts and has a plug and hole
goes onto the head like it could use an igniter. Is there an
operator’s manual available? It runs like a top and does not
show wear. Ben J. Kinsinger, RD 1, Box 234A, Meyersdale, PA
15552.
A. We’ve never had any literature on the
Alpha engines, but perhaps some of our readers might know whether
there was a conversion from Webster or Sumter over to the Wico
EK.
29/6/19 Information Needed Q. See the photos of
several engines. 19A and 19B show a vertical 2 HP Sandwich s/n
VL2497, patent date Sept. 28, 1926. Is this some kind of
engine-pump combination? 19C and 19D show an engine with a tag from
T. Eaton & Co. Ltd., Toronto and Winnipeg. It has 6 HP on the
crank guard, with a 5 x 10 inch bore and stroke. Photos 19E and 19F
illustrate a Sheffield air cooled two-cycle engine. I cannot locate
any information on this one at all. Any help on these projects
would be appreciated. D. J. Baisch, 6230 E. 81st N., Idaho
Falls, ID 83401.
A. The Sandwich is likely an engine/vacuum pump
combination for a milking machine setup. The Eaton has the
unmistakable look of something from Waterloo Gasoline Engine
Company at Waterloo, Iowa. Likely as not, these were- built by
Waterloo as a contract job for Eaton, especially since the latter
sold various makes of engines over the years. The Sheffield was
built by Fairbanks-Morse at their Sheffield Works, Three Rivers,
Michigan, and was likely used as a railroad section car engine.
Further information on the Sheffield is in the book, 100 Years of
Fairbanks-Morse available from GEM.
29/6/20 Witte Info Q. What is the year built
for aWitte 6 HP, s/n 28792 and a 2 HP model, s/n 60016? The 6 HP
came from Eagle Nest, New Mexico where it was used to grind com for
cattle feed. Robert Hemphill, 39443 Glen
Rd.,Yucaipa,CA92399.
A. 1916 and 1922 respectively.
Readers Write
Lister Engines For those GEM subscribers who
are owners of English-built engines, I draw their collective
attention to Stationary Engine Magazine, the English equivalent of
GEM. At least twice a year, SEM publishes a list of individuals in
the UK who possess engine records and other information on a wide
range of British engines. Perhaps further information might be
obtained from:
Mr. Gordon Wright,
c/o Stationary Engine Magazine
Kelsey Publishing Ltd.,
Kelsey House
77 High St., Beckenham,
Kent BR3 1AN England
The latest publication this list appeared was issue 239 of
January 1994, page 10. I hope this information might be of some use
to GEM readers who are owners of British-made engines. Andre
Blanchard, 4520 Laudun St., Metairie, LA 70006-2228.
29/2/14 and 29/2/25 The engines noted above are
both Jacobsen two-cycle engines, most commonly used on their 4 Acre
lawnmowers. The earlier units had a small gear on the end of the
crankshaft to drive an American Bosch magneto. Later units
direct-drove a Wico magneto through a coupler on the end of the
crank. The serial number was usually stamped into the side of the
engine base as a series of numbers. I can’t see the exhaust
connection on 29/2/14 but 29/2/25 is definitely a ‘later’
engine, built in the 1930s. Earlier engines used a muffler using a
1 pipe thread connection. If the serial number can be found,
Jacobsen-Homelite still has some information available. Andrew K.
Mackey, 26 Mott Pl., Rockaway, NJ 07866.
29/3/15 Motorcycle Models See RW-1 for a photo
of our home-built motorbike. Additional details have been forwarded
to Dean Lehrke in regards to his referenced question. The bike uses
a modified full size 26 inch frame, a Tecumseh 7.75 ci engine with
a Briggs carburetor adapted, an automatic clutch, and a Whizzer
drive sheave on the rear wheel. Hand formed stainless steel covers
are used over the chain drive and exhaust systems. It has the
exhaust split at the head outlet and dual mufflers and pipes
exiting to the rear. This setup will run 35 mph at full ungoverned
throttle, which is a bit too fast for comfort and safety. Future
plans include the addition of a disc brake setup to the front wheel
to augment the coaster brake. It is shown in full parade trim,
including our Pontiac Indian Head decal. By coincidence, the
original nametag reads, ‘Emery Built by Hand’ which is a
perfect tribute to our ‘Hand’ fabricated project. Joe Hand,
1531 NE West wind, Lees Summit, MO 64086.
29/4/23 Country Tractor The English engineers
were quite ‘inventive’ when it came to Ford son tractors.
One engineer, Ernest Doe of Maldon, Essex, combined two Fordson
Power Majors (1962-64) into what we now know as an
‘articulated’ tractor.
Diesels were retrofitted into the English Fordson N models from
the mid 1930s. The Perkins Diesel P6 (TA) became a factory option
in the Fordson E-27-N in 1948.
Another company . . . ‘Roadless’ installed Trackpull,
Trackford, Cahl tracks on Fordsons, perhaps patterned after the
American Trackson, and also came out with half-tracks. Next,
following some interesting front wheel drives taken from arm GM
vehicles, the Roadless Company developed four-wheel-drive
Fordsons.
The Country Company first produced a Fordson Major on tracks,
and converted this to a four-equal-sized wheels model with chain
drive to the front ones as early as 1953 on the Fordson EIA
models.
The Country 4WD model shown in 29/4/23 is a later Fordson Power
Major Super Six using a 6-cylinder Industrial version of the Ford
engine, producing 70 HP. It is seen pictured on page 70 of Allen T.
Condie’s Fordson Album. Other versions can be seen in this
book, as well as in Condie’s Fordson and Ford book. Jack Heald,
National Dir., Fordson Tractor Club, 250 Robinson Rd., Cave
Junction, OR 97523.
A Closing Word
By the time this copy is in your hands, a few shows will already
have taken place, with many more shortly thereafter. Please take as
much care about ‘playing safely’ at your avocation as you
do about ‘working safely’ at your vocation.
Editor’s Note: See page 76 for a note from the Reflector on
the proper color scheme for the Fairbanks Morse ‘Z.’
