Westinghouse Farm Engine

The Westinghouse Farm Engine was a small, vertical-boilered farm engine that emerged in the late nineteenth century. In the transition from horses to machinery, small portable steam engines were hauled by horses from farm to farm. Many small workshops produced them. As a side line to the airbrake products, George Westinghouse made this horse-drawn, vertical-boilered and horizontal-cylinder engine. It looked like a coffee pot on wheels. It came in 6, 10 and 15 HP sizes.

the 1886 catalog put out by the Westinghouse Company of Schenectady, N.Y. The title page reads in part: 'We present herewith our Annual Catalogue, containing illustrations and descriptive articles of improved labor-saving machines, manufactured by us, and invite the careful attention of those who may be desirous of purchasing such machinery.

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Our specialties are Grain and Clover Threshing Machines. Portable and Traction Engines ranging from Six to Fifteen Horse-power, horse-powers of various sizes and patterns, and Portable Saw Mills.

'The present organization of our company is a continuation of the business commenced in 1836, and all connected with it have had unusual experience in the manufacture and operation of machinery of the kind we now offer. We have, therefore, the most thoroughly tested articles, and those of established reputation, and nothing whatever of an experimental nature to offer our customers.

'Our facilities for manufacturing are of the best, consisting of abundant buildings, machinery and material, so that we are prepared to supply a large demand, and we respectfully solicit continued favors from former customers and correspondence with all who are interested in machinery of the kind we manufacture.'

Westinghouse steam engines of the era had vertical boilers, the tapered top of which was designed to be 'the nearest to a perfect spark arrester of all the many plans and devices that have been brought to our notice.' The engine was said to have a short, quick stroke to make it lighter, while the cylinder, steam chest, cross-head guide, and the boxes for the crank shaft bearings were all cast in a single piece to assure mechanical exactness and perfect alignment of piston and crank. The design 'brings the greater part of the weight below the center and removes all danger of turning over when on difficult roads.' The engines were equipped with 'every needed and desirable appliance for rendering the Engine efficient, durable and convenient, ... including Adjustable Governor, Pop Safety Valve, Steam Gauge, Feed Water Heater, Direct Acting Pump, Whistle, Blower, Brake, and a full supply of wrenches and fire tools. Read more: http://www.farmcollector.com/Steam-Engines/When-Westinghouse-Meant-Steam-Not-Electric.aspx#ixzz1qeRJJmRs

The engines were produced from 1886 to 1917 when they were superseded by larger standard farm engines. Many engines of this make were sent to South America where they were popular.

Henry Ford even worked with one on a farm and it became a favourite of his. For a time Ford worked for the Westinghouse Company as a mechanic for their farm engines, and now and one features in his museum at Dearborn, Michigan.