- Related Articles
- LET'S TALK RUSTY IRON
- IRON AGE ADS
- Parr for the Course
Everett says he has always enjoyed the people involved in steam traction engines, from when he was child until now. "Also the quietness of them. When they're running, they're not noisy or anything like that. They're fascinating and exciting. Kind of big, I guess you could call them. Big and magnificent."
Bill Vossler is a frequent contributor to Farm Collector. He lives and works in-Minnesota.
The Birdsall Story
Birdsall steam traction engines were manufactured by Birdsall Company of Penn Yan, N.Y., starting in 1874. Up until this time the company had manufactured a variety of other farm machines, including portable engines, threshers, and sawmills, as well as road rollers and road machines.
The company manufactured smaller steam traction engines of 8, 12, and 15 horsepower. It is unclear whether they manufactured any other sizes of steam traction engines.
The Birdsall steam traction engine had several unique features, as Norbeck writes: 'The Birdsall steam traction engine was the only one at that time (1890s) made with the Automobile steering gear, open or solid faced drivers and a six to ten barrel water capacity on the engine. The cylinder was of the Corliss pattern, and was cast with the way and brackets in one piece. The compensating gear was placed directly on the rear axle, inside of the large spur driving-gear, and the power was transmitted to it from the large gear through a heavy steel coil spring, thereby forming a perfect cushion to protect the gearing from sudden shocks or severe strains when starting the engine in either direction. The Cross-Head was adjustable to take up wear, and the slides had large wearing surfaces, which were concaved to prevent cramping or heating. The connecting rod was so constructed as to be practically free from vibration. The result was a perfectly smooth-running engine, even under the strain of a heavy load. The crank head was perfectly balanced, as was the fly wheel."
Birdsall Company steam traction engines were made into the early 1900s. The company still exists as a foundry today in Auburn, N.Y., controlled by the same Birdsall family that started it in June of 1860 as H. Birdsall & Son.