Comments
Aw... gee... let me get into that machine that is powered by compressed steam. Aaaahhhhhyup!
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 11/14/15 at 10:01 AM
Not exactly what I'd expect a mid-engine vehicle to look like. With the abnormal length, narrow wheelbase, and odd weight distribution, I suspect he didn't take corners at speed.
It's great people used to do stuff like this: a cheap hobby which actually made something useful (for various definitions of 'useful').
I can't imagine what kind of regulatory hurdles there'd be now.
@Expat47 -- the weak point is always the boiler. Since that's at the back, tailgaters are more at risk than the driver will ever be.
It's great people used to do stuff like this: a cheap hobby which actually made something useful (for various definitions of 'useful').
I can't imagine what kind of regulatory hurdles there'd be now.
@Expat47 -- the weak point is always the boiler. Since that's at the back, tailgaters are more at risk than the driver will ever be.
Posted by Phideaux on 11/14/15 at 11:17 AM
@Phideaux -- I have the manual for about a 1930 farm tractor. In top gear it was rated as 4 1/2 MPH. The manual had a WARNING about driving at this fast a "road speed".
Posted by BMN on 11/14/15 at 12:22 PM
It was my pleasure(?) to use a Unimog 406 for a couple of weeks. Top speed was supposedly around 65, but a sane person would never go over 50. Great thing was the cascade gearbox -- granny low was about 600 yards per hour.
Posted by Phideaux on 11/14/15 at 01:20 PM
Pretty cool hobby he had. People do not do stuff like that much anymore. My brother-in-law built a forklift from the ground up. He also built himself a small motor boat. If there is anything the man can't make I have yet to see it. As long as he is motivated to do it that is.
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 11/14/15 at 08:52 PM
What did he do with the forklift? They're crazy expensive, even used.
Posted by Phideaux on 11/15/15 at 12:20 AM
He used it on his dad's farm for a number of years. I think he has it stored somewhere now, I'll have to ask him next time I talk to him. It's a small machine but it worked well, haven't seen it in years.
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 11/15/15 at 07:22 AM
Although KS has a ton of agriculture, we also a lot of manufacturing and innovation around Wichita. It's not unusual to see any manner of monstrosity made out of left over farm junk (one man's junk=another man's treasure).
Posted by GFinKS on 11/16/15 at 11:32 AM
For me, one of the greatest losses as corporate farms take over is that many farmers tinkered. Almost all had a shed of tools and spare parts from fixing their equipment, and there are times of the year when they have a lot of time on their hands. A lot of inventions and innovations came out of farmers' idle hours.
Posted by Phideaux on 11/16/15 at 12:21 PM
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Category: Eccentrics | Inventions | Regionalism | Technology | 1960s