STEAM POWERED HAY BALER

RIMSPOKE

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I BUILT THIS ONE BACK IN 1995 . WE USED TO DO STEAM DEMONSTRATIONS
AT ENGINE SHOWS AND BREAK BIG BALES DOWN INTO LITTLE ONES .

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IT HAS OAK STORAGE TANKS ON THE SIDES .
ONE FOR THE PROPANE TANK AND THE OTHER IS AN 8 GALLON WATER TENDER .
THIS IS ENOUGH FUEL & WATER TO RUN IT ALL DAY .

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THE CHAIN DRIVE TO THE BALING CRANK IS UNCONVENTIONAL BUT IT RUNS LIKE A SWISS WATCH .
CHAIN DRIVE FROM THE STEAM ENGINE IS RUN THROUGH A FRICTION CLUTCH .
THE LITTLE SEESAW RUNS THE STEAM OILER .

THE CONTROLS ARE ALL IN THE BACK . THE THROTTLE IS OPERATED BY THE BLUE VALVE HANDLE THE LEVER NEXT TO IT BLOWS THE TRAIN WHISTLE .

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GOTTA' SIGN YOUR WORK SO THERE IS A BIG BRASS "BROWER" ON THE BOILER .
THE BOILER HAS 1/4" THICK STEEL WALLS AND 21 COPPER TUBES SWEDGED IN 3/4" END PLATES .

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THIS INVERTED VERTICAL STEAM ENGINE IS ORIGINAL BOTH IN DESIGN & CONCEPT .
THE VALVE MECHANISM IS SWITCHED BY THE MOTION OF THE CROSSHEAD
RATHER THAN THE CRANK .

WHEN THE CROSSHEAD MOVES IN EITHER DIRECTION , IT UNLOCKS THE VALVE MECHANISM, MOVES IT & RELOCKS IT .
THE STEAM MOVES IT IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION WHERE IT HAPPENS AGAIN AT THE OTHER END OF TRAVEL .

WHAT GOOD IS IT ? IT's AUTO-REVERSING !
YOU CAN'T OVERLOAD IT BECAUSE IT WILL STOPAND REVERSE ALL BY ITSELF ,
PICK UP A HEAD OF STEAM AND TRY AGAIN .
IT KEEPS ON POUNDING UNTIL IT CAN FINISH IT'S STROKE .

THE FLYWHEELS ARE SOLID BRASS .
THE SPRING COMPENSATES FOR THE WEIGHT OF THE VALVE ASSEMBLY .

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THE WATER IS PUMPED FROM THE TENDER WITH A TWIN ECCENTRIC PUMP .
IT GOES THROUGH COPPER LINES AND IS PRE-HEATED BY THREE TRIPS AROUND THE
BURNER SKIRT BEFORE IT GOES TO THE BOILER .

THERE IS A SIGHT GLASS HAS A PRESSURE GAUGE AND A POP-OFF VALVE ON TOP .

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MY SECRET FUEL SOURCE . I CAN'T IMAGINE USING COAL OR WOOD IN A MACHINE
THAT COMPRESSES HAY & STRAW .

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THESE WHEELS WERE ONE OF MY FIRST WELDING PROJECTS .
THE HUBS WERE A NICE LATHEAND MILL JOB . THE SPOKES ARE THREADED &
SCREW IN & OUT SO I COULD ADJUST THEM TO RUN TRUE .

THE CAPS ARE MADE FROM BRASS . THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO LOOK LIKE ANTIQUES
BUT INSIDE THEY HAVE TAPERED ROLLER BEARINGS . IT'LL ROLL TO CHINA .

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I KNOW , I KNOW . I REALLY NEED TO CLEAN & POLISH THIS THING .
 
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That is a wonderful piece of engineering. Amazing!
 
so come on, start polishing, you know you have to, you know deep down you really want to.
Would love more details about the engine.
awesome project.
 
This may be too far for you.

The largest and BEST steam engine show I know of is held annually at Rollag. http://www.rollag.com/
next year they are featuring home made creations. This one looks like a winner to me.
 
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