Description: Derek Pollard acquired this engine from a mine near Cody in the West Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia in the 1970's. Derek restored the engine and compressor. This engine was then displayed and operated at local car shows for many years. Pioneer Acres wishes to thank the Pollard family for this generous gift and acknowledges assistance in completing this project from Ray Loewen, Bob Swanson, Dick Ross, and Bryan Williamson.
Fuller and Johnson Pump Engine
Serial Number: 118624
Year: 1924
Manufacturer: Fuller and Johnson
Cooling: Air
Cylinders: One
Fuel pump: None
Fuel: Gasoline
Governor: Hit and Miss
Ignition: Battery and Coil
Donated by: Francis Kathol, Rockyford, Alberta
Description: Water has always been a precious resource on the prairies. Cattle needed access to water year-round, so windmills were essential. However, engines that pumped water for both farm and domestic use were becoming increasingly common in the twentieth century because engines could run whether the wind was blowing or not, making them a more reliable source of power. Having access to water for household chores such as washing clothes and dishes and for bathing made life considerably easier for the farm women who shouldered equal responsibility for making farm life productive and efficient. The exploding demand for engines meant that many companies were building comparable designs, but sometimes they were too alike for coincidence. The Manitoba Windmill & Pump Co. of Brandon, Manitoba made a clone of the Fuller and Johnson Farm Pump Engine. Fuller and Johnson took the matter to court, won the case, and the Manitoba company had to stop building their version of the engine.
Did you know: Engines that pumped water are how we got the all-purpose phrase "Pump Engine"
1-1/2 HP Empire Pump Engine
Year: 1920
Make: Empire
Manufacturer: Built for Cockshutt Plow Co. Ltd.
Serial Number: 113390
Cooling: Water
Cylinders: One
Fuel pump: None
Fuel: Gasoline
Governor: Hit and Miss
Ignition: Wico Model EK Magneto
Description: This engine was a hit and miss design with a flyball governor and was manufactured for Cockshutt. It had an open water hopper used for evaporative cooling. An engine of this type could have been used to pump water or to run equipment such as a fanning mill.
Maytag Washing Machine
Year: 1923
Manufacturer: Maytag Co.
Manufactured: Newton, Iowa
Serial Number: 21089
Cooling: Air cooled
Cylinders: One
Fuel pump: None
Fuel: Gasoline
Governor: Hit and Miss
Description: A washing machine powered by a stationary engine was a significant step up from a scrub board. The early 1900s saw the increased use of small gasoline engines to perform chores such as laundry. Clothes were agitated with water and soap in the barrel of the machine to remove dirt and had to be manually wrung out through the powerful side mounted clothes wringers. This could be dangerous because the wringers could deliver a powerful pinch to fingers. Over one thousand companies were involved in making washing machines including familiar brands such as Maytag, Upton Machine Company (which became Whirlpool Corporation) and Schulthess. The reign of the engine powered washing machine was brief. By the 1940s, safety improvements had made quieter machines powered by electric motors the system of choice.