Old postcard- Ford power attachment

[Herb Iffrig]

Is it running an electric motor or is that an electric motor running it?

[John kuehn]

That’s an interesting attachment. I wonder how many are still around. That’s an item that probably was looked over time and sold for scrap. Especially at farm auctions.

[TXGOAT2]

That is most likely a generator used for charging batteries for house lighting, operating a radio, and perhaps other appliances. Note the auxiliary fan.

[Herb Iffrig]

I bet you are right Pat.

[ewdysar]

This picture was discussed just a few days ago in Tom Rootlieb's post "Flying the flag", picture #15.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=50318&p=378978#p378978

This was my response there:

#15 - Looks to be travelling business (carnival, circus, revival, etc.), the colorful tent and tent ropes are a clue, as are the photos of "satisfied customers" at the corner of the tent. The generator is mounted on a "litter" with handholds at the ends for a two man carry. That unit can be placed anywhere that can be braced against the pull of the belt and the truck positioned accordingly. The power cables are to the lower right of the generator, but I can't really see which direction that they run off through the grass. The "safety" cage around the external cooling fan does look like an afterthought, perhaps suggested by a Fire Marshall or some other local official, but still a good idea for the wandering public or the staff.

Keep crankin',
Eric

[Chris Barker]

So the engine drove the pulley, and its belt drove the generator. The generator then provided the power to run the electric fan needed to keep the engine cool!