Paul Janke
Member
What was the smallest steam tractor? Would it have required more than one person to use it? Along this line of thought, did the big ones require more than one person?
- Thread starter Paul Janke
- Start date
One person can run them. What's the smallest, I don't know. There's some very small stationary ones out there. I've seen some home built miniature traction steamers too. I think most people today don't realize the massive power steam is capable of. If you've never been around them, you should go check them out. They're fascinating to watch
Janicholson
Well-known Member
ngs were in near constant need of attention and depth adjustment. A water tender and coal/Wood tender were needed in proximity for plowing or stationary work. Because even a small working engine could do 5 to 8 times the work of 2 teams of horses. the extra operators were worth it. Info from neighbor in Ohio who exhibited at the Darke County Ohio show.
You can see where a 100hp steam tractor can out pull a 800hp monster. A whole 4mph in top gear too. Just love this video.
steam pull.
steam pull.
Me, too, Jeff.
I grew up near the B & O railroad and am just old enough to remember mainline steam before the B & O dropped the fires in 1957.
There was a helper locomotive stationed less than 1/2 mile from my house. The helper engines primary duty was to push the freights up the 12-15 mile hill out of the Ohio River valley.
I have many fond memories of the helper engine pushing mightily on the caboose while the double-headed freight hogs at the head end pounded their way up the hill westbound to destiny.
FWIW, the helper locomotive also assisted the F Unit powered freights up the hill in the 50s.
I find reciprocating steam fascinating.
Dean
I grew up near the B & O railroad and am just old enough to remember mainline steam before the B & O dropped the fires in 1957.
There was a helper locomotive stationed less than 1/2 mile from my house. The helper engines primary duty was to push the freights up the 12-15 mile hill out of the Ohio River valley.
I have many fond memories of the helper engine pushing mightily on the caboose while the double-headed freight hogs at the head end pounded their way up the hill westbound to destiny.
FWIW, the helper locomotive also assisted the F Unit powered freights up the hill in the 50s.
I find reciprocating steam fascinating.
Dean
Russ from MN
Well-known Member
- Location
- Bemidji MN
I think the steam turbine at the paper mill I retired from ran at 1750 psi, there were a few locomotives that reached that pressure too.
When was that? When there was still only one show at the fairgrounds or after the split and steam went to the woods? I went to the fairgrounds all the time and still do. Only went to the woods one time and the way they had it set up with roots stiking out of the ground all over the place about ruined my leg catching on one of those roots. And I could not stand all the coal smoke so I said that is it never again. When were at fairgrounds some used coal and the whole town was raising a fuss because the sky was black with the coal dust. Some burned wood and did not have that problem. The hardliner coal guys that would not use wood is what made the steamers go to the woods.
Pete in Holland MI
Member
Smallest production steam tractors that I know of were the 6hp units. Case & Advance come to mind They'd be bout the footprint of a Ford 8N. Not many were built but very coveted due to their size, and the price can be up there too (you know, the small cute factor).
Most steam tractors ran in the 125 to 175psi range back in the day.
No, they don't take 2 or 3 people to run. I run mine very successfully by my self, though the bulk of your fuel and water requires they be close at hand due to the volume used. The big plowing engines were often set up with a fireman and engineer out in the field, as both were full time jobs.
Far more fun to run than a gas tractor, as a hobby, but pretty easy to see where internal combustion tractors made life much easier on the owner/operator.
Pete
Most steam tractors ran in the 125 to 175psi range back in the day.
No, they don't take 2 or 3 people to run. I run mine very successfully by my self, though the bulk of your fuel and water requires they be close at hand due to the volume used. The big plowing engines were often set up with a fireman and engineer out in the field, as both were full time jobs.
Far more fun to run than a gas tractor, as a hobby, but pretty easy to see where internal combustion tractors made life much easier on the owner/operator.
Pete
Janicholson
Well-known Member
That would be in 1974 and 75! Jim
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
Not for long. The boiler can not keep up with the engine .
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