Thread: Old Steam Engine Bought to life.

Seeing the steam experts are gathered here, I have often wondered if it would be possible to make or buy a steam powered rotary lawnmower?

No expert here, I build an engine from plans but I can only run it on compressed air, the boiler doesn't get hot enough to build the pressure up, mainly because I did not researched the way to make one properly, but I know better now, good luck with the lawn mower
Richard.

I think I can trace my interest in old engines (and all things mechanical) back to when I was a kid helping my dad work on old cars.
I can still remember when he used to fire up a Mamod steam roller and we would watch it doing laps around the kitchen, us kids used to love it.
I have a few old model engines myself now and my kids love to watch them running and often ask to fire them up.
This is a clip of my Vacuum Rotor Corp flame eater engine running:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuKVD3XWcdM"]Vacuum Rotor Engine - YouTube[/ame]

And here's some before and after restoration photos of my oldest toy steam engine, an 1898 Ernst Plank Ideal engine.
Cheers,
Greg.

Anyone heard of the Pritchard Steam Car?

Memory just triggered by "Beer is Good" (I like your name!).

Now this is one guy I'd buy a beer... Ted Pritchard.

....and you have to admit an XL Falcon is somewhat more stylish than a Toyota Prius! No doubt you could run the boiler on LPG....

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJq2Hc_mXFI]Steam Powered 1963 Ford Falcon - YouTube[/ame]

I know a fellow eccentric who built and regularly uses a steam powered two cylinder outboard from a vintage two cylinder Victa motor..... (in Venus Bay)
So no reason you couldn't build one - and leave the motor on the Victa...
I reckon a small vertical boiler in top would work.

Now the cynic in me would suggest you make it a petrol fired boiler for compactness of fuel storage, using the Victa tank
Joe

Originally Posted by beer is good

Seeing the steam experts are gathered here, I have often wondered if it would be possible to make or buy a steam powered rotary lawnmower?

I see it as a good way to use up the offcuts from my woodwork efforts, and using a steam powered mower appeals to my slightly eccentric nature. I'm sure Spike Milligan was a steam fan.

You could do it like Joes mate but use a steam generator. Way less damage as they don't blow up.

Phil