[SEL] Engine Parts - The Gig on the Dig

[Al Harris]

Tommy, that sounds as if it came right out of a Travel Brochure.

I think I can say without any fear of contradiction that quite 
a few "downunder" would be mighty pleased to accept your 
generous July offer. Just send blank cheques. :-)

Al Harris
Winter Clarence Coast NSW Oz


Judge Tommy Turner wrote:
> Anybody game to hunt for some engine parts?  Here's the "gig on the dig". 
> 
> I acquired a 4 HP Springfield Type B that is missing parts.  Here's some 
> background and how this story is believed to have come about.  A man 
> named Hannebaum, from Missouri, worked in the Ohio works of the 
> Springfield Gas Engine shop in the 1890's.  He was quite the engineer 
> and its very possible the Type B Springfield was his design.  He moved 
> back to Missouri, near Springfield, and either brought the patterns with 
> him or possibly engine castings.  A few of the Type B Springfield style 
> engines were built, tagged with the Hannebaum name.  One was a 4 (or 
> believed to be a 4) HP that was installed in a grain elevator in 
> Billings, MO. 
> 
> It ran until 1945 when it was removed from service.  It was purchased 
> and taken to a farm a few miles from town when the engine was dismantled 
> and a wedge bolted on the piston to make a woodsplitter.  After being 
> used a few years the engine was set in the fence row where it remained 
> until a few years ago.  One of the family members, now in his 90's. 
> stated that he knew all the parts for the engine were still there on the 
> farm and knows close proximity to where they are located.  I have 
> visited the site and believe him as its sort of like walking back in time. 
> 
> Where he believes the parts are located has a large amount of scrap 
> iron, junk, growth, etc and will require some work to pick through, dig, 
> etc.
> 
> The parts possible there include the intake and exhaust valve cage, the 
> cross slide mechanism, the ignitor, governor, gas valve and other small 
> parts.  This will be a bit like digging for gold.
> 
> Now the question is, are there any folks out there game to make a 
> digging excursion with me?  I have a friend who can bring in a skid 
> steer and he'll spray to kill all the vegetation a couple weeks before 
> the dig could begin.  I think the project, with 5 or 6 folks working, 
> could be completed in a day and a half.  I've got shovels, picks, etc 
> but I would need to access a metal detector to do the job right.
> 
> I'd provide the meals, hotel room, and all the fire water needed.  We 
> could gather at my place and then I'd transport everyone down to the 
> site, which is about an 8 hour drive.
> 
> Just something to think about.  I'll probably try to do this excursion 
> in mid July.
> 
> Tommy Turner
> 
> 
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