Sledgehammer Posted September 28, 2022 Share Posted September 28, 2022 19 hours ago, Delta Dirt said: TwoStep---- I wuz just thinking how much fun we could have with the Harleys "po-licing the roads" up in Montana------all of them speeding Model T's; let alone the overloaded model TT trucks. (We know of at least one TT that for sure would be overloaded with Blue Smoke!!!) Can remember the day when I wuz a kid that most every town of any size down this way had a motorcycle on the police force. Near thing of the past now???? DD I still think the story of your Father’s hired man and his brother taking the motorcycle to town was one of the funniest I’ve ever read. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delta Dirt Posted September 30, 2022 Share Posted September 30, 2022 Wondering what a new fully equipped Harley sells for nowadays??? $$$$$$$$$ Worth reporting-----Ms River level continues to fall. Expected to fall to the 5.5 ft range. Barge traffic south to New Oeleans for export will be interupted. Not good news for grain market. River was @ 11 ft last week when barge ran aground and blocked traffic approx 3 miles south of me. DD 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hardtail Posted September 30, 2022 Share Posted September 30, 2022 Anson, I'm thinking he didn't make detective, looking for tire tracks and boot marks in the dust 🤔 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Vetsch22 Posted September 30, 2022 Share Posted September 30, 2022 Here are a few photos from the Forest City, Iowa steam show that Roger and I visited back in June! 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Binder Guy Posted September 30, 2022 Author Share Posted September 30, 2022 On 9/30/2022 at 6:28 AM, Troy Vetsch22 said: Here are a few photos from the Forest City, Iowa steam show that Roger and I visited back in June! Troy, Thank you so much for sending us these photos! You may or may or may not have realized you were "lighting this fuse?" Those engines are both from Eddies Corner (Moore), Montana. Those were both engines collected by my late steam mentor and friend, Charlie Tyler. The first time I went to Tyler's was the summer of 1954. I stayed over with my buddy Mike Tyler and heard Charlie working on his engines when we woke up the next morning. He had the Gaar Scott then. Charlie had a plan to thresh in the fall of 1956 with the Gaar Scott. He passed away in the spring of 1956. I was his last visitor, having been there and left a couple hours before his wife Laura found him dead. The Tyler Brothers, Max and Earl decided to have that threshing done in September in memory of their dad. Walter F. Mehmke was chosen as the Gaar Scott's engineer. He is shown here on the side tank. The coal bunker was full of us kids waiting to ride on it. This was my dad and uncle Charley visiting with Walter Mehmke about the Gaar Scott that September day in 1956. A friend took this photo of me in 1958 posing with the 40 hp Gaar Scott at Tylers. After the 1956 threshing day, this is the way the Gaar Scott looked at Tyler's until Jerred Ruble bought it, around a dozen years ago or more. Now the 30 hp Minneapolis double cylinder, double countershaft engine. It arrived at the Tyler Ranch about 1957. It had lived in a sawmill in Kalispell, Montana. Max Tyler spotted it and bought it. This photo is after they built water tanks for it. They aren't authentic, but I notice they are still on it! Our neighbor Herman Otten was a brother in-law of Reeves Agent, Ben Hollenback. Ben arranged a "sweet deal" for his brother in-law Herman Otten in 1914, ordering him 32-120 hp Reeves cross compound Canadian Special #7181. Hollenback "ate" his commission which paid for the freight on board (F.O.B.) Glengarry, Montana. Otten paid $3,200 for the engine, or $100 per horsepower. This is Otten plowing on land that became the "Lewistown Airport" during WWII, when his land was turned into runways for B-17 bombers that trained bomber crews at that base. My dad operated Herman Otten's 32-120 hp Reeves in 1930, when their engine was down for repairs. Uncle Frank And Herman were brothers in-law. Dad is shown standing on the platform of #7181. They always greased their Emerson disk plows when stopped for coal. One of their Model TT Ford Trucks is backed up to the bunker. The plows cut a swath 36' wide on flat land. #7181 was sold to Babe Lewis for his sawmill on the divide between Cottonwood and Beaver Creeks. After Charlie Tyler failed to buy the Pugsley Brother's 40-140 hp Reeves in northern Montana, since the Smolik Brothers were willing to pay close to what Pugsley's wanted for that engine, Charlie went up to Babe Lewis' sawmill and bought it. Charlie paid the exorbitant price (at that time) of $900 for #7181. Charlie never got to see his Reeves in operation. This is me in the summer of 1958 posing with #7181. The Tyler brothers were planning to plow with it. After School Started in 1958, I was now a sophomore at Moore High School. I found out the morning it was happening that Tyler's were going to plow that day with 32-120 hp Reeves #7181. So what would this kid do? I skipped school to go watch it plow. Mom was furious, because she had to drive to Moore and meet with the Principal. I noted a bit of pride in Dad's face when he found out about me and #7181. Carl and Walter Mehmke were the engineers of the Reeves this day. This was Max Tyler riding on the Reeves' tool box as Mehmke's plowed with it. When I arrived at Tyler's I realized something else was steamed up! From the same newspaper article as the above photo was this photo of my old friend and steam engineer from way back, Alva Stevens on the Tyler's 30 hp Minneapolis double cylinder, double countershaft engine, preparing to plow. When they finished plowing with the Reeves, they hooked the 30 hp Minneapolis double cylinder, double countershaft engine onto them and Alva plowed with it. Earl Tyler was steering for Alva as they plowed with the Big Snowy Mountains in the background. I looked at those Snowies from our farm every day, growing up until I left there in 1981. My friend Larry Hoffman took me with him to Tyler's when he bought their 20-70 Nichols & Shepard engine. His friend Jerry Hanley from Lewistown met us there and Larry took this photo of me and Jerry on the 30 Minneapolis a few years back. Their 22 hp undermounted Avery was still there behind the Minnie. Jerry and Larry (EDIT: This is Mike Tyler.) were checking out the Nichols & Shepard while Gary took the picture. Larry had me come to Butte, America for the first firing of his Nichols & Shepard. The traction engineer is wearing his cap for this job too. Getting the injector to put water into the boiler. The first thing I always check when getting enough pressure to operate it. I ALWAYS want to know that it has worked, or will work. I took Larry for a spin around his place at Butte. Larry's wife (at that time) took this photo of me on the engine there. I kind of like running steam engines. Gary🙃😉😁😁 PS: I guess when someone asks what time it is, I explain how to build a clock? Sorry I got so involved Troy. 10 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Binder Guy Posted October 2, 2022 Author Share Posted October 2, 2022 On 9/30/2022 at 6:28 AM, Troy Vetsch22 said: Here are a few photos from the Forest City, Iowa steam show that Roger and I visited back in June! On 9/28/2022 at 11:20 AM, Sledgehammer said: Sorry, Sledgehammer, I got my wires crossed. This is in reply to Troy Vetsch. Troy and Roger were playing with gas tractors and steam engines again this weekend. I'm sure Troy or Roger will have other photos to post. I got these from Facebook from my friend Tom Olson who posted them on his page. This is Troy aboard the Budinski-Trelstad 12-25 Avery gas tractor. For some reason, Tom didn't get a photo of Troy on the Budinski-Trelstad Advance steamer. So this is a "file photo" of him from the past. There appears to be a steam locomotive engineer standing behind the engine. A gas tractor lineup. The Avery Troy was operating above. I remember this engine from being there at the Budinski-Trelstad farm. From my "file photos" this was Roger and me on the Port Huron a dozen years ago. Pastor Tom Olson at the throttle of the Budinski-Trelstad 25 hp Russell steam engine. Tom bought his first engine a couple of years ago and it was a 16 hp Russell, so I understand him being on this engine! I'm not sure what is wrong with this Russell engine that it is still in a shed? Maybe nothing is wrong? Tom took this photo of this memorabilia. I remember in the early 1950s wishing I could go to the Zumbro Valley Threshermen's show. Sadly I never made it (then). This photo of Tom's fascinated me too. The harness shed. Maybe Roger knows? Is this from the very early days of the Budinski farm, or is this equipment they used for the Zumbro Valley Threshermen's show? The John Deere D "Spoker" tractor! An IHC Tractor on a Minnesota Farm. The 10-20 Titan! Two McCormick-Deering tractors. Either 15-30 or 22-36 models. Friend Jeff Lund is on the 28 hp Minneapolis Canadian Special steam engine. Roger posing on the Minneapolis from my "file photos." (No comment on the cap) I'm ever so thankful for Roger to have taken me to meet Ron Trelstad and Bud Budinski a dozen years ago. Bud (under the flywheel) and his brothers were my early steam years heroes! I know these two gadgets cut corn. But this "non corn country" farm kid doesn't know the proper name for them. Ron Trelstad (white beard and bibs) must be gearing up to saw lumber with their sawmill. The real Ron Trelstad is posing with some of the things that help pay for steam oil and boiler inspections. I do have to say that Ron looks older than the last time I saw him. But he'd say the same thing for me! Gary😁 6 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iowaboy1965 Posted October 2, 2022 Share Posted October 2, 2022 I believe they are corn binders Gary! Ty for those very cool pictures. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Vetsch22 Posted October 3, 2022 Share Posted October 3, 2022 Here are some photos that I took yesterday ! 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Vetsch22 Posted October 3, 2022 Share Posted October 3, 2022 Here is a little video that Leon took of the Advance and I chugging up the hill. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUkPCrSc7W0 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Binder Guy Posted October 4, 2022 Author Share Posted October 4, 2022 2 hours ago, Troy Vetsch22 said: Here is a little video that Leon took of the Advance and I chugging up the hill. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUkPCrSc7W0 Troy, There wasn't another steam traction engine built with better "stack music" than comes out of an Advance smokestack! The next better is the Baker Uniflow. But Advance will be number one forever. And our Case might sound that good, but Case put on that green water heater that acts like a muffler. Gary😉 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeeper61 Posted October 5, 2022 Share Posted October 5, 2022 Ran across this one on FB thought it was neat Littlefield's Garage, Monroe, Maine c. 1920 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Binder Guy Posted October 6, 2022 Author Share Posted October 6, 2022 1 hour ago, jeeper61 said: Ran across this one on FB thought it was neat Littlefield's Garage, Monroe, Maine c. 1920 That's a neat old photo jeeper61. A Model TT Ford Truck at left and a Model A Ford Sedan (My eyes won't let me see the age, but 1928-1931 somewhere.) at right. I'm afraid to call that broadside touring car a Studebaker, though. Gary😉 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeeper61 Posted October 6, 2022 Share Posted October 6, 2022 15 hours ago, Old Binder Guy said: That's a neat old photo jeeper61. A Model TT Ford Truck at left and a Model A Ford Sedan (My eyes won't let me see the age, but 1928-1931 somewhere.) at right. I'm afraid to call that broadside touring car a Studebaker, though. Gary😉 Thx OBG You always wonder about the dates given so it is more like 1930 This was a pretty remote area back in those days Still is today not far from my place as the crow flies My understanding is it burned down in 1953 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twostepn2001 Posted October 6, 2022 Share Posted October 6, 2022 On one of the cotton groups l belong to on FB, someone posted this pic of a Nichols-Shepard engine that was taken in 1912 at Menard, Texas. The woman wanted to know what the belt was used for. 95% of the replies said it was hooked to a threshing machine. Very well could be, but then again it could be powering a saw mill or even a cotton gin. l've seen a lot of women in the old pics of steam engines but never saw one with a oil can in her hands. Wonder what her "official" title was? Assistant engineer? Oiler? Fireman-Stoker? And what was that wagon used for in the background? And that bonnet she's wearing sure looks like it has pokey dots on it.... 3 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Binder Guy Posted October 7, 2022 Author Share Posted October 7, 2022 23 hours ago, twostepn2001 said: On one of the cotton groups l belong to on FB, someone posted this pic of a Nichols-Shepard engine that was taken in 1912 at Menard, Texas. The woman wanted to know what the belt was used for. 95% of the replies said it was hooked to a threshing machine. Very well could be, but then again it could be powering a saw mill or even a cotton gin. l've seen a lot of women in the old pics of steam engines but never saw one with a oil can in her hands. Wonder what her "official" title was? Assistant engineer? Oiler? Fireman-Stoker? And what was that wagon used for in the background? And that bonnet she's wearing sure looks like it has pokey dots on it.... twostepn2001, That is a dandy looking 25-85 Nichols & Shepard engine this lady is oiling. Her pokey dot scarf is nice. That's what female engineers or assistant engineers should be wearing on steam engines. That's what our Montana Hutterite women wear too! That wagon ahead of the engine may be the "cook car?" Also, notice that trunnion drawbar. That was generally used for plowing. N&S later came out with a rear mounted engine that was designed for plowing. This engine had "stub" axles bolted to each side of the boiler firebox. That was considered a weakness, but I'm sure a lot of them plowed. Meet Eva Smith with an oilcan in her hand, tending to her Port Huron tandem compound engine on the belt. I notice firewood, so maybe they're getting ready for winter? When I was young and the steam hobby was in its infancy, there seemed to be few women interested in tending to steam engines as an engineer. Today, however, there is a "ton" (nothing to do with their weight) that run steam engines. Gary😉 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Binder Guy Posted October 7, 2022 Author Share Posted October 7, 2022 Last Tuesday, I'd put the carburetor back together with a new kit on 1940 IH Farmall A, Tony. The old throttle lever was stripped and loose from the shaft, since the shaft had been stuck inside the carburetor. I soldered the shaft and had it all looking and acting so nice. I knew it had to start and run like it was supposed to. Yesterday (Thursday) was the day Mike and Randy chose to put the steam engines away for the winter inside the shed. 1940 Farmall A, Tony has the tow rope hooked on awaiting Farmall M, Toot, to pull it outside. Mike had tried to crank it and it "hit" but didn't start. The steam engines were steaming up and Toot had pulled Tony outside. Tony was running. BUT.... That stuck shaft had apparently "cooked" the governor? I'll have to pull the governor apart and see what ails it. I've never had an IH Farmall governor apart before. I've never needed to do that. (I don't believe in kicking sleeping dogs.) And I remember selling parts for IH governors back when I was a partsman. But I didn't pay any attention. I hate to clutter my mind with things I may never need to know!😁 I'm sure I can find a schematics online of the governor's internal parts? Mike parked Tony inside with Johnny and Annie and I believe he's looking at the governor. IH Tractors on a Montana Farm! (Did I ever mention that I collect antique shovels, forks, garden tools, etc.? Gee, and there is my old Army duffle bag and my wife's uncles bag with sleeping bags hanging in the shed.) I drove the 1925 Model TT outside as Mike was going to move some gravel before backing steam engines inside. Mike is back blading gravel with his IH 300 Utility, the place's workhorse tractor. Blading the gravel at the back of the shed where the engines set. There IS a threshing machine behind that ladder! That's what happens in a year when you don't thresh. It becomes a "throw upon." (or lean against?) After the "kids" were done playing with the engines, they lined them up to back inside for the winter. Randy backed the 20 hp Reeves in first. They stop in the doorway to pull the fires before backing in. It cuts down on smoke and shortens the time until we can start draining the boilers. Randy is pulling the Reeves' fire and putting the burning wood into the barrel, while Mike observes. Fire pulled and the engine backed into its winter berth. Randy is backing the 15 hp Case into its winter berth after pulling its fire. Mike is directing the operation. Hoses draining water tank water and hoses draining boiler water, both engines. Water drained from the tanks and boilers, petcocks opened and draining, valves opened, hand holes taken out, boilers washed out, wicks put in hand holes, and fans blowing air through the boilers to dry them. Randy and Mike discuss how evenly Randy got the smokebox doors with both engines. The semi retired steam traction engineer is also the photographer. The only way he gets his face and cap into the photos is with a selfie after an afternoon of "harder than normal" work. I still do my share of draining the engines and "laying them up" for winter, but that "share" gets smaller every year. Gary🙃😉😁 PS: I got to back the Model TT back into the shed while Mike backed in Toot. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Binder Guy Posted October 7, 2022 Author Share Posted October 7, 2022 On 10/6/2022 at 1:13 PM, twostepn2001 said: On one of the cotton groups l belong to on FB, someone posted this pic of a Nichols-Shepard engine that was taken in 1912 at Menard, Texas. The woman wanted to know what the belt was used for. 95% of the replies said it was hooked to a threshing machine. Very well could be, but then again it could be powering a saw mill or even a cotton gin. l've seen a lot of women in the old pics of steam engines but never saw one with a oil can in her hands. Wonder what her "official" title was? Assistant engineer? Oiler? Fireman-Stoker? And what was that wagon used for in the background? And that bonnet she's wearing sure looks like it has pokey dots on it.... twostepn2001, I think you are right about those pokey dots on the lady's scarf! I magnified her photo with my computer. Gary😉 1 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Binder Guy Posted October 7, 2022 Author Share Posted October 7, 2022 I knew that Woods built electric cars, but I sure didn't know they built "hybrids" way back when? Gasoline engine, electric motor-generator, and batteries. From one of my Dakes motor manuals. It's thicker than a Sears & Roebuck catalog, so it was difficult to get a good photo from. Gary😮 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TN Hillbilly Posted October 7, 2022 Share Posted October 7, 2022 Gary, I am assuming you knew the gas line was not hooked up the the first photo showing the carburetor on your A. I am sure you hooked it up before trying to start it...I only point this out because... I have had tractors fail to start for similar reasons...and tried several other diagnostics before noticing that the fuel wasn't on... but I doubt you fellas would make that mistake! 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Binder Guy Posted October 8, 2022 Author Share Posted October 8, 2022 2 hours ago, TN Hillbilly said: Gary, I am assuming you knew the gas line was not hooked up the the first photo showing the carburetor on your A. I am sure you hooked it up before trying to start it...I only point this out because... I have had tractors fail to start for similar reasons...and tried several other diagnostics before noticing that the fuel wasn't on... but I doubt you fellas would make that mistake! TN Hillbilly! Thanks for noticing that the gas line wasn't hooked up yet. I couldn't understand why it wouldn't start!!! 😁 No, really, I was so proud of my hose and clamp hookup, and after reinstalling the air cleaner, I felt compelled to take a photo of the carburetor hooked up. After I took the photo, I could see the gas line wasn't hooked up yet. I ended up having to remove the sediment bulb assembly and tweaking it some. But then I got it hooked up. We didn't put gasoline in the tank until yesterday morning just before we pulled it outside with the Farmall M. It's hooked up here! And it's hooked up here and running! It was so anxious to become an official IH Tractor on a Montana Farm! Gary😉 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MT Matt Posted October 9, 2022 Share Posted October 9, 2022 Glad to see Tony is back together Gary! If you need parts for the carb, or maybe even a governor, I’m sure I have one in my parts pile. I have the manual for it too, I’ll have to look on my computer and I can snap a picture of the parts breakdown for you of the governor. I think I have about all of the manuals for the letter series tractors. I ran into Andy a couple weeks ago at an auction south of Missoula. He was looking at a green tractor but I won’t hold that against him. Good to talk to him again. I made a run yesterday way too far away to the east side of the state to look at a 560 Farmall parts tractor that is coming up for sale to see if I want to drag it home. Spent the night in Livingston, nice little town. My 560 needs a few things that this donor tractor could supply for the right price. We will see! I didn’t buy the W-4 last month, something else will come up at some point. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MT Matt Posted October 9, 2022 Share Posted October 9, 2022 I also put my H to work last week running the cement mixer. Not a tough job for it, just idling along was plenty fast. I poured a floor in a shop bay so I can make better use of the space. I’m no professional but I didn’t sink to my ankles when I walked on it and it is generally flat so I think I did ok. Much better then a dirt floor. And I can set up the space to spread out the shop equipment so it can be used comfortably. I can hardly open the doors of a vehicle in the center shop without hitting things. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Binder Guy Posted October 9, 2022 Author Share Posted October 9, 2022 13 minutes ago, MT Matt said: Glad to see Tony is back together Gary! If you need parts for the carb, or maybe even a governor, I’m sure I have one in my parts pile. I have the manual for it too, I’ll have to look on my computer and I can snap a picture of the parts breakdown for you of the governor. I think I have about all of the manuals for the letter series tractors. I ran into Andy a couple weeks ago at an auction south of Missoula. He was looking at a green tractor but I won’t hold that against him. Good to talk to him again. I made a run yesterday way too far away to the east side of the state to look at a 560 Farmall parts tractor that is coming up for sale to see if I want to drag it home. Spent the night in Livingston, nice little town. My 560 needs a few things that this donor tractor could supply for the right price. We will see! I didn’t buy the W-4 last month, something else will come up at some point. MT Matt, that is very kind of you to offer parts I might need for the governor? I'm thinking there might be a pin or a key sheared in Tony's governor? I'll know after I get into it. That is one mighty fine looking late model IH Farmall H! Such a beautiful addition of an IH Tractor on a Montana Farm! She makes Annie look like it "needs something!??" I did find this parts breakdown on the internet. I think it might be pretty accurate? Gary😉 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MT Matt Posted October 9, 2022 Share Posted October 9, 2022 Yes that looks like the right parts breakdown. I haven’t been into one either. They look pretty simple but then again… 😂 Once you have it opened up, if you need something let me know. The H is a 1950 and it is actually the second tractor I owned. This is my niece’s husband Travis and son in Missouri taking it for a drive after we got it running. I bought it for $300 if I remember right but it was stuck. Travis hauled it and a B to Montana for me. The B was my first tractor. It is next in line for paint and engine overhaul. Anyways, I had to replace the rearend on the H and since I had it tore down, I painted her this summer. Turned out pretty good but after a summer in the hayfield, the paint didn’t stay new for long! 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Binder Guy Posted October 11, 2022 Author Share Posted October 11, 2022 On 10/7/2022 at 3:13 PM, Old Binder Guy said: I knew that Woods built electric cars, but I sure didn't know they built "hybrids" way back when? Gasoline engine, electric motor-generator, and batteries. From one of my Dakes motor manuals. It's thicker than a Sears & Roebuck catalog, so it was difficult to get a good photo from. Gary😮 If any of you ever purchased or subscribed to Farm Collector Magazine, my elderly Facebook friend, Sam Moore, has written articles for them forever. "Let's Talk Rusty Iron" is his continual contribution to that magazine. I used to send Farm Collector articles, but I just got too spread out. Sam likes accordion music! (my in?) He's like Roger Byrne. You can't bring up a subject he doesn't know about. I'd posted the Hybrid Woods automobile and lo and behold, Sam posted this photo on my site of a 1916 Woods Dual-Power hybrid automobile in the Henry Ford Museum. I'm so glad to know at least one of them survived! Sam Moore's father owned this McCormick-Deering Farmall F-30. The hired man is on it. This is Sam, if you've every looked through a Farm Collector magazine, this is his photo. He's slightly older now, however. Gary😉 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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