Working Model Steam-Powered Tractors Built From Scratch
It takes a good-size building to store 8 full-size steam engine tractors. That’s one reason Leslie Proper builds scale models which all fit on a couple of shelves in his Minnesota home. Amazingly, his built-from-scratch machines work, sound and move like the full-size tractors — just slower and quieter.
Proper was first attracted to steam engines as a boy attending an engine show with his father.
“I was fascinated by the gears, pistons, and other components. Everything is pretty much open so you can see all the parts working. And they moved silent and slow,” he says.
Proper also builds stationary engines and model steam boats — and he even wrote a book about them. He built his first Minneapolis steam traction engine at 1/20th scale in the late 1970’s. It took about a year of his free time, while working as a civil engineer.
Gears, plumbing parts and other materials he had access to fit that scale and the resulting foot-long models are small to display, yet large enough to see details. Instead of casting parts, Proper makes built-up parts. He bolts and rivets, solders with high-temperature silver solder and finishes with low-temperature soft solder. Models include a variety of materials — wire, brass, steel and iron in all forms. The realistic spokes in his wheels are made from street gutter broom bristles, while tire lugs are cut from wire used to hold utility location flags.
For the boilers, Proper uses copper water and plumbing pipe.
“The models run on 5 to10 psi, very low pressure steam,” he says, noting he adds a pressure relief safety valve in the cap on the boiler, which he fills with water. Butane heats the water to create steam. Proper adds a torch end and fill valve from inexpensive pencil torches to the ends of the butane fuel tanks that are concealed in the model.
“Younger kids like to see them operate. Older people want to tell you their experiences or where they’ve seen one,” Proper says.
He carefully picked models that are unusual versions of the steam tractors seen at shows, such as the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion, in Rollag, Minn., that Proper frequently attends.
His models include a Minneapolis 30-90, a Minneapolis 22-66 heavy gear engine, a 1915 Case, an 18 hp Avery, a New Huber 25 hp plow engine, a Birdsall, a 35 hp Buffalo Pitts, and a Type F 15-30 Rumley OilPull that runs on alcohol with an atmospheric engine, instead of steam.
They are based on his own plans or plans from other model builders. Each had its own set of challenges and interesting characteristics, and Proper estimates the models take more than 500 hrs. each to complete. Examples of some unusual features are the boiler on top of the engine of the Avery. And, the Birdsall has automobile-style steering with king pins and a tie rod.
More than six decades after seeing steam engines for the first time, Proper is still fascinated with them. He finds inspiration at steam shows and is willing to share his model building knowledge with others.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Leslie Proper, New Brighton, Minn. 55112 (lesproper@gmail.com).
For samples of his work, check out YouTube: LeslieProper.
Working Model Steam-Powered Tractors Built From Scratch It takes a good-size building to store 8 full-size steam engine tractors That’s one reason Leslie Proper builds scale models which all fit on a couple of shelves in his Minnesota home Amazingly his built-from-scratch machines work sound and move like the full-size tractors — just slower and quieter Proper was first attracted to steam engines as a boy attending an engine show with his father “I was fascinated by the gears pistons and other components Everything is pretty much open so you can see all the parts working And they moved silent and slow ” he says Proper also builds stationary engines and model steam boats — and he even wrote a book about them He built his first Minneapolis steam traction engine at 1/20th scale in the late 1970’s It took about a year of his free time while working as a civil engineer Gears plumbing parts and other materials he had access to fit that scale and the resulting foot-long models are small to display yet large enough to see details Instead of casting parts Proper makes built-up parts He bolts and rivets solders with high-temperature silver solder and finishes with low-temperature soft solder Models include a variety of materials — wire brass steel and iron in all forms The realistic spokes in his wheels are made from street gutter broom bristles while tire lugs are cut from wire used to hold utility location flags For the boilers Proper uses copper water and plumbing pipe “The models run on 5 to10 psi very low pressure steam ” he says noting he adds a pressure relief safety valve in the cap on the boiler which he fills with water Butane heats the water to create steam Proper adds a torch end and fill valve from inexpensive pencil torches to the ends of the butane fuel tanks that are concealed in the model “Younger kids like to see them operate Older people want to tell you their experiences or where they’ve seen one ” Proper says He carefully picked models that are unusual versions of the steam tractors seen at shows such as the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion in Rollag Minn that Proper frequently attends His models include a Minneapolis 30-90 a Minneapolis 22-66 heavy gear engine a 1915 Case an 18 hp Avery a New Huber 25 hp plow engine a Birdsall a 35 hp Buffalo Pitts and a Type F 15-30 Rumley OilPull that runs on alcohol with an atmospheric engine instead of steam They are based on his own plans or plans from other model builders Each had its own set of challenges and interesting characteristics and Proper estimates the models take more than 500 hrs each to complete Examples of some unusual features are the boiler on top of the engine of the Avery And the Birdsall has automobile-style steering with king pins and a tie rod More than six decades after seeing steam engines for the first time Proper is still fascinated with them He finds inspiration at steam shows and is willing to share his model building knowledge with others Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Leslie Proper New Brighton Minn 55112 lesproper@gmail com For samples of his work check out YouTube: LeslieProper
