We’re working right up to our dead -line this month, having
just returned from the second Ageless Iron Expo at Ankeny, Iowa.
There were some nice engines on hand, although this show is
primarily a tractor show vis-a-vis a gas engine show. Included was
a nicely restored Armstrong as made at Waterloo, Iowa. There was
also a nicely restored New Holland side-crank engine owned by Louis
Tuller at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.
So far as tractors are concerned, they were there by the
hundreds, and perhaps into the thousands, but we don’t have the
figures yet. In addition to the common models, there were a great
many classics, with the majority being nicely restored. Don
Skidmore of Knob Noster, Missouri, brought his Waterloo Bronco;
these are rarely found anywhere. Except for a very cool northwest
wind, the weather was perfect!
We caught glimpses of the parades and the tractor pulls, and
wish we could have seen more of the activities. Judy Whiteside from
GEM, along with husband Ken, operated the Stem gas book stand; they
were set up alongside Don Knowles from Engineers & Engines. All
in all, it was a most enjoyable event, and we hope that Successful
Farming Magazine will sponsor the Ageless Iron Expo in another
couple of years.
After a couple of days at Ankeny, Iowa, and the Ageless Iron
show, we went back home to Amana for the Two-Cylinder Expo, just a
half mile from our house. There were hundreds of John Deere and
Waterloo Boy tractors and implements on display, along with large
crowds. On Saturday (July 5) they had their auction, but we were
unable to attend, and do not have any indication of the prices
realized.
While at Ankeny and at the Amana show, many folks asked us about
our 1998 tour to Germany and Austria. We’re working on it right
now, and hopefully we’ll be able to provide further
information, perhaps in the next issue of GEM. One thing is
certain…we will limit the tour to two coaches, or a total
entourage of about 80 people. With the small hotels and restaurants
generally found in Europe (outside of the big cities, which we try
to avoid) it’s very difficult to accommodate more than that
number…the logistics sometimes make one pull their hair out!
Besides, with one or two coaches, people have a better chance to
interact, and after all, that’s fully half the trip…the fun
and the fellowship!
By the way, several people asked us whether we’ll be
repeating the same tour to Germany as we did two years ago. The
answer is that except for our first stop, which is Porten’s Old
Tractor Museum, we’ll be covering all new ground. For those of
you who’ve been to see Roland Porten, this stop is well worth a
return visit.
Lots of folks have inquired about our new book, Encyclopedia of
American Farm Implements. See our ad in this issue. The book should
be out in late August or early September. Within, you’ll find a
lot of things you’ve seen or heard of, but there’ll also be
a lot of surprises. The book will be 400 pages, and about 2,000
photos, with 16 pages of color taken from original catalog lithos.
This should be a great help to those restoring various old
implements.
As usual, we’ll be on hand for the 1997 Midwest Old
Threshers Reunion at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Look us up at the gas
engine area. That means that right after we finish this month’s
column, our spare time is going to be taken up getting our engines
ready for the show! One of these years, we’ll have to take a
sabbatical and organize a tour for the Great Dorset Steam Rally in
England. Unfortunately, it comes at the same time as Mt. Pleasant,
Rollag, and several other important shows. We’ve talked to lots
of folks who tell us that it’s well worth the time to attend
this show. There’s almost everything there, but of course those
wonderful Showman’s Engines are the great attraction. This
month we begin with:
32/9/1 Bourdon Vacuum Gauges Q. Douglas Poor,
12058 Adams, Yucaipa, CA 92399 sends photocopies of the Bourdon
Pressure Gauge from The Practical Steam Engineers Guide by
Frederick Keppy. He’d like to know why they put a hairspring
inside the vacuum gauge, and also when it was patented.
32/9/2 Woolery Engine Q. Can anyone supply
information on a Model P, 5 HP Woolery engine, s/n 3123 ? It was
made by Woolery Machine Co., Minneapolis, Minn. It was used on a
railway car. David Krueger, Rt. 1, Box 135, Black duck, MN
56630.
32/9/3 Witte Engine Q. What is the year built
of a Witte engine, s/n 11723, 6 horsepower? Charles E. Eales, 5009
Bedford Dr., Alton, IL 62002.
A. 1914.
32/9/4 Galloway Guarantee Q. Mrs. Peter Riolo,
1330 Sunol St., San Jose, CA 95126-3065 sends along a photocopy of
the Galloway Guarantee Certificate for engine no. 36893 of May 22,
1917, and was wondering whether someone might have this particular
engine. If that engine still exists, wouldn’t that be a
coincidence.
32/9/5 Ruston Engine Q. Our club ‘Power
from the Past’ of Tucson, AZ has acquired a Ruston sideshaft
diesel engine. We are hoping that someone will come out of the
woods that could give us information on it that we need for a sign
to display to the public the particulars of the engine. On the tag
it states: Class Size MARK CR, Engine No. 227296. On the right
outside hub of the flywheel is the number 32’302907’42 and
on the end of the right crankshaft is also the above number along
with El and E2. We would also like to know the color scheme,
horsepower, year built, and the rpm. There is another tag on the
engine that states…Sold by Mumford Medland Ltd., Winnipeg,
Manitoba. Inquiries will be answered promptly. Robert A. LeBaron,
5801 E. 5th St., Tucson, AZ 85711.
32/9/6 Stover DV-1 Engine Q. See the photo of a
1934 Stover DV-1 engine, s/n VD244900. It has a magneto, diaphragm
fuel pump, gear reduction, and a bolt pattern on right side of
flywheel for starter or power take-off; I am probably wrong about
power take-off. I need further information on this engine. Ronald
Chiavetta, 204 McCoy Rd., Mc Kees Rocks, PA 15136.
A. Considerable information on this engine can
be found in our book Power in the Past Volume 3, available from
GEM. Also, we believe your engine is a 1937 model, not 1934.
32/9/7 Sears & Roebuck Engine Q. I found a
homemade garden tractor in an old bam, and it was equipped with the
following engine: Sears, Roebuck & Co., Model 500, 208064, s/n
213165, horse -power space is blank. Any information on this engine
would be greatly appreciated. Karl R. Hoffman, 12500 Masters Rd.,
Memphis, MI 48041.
32/9/8 Witte Information Q. What is the year
built of a 6 HP Witte engine, s/n 12762? Dale. Ragband, 4638
Brookwood Cir., Salt Lake City, L7T 84117-4908.
A. 1914.
32/9/9 Information Needed Q. What is the year
built for the following engines?
l) Root & Vandervoort 2 HP, s/n BL2155
2) Waterloo Boy, ‘Type H, s/n 235992, 2 HP
3) Fuller & Johnson Pumper, s/n 41895.
I’m also looking for further information and parts for the F
& J pumper. Doug Wilson, 13423 NW 82 Ave., Grimes, 1A
50111.
A. l) unknown; 2)1924; 3)1914.
32/9/10 Re: Leffel Water Wheel William D.
Miller, 9977 Front Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45241-1011 writes that the
pix on page 17 of the June GEM (32/6-A, B, C) are very likely from
a Samson vertical shaft turbine, made by James Leffel & Co.,
Springfield, Ohio. Photo 3A is the gate arm with the link rods
which would regulate water flow to the turbine. Photo 3B is the top
(crown) plate with the vertical shaft, which the turbine powered.
Photo 3C is the water flume, the horizontal remnant is on the left,
with the penstock on the right. The penstock was a square hollow
chamber which created the correct water pressure for the turbine,
which would have been at the bottom opening. The company is still
going strong. Mr. Miller also comments that although he is in no
way involved with the company, he is a fifth generation descendant
of James Leffel.
32/9/11 IHC Engine Q. Donald R. Conner, R. 1407
Spring Garden Ave., Berwick, PA 18603 writes that he has an IHC
Mogul engine, 2 HP, s/n CZ 4749, for which he would like further
information, as this is his first restoration project.
A. Your Mogul is a 1916 model. They were
finished comparable to DuPont 29609 Olive Green.
32/9/12 Waterloo Bronco Q. I collect tractor
literature from 1939 up to the late 1960s, and haven’t had any
luck but a couple of pictures for the Waterloo Bronco tractors of
the late 1950s to the early 1960s. Any information on these
tractors would be greatly appreciated. Samuel W. Rash, RFD 1, Box
211, Ken-bridge, V A 23944-
32/9/13 Monarch Engine Q. I have a Monarch 1 HP
engine by Royal Engine Co., Saginaw, Michigan. It is s/n 8112,
Model N. Any information on this engine would be appreciated.
Also, I have an Economy 2 HP engine, sin 13792, for which
I’d like to have further information, including paint color,
year built, etc. Mike Harper, 5316 N. Locust St., No. Little Rock,
AR 72116.
32/9/14 Information Needed Q. Can anyone
provide information on the engines shown in the accompanying
photos? In 14A is shown an Arco engine, s/n 362619, HP 2GH, with a
Lunkenheimer mixer. It has a speed selector.
Photo 14B shows a Fairbanks-Morse Model 48BW two-cycle
reversible railway motor car engine; this one is sin 27391.
Any information would be appreciated. R. Williams, 144 Sheridan
Rd., Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096.
A. We think that the Arco was built by Hercules. Despite an
extensive file of F-M information, we have nothing at all on your
two-cycle model.
32/9/15 Unidentified Engine Q. Can anyone
identify the engine in the two photos? 1 can’t find anything
like it in American Gas Engines. It has a 3 x 5 inch bore and
stroke, with a main casting number of 4004 and a flywheel number of
4008. Note the curved counterbalance in the flywheel. Any
information would be appreciated. Ed Hollier, 3093 Amity Rd.,
Pearcy,AR7l964.
32/9/16 Unidentified Parts Q. See the two
photos of a large flywheel and crankshaft weighing about two tons.
There are no numbers. It could be from a gas engine, a steam
engine, or a compressor. The wheel is 72 inches in diameter with a
5 inch face. Any clues? Edwin Bredemeier, Rt. 1, Box 13, Steinauer,
NE 68441.
32/9/17 Governor Springs John Innes, RR 2,
Embro, Ontario N0J 1J0 Canada replies to 32/6/9, suggesting that
Mr. Hand replace the governor springs with new ones. Over the
years, broken governor springs have often been replaced with ones
that are too heavy. I have found out by chance that lighter ones
will work magic.
32/9/18 Clarke Engine, Etc. Q. See the photos
of a marine engine built by Clarke Gas Engine Co , Evansville,
Indiana The engine has good compression and both valves seem to be
fine It is missing the carburetor and water pump I would like to
correspond with anyone having one of these engines or information
on same
Also in l8C see a photo of a Bolens Super Versa-Matte two-wheel
garden tractor I would appreciate anything on this machine Kelly
Reynolds, 2003 Harding Ave , Evansville, IN 47711
32/9/19 John Deere Engine Q. What is the year
built, and the correct PPG color, for a John Deere 1 HP engine, s/n
27077V. Fritz Wohlwend, PO Box 244202, Anchorage, AK 99524.
A. The engine was made in 1927. The PPG
Implement Folder lists their 40249 as being John Deere Implement
Green.
32/9/20 O.B. Motor-Compressor Q. See the photos
of an engine-compressor unit built by Universal Mfg. Co.,
Minneapolis, Minnesota, as their O. B. Combination Motor and Air
Compressor. It is #342. Could this unit have been used to air tires
at filling stations? Any information would be appreciated. Edward
H. Banke, 5841 N. E. Abbey Rd., Carlton, OR 97111.
A. You’re correct! Once in awhile these
show up in magazines like Motor Age, Chilton’s, and others of
the ‘teens and twenties.
32/9/21 Wolverine Engine Q. I’m looking for
information on a Wolverine engine, 5 HP, s/n 62 J 0, and having a 5
x7 inch bore and stroke. American Gas Engines does not have a
picture or much information. I would like to know when it was
built, how many dry cells were used, etc. Ron Konen, Box47-C,
Genesee, ID83832.
A. We can’t tell you much about the
Wolverine, but we can tell you that most battery ignition systems
used four or five cells at 1 volt each, yielding 6 to 7 volts. A
few used five 1 volt cells for 9 volts. Sometimes these were then
paralleled for more amperage. We’ve never seen a problem with
using a 12-volt battery, especially on engines of high compression.
It gives a lot better spark, and consequently the engines run
better. We also suppose that there are those who disagree, but lots
of folks are using a 12 volt battery for this purpose. May we
caution though, that if you are using any type of storage battery,
use an inline fuse of some sort…if something goes wrong, that
little #14 or #16 wire you’re using will instantly turn red
hot, with the potential of causing personal injury or property
damage.
32/9/22 Novo Engine Q. I recently purchased a
Novo engine, now disassembled and ready for paint. What’s the
proper color? Also the plate is gone; the word ‘Novo’ was
painted on (no deed). AH information appreciated. Walt Mehler, 2508
Base view, Pinckney, MI 48169.
A. We have DuPont 4190 Green listed for all
Novo engines. We’d also like to know if the s/n is stamped
anywhere on these engines; we too have one without the plate, and
no clue as to when it was built. Can anyone help?
Model maker’s Corner
Ed Banke, 5841 NE Abbey Rd., Carlton, OR 97111 sends along three
photos of his recent one-third scale model of the 4 HP Monitor
engine. Ed spent about two months making the patterns and core
boxes, pouring the first castings about January 1, 1997. By late
February he had completed the first model. The 9 inch flywheels are
cast in solid bronze, and the water hopper and crankcase is of high
strength aluminum with a cast sleeve.
The 4 HP ‘Ball Hopper’ Monitor has always been one of
our favorite engines, and we certainly like the looks of this new
model.
A Closing Word
To close our column this month, we’d like to share with you
a 1901 illustration of the Deere Husker & Shredder, as offered
at the time by Deere & Mansur Company at Moline, Illinois. As
you’re probably aware, husker-shredders gained great popularity
in the early 1900s. Standing corn was cut and put into shocks for
drying. When needed, the bundles were loaded onto wagons and
brought to the machine. It picked the ears from the stalks, sending
them by an elevator into a waiting wagon. The stalks and leaves
were shredded and blown into a stack, or more commonly into a barn
for use as feed and/or bedding.
Husker-shredders gained infamy because of the possibility of
injury by getting pulled into the snapping rolls of the machine.
Thus, many companies added suitable equipment to minimize this
risk. This Deere advertisement notes that their machine was
‘famous for … perfect safety…’
The husker-shredder gained great popularity for a time, but with
the coming of ensilage cutters, its popularity declined, especially
when the field cutters arrived. By 1940 the era of the
husker-shredder had all but ended.
