Original Steamer Photos

This is about 1890s 20hp Case center crank. Center crank means the engine/cylinder was mounted in the center of the boiler instead of off to the side thus this engine has a flywheel on each side. Note the extravagant cast iron gear guard on the right side of the engine in the rear with that large gear guard the steering was is moved to the left side of the engine.

Center Case.jpg
 
Gas tractor time. This is an Avery 12-25hp pulling a couple sickle movers. This has to be a staged photo as all 3 men are in clean white shirts and vests I'm guess a shirt wouldn't stay white very long while riding on a sickle mower

Avery 12-25 2 Mowers.jpg
 
This is a rare one this is a Bates 25hp gas tractor. From what I was told there's only like 3 of these complete and running

4 Bottom Plow.jpg
 
Here's another favorite. Even though it's a black and white photo you can see the shine on the flywheel on this Case and with a straw stack nearly as tall as the barn a dual wing feed separator one can only imagine the work this engine did that day. Also notice the dual whistles and a ear of corn hanging from the plumbing on the side of the engine. The pipe on the front of the smoke stack is a form of a spark arrestor

Case Threshing Barnyard.jpg
 
Case center crank photo. The thing that sticks out to me is the guy's are smiling! Normally you don't ever see people smile in vintage photo's. Anyone agree?
 
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Josh,

Depending on the age of the photo, one reason that you don't see people smile as much is that the exposure times could be quite long. It was hard to hold a natural looking smile for several seconds and not have it look fake and goofy. Exposure times improved greatly towards the end of the 19th century and early 20th century, but it could still take much longer than what we are used to with a quick snap of the button. It was better if there were a lot of natural light.

Of course it could just be that they were a bunch of grumpy farmers tired out from a long day of work.

Darren
 
Folks have a hard time getting me to smile in modern photos! Guess I'm not a smiler. I would have fit right in!

Thanks Erik, Darren, and all involved for a very cool thread!
 
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Avery threshing crew. Notice the dual flywheel attachment for a belt to run up to the pulleys by the rear wheel then down to the buzz saw on the back of the engine. This is probably non OSHA compliant


Avery Threshing Buzz Saw.jpg
 
This one always gets me. I'm not sure if the guys are brave, crazy, or stupid? I believe this is a 35hp Nichols and Shepard crossing a bridge. (engine weight over 45,000lbs)What do you think that bridge is rated for???
You can just make out the threshing machine on the other side of the bridge. Sometimes farmers would unhook on one side of a bridge and pull the thresher across with a cable as most of the time the heaviest part of a steamer is the rear end and the heaviest part of a thresher is the front


N&S over Bridge.jpg
 
Bridge Collapse PA.jpg

This is a Frick that tested the strength of a bridge at least the engine stayed upright doesn't look like the threshing machine faired as well. Ironically the location of the photo is Pleasant Gap Penn.
 
Huber Fair Display.jpg

Huber not sure of the age or size of the engine. The men are holding banners that say Worlds Fair Contest Huber MFG
 
Case Portable.jpg Case Portable.jpg
Here's a Case portable boiler notice the lack of an engine no flywheel or cylinder
 
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