portable steam engine

I have a question for you guys. I have found a portable steam that is sitting in a field and the owner told me to make an offer on it. The engine has been sitting outside for many years now. The engine sits on top of the boiler and has flywheels on both sides I'm guessing that one is 4 ft and the other 3 ft. I'm sure it will take some work to get it running again but what would something like this be worth.

Thanks Tom Winland

Well portable engines see to be worth a lot less than traction engines. But it depends on Boiler condition. I certainly would not make a very high offer without a complete boiler inspection including ultrasound. Sitting out for that long there is certain to be problems with the smoke box and front flue sheet. Repairs to these areas come high at least if their done to code, which is the requirment of a lot of states today. It could be a great candidate for a yard / field / driveway ornament




My Old Engine Page

Besides the boiler question, as Mr Majeski said; Is the engine and governor all there? Anything cracked or frost broken? How about the fire grates? all the handhole plates, and doors? The valves, injectors, and other brasses?

CAN it be fixed? Certainly. Is it an economically viable candidate? There are a LOT of "maybes" we really can't answer without actually inspecting it. People are understandably paranoid about an unknown boiler, so even if it LOOKS OK, a couple hundred for an ultrasound mapping might be a money well spent. However, even if the boiler is in good shape, we can probably assume that it will need about $1500 worth of new tubes, and piping. Any missing parts will cost more time and money.

If the boiler IS beyond a reasonable hope, another option (besides making it a yard monkey) is to restore just the engine and mount it on skids or a cart to display.

If it were me, and the engine itself was complete (with a complete governor) but everything stuck, even WITH an unknown boiler, I'd start fishing at like $250-300. Without the governor? About 2/3 that. If it still turns over, then $500? to open. (don't use such a low ball numbers if the guy is easily excitable, tho - or he may junk it outa spite)

HI: Tom Start at $20,00 a ton junk price. But don't let him junk it out or part it out. I know where there is a eng. like that in IL, that I haven't seen yet, but I am going to get it to put in front of are show groungs. I am going to start at $ 200.00 and ad some paint about $40.00 and it will look good from the hwy, at 55 mil Hr. Paul PS. if you don't want it till someone about it. save that old iron.

Well Tom, being in Ohio might be an advantage of sorts as the Medina explosion might cut some ice when trying to deal!!!! ANY casting numbers or marks? Get some pics and post them here!!! Craig

I'm going to try and make a deal on it over Christmas and I'll take some pics to post for you all and let you know how it turns out.

Tom Winland Ohio

We'll I now own the portable steam engine I was talking about in this thread. It is a Frick ( Eclipse) 7 1/2 by 9

Tom Winland Ohio




http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4290922925

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Join ImageStation Now¿>>>I think not, I don't want to look at it THAT badly Hope you got a good deal!

Sorry,

didn't know you guys had to be members of imagestation to view the pictures, can anyone post the pics for me so everyone can see them.

Thanks Tom Winland Ohio

Tim helped me by posting them on the stak under the thread Christmas present to self.

Thanks Tom

you might try CattailFoundry for the missing engine parts, and the draft door. There are top halves of pickering governors on ebay all the time, as well...

How does the front tubesheet, firebox sheets and mud ring area look?

They didn't look to bad to the eye but will do alot more extensive look over once I got it home. I couldn't pass it up for the price. Do you think $500 was to much for it?

Tom Winland Ohio

Sounds like Santa Claus got stuck on YOUR roof!!! Craig

Depends on how much it really needs. OTOH you could probably make that much and more by parting it out if need be. Pedrsonally, I have too many other projects, and not enough time and money to finish them already. You can always cap the "stack" plug any holes and toss some moth balls inside to discourage bees and critters till you can do it "right"

If you aren't overly fussy, or can't find replacements most of the missing engine parts could probably be fabricated from barstock

BTW boiler was black, engine red, wheels yellow.

Anyone know about how much this will weigh? I'm getting things lined up to bring it home this weekend and don't want any surprises.

Thanks Tom Winland Ohio

Probably less than 12K

I hope alot less than 12k, I was planning on pulling it with my truck. I was hoping it didn't weigh anymore than 7 to 8k

my 25HP traction engine weighs 17.3 empty--you have lighter wheels and a smaller boiler

do you have any more pics that you could put up on here because i only see one pic and that is of the crank or email them to lar@tractor18.fsnet.co.uk

Here are the pics you were looking for awhile back, took me awhile to find em.

Tom Winland Ohio




http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/Albu...&a=31274639&f=