Recently, fellow oil field engine enthusiast John Burns shared with me an interesting sales brochure from the Joseph Reid Gas Engine Co. It showed one of the cutest pieces of oil field equipment I think I have ever seen.
The Reid Type “PK” geared pumping power was designed for shallow wells requiring no more than 10 HP to pump when the wells are radially balanced. Radially balanced means that as one well pump jack is descending off load, another jack in an opposite location of the power is ascending on the sucker rod load.
This power was sold with either flat or v-belt drive or (the one that impressed me) as a self-contained unit direct-connected to an 8 HP Stover engine with a disc-type clutch. This whole package weighed only 3,000 pounds, which anyone familiar with oil field equipment will appreciate as being very light. The floor space required was 64-by-78-inches – now that is an exhibit that will leave room on the trailer for the golf cart or those purchases you made at the show you just couldn’t live without.
The power brochure boasts of its high quality construction. Completely enclosed, dust-proof and watertight, herringbone reduction gears, with geared pump lubrication forcing oil to the crank hub, the disc and the housing. Clutch controls extended to the operator side of the engine.
There are eight holes in the crank pin ring for attaching the pull rod connections. The brochure states, “The rod lines have a maximum radiating direction, as there is but a small blind spot over the engine.” This made me wonder how many unwitting oilmen busted the cylinder oiler off that engine with a rod line placed in that “blind spot.”
The brochure made an interesting comment on testing done at the Reid plant. (I think I would have liked to work in the testing department.) Quotes thus, “All Reid engines and powers are tested before being shipped from the factory. Powers are set up and run for several hours, so that all moving parts are known to be in proper working condition.”
The 8 HP Stover engine had 34-inch flywheels and was rated at 450 RPM. The engine itself weighed 1,150 pounds. One might note in the photo of the engine that it is equipped with the gas (wellhead or natural gas) carburetor, as would have been commonly needed for oil field use.
This unit is a package that impresses me because it has everything the oil field engine enthusiast likes in such a small, lightweight, easy to transport exhibit.
On another subject, I would like to start a project on oil field engine manufacturer logos, one example would be the script Reid logo. Almost all manufacturers had a logo and I would like to compile a photo file of all of them to eventually share with our readers, and also via the Internet. So, if you have a photo or file of an oil field engine logo you can share, I would appreciate your help.
As always, anyone who would like a free membership in the Oil Field Engine Society (OFES) feel free to contact me. Also remember to visit the OFES website.
Contact the Oil Field Engine Society at: 1231 Banta’s Creek Road, Eaton, OH 45320-9701;
oilengine@voyager.net
www.oilfieldengine.com