Steamer or crossmotor?

[TractorTucker]

The post below got me wondering, what would you rather have, a Case steam engine or a crossmotor? I would rather have a small crossmotor.

 

[rustred]

i would take a steam engine if i could afford it and they could deliver it. be like trying to haul a D9 cat around. but once it was here it would be ok. then would get the binder out and cut some wheat then get the steamer on the thrashing machine. problem would be to find the help.

 

[DKase]

It is very difficult to compare the two. The crossmotor can be started, run across the yard and shut off, haul it anywhere, use for what ever you want whenever you want. The steam engine is a HUGE commitment! Fire it for hours, hours of cleaning, draining to frost proof, license to run, testing to certify safe, and the list goes on. Lots of fun, but takes deep pockets. Not very practical to use on todays farm.

 

[TractorTucker]

I understand that they are vastly different machines. The reason I was thinking about comparing them is that they are both more of a "collector" or showpiece than something that would be used on a farm nowadays.

 

[J Hamilton]

I would love to have a crossmotor! If I could afford it I would have a 40-72 to be exact lol. But I'd be happy with any model. There is going to be at least one crossmotor at an auction coming up in a couple months not too far from me. Hopefully it'll be within the price range I can afford.

 

[Don Rudolph]

Somewhat related to your question. While doing research on Case dealers I read that the former Case car dealer in Forestville, WI was doing custom threshing and while driving past with his steamer and threshing rig set a house on fire on one side of the road and set a barn on fire on the other side of the road. He was sued but I was unable to determine if he was found liable. Might help explain why steam died out relatively quickly.

If I was wealthy I would have a 110 HP Case steamer, but that is just a dream. Don

 

[Absent Minded Farmer]

Steam, hands down!

Mike

 

[Ken Christopherson]

Personally, I would love to commission Kory Anderson to design and cast parts for me for a 1/2 scale 150hp Case Steamer... But with the full scale one costing approximately $1.5 million to build, and 10 years of research and development.... It would NOT be a small price tag.

 

[TractorTucker]

The 150 is cool. Hopefully someday I will be able to see it in person.

 

[J Hamilton]

We're trying to get the 150 to come to our show when we feature Case in 2023. Hopefully we can

 

[TractorTucker]

How does he move it? Lowboy and take the extensions off?

 

[Ken Christopherson]

He uses a lowboy with extendable sides. Don't believe he removes the extensions. The rear wheels are 54" wide, each. Not sure on the overall width, but between the two rear wheels alone there is 108" of steel.

I know the insurance policy to haul it is very expensive.

Best chance to see it is to go to his home show the weekend after labor day in Andover, SD.

 

[J Hamilton]

I'm sure it is expensive and not easy to haul. I wouldn't want to transport it around very often if it were mine. He has a lot of time and money invested in it

 

[TractorTucker]

I wonder if there would be a large enough market for a functional 1/16 scale model to make it worth it?

 

[Case Nutty 1660]

I would bet you would have 50-100K in one,, unless your a machinist yourself and have a few years to build one, be NEAT as heck but cost wise you need Deep pockets,, the 150 was assembled just west of me and first fired

 

[TractorTucker]

Does that mean I have to buy a milling machine? I would love one and hopefully someday I will br able to use and afford one.

 

[Case Nutty 1660]

to build one from scratch I would say it would be in your best interest to have one ad many other machining tools