Route 4 Easley, South Carolina 29640
The air lever was pushed forward and the large 12 in. piston
started its drive down and the 6,800 lb. flywheel was making its
first 360 degree turn in 15 years. As No. 2 cylinder came up on
compressor stroke, a large bellow of dark gray smoke shot out of
the 12 in. exhaust stack that extends 20 ft. upward. The big F.M.
80 hp. 300 rpm, two (2) cycle full diesel that was made in 1926 and
weighs 14 ton was coming to life. Not having ever heard or seen one
of these old monsters run this operator really didn’t know what
to do or expect. As the cylinders started firing and the exhaust
stack bellowing smoke, I didn’t know whether to shut the fuel
off and run, or stick with the engine until the governor took over
and she could level out; for some reason I did make it through the
initial start and soon the big explosion turned into a beautiful
smooth sound.
This engine was used near Greenville, S.C., to run a cotton gin
and sawmill and was operated until 1955. This writer really gained
some valuable experience during the engine moving operation and
form building for the foundation. This experience was really
helpful when I moved the next two (2) large engines home.
My second experience with a large engine was a F.M. 37? hp. 300
rpm, semi-diesel, single cylinder that weighs 9 ton, including
flywheel and exhaust. This engine has not been mounted on its
foundation yet, but I hope to do so this summer.
At left is a 1926 80 hp. 300 rpm. full Diesel, two cycle. At
right is a 3 hp. Fairbanks-Morse engine.
My third large engine is a F.M. 9 hp., semi-diesel, horizontal
type, twin cylinder, 2 cycle which weighs 11 ton. I have
corresponded with a lot of old timers who said they never knew that
F.M. made a horizontal diesel this size. I am sorry I can’t
supply you with a picture at this time, but the engine is still in
the building where I bought it and there isn’t enough distance
around it to get a good shot.
The rest of my collection consists of 43 smaller engines, 3 hp.
Stovers, 1? 3 hp. I.H.C.s, 6 hp. Mogul, (2) 2 hp. Int. Famous, 2
hp. Wittie (1) Wittie Drag Saw, (1) Ottoway Drag Saw, (1)5 hp. and
(1) 7 hp. Hercules and a 10 hp. I.H.C. mounted on a wagon. I also
have a good collection of the small F.M. engines from 2 hp. to 6
hp. in different models and design. The F.M. engines are the
favorite of my collection.