Is this a Robert Bell?

[Beth V]

This is in Kelly Tytlandsvik's gallery. Is it a Robert Bell? It appears to be a Robert Bell smokebox door, but the frame looks like a Frick, the stack looks like a stout Port Huron (that's been repaired), it is a rear mount???? ...and the man's bibs look Canadian

Thanks
Beth

[Eric M.]

The stack actually hasn't been repaired. The other pictures of Robert Bell engines in Norbeck's book all have stacks like that. As for the Frick frame, I have no idea???

[greysteam24hp]

Just looking good as a merged Frick and Port Huron heavy freighting engine!

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

Frick, Aultman Taylor and obviously this Robert Bell used "Independent Mounting." i.e. the boiler can be removed without dissasembling the whole engine. Actually the undermounted Avery was independently mounted as well; in spite of being undermounted (axle under the firebox). The Aultman Taylor and Frick were independent, but rear mounted (the axle to the rear of the firebox.)

I will admit, I don't know a darn thing about this particular engine, Beth! But I didn't know I wore Canadian bib overalls when steaming???
Gary

[Colin]

This is Bells rear mount plowing engine. thats Lyle stomps dad from Saskatchewan on there, his name escapes me at the moment. normally you can tell Canadian bibs because they zip up on the front. but i cant tell on these A couple older steam guys in south dakota liked some darker ones dad wore. so they sent some money back with us and we brought them each a pair the year later. ive never wore that type though, just dickies or Carharts.

[G Willikers]

I often suspected that few people paid attention to posts on here about Canadian made engines!
BUT:
http://www.smokstak.com/forum/showth...Bells+Swell%21

[20 Reeves Highwheeler]

Onkel G and Colin,
I guess if you stand in the right spot, Canada and Montana are less than 10 thousandths apart? Maybe that is why I've always worn "Canadian" zippered bibs by JC Penney and others? My steam engine has a "motor" too. Even if the threshing machine isn't a "mill" into which we feed "sheaves and stooks," but bundles and shocks?
Gary

[Beth V]

Blame the "Canadian bibs" on the Searson clan. They were the first that I ever remember seeing wearing such zippered things!

That "Robert Bells are Swell" is the thread I was looking for!



Thanks!!
Beth

[Jason Searson]

Beth
Thanks for pointing out that we use to wear bib's with zipper's!! That engine is the one at Crosby show and it would be the 35 rear mount same as dads portable only it can move on it's own power. That would be an awesome engine to have as well, what a great design it is too bad there isn't anymore of them that i know of!! I know that there is a 24 horse Bell with the same undercarriage and it is here in Ontario but it hasn't been out in years. I looked it up a few years back and found that the people who own it were going to get it out again but i have yet to see it!
See ya Jason

[Beth V]

Originally Posted by Jason Searson

Beth
Thanks for pointing out that we use to wear bib's with zipper's!! See ya Jason

Jason,

The image of you swimming in front of the grandstand in those zippered bibs!!! Now THAT was an image!

It would be neat to see that big girl plowing. How well did/do they handle??

Thanks!
Beth

[Lyle Stomp]

I've run that engine at Crosby for over 8 years now with my dad Glen. It handles well an is an easy steamer. We've had it on the sawmill, threshed and plowed with it. Last year we had an all Canadian plowing setup including operators, we pulled an 8 bottom Cockshutt power lift plow and it performed well. The power lift gave us grief though. It is quite an advanced engine with all steel gearing and a variable speed govenor. We run it at 150 pounds and it isn't hard to keep steam up with coal. Lyle

[Ask The User]

Hey Jason,

I believe there may be another 35 rear mount Robert Bell at North Battleford. I took this picture in 2008. Take care.

[Kelly Tytlandsvik]

Beth were you in my Gallery!

Lyle the parts for the power lift are on my bench right now! That plow had more moving parts than a wrist watch! And most of them were seized up!

Here is a short video of the Robert Bell plowing last summer. Like Lyle said the plow was giving a lot of trouble.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRuZA9oE3q0



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKD_x_kqBe0





Kelly T

[Beth V]

Kelly,

I cannot deny the obvious....I enjoyed it too!!

Your photo of the 30 triggered my curiousity. I thought all Bells were "simple Port Hurons." Silly me! I would like to see one in person sometime. I am curious by how I see features of so many other engines (as mentioned in the first post). Good ideas!

The videos are nice, but I'd like to hear it working in person & see if it is a "ground pounder!"

More photos & stories on this one and others like it would be most appreciated!

Thank You!
Beth

[Kelly Tytlandsvik]

Hi Beth

You could get all your questions answered if you were to come up to Crosby.....remember third weekend in July every year!

Glen Stomp could probably even tell where you could get some of those CANADIAN bibs!

Kelly T

[Beth V]

Kelly,

That is really tempting, but that is Five Points Steam Threshers 50th anniversary show weekend. I can't skip out of it!

What are other times/places that those who are interested can see it operate?

Thanks!
Beth

PS: I prefer my Lady Liberty bibs!

[Jerry Lucabaugh]

I'll throw my thought in on the indipendant frame. It looks to be identical to a Farquar model K frame. The cast support under the barrel and the square side plates for the engine support are very simular.

[Beth V]

Since my curiousity is piqued, I guess it is time to see if I can find a catalog or so to become informed!

In the mean time, how many different styles of drivers were available?

Thanks
Beth

[Lyle Stomp]

I forgot to mention that I think there is only 2 left in existence. Too bad they are a nice engine to run.

[Beth V]

Lyle,

Where is the other one?

Thanks
Beth