Thanks for posting the pictures Willie.
I see you showed your T coupe.
Can you tell us about that BIG engine with the yellow flywheels?
I'm telling you, you MUST save the first weekend in November, and get yourself to Meridian, MS.
It probably doesn't mean much coming from a relative stranger, but I GUARANTEE you'll love it!
I'll post details closer to then, but SAVE THE DATE!
Aaron, I mostly look at all the tractors and did not walk up to that large engine, but it looked almost like the ones I used to see in the natural gas compressor stations years ago.
I agree Willie... I worked in a 1920s generating station for 30 years and we had many Ingersoll-Rand air compressors that looked just like that! Flywheels and all. Probably had a 14-16" inch piston. I-R used to make stationary diesel stuff as well... ws
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Willie,
Where was it held?
Ken
Any John Deere model D's?
I'm no expert on oil field engines, but I know they used a lot of large engines like that. Reid is one brand name and there are others. They burned natural gas because it was free. Most on display today burn propane because it's more readily available in portable tanks. I'd guess the one in the picture is in the 15 hp range, but I'm just guessing. Some of these engines had what was called a "hot bulb" ignition. Rather than an electrical spark to fire the mixture, there is a hollow tube or bulb that is in the head, partially inside and partially outside. Outside, there is a torch which heats the tube. The heat moves to the inside and acts as the ignition source. Once running and up to temperature, the torch can be turned off and the heat of combustion keeps the bulb hot enough to fire the next charge. Oh, and I think they are usually two strokes.
Ken, the meet was North of Hallettsville Texas in the community of Moravia.
Dexter, there were some John Deere Model D tractors.
The club that puts it on is out of the Hallettsville area.
I tried to look at the tractors but the doggone Fords were in the way!!
In '10 there was a tractor meet @ the Santa Margarita Ranch here on the central coast of California. They even fired up one of their narrow gage trains and gave rides.
Several of the pics didn't make the cut. The last was a Best steamer that started from an old crank and a few links of chain.
Sincerely
Jim Weir
Jim, thanks for the pictures from the California show. The show I attended is just a local chapter and they do not have any of the larger steam traction engines. There is a much larger show in Temple Texas every year that has some really old and large tractors. It is hard to imagine how farmers were able to use these engines on a regular basis. The old hit and miss engines are also interesting.
Cool, I had never seen the homemade tracked steam powered traction engine before. Here is a video on it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cYNYgZXZwho#!
And:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=fvwp&NR=1&v=ZMuDSLYNw4w
Jim
Is pic no 5 a Big 4??
Manuel in Oz
Manuel; Yes, I think that one is a 30 HP C L Best, made in Elmhurst Calif.
Sincerely
Jim Weir