Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo Auction Link (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Tool Talk Discussion Forum

old steam jennys..what to look for

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
mike from cny

03-24-2008 20:02:24




Report to Moderator

A buddy of mine has an old steam jenny that was his fathers. I dont know much about them, this one is on wheels and has a handle to tow it around, its fairly big. I dont know much about them or how they work, however most of my equipment is oily and greasy. Is there anything that rots out and makes them unsafe? its been sitting for quite sometime. Also what should I expect to pay?




[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
Bob Huntress

03-26-2008 16:08:13




Report to Moderator
 Re: old steam jennys..what to look for in reply to mike from cny, 03-24-2008 20:02:24  
I assume that yours is a package unit, with the boiler and generator as one unit. Check if your's has a tube bundle, or coils. If you have the tube bundle, you can plug up to 5% of your tubes to test the system, though you will probably want to replace any defective tubes as early as possible. Coils each represent too much of the total surface area to not replace any leaking coils before operating. Your valves are another area of concern. If you find that you need to repack the valve steams, use the steam packing, which is silverish colored, as opposed to white. Some very old steam engine manufacturers have used leather piston rings, which obviously will not still be operative. You can use automotive radiator flush to remove the white flacky,/powdery calcium build up throughout the steam system, but remember that the volume in your system is much larger than a standard automobile, so you will need more automotive flush. Set your flushing pump with the suction attached to where the condensate returns from the engine, and the pump discharge to the boiler feed water inlet. Remove the condensate pump(if installed). Any control pistons need to be inspected to ensure their packing is good, though there should be a tiny amount of leakage.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Roy Suomi

03-25-2008 14:01:19




Report to Moderator
 Re: old steam jennys..what to look for in reply to mike from cny, 03-24-2008 20:02:24  
I've got an oldie in my shop..Looks like a printing press when operating..The coils will leak and someone changes the lead blowout plug with a solid plug so there's no protection from overheating ..Mine has twin pistons for high pressure washing...I don't use it....I use steam only...The inlet and outlet valves will stick after not being used for some time...I just pull the hoses off and push a nail into the stuck check valve to unseat it...Works great after that..More maintenance than modern units but steams better...

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Mike M

03-25-2008 06:41:13




Report to Moderator
 Re: old steam jennys..what to look for in reply to mike from cny, 03-24-2008 20:02:24  
I had a really old one that I restored and used it. It was so old it had a magneto to fire the burner and steel wheels.

The problem I had with it was that steam would tear up stuff you didn't want ruined. If you washed a tractor someone repainted it will likely remove the paint they put on down to the factory coating underneath. No doubt due to not being prepped right before repainting. It was heck on belts and hoses and wiring too.

I got rid if it and bought a Hotsy brand hot water pressure washer. Went with the largest model that still runs on 115 volt electric. This has been a REALLY good unit. You can adjust the heat as needed and use different tips for different jobs as not to ruin stuff you just want cleaned up.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Chris(WA)

03-24-2008 20:47:49




Report to Moderator
 Re: old steam jennys..what to look for in reply to mike from cny, 03-24-2008 20:02:24  
The steam coil can deteriorate. Or it can crack if allowed to freeze with water in it. If its been a while I would presure test the coil to make sure its sound. Same with the hose and gun. You don't want it to burst on you! Then go over the burner system. Is it oil or propane? Either way make sure its all intact and nothing is corroded badly.test the ignition and lock out before you fuel it. They are tough old units so if its had any care at all it can probably work again.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
PJH

03-24-2008 20:32:04




Report to Moderator
 Re: old steam jennys..what to look for in reply to mike from cny, 03-24-2008 20:02:24  
I cleaned equipment for a farmer when I was in high school with an old steam jenny. That thing would blow the pop off valve occasionally - scare the snot out of you. I always kept the jenny on the other side of the equipment I was cleaning. Probably still coulda killed me. It worked great as far as getting the grease off, but I wouldn't mess with it today for any amount of money. . . Be careful!!

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
oldhousehugger25

04-03-2008 18:21:49




Report to Moderator
 Re: old steam jennys..what to look for in reply to PJH, 03-24-2008 20:32:04  
I was reading on another forum where a guy who restored a lot of old equipment had a setup where he had a big cabinet that he could fit major castings into. The cabinet had a series of high pressure nozzels in the corners and the washed part set on a turn table. Hot water was sprayed at the part on the turntable and then went thru a skimmer system which seperated the oil and grease and then they reheated the water and reused it.
Kind of cool if you are doing a lot of work.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy