Big And Little Steamers Pull Threshing Machines
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As the owner of the only old steam tractor with a certified boiler in a 100-mile radius, Clarence Hoffman’s George White steamer attracts attention when he fires it up to do a little threshing. But even more impressive may be the smaller, one-third size steamer that Hoffman built, which is also capable of running a threshing machine.
The 81-year-old Ebenezer, Sask., farmer and his family save an acre or two of rye and oats to thresh each year. They make it a celebration with food and about 50 folks who come to watch.
“We do it just for fun on the farm,” Hoffman says, noting that he’s threshed every year for the past three decades. The George White, with 1917 stamped on the boiler, was found about 75 miles away when he purchased it in 1977. The steam tractor was built in Brandon, Man.
The tractor was in running condition when he purchased it, and about the only parts that need changing occasionally are the tubes (47 of them) in the barrel of the boiler.
When it came to building his 1/3-scale steamer, Hoffman custom-ordered the boiler but made everything else. Many parts came from other tractors: differential gears from a Deere A, clutch from a 1020 McCormick, steering system from a W6 International, flywheel from a pulley on an Oliver 80 and a steering wheel from a separator blower, for example.
Creating the engine frame was a challenge, Hoffman says. He worked on the steamer from 1997 to 2000. When it and the George White steamer aren’t being used or taken to shows, he keeps them protected from the weather in sheds.
Hoffman is proud of keeping the steam engine and threshing tradition alive and sharing it with others. In 2008, when his farm received its Century Farm award, his family celebrated by threshing grain – just as it was done 100 years ago when the family purchased the farm.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Clarence Hoffman, Box 119, Ebenezer, Sask., Canada S0A 0T0 (ph 306 782-7414).
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Big And Little Steamers Pull Threshing Machines AG WORLD As the owner of the only old steam tractor with a certified boiler in a 100-mile radius Clarence Hoffman’s George White steamer attracts attention when he fires it up to do a little threshing But even more impressive may be the smaller one-third size steamer that Hoffman built which is also capable of running a threshing machine The 81-year-old Ebenezer Sask farmer and his family save an acre or two of rye and oats to thresh each year They make it a celebration with food and about 50 folks who come to watch “We do it just for fun on the farm ” Hoffman says noting that he’s threshed every year for the past three decades The George White with 1917 stamped on the boiler was found about 75 miles away when he purchased it in 1977 The steam tractor was built in Brandon Man The tractor was in running condition when he purchased it and about the only parts that need changing occasionally are the tubes 47 of them in the barrel of the boiler When it came to building his 1/3-scale steamer Hoffman custom-ordered the boiler but made everything else Many parts came from other tractors: differential gears from a Deere A clutch from a 1020 McCormick steering system from a W6 International flywheel from a pulley on an Oliver 80 and a steering wheel from a separator blower for example Creating the engine frame was a challenge Hoffman says He worked on the steamer from 1997 to 2000 When it and the George White steamer aren’t being used or taken to shows he keeps them protected from the weather in sheds Hoffman is proud of keeping the steam engine and threshing tradition alive and sharing it with others In 2008 when his farm received its Century Farm award his family celebrated by threshing grain – just as it was done 100 years ago when the family purchased the farm Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Clarence Hoffman Box 119 Ebenezer Sask Canada S0A 0T0 ph 306 782-7414
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