Steam Traction Engine Tractor Pull

[SittingMooseShaman]

...steam delivers such an incredibly great energy-to-weight ratio @ lower rpm which cannot be matched by internal combustion or turbine... which must gear-down... It'd be nice to design a modern 'external' combustion/steam engine for ag/industrial-use which would prove economical to use...

[7822welshsteam]

Nice engine. Completely different from what we have in the UK. Big with a low-pressure boiler and a condenser as apposed to our more simple and smaller high-pressure machines in their bright colours.

[93DOL]

I love traction engines, steamrollers, steam engines anything that's steam I've driven a traction engine similar to that one before it was cool who needs cars when you have these beautiful machines

[bpmelo]

just loved it, that is great, what about the sound of the engine in idle ?? man... beautiful

[IFlick]

When we see those Monster Nitro Tractors blowing up at the Tractor pull Nationals, we know that can't happen here. After all, these are steam engines, their history of safety and reliability is legendary. At 150 years, this machine may have only reached it's half life. Theoretically it could go on pulling and racing other tractions engines for generations to come?

[IFlick]

This engine is well over 100 years old. What is the working life of these machines? What is it's tractor pulling life? How long may it last on the traction engine drag racing circuit? I realize all of them are running at their peek performance, like the day they were made. I'm sure their operators have experience that would match the age of the machine. Perhaps, like Tommy tug boat, Trevor The Traction Engine will just keep pulling along.

[super58173]

"This is Trevor, a Traction Engine."

"A WHAAT Engine?" asked Trevor.

"A Traction Engine," said Thomas, "You run on roads, instead of rails."

"WHHAAAAAAT??" said Trevor, who was still puzzled.

...every video has a comment from an idiot...*sigh.*

...and no, I would not want to cross that thing at it's work.

[IFlick]

Read some of the descriptions of the accident in Ohio. The men gathered around the machine were eviscerated. A jet of steam cut its operator in half! People from surrounding States had to be brought in to determine what happened. Everyone in the State of Ohio who knew anything about traction engines was killed in the explosion. They are esthetically beautiful with nickle and brass fittings, rolling sculpture, but they are not a toy! Why we no longer use them? They're inherently dangerous!

[super58173]

@IFlick - The same reason why people are afraid of Steam Trains, but their boilers exploding were not a common sight, when the machine was built right, and when handled by somebody who knows the machines well, boiler problems, and too much steam should be spotted. Now shut up and take it easy, shrapnel can't go through Ethernet cables.

[IFlick]

@super58173 Oh, I think you're right! It's something you and the whole family can enjoy! When they're drag racing across the fairground or just doing one of those old fashion 19th century tractor pulls. Unless everyone gets in close, you're gonna miss the real engineering precision that era had to offer. I've always been frightened of locomotives, even the ones that haven't moved in years. But here is a chance to see history come alive! Don't forget your camera!

[super58173]

@IFlick O_O

O_O

O_O

I cannot tell if you mean it, or are being sarcastic.

[delcofiftyfive]

@super58173 Ohio should have a government that should help people from getting killed. Do they allow people to have water heaters? It's the same thing. If your water heater gets stuck on, it would explode and blast thru the roof. Iowa, where I live, requires pressure regulators on water heaters, so people don't get killed.

People figured this out 100 years ago. Do we have to go over it again?

[super58173]

@delcofiftyfive - Most Steam Machines should have safety valves SOMEWHERE, elsewise, they would be moving bombs. Thought that was common knowledge.

[delcofiftyfive]

All engines are required to have an annual boiler inspection, required by law. I have asked and everyone that I asked has had a current inspection.

[IFlick]

@delcofiftyfive At the time of the accident I mentioned below, the State of Ohio had no boiler inspection. Odd considering Ohio was a center of the industry. Surely you would agree, these machines shouldn't be worked or raced. Running them across the fairgrounds is one thing but these wonderful engines are 100 years old, using them in a tractor pull is something they were never designed for.

[kylekbelt]

@delcofiftyfive are you allowed to still have the boilers held together by rivets?

[delcofiftyfive]

@kylekbelt The rivets aren't the problem. The problem is they don't properly have their boilers tested as required by law, in my state anyway. Lots of old bridges have rivets and if rivets were cheaper than bolts we would be using rivets all the time.

[GWR4079]

@delcofiftyfive in the uk you need a boiler test every 10yrs

[pocketjohnson]

@GWR4079 In the UK for a new boiler all welded boiler - probably 10yrs. For an antique boiler no more than 7years for a full 150% hydraulic test which needs to be maintained for at least 30mins and key measurements are taken to assess distortion . The boiler must return to pre test measurements in order to pass.

Other certain repairs eg retube require a 120% hydraulic test. Also any hydraulic test invalidates the annual inspection so this must be re-carried done.

[GWR4079]

@pocketjohnson thanks for the info :)

[pocketjohnson]

@kylekbelt - Indeed you are - hundreds of rivet boilers are built each year. Before total penetration welding and x-ray checking there was no other way to join big pieces of metal ! Re boiler-ed steam engines do sometimes have a welded barrel seam as riveting the barrel is problematical - but all other joints will be riveted. Also rivets look good !

[fabiua7x]

maravilha

[pocketjohnson]

@delcofiftyfive - I believe if they are "showing" at a Fair then it is almost certain that the Show will have an inspection regime - usually hot and cold inspections. This would be an public liability insurance requirement. I understand in the USA a lot of old boilers are down rated to 50-60lbs below the original WP this significantly reduces the risk without reducing the enjoyment.

[IFlick]

Should you encounter one of these things in operation at you local county fair, run! This is a rolling shrapnel bomb. Many are far to old to have their boilers fired. These people are actually working them. The last time one of these things exploded, it killed more than a half dozen people and seriouslly injured many more. This happened in Ohio. There is virtually know one left in Ohio operating one of these things. They were all huddled around the engine when it exploded.

[porpoisefathom]

@IFlick that was in 2001and the owner had not kept it up to standards...it was the only boiler explosion of that type on a tracion engine in decades- and none have exploded on a marine vessel in over 100 years...they have safety valves set at 5 psi above operating temps...and a lot of steam engines are water tube boilers anyway and dont explode... google it...

[IFlick]

@porpoisefathom I disagree, most water tube and super steam heat was reserved for heavy applications, locomotives etc. Many of these machines are little more than rolling tea pots. They are antiques, their working lives ended long ago. There are a handful of people in the country that understand their operation and maintenace. Fireing them for demonstration ok, but they shouldn't be raced or pulled, they were not designed for that.

[porpoisefathom]

@IFlick yes these are old and they need to have inspections. Yes i would reluctantly agree that there is always a danger in operating one-however there is a danger too in racing cars or skating on a river...there are always risks...but they accidents are few. with boilers The problem is that metal fatigues etc. but using redundant safety fittings should make it safe...they were designed to pull- perhaps not race. but i dont think we can say this is a race per se.

[porpoisefathom]

@IFlick also--water tube boilers have been used for small applications for the last half century and more.

yarrow tube, robertson, just two name a couple...used on 15 ft steam launches and up. reliable safe and practical. True the fire tubes are the dangerous kind. but even they can be made very safe. an amateur can build them easily and safely. because the tubes can hold 5000 psi before a burst..and then the volume if it does burst is so small. the only danger is breathing in 400 degree fumes

[JohnDeere30201]

wish these were still used for farming

[mudpuppy4life]

can we say full pull?

[TheZonda5002]

STEAM POWER FOREVER!!!

[bilihuset]

nice steam is just so fucking strong

[Ultraman725]

Maybe we should make trains steam powered, it'd save a lot of fuel. Not sure how powerful a steam engine you'd need though.

[jmaack727]

@Ultraman725

Hahahahahahahaha

[forresthop]

i like how the sled barely phases it, its like its just pulling a twig behind it

[dukes20084]

i may not move fast but its a beast :)

[piratebobstreasure]

I can't believe the sled actually stopped this behemoth! What a beast! Wish my Farmall H had this much torque!

[sabbathdude93]

thats good american enginearing at its finest

[VentoDriver]

@sabbathdude93 sadly, that's the best the have done yet haha jk, cause if not all americans will get upset

[mageac]

the rest of the tracters thought they were tough... until grandpappy came around

[crabtrap]

have wood and water,will travel!

[FabFab2009]

ffffffffuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuulll­llll puuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuulllllllllll­ll

[RitualEcho]

Some kind of monster! Phew!

[hazmat440]

nothing like raw power nice tractor

[MyDavid1960]

nice...i wish i was there....

[hdiylove]

Fascinating!

[woodyate]

somebody was sittin on poppy valve filming this ahy

[BlakeMason2]

That was VERY cool and impressive. I don't know much about the "sled", but since the weight got allllll the way up the ramp to the hitch, I assume the tractor "won" and got up to full load. Thanks for the good soundtrack. I sure roared a lot under load.

[dieexplorer]

This is raw torque man,  much more than diesel engine with same weight

[Yarder122]

The steam tractors have their weight and better traction to their advantage

[JtsGreene]

And raw torque. You can even watch a video on here of a steam engine with about 100hp putting out over 3400 pounds of torque.

[Libertytreeradio]

Very Coooool!!!

Check out the video 25th annual Jin Monaghan Antique Engine show on youtube. You will like it.  :)

[mcz1987]

old school, all just from metal and a lit bit wood, no plastic materials !

[PistolPete2]

That looked like a full pull to me.

[lolcomentriter]

i got FAR it prabaly would beat a modern tractor

[themoonandthesledgeh]

The Moon and the Sledgehammer, the much loved cult classic about the remarkable steam family, the Pages, will run at Anthology Cinema in New York 5 - 11 June. I will send you a video clip for your brilliant site.

[Libertytreeradio]

the 26th annual Antique engine and steam show is being put together as I type so you all are invited to bring what you have to teach and share with others.

The event is at Dominoe's farms outside of Ann Arbor. Jim is the coordinator and founder of the event. See you soon.

MGK/GDW!

[OverlordJake]

sweet

[AxisHome1]

Ive heard that if you get somthin like a fowler lion (the 10nhp one) it could beat any tractor puller at a tractor pull. how much nhp does this one have?

[comicguy4]

This is one of the very reasons that I walk to the tractor show every day they have it. The Kettle corn, the cheap food, friendly people, ah, I just wish they had it more often, but that would ruin the excitement. If you live in Franklin County you definitely better check this out.

[comicguy4]

whoops, this is a different tractor show than I thought, well there is one in Chambersburg, PA, and they have steam tractors, you should still check it out.

[ElCamino0to60]

thats right bitches i live in WAVERLY,NEBRASKA best place ever (if u lose the cops)

[Nicodemus98]

Any boiler in good shape is safe providing the operator knows what their doing and don't exceed maximum working steam pressure. All boilers, stationary or mobile, must be inspected annually. Any deficiencies found must be repaired before it is re-certified. Age is not an issue, if it to be used it must carry a current state license to operate. I do boiler inspections for Saga Systems, we inspect several Steam traction engines in Missouri.

[Xobunoli]

Would you agree that steam engines have a near unlimited potential with strong enough materials and a hot enough fire. I do know that others like gasoline and diesel engines do get to a 100% efficiency point and cant get any better.

[Gassed250]

plenty of hi end n/a race engines out there that achieve over 100% VE some as high as 120%

Its easy for an engine with forced induction to achieve well over 100% VE

[frackcha]

@Gassed250 yes, but what about their CE, ice (even diesel) is very low compared to ece..

[Tegenaria]

Thats a nice old engine, great to see!

[taofledermaus]

I love old steam equipment, but I am concerned about the integrity of the old boilers... steam boiler explosions are nasty. Do these things get hydro-tested/inspected?

[41Zman]

each state has different laws/regulations with the old steam powered equipment and yes they have to have a special license for the steam engine operation. they do go inspections and testing to make sure the boiler can handle the high pressures

[cumminsturbofan101]

nothin pulls like an old Case steamer :D

[Lwiss230]

haha nice

[wolfmanjeffrey]

I don't care what ANYONE says Steam is HUGELY efficient in a piston engine and turbines configuration. Steam is not known for horsepower but for the power in TORQUE it can generate.

A 120 horse power steam engine can generate over 800 foot pounds of TORQUE

, more then enough to KILL other engines of either gas or diesel at its same horse power!

[BRTowe]

Steam is exremely efficient and it doesn't have to be slow. Steam locomotives often ran in excess of 75 mph. The Hiawatha locomotive was designed to run "two miles a minute" (120 mph).

[12valvepower1]

2 0r 3 to 1 low gear

wooo wooo!!

[redbaroniii]

STEAM!! Wonderful new idea.... hummm... can we build a quarter mile dragster??

[scott93257]

Steam power...Around for over 200 years and still going strong....GOD I LOVE IT

[12valvepower1]

that looks like that tractor i saw at a AG fest one time

[scott93257]

They are all over the place here in Tulare County.. Have you ever heard of the World AG Expo in tulare?

[SendinK9]

The way the gas prices are today this may be the way to to go lol.

[FECRWY]

Might Not Be Jet Speed, But Boy Did It Look Cool Seeing A Case Steam Tractor At A Tractor Pull

[54spiritedwill54]

those last couple of chugs were when maximum torque was being produced, put another way, the farther he got down the track, the more the torque increased.

[wisheywashey]

Maximum Torque is developed at Zero RPM,

[DevinL16]

im curious. explain?

[JDDain]

I agree faster isn't usually better. Cause the more power you have and the slower you go the more you can pull.

[T3hbassmasta]

correction... the more power you have and the more traction you have the more you can pull

[T3hbassmasta]

correction... the more power you have and the more traction you have the more you can pull

[JDDain]

Why did you repeat yourself? Oh I also agree to that (both of them)

[T3hbassmasta]

i didnt mean to repeat myself

[12valvepower1]

repeat myself

repeat myself

repaet myself

[peepeevagi]

Proof that faster is never better.

[bangwezl]

Land locomotive...

[Mccarronm04]

Basically...I love these machines!

[usagi4starlet]

damn talk about torque

[Isaiah402831]

and it also weighs alot too so that also keeps is on the ground

[porpoisefathom]

@usagi4starlet beats diesels hands down--gotta wonder why we went to diesel -probably only cuz it starts easier and away you go. also they are faster..but for power cannot beat steam...

[bigollie2255]

I never get tired of watching that guy pull

[Cobra51607]

yeah, exactly, the engines today turn crazzzzy numbers of RPM's to make that much torque and power...im not sure what that steam engine is turning, its not very many, i know that, and u can see how much low end torque its still making, thats pretty awesome

[ddog7831]

trust me, that case is pushin more than enough torque. you need to be there to experience the sheer power and beauty of these engines.

[Cobra51607]

ohhhhh yeah, i would imagine so, i bet its pretty awesome...i have never seen one of these things run in person, id like to though

[flamerail]

Theres a case really close to me they have running every year during the pulls, They don't pull it but its a damn cool thing to see.

[Kenzofeis]

I think steam engines still have around double efficiency over other fuel powered engines, and full torque from zero rev, I can't understand why they abandoned steam engines on ships and such.. and big trucks and buses would benefit too I think

[beyondhelp00]

Steam engines are not anywhere near double efficiency. Infact a typical steam train with open exhaust will be 1 to 8 % efficient. Currently the worlds most powerful cylinder engine in the world is the RTA96C which is over 50% efficient. Also, steam engines are very messy noisy and dirty. (I do however love them) They are just totally impractical for modern day transport.

[Kenzofeis]

Ahhh, yes I see what you reference to. You see, I was reading about things like this years and years ago and in what I read someone must have made a typo, cause a locomotive was presented as "80% effective" - that is just what I remember.. Still, there are ways to achieve ~90% in steam engine technology.

[ccoraxfan]

Steam engines from 100 years ago were very inefficient, noisy and dirty... but that does not mean they must be. They can be very efficient, clean and nearly silent if they are built right. Gasoline engines from 100 years ago weren't so great either!

[horseguy1]

um if we are lucky on our steam engine we can get about 7 percent efficiency, my trailblazer does about 25% or so

[killerdeamonking]

The funny thing is my great great grampa had a steam tractor one size bigger than that.

[coondogtheman1234]

that thing has some power, ive seen tractor pulls like the gas, diesel and nitro ones they cant pull half the distance this one pulled

[mattpow1]

It's a CASE who would need anything more? Listen to her work 'till the end she wont give up! Way to go guys keep 'em chugging and tugging.

[hollywood1340]

Yup and when the British traction engine breaks down the Case will still be running to give it a tow.

[huskerscott1]

Not too bad for a John Deere mechanic running the throttle!!!!!

[adehelpplz]

those bastards half one hell of horse ill tell u that and weigh alot u see lots of pics of them fallin thru bridges

[spencermcgrew]

those last couple of chugs were when maximum torque was being produced, put another way, the farther he got down the track, the more the torque increased.

[XaeroVincent]

Dont you just love the sound of powerful steam engines? I want to make a vehicle steam engine but with a monotube flash boiler rather than a dangerous horizontal fire tube boiler.

[ccoraxfan]

Monotube flash boilers are the only way to go for a modern steam engine. Also multi-cylinder and steam condenser with waste heat capture so you get increased efficiency and don't need to take on water along with fuel! I believe the Stanley Brothers' steam cars used many of these innovations.

[andyofvermont75]

Nope, Stanley cars all had conventional locomotive-style fire-tube boilers, although the tubes were vertical rather than horizontal so there was no great concern about uphill or downhill water level problems. The later ones did use condensers though. They never did use a compound engine.

[boredmxryder44]

totally agreeing with dennisxx61 a burell showmans engine would just keep goin!!

[bigollie2255]

Very cool, no one has steam where I live

[denisxx61]

And that's just a small agricultural Case engine. A Burrell Showman's Road Locomotive would pull that sled right out of the arena and some!

[rumpflaengschnitt]

... awesom, guys. Steam rules! Keep up the good work says

Tom, of Vienna, Austria

[greendaydude34]

not loud but its cool

[drail80s]

Ive been to these events at Rollag about 6 times now. Its one of the best places to go to for the weekend.

I highly recommend if you get the chance go there.

[tractorman55]

All with renewable reasorces,where's OPEC stand now.HaHa!

[Guardian1223]

It's amazing how much that sounds like a railroad steam locomotive.

[XmegaPresident]

That is some hardcore serious ass torque balls!! WOW

[ztwntyn8]

nice pull.. steam makes some power!

[jacobsoren]

I'm impressed. Not bad for a steam engine!

[Engineer5344]

towards the end of the clip, it sounded like a locomotive comin to a stop. awsome clip

[Scottmiles21]

wish my V8 ran on steam

[spencermcgrew]

not as loud or as fast but they still haul to me!

[Dragon150043]

I operate a Case 65 Bobtail in California.

We've done this before and kept pulling even after the sled was up. We could have pulled it right out of the stadium. =]

[horseguy1]

where is this case 65? i help run a 60 down in the San Diego area.

[treser34]

I live by Greenwood, Nebraska and went to school in Waverly. I went to Camp Creek Threshers a few times when I was younger.

[kazukishibata]

Great!!! I saw steam tractor in Furano Hokkaido Japan.

[mikes47jeep]

I LOVE STEAM