By now, you have probably seen our advertising for the 1999 tour
to England in June. You’ve probably noticed too, that we are
only taking one coach for a maximum of about 44 people. If you are
interested in joining us, refer to the last issue of GEM for our
address (or that of Wade Farm Tours) and let us know. We have
printed brochures on hand and will be glad to send one to you.
We personally know many of the folks you will see and places you
will visit . . . we think that this particular tour of England
might be called, ‘The Cream of England.’ The price is very
reasonable for a 16 day tour, and we think you will find it very
enjoyable. For instance, we’ll be seeing our old friend, Ron
Knight. He has a substantial tractor and machinery collection. Some
areas of England have a climate that rusts machinery to an
unbelievable degree, yet these folks take the time to patiently
restore their old iron. Ron blames this premature rusting on the
‘iron moth’ and perhaps he’s right!
See the photo of a two-cylinder Nordberg diesel engine. This
illustration is from the February 1951 issue of Diesel
Progress. In the accompanying article it is noted that
Nordberg had already placed a single-cylinder model on the market.
This 4FS series of engines rated the single-cylinder model at 10
horsepower. The 4FS2 model shown here was capable of handling a
generator of 15 to 20 kw. We are curious if anyone has run across
any of the 4FS Nordberg engines, or whether any still exist.
From our extensive files of Diesel Progress we also
show you an illustration of the 40 horsepower, four-cylinder Witte
Diesel. It appears in the October 1940 issue of Diesel
Progress. We have the Witte Diesel file cards and have
determined that a relatively small number were built and that a
number of them were returned to the company as being
unsatisfactory. We don’t know the nature of the problem(s)
encountered by this engine, nor do we know why the company
apparently gave up on the design, rather than come up with a
solution to the problem.
In studying various information on the four-cylinder design, it
appears that it used a number of parts common to the
single-cylinder vertical engines of the time. However, no drawings
are to be found for the four-cylinder, nor are there any manuals or
parts books. The ONLY information we have is the file cards for
each engine sold, and the notes on various cards have provided few
clues.
Witte 4-Cyl. Diesel Progress 10/40
Nordberg 4FS2 Diesel progress 2/51
Have any of our readers ever seen one of these engines? Do any
still exist? What sort of problems were experienced with these
engines?
See also the illustration of the Sheppard Diesel as it was
announced in the October 1940 issue of Diesel Progress. As
shown here, the Sheppard was set up for mobile applications, with
the fuel tank, radiator, and batteries included, but not shown in
the illustration. This engine could also be furnished as a
stationary unit with a mounting base and other accessories. We
think the Sheppard engines represent a unique chapter in diesel
engine development, and we hope to present more chapters in the
Sheppard story. If anyone has information on the Sheppard line that
they would care to share with us, anything would be welcome! Our
files on Sheppard are virtually bare!
This month we begin our queries with:
34/4/1 Novo Engine Q. I have an orchard sprayer
powered by a Novo TU engine, s/n TU18942. It is driving a
three-cylinder inverted pump. Can you provide any information? Joe
Widmann, United Pattern Co., 902 Ridge Pike, Conshohocken, PA
19428.
A. Your engine was built in 1930 and was
originally equipped with a pump from Field Force Pump Co., Elmira,
New York.
34/4/2 Unidentified Engine Q. See the photos of
an unidentified engine; it has no nameplate. Can anyone identify it
for me? Frank Pellizzari, 627-6th Ave., San Bruno, CA 94066.
34/4/3 Etching Primer James Potee, 2303 E.
Evans, Valparaiso, IN 46383 writes: In the past I have read in your
magazine about people painting their tractors and the type of paint
they put on them. Nothing has been said about what they put on
under this paint. I hope they are using an etching primer. I have
been doing body and paint work for 40+ years and we use an etching
primer by DuPont; Sherwin-Williams also makes an excellent primer.
I’m sure a local body shop would sell small amounts. It is a
2-part catalyzed product. It will make their paint jobs last
longer.
34/4/4 Help Needed Q. I need a lot of help with
a Lauson air-cooled engine, No 4916, ‘Type RAE-800, ?
horsepower. I hope someone might have a parts or instruction book,
or any help so I can get this engine running.
Also, I have a Roto-Ette Home Gardener made by Rototiller at
Troy, New York. It is a single wheel rototiller and is powered by a
Briggs & Stratton Model NP engine. Any information on this unit
would be appreciated. Don Pachesney, PO Box 214, Manistee, MI
49660.
34/4/5 Unidentified Engine Q. See the photos of
an unidentified engine. There are no markings on it at all. It
stands about 12 inches high, is of two-cycle design and has two
grease cups at the main bearings. It runs in either direction. I
suspect it may have been a prototype. Any information would be
appreciated. Chris Siegle, RR 4, Box 4947, Birdsboro, PA
19508-9804.
34/4/6 Racine-Sattley Q. Kevin Grover, 405
Fulton St., Berne, IN 46011 has a 5 HP Racine-Sattley, and needs to
know the correct color, and when it was built.
34/4/7 Palmer Marine Engine Q. Can anyone
provide information on ANY Palmer inboard marine engine? Please
send any information to Art DeKalb, 51 Van Alstyne Dr., Pulaski, NY
13142.
(Art also has a very few reproduction parts for 4 HP Lockwood
and Nadler and for a 4 HP Caille inboard engine.)
34/4/8 McCormick-Deering 10A Harvester Q. I am
writing in regard to a 1942 McCormick-Deering 10 A harvester. It
has been in a shop for a number of years and I was told by my
father that it was in working order when put away. It saw heavy use
in the ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s, and was one of two issued
to this area of Utah by the government. We still have the owners
manual, and the McCormick-Deering logo is still legible on the
reel. I would very much like to get any information concerning
possible collectors of antique farm equipment or possibly placing
an advertisement to sell this machine. Please direct any inquiries
to: James F. Wankier, PO Box 387, Levan, UT 84639.
34/4/9 Shingle Mill Q. See the photo of a
shingle mill. I would like to know the make and when it was built.
It is in excellent condition. Donald ‘Red’ Goodburn, 1803
Candi Lane, North Mankato, MN 56003.
34/4/10 Stover CT Engine Q. See the photo of
the crankcase cover on a Stover CT-4 engine. There are traces of
yellow block lettering on the cover. Does anyone know what is says?
Bill Tomczyk, 50520 Bayside Circle, Rush City, MN 55069.
34/4/10
34/4/11 Twin City Tractor Q. Can anyone direct
me to an operator’s manual for a 1936 Twin City with the air
cleaner in front of the radiator? The s/n is after JT551763. Any
information would be appreciated. Roy Pickett, 6154 Battle Creek
Rd., Betievue, MI 49021.
34/4/12 Galloway Engine Q. See photo of the 7
HP Galloway engine I am restoring. It has s/n 45317, and I would
like to know when it was built. James H. Lequire, 4909 Wildwood
Rd., Maryville, TN 37804.
34/4/12
A. The oval top on the water hopper was
introduced about 1916. Production of this engine continued for a
number of years, finally coming to an end in the 1930s. We
can’t tell you specifically when your engine was built
