I was up to the Reunion at Kinzers. Recently I subscribed for Iron-Men
Album and Gas Engine Magazine. As a new magazine reader, I like both very much.
I was raised on a small place in the country where my father
operated a sawmill, cider press, shingle mill, wheel right shop and
a broom machine. All were needed to carry us through the
depression.
The saw mill, cider press, and shingle mill were run by water
power–a water Turbine with water from a mill dam. Across the road
was a Griss mill also operated by water power.
Then a 15 horse single cylinder International was put in use
instead of water power and in wheel right shop a 3 horse upright
International. The 15 horsepower was replaced in 1932 with a 10-20
Tyton International tractor until 1940. Then the sawmill was run by
a truck motor.
All has been junked except the turbine which is buried about ten
feet under the ground. I saved most of the wheel right tools and
broom machine–a treddle type, and line shaft and pulleys in the
shop.
First of all, I want to say Thanks for the Gas Engine Magazine and IMA. As yet,
I don’t have any steam pieces but surely hope to get some in
the future.
Between Bill Snyder of North Orwell, PA and myself, we have
about 24 gas engines. Some I own and some he owns and some we own
together.
What I would like to bring to light here is my “Oshkosh” engine. I have been watching the Gas Engine Magazine real close and have
been to many shows and still haven’t seen another one or talked
to anyone who has. I wrote to the Oshkosh Company once, but no
answer. I have no idea what the horsepower is. The flywheels are very
thick and very heavy. On the engine, it just says Oshkosh Model D.
The saw is also Oshkosh. It has a saw on one side and a joiner on
the other side. The saw sets down over the top of the engine and
bolts to the skids the engine is on. The engine has a spark plug
and runs off a buzz coil.
I surely would like to hear from anyone that has or knows of an
Oshkosh in any form. I assume that this is made by the same company
that makes snowplows today.
I have restored a 1 hp International built about 1910; a
Fairbanks Morse Z 1/2 horsepower built about 1928; a New Holland
farm engine no. 4992 type D 5 horsepower patented in 1903; a 4
horsepower built by Associated Mfrs. Co. Waterloo, Iowa patented in
1911; a Witte built by Witte Engine work, Kansas City, MO; Johnson
outboard model S-45; and Pottstown No. 1 Champion threshing
machine.
Two years ago Scout Troop no. 519 of Geigertown and I threshed
two acres of oats at my father-in-law’s farm. We used the 5
horsepower New Holland and No. I Champion threshing machine. We
used his binder.
I took movies and slides of this operation. I think I have a
Coldwell engine that you had pictured in an earlier issue. My
engine is missing the original carburetor, gas tank, cover fan
and the water cap. If anyone can give me this information I would
appreciate it.
