Portable Steam Engine, circa 1857

THF92184 / Portable Steam Engine, circa 1857
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Artifact Overview

Portable agricultural steam engines, such as this very early example, introduced American farmers to mechanical power. These engines were pulled out to the field by horses, and then used to power threshers and separators for the grain harvest. This 10-horsepower Owens, Lane & Dyer engine consists of a side-crank engine mounted on the side of a locomotive-type boiler.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Steam engine (Engine)

Date Made

circa 1857

Location

at Greenfield Village in Soybean Lab Agricultural Gallery

Object ID

00.3.5205

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Iron (Metal)
Brass (Alloy)
Copper (Metal)
Wood (Plant material)

Dimensions

Diameter: 6.5 in (Bore)
Horsepower: 10 hp (7.47 kW)
Length: 10 in (Stroke)
Diameter: 39.25 in
Diameter: 46 in
Wheelbase: 63 in
Width: 78.25 in
Height: 120 in
Length: 129 in

Inscriptions

Builder's plate on right side towards rear marked: OWENS, LANE & DYER / MANUFACTURERS / HAMILTON O. Boiler marked in front: OWENS. LANE & DYER / HAMILTON O. Steam gauge marked: POST & CO. CIN. O. / MAKERS / POST & COMPANY/ IMPROVED GAUGE / PAT. JULY 2, 1872.
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