[SEL] Engine Parts - The Gig on the Dig

[Peter Lowe]

Hi Tommy
Well then, Al Harris is only across the river from me (10 mile) and if he is 
travelling from Oz, he will need a travelling companion to keep him company 
for the 21 hour flight, "First Class" of course.
We both await the mail man with our air tickets and look forward to putting 
in a hard days work with you mate..

Peter, Oz




> 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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