20601 Old State Road Haubstadt, Indiana 47639
Trips to the Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Show at Portland,
Indiana and to the Old Threshers Reunion at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa
revealed some interesting observations in regard to Hercules built
engines.
At Portland there were many more than normal Hercules engines
for sale in the vendor area. Two are of special interest. Pictured
below are two 2 HP Economy engines. The one on the left is the
seldom seen model D. The one on the right is the seldom seen early
model E with the rolled hopper lip. More interestingly is the
location of the tag which is on the top front of the hopper.
Normally, the tag would be on the base below the igniter area on
this style.
Some time ago an engine exhibitor said his ARCO engine
originally had a round decal. This was never verified; however, the
mystery may now be solved. Original engine number 262527, shown in
Picture #2, has all the typical Hercules model F features.
Apparently there was a request for ARCO brand engines so the oval
ARCO decal was placed over the round Hercules decal. As time and
fading have gone on, both the round and oval decal both show and
the ARCO letters appear on the round decal.
Picture #3 shows an engine of Hercules origin that has had the
water hopper removed and replaced with a section of pipe to form
the tank-cooled type cylinder. The cooling tank located at the rear
has been labeled ‘CASE.’
The gas engine area at Mt. Pleasant also had three interesting
engines of Hercules origin. Shown below is engine number 52047. It
is an early model E Economy with the tag located on the base below
the igniter area.
Engine number 361896 is a 1 HP model S Economy with the typical
Hercules shape water hopper. This is normal for Economy engines
near this serial number. I do wonder about the beautiful bright
yellow color!
Engine number 311743 is a 2 HP red engine labeled
‘HERCULES’. Closer inspection reveals it to be a 2 HP
Jaeger. Note the vertical threaded fuel spout and the small brace
to steady the oiler pipe. A 2 HP engine of this style with no model
letter on the tag is always a Jaeger.
