Real Tractor Pull

[farmer52]

A 850 H.P. John Deere diesel vs. A steam tractor rated 18 H.P.

It's all about torque and traction. The steam tractor, weiging much more than
the diesel has plenty of traction. And steam engines have lots of torque.

In the past, often only a single steam locomotive was needed to pull a long
train.

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=FLQhvruimfs

[Freightrain]

This has been making the rounds on a few forums I frequent.

Bet that steam engine is 2-3x the weight of the newer version. Plus the 100% torque at zero of the steam engine gives it LOTS of advantage.

[Mike]

I'm sure that steam engine was interesting to see, if the site would open up and let me in. This morning it said 403 Forbidden.

mike

[let it loose]

Yep, I can't view it either.

[farmer52]

Sorry for the bad link...give it another try.

[fxfymn]

Built for power, not for speed!

[Mike]

Ok Ken it is up and running. High Torque wins over HP. Once dated a girl from Shelbyville, TN that her father runs a steam traction engine. He takes it to Adams, Tn Steam Threshing Show each July and uses it to run the sawmill they have on the property.

thx

mike

[Freightrain]

I used to go down to Dover, OH fairgrounds for the annual steam show. Very cool, lots of neat sights and sounds.

[Brent D]

I like the draw bar pulling idea, but no one is ever dumb enough to try against me. I've pulled steam engines a couple of times, but we usually put on a spark show. We build up as much steam as the pressure relief will allow, and fill the firebox with saw dust. My friends and I usually add crushed corn cobs, cedar shavings, and sometimes straw to get a more intense flame out the stack. Then we hook to a pulling sled.

Here is the engine I operate, 1916 Geiser "Peerless" class R. Made in Waynesboro, PA. It weighs 17,000 pounds when full of water, 13 nominal / 40 maximum horsepower. Torque.... I'm not really sure, it has a lot.

We even have the best old trucks to get them place to place.

Edited December 14, 2013 by Brent D

[Reuhlz]

Brent - awesome setup and steam engine! Looks great!

[Lmackattack]

What's the boiler pressure on the old tractors.....is it as high as late model steam locomotives....250-300 psi?

[farmer52]

Brent,

Nice engine (and Mack). Been to Chambersburg show at Twin Bridges many years ago when they hosted the International Cockshutt Club. Nice show grounds. I will have to put your show on my 2014 calendar and try to attend.

[j hancock]

I know a couple of people that have Stanley steam cars and they are running close to 500 psi on the boiler.

 

 

[1958 F.W.D.]

Seems like a good way to do large-scale roto-tilling.

[Lmackattack]

500psi...wow! .would have thought 150psi for older early boilers.....

[j hancock]

Here is an interesting article with specifications and details of boiler construction.

http://www.stanleymotorcarriage.com/Parts/Boiler.htm

[Brent D]

Thanks for the compliments, it is a lot of work keeping one of those engines going. Depending upon condition, most antique steam traction engines in PA run between 100 - 150 psi. A lap seam boiler (where the seam of the boiler is overlapped on itself and riveted) is only allowed 100 psi because it is a weaker design. A butt strap boiler ( the ends of the boiler at the seam are butted together, and a strap is riveted on the outside and inside of the boiler) is allowed to operate up to 150. A fun fact one other owner told me is that a square foot of steam at 100 psi has the same expansion force as 10 pounds of dynomite.

[farmer52]

Brent - what is the feature tractor for 2014? Farm Show Directory will not arrive until March 2014.

[Mike]

Nice to see the Peerless and Mack B combination. Both look great together. And also thanks for sharing the info about the boiler. That is some interesting stuff to know about the bands and metal overlap etc. etc.

mike

[j_martell]

that poor "little" deere didn't stand a chance.....lol. Can't beat brute force and ignorance.