Farmall Cub Keeps the Big Eli Ferris Wheel Going ‘Round

Let’s Talk Rusty Iron: The ‘Big Eli’ Ferris wheel runs using a Farmall Cub engine that once powered a tractor

Richard H. Lehr
January 2012

Farmall Cub Engine
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A Farmall Cub dating to about 1947 is the Sharptown Big Eli’s power source. 
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Farm Collector reader Richard H. Lehr, Delmar, Del., recently sent this letter: “I thought your readers may be interested in the enclosed photos of a 1917 ‘Big Eli’ Ferris wheel built by Eli Bridge Co., Jacksonville, Ind. The wheel is for the most part original. It is unique in that it is run using a cable system that has served the same unit since new. What I found interesting is that the power system is a circa 1947 Farmall Cub engine placed on a cart after its original use as a tractor.

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“The Ferris wheel is owned by the Sharptown (Md.) Fire Department. It reportedly replaced a similar Ferris wheel that was lost in a 1914 hurricane. The wheel is used every year for several weeks in August at the annual Sharptown Firemen’s Carnival. The operators say it is a mite finicky. Because of the cable driven system, rider weight distribution is important. If it is loaded too heavily on one side, the wheel has a tendency to run backwards.

"Founded in 1906, Eli Bridge remains in operation in Jacksonville and produces a variety of carnival rides.” FC 

–Richard H. Lehr w3ecu@netzero.com.  

To read more about Ferris wheels check out Ferris Wheel Launched at the 1893 Exposition from Let's Talk Rusty Iron.

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