Firing and Operating a 1914 8-1/2 x 10 Frick Steam Traction Engine
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- Опубликовано: 5 сен 2024
- Firing and Operating a 1914 8-1/2 x 10 Frick Steam Traction Engine
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I can tell by your smile what a joy it was for you to operate that 16hp Frick.
Our area has two steam threshing shows in August each year. One or two Eclipse engines are usually at one of them. I enjoy watching, hearing and smelling them (steam and cylinder oil). My Dad had a 5/8ths model of a Case engine for many years. It was lots of fun to run and large enough to saw firewood. He even used it to supply steam to a large stainless steel kettle for cooking ham and beans at the county fair; I was usually the fireman for that event. Lots of great memories. Dad was a water boy for the crews during steam threshing on the farm in the 1920's. He had great fondness for them which passed on to me.
You look like a little kid having fun, so cool to see!
I owned an Advance Rumley 22/75 manufactured in 1915. It was a contractor's engine, meaning the rear wheels were mounted on wing sheets that attached to the rear of the boiler. This shifted the center of gravity aft which made it less likely to rear up when pulling earth moving equipment such as a grader. One of the things I really like about Frick engines is that the boiler is mounted on a frame so the stress of pulling stuff isn't transferred to the boiler. Avery undermounts were made in the same way...really good plowing engines. Anyway, great video and I really liked that both of you stressed the importance of keeping the correct water level in the boiler!
Like a kid with a new toy, the look on your face speaks volumes.
pro tip : you can watch series at flixzone. Been using them for watching a lot of movies recently.
@Mauricio Marvin yea, have been watching on Flixzone for since december myself :D
Big smiles from Keith, hope you get to do it again soon
There was a lake near where I used to live that had a sign saying "No Internal Combustion Engines."
The first thing that popped into my mind was, "Hmm. I should show up with a steamboat."
You looked like a kid on Christmas while you were behind the wheel!!!
I've never seen a machine like that actually run, its beautiful, y'all did a fine job !!
get out to a steam show
Great to see machinery like that still running Keith, I helped recover a friends roller from a barn and he then got the roller running again, was a great thing to see 'Rodney' running at shows. Thank you for showing this. Regards from Gareth in Wales
That thing is amazing. Very enjoyable to watch it running.
Being English, I find this is absolutely fascinating.
Also, being English, I am envious of the superb weather you seem to be having in Georgia. I am in Bolton, Lancashire at the moment and it's cold, damp and non-stop rain.👍🇬🇧👍🇺🇸👍🏴👍
You might be a bit less envious of the weather in mid summer. It gets very hot and very humid!
@@fredygump5578 I agree, I might not be as envious. About 20⁰C or 68⁰F is warm enough in summer with moderate humidity. 👍
I think Fred would have loved to have had a go at driving this engine
@@eliotreader8220 true. I met him once or twice for a pint of beer at the Ukrainian Club, just opposite his house on Radcliffe Road, Bolton. He also showed me round his house and back garden. At the time he had two traction engine wheels in his new kitchen. He was painting them, but his wife wasn't too pleased!
The smile on your face says it all.😁
Good morning from southwest Florida.
Keith always has fun on his adventures. lol
At an antique equipment show, I was glad to have the chance to study these beasts both at rest and in motion. One thing that I figured out was why the steering components had a familiar look. The front axle is a fairly simple arrangement with a center pivot and the wheels are steered by chains connected to the outboard ends of the axle. The wheels are steered by a chain shifting device that pulls the chain in one side and pays it out on the other side. Many of us have a chain-hoist in our shops to lift heavy loads. It dawned on me that the traction engine uses a very similar gear arrangement in the steering box. The chains to and from the axles are the “load chains” and the steering wheel is connected to what would be the “ control chain” (that endless loop of chain that the operator causes to revolve to raise or lower the load). You know how much cranking is involved in lifting a load 2 feet with the hoist. That same number of revolutions would be required of the steering wheel to cause any significant change in the steering axle position. I think someone wrote a song that said, give me forty acres and I’ll turn this rig around! 😎👍👀
The steering chains are wrapped around the shaft in front of the firebox. They are either wound up or payed out to steer.
Keith having the time of his life! Love it
Frick had his fingers in a lot of cookie jars. Steel Mills, coal mines, traction stationary, and locomotive building. He was also primary owner of the failed dam that caused the infamous Johnstown flood.
You cant win them all.
@@jtjjbannie "A man has to know his limitations."
@@JayKayKay7 Frick didn't know his limits and it was the downfall of Carnegie Steel
You're talking about a different Frick. George Frick started the Frick Company in Waynesboro Pennsylvania, what became York refrigeration, and is now owned by Johnson Controls.
Henry Clay Frick was the Carnegie man, and nothing to do with the steam engine manufacturer.
Amazing! When you think about what was accomplished in the day with steam. Great video.
Happier than a hog in mud. About as happy as I’ve ever seen you Keith; looks like fun.
As I watch the channel, I really learn a lot about history and in this case about distant relatives in amish communities here in Ohio.
It’s so nice to see these old machinery
Steam engines were polluting, noisy, slow, etc., but they made the industrial revolution possible and brought welfare to millions. Therefore it's good that a few enthusiasts maintain a few relics and keep them operable so that future generations can see how they worked. I thank them for that.
Hi Keith watching behind the controls of the traction engine you are like a kid in a candy store and it reminded me of a show some time back I watched Casey Jones and the Cannonball Express.
That steering setup mimics my clapped out ford truck’s steering. Incredible!
Don't think I've ever seen Keith enjoying himself so much. We used to say 'like a kid with a new toy'. (I didn't see the tell-tale water glass anywhere.)
Look below the S and in front of the rear wheel @ 5:04.
The front wheels look very delicate, and I noticed the clutch is inside the flywheel. The video wouldn't be complete without a root toot from the whistle. Excellent video. Thanks..
Lot going on running that engine...WOW....Thanks Keith...Outstanding video...!
My friend has a Frick like that. He threshes oats with it. I use my 20hp Keck rear mount to run my Reeves sawmill.
You are a rev head Keith, trying to spin the wheels on start. Taking those corners a bit fast too..
What a fun day.
Absolutely awesome. Thank you for posting!
Keith, I learned to fire on a 10HP Case traction engine very similar to that Frick with coal. Yes, no power steering; crank away and almost always adjusting. The big fun comes in firing, running, and steering at the same time on undulating land. It is more complicated than a locomotive because of the steering.
The large Avery engines(had 2-cylinder underslung engines mounted below the boiler and a locomotive style cab) had a power steering option available which was a small 2-cylinder steam engine mounted where the steering shaft met the cross shaft. Those engines were in the 120 to 150 HP range.
It did not show you were like a kid in a candy store. Were you able to start and stop without using the clutch? Now that is a trick.
Beautiful engine and runs very nice. Very nice whistle sound.
looks like frickin good fun!
My "Merry" engine (model) runs both ends of a piston and is propane driven. It was a work horse for sawmills and such. No wheels but a Flywheel and PTO wheel.
mark that one off the bucket list. she is in great shape. Looks fine. I go to a show out here near me, in Bangor PA, Jacktown .org they have quite a few traction engines during the shows. Love watch, hearing, seeing them. It's a great time. Brings you back in time.
Amazing! What a contraption, your knowledge of them is impressive! Thanks for keeping this piece of mechanical history alive!
What an honour Keith to be able to pilot the man's freshly restored treasured traction engine, what a wonderful experience for you, thanks for sharing.
Tony from Western Australia 🇦🇺
It’s so nice to see these old machinery.
I like a lot the work you do and make me and, I guess others know more about old machinery.
Thank you.
Denton NC Farm park has a two cylinder Frick that they operate. Ex City of Charlotte, it has flywheels on both sides. I have driven it, and it’s more like pointing it in the general direction you want to go.
I currently live in West Blocton Al. And I can tell you there is plenty of coal around here. It was used a lot for iron and steel making. So the south had coal. There was coal also in Tennessee
That's an awesome machine
Keith, Thank You for the Birthday Present
Beauty! That looks like superb fun.
Thank you.
Bravo. Finally some "Vintage Machinery" works rather then the repetitious videos of late on how to machine and goodies that came in the mail. Would like to more videos of antique machines at work and the like, please.
Keith, there are steam locomotives in the Philippines that run on sugar cane waste and have two firemen to keep it stoked as the engine goes through the bundles very quickly.
Sugar cane waste is called bagasse. It was also used to fire the boilers for the sugar mill.
Awesome engine. Thanks for sharing Keith. I have a book in my library on the history of the Frick company that built that engine.
Well that looks like fun!
Sweet ride!
Came from my home state. Ought to pull like a Missouri mule!
Built in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania.
I knew it - you were having the time of your life driving that thing !
I didn't get to see a second speed gear - so I'm thinking it was a single speed traction engine ? Normally, they were 2 speed (possibly posh ones, 3 speed) low speed for working and a higher gear for road-going but not up steep hills !
Those not familiar with these engines are probably not aware that they don't have any brakes ! The nearest they get to a parking brake is a pair of wheel chocks. All other braking is done with the engine.
Also, if they are about to go down a steep hill, they'll go down it backwards - and probably have the valve gear timed for driving forward - so opening the steam valve to slow it down !
@@flat-earther Considering their purpose, they're often on soft level ground and that tops them. For going down hills, they put the engine into reverse and carefully use steam pressure to slow down.
Not many American engines had more than 1 speed. Avery undermounts and some Harrisons being the only exception I can think of. Some Canadian engines had 2 speeds, and the 150hp Case also had 2 speeds, but the original design didn't hold up.
@@dkrenshaw Interesting. Here in the UK 2 speed were the norm with occasional 3 speed !
Nice!! I imagine it would be cool to start in the morning, get the engine boiler up to temp and pressure, drive down to the saw mill, hook up the belt and start making lumber for the day. Then drive her back and have supper.... :-)
The HP was usually rated to the minimum for tax and weight purposes. The higher the HP the more tax was paid. Some of the big ploughing engines were rated 16 HP but working hard they generated up to 150 HP.
I know you had a great time doing that. It was a pleasure watching you have fun.
isn't fun to play like big kid, keith with cheshire grin love it
Neat. Thanks for keeping that old iron alive.
just amazing
What a Behemoth. It must have been impressive in the fields of the early part of the last century. No less today.
I can't believe that giant machine is 16 up and we now our lawns with the same
GREAT JOB DRIVEN, GREAT VIDEO, [ BACK TO WORK ]...
It's about torque. A steam engine develops maximum torque closest to 0 rpm. Combustion engines develop their torque closer to maximum rpm, (loosely speaking). Basically a steam engine will try to move until it breaks something where a combustion engine will just stall.
Hard to imagine that a 567 cu in engine is only 17 hp. lol
Great old machine, may it be preserved and live a long life.
Thanks for sharing.
It's nice to see old iron working.
Lot of history.
But remembering the Fatal explosion of a boiler of a case ploughing engine some years ago at a show resulting in five people being killed and some forty injured. Boiler operation and safety is paramount and also regular testing there is a huge amount of energy stored in a boiler, and there is no room for complacency safety safety safety.
Every time you fire it up.
The findings of the accident was that the safety valve didn't blow resulting in catastrophic failure of the boiler.
When tested after the accident the pressure relief valve was taken upto 250 psi and didn't release the test was terminated.
It should have blown at 160 psi.
Steam is noted for 2 things; it has a large capacity of BTU in it and it occupies a volume of 1600 to 1 the same amount of water at that pressure.
A part of the past that build the world we have today. So beautiful to see it still goes.
Its like Christmas came early Keith. 😊
What a beautiful machine!! And preserved very well...
Kieth, thank you for providing us with such high quality content.
Your a lucky man the rest of us can only dream of things like that!
Sure looks lot harder to 'steer' than the Vulcan. smile on you face says it all Keith.
I usually don't pay any attention to the likes and dislikes and I wonder how on earth anyone can dislike this mans videos ?
Thank you Keith
Trolls got to troll.
Don't waste your breath and don't feed the trolls.
Good stuff. That's a day that'll fend off the "iron deficiency" for a little while.
It is not the 150hp Case but still pretty special!
Keith of off the rails! and having fun :0-)
The introduction raises the issue that there were many different varieties of Traction Engines. A lot of people have the vague idea that a Traction Engine is a Traction Engine and that is it. That's not true, for example, speaking of the British experience, there is a BIG difference between a Showman's Engine, which is set up to drive a built-in generator and is very decorated and a Plough Engine, which is fitted with a powerful hauling drum of steel rope to pull a plough back and forth across a field without having to move across soft ground.
Showman's Engines: ruclips.net/video/f6ukWOk_iQA/видео.html
Plough Engines at work: ruclips.net/video/Wc0QNh0P_0k/видео.html
Heavy Haulage (and other) Engines: ruclips.net/video/149Nl8Wa4Bc/видео.html
As described in video, Traction Engine running Sawmill: ruclips.net/video/lWdWUuIfxfQ/видео.html
Threshing with an Engine, 1971, not for demonstration, as part of the work of a farm: ruclips.net/video/AqL4q-rcEHs/видео.html
Engine is 7hp. Much easier and quicker with a Combine.
You really should never engage the clutch like that! Those clutches are not meant to be slipped like a car clutch! Always engage the clutch fully and then start the engine. Also, if you kill the throttle before you center the reversing lever, the engine will stop in the middle with steam on both sides of the piston, that way when you’re ready to start again you don’t have to roll the flywheel off dead center.
A single cylinder steam engine may get stopped with the slide valve between both ports prohibing restart without rolling the flywheel or pushing the vehicle. Multiple cylinder applications would stager the work load attachments to prevent the issue, example was 'quartering' drivers on one side of a steam train engine, usually 90 °.
Oh dear, Oh boy, Keith has tasted his freedom now and will never finsch the planer.
I think it could be a great machine to run the planer
Boy! You took your life and limb into serious jeopardy when your fired one of these puppies up.
I guess that's where the phrase "Balls to the walls" came from.
Surprisingly they evolved into safe pieces of equipment with most boiler explosions or loss of limbs due to operator error or incorrect boiler maintenance, storage and inspections. Tbey were heavy so did tend to go through many bridges though.
Yes, the term "balls out" or later I guess "balls to the wall" did come from these flyball governors.
Seen Them Pull They Are Beasts
So, it has a triple-purpose flywheel/clutch/pulley, the flywheel for the engine itself, the clutch for the tractor, and the pulley for powering flat belt powered saws, mills, washing machines, etc.
The flywheel on the engine shaft is the pulley for external equipment when belted up.
Very enjoyable!!
THANK YOU...for sharing. Fantastic.
What a great video
Keith, it brings back fond memories visiting my grandfather when my father, brother, and myself, met up with him to steam up in 2 different places. He worked with a fellow by the name of Walter Kapp. Walter had several engines among them was a Kitten, the other I think was a Baker. Walter's Kitten was unique as he had a very large steamboat whistle. The Kitten I got to see at the National thresher's reunion in Wauseon Ohio. The Baker was one that Walter stored at the Monroe County fair grounds in exchange for firing it up during their fair. That talk about having bigger horses back then reminds me of an incident when I had gone to Wauseon with my father and brother (this was in the mid 70's). We had a lot of rain in the area of and around Wauseon on the way there. Well, anyway, one of the bigger engines got stuck in a shallow mud puddle. Why? because the drive wheels had no treads on them. My grandfather was there for Walter who had been in a very bad car accident and was asked if he could pull the engine out, which he declined because he did not want the responsibility as it was not his engine. They got someone to pull, or at least try and pull him out. Now remember this was when compact and sub compact cars were coming out because of the gas prices, and that included pickup trucks. Well, that was what the guy who they got to help had. Amazingly, he had supplied just enough pull for the other guy to drive his engine out. I so wish I had had the thought to get a picture of that. LOL I understand the basics of how to run one of those steam tractors and actually had the opportunity to drive The Kitten in the parade of engines at Wauseon with my grandfather on there. I just steered for a little while as did my brother. I so want to have the chance to be able to do that again.
Fricking awesome stream engine!
I think Fred would have loved to have a go at driving this engine
My understanding (which is suspect at the best of times) is that the word tractor comes from ‘traction engine’
It was basically an engine that could be used to drive different implements that previously was mounted to a cart which was dragged around by horses. By adding its own drive system (traction) it became a tractor.
It's from the Latin word to pull. Traho, tracere, traxi, tractum :)
The word tractor was taken from Latin, being the agent noun of trahere "to pull".The first recorded use of the word meaning "an engine or vehicle for pulling wagons or ploughs" occurred in 1896, from the earlier term "traction engine" (1859
The smile on my face was almost as big as yours.
I hoping to see the initial start up to see how and what it took to get that monster to move.
I love a steam whistle
Worth the wait.
Whoa... slow down there, Speedy.
It was so slow that I initially thought he was in reverse, as the wheels in the background of the shot gave the impression of scenery going by, in reverse. Very disconcerting
Not sure if it's the same company or not, but Eclipse boilers are still made today. Awesome restoration. Well Done!
Keith Rucker, you ought to be ashamed of yourself for having SO much fun.
It's going to take a month to wipe the smile off your face.
Great to see one of these grand old machines working again.
Stay safe !
Stu
In the UK and Europe, we don't have the luxury of a clutch on a traction engine or steam roller, you have to turn the flywheel by hand to just after TDC, put it in gear, and open the regulator, and with any luck, off you go!
Brian Jones, Even a clutch is a lot of unnecessary work for the Americans ,suprised they didn't come up with an automatic system, . OH wait they did, torque converter /fluid flywheel etc .
@@karlhrdylicka The clutch is for traveling. Once set up with a belt, the clutch is "opened".
@@royreynolds108 .Ta muchly for that info . My earlier comment was a bit of sarcastic English humour .
If you have a gasoline engine, it develops power with the speed of the engine.
With a diesel engine, the power comes even in the low speed range.
A steam engine has the power directly when it starts up and in the low speed range. Ideal for pulling heavy trailers.
A bit like an electric motor that way: maximum torque at zero RPM. It’s why a Tesla has such brutal acceleration off the line.
Like a race car, go fast, turn left
I make occasional deliveries to what is now Johnson Controls\Frick in Waynesboro
Blimey! It’s a Frick(en) Steam Engine! 😜
Keith. I have a recollection from reading books from the past ( this may have related to portable engines) that the HP rating was the number of horses needed to pull the steam engine not the output HP. but there was also a SHP Steam HP number , But as you know the power of a steam engine is greatest when stalled . very much like a series wound DC motor used in traction Max power to get going and it tails off as the shaft rpm increased
this was also in cars in the 1940 era a 750 cc ford pop. was RAC rated has a 7 hp a 1200 cc car was a 12 hp
and then there was NHP notional HP
many was to confuse us glad today the use a dyno to test with then fudge the result to sell the product .we all know Far Eastern HP is different to USA and UK rating but again they rate in KW ( 746 w ) input not output ( I used to say as estimate 1KW is 1 HP electrical load
Let her rip Keith! You guys need to get together with Jay Leno and have some races against his traction engine! Jay has the funds to make it happen 😂🤣😂🤣. 👍Fun video. The torque of these engines is what’s important and I suspect the Fick is a real stump puller.
You had me at "Frick".