Terry Harper
Cast Iron
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2009
- Location
- Maine USA
For sometime now Paul and Herb and I have been plotting to get Paul's 1928 Lombard model "T" Lombard re-awoken and hopefully placed on loan to the Maine Forest & Logging museum for awhile.
Lombard had worked from very early on to try to break out of its traditional market of supplying heavy tractors to the northeast timber industry. While machines such their 10 ton model NW (and earlier 20 ton steamers) were well suited to hauling long trains of sleds heavily laden with logs or pulpwood over iced roads. their adaptability outside of that was more limited. While one publication listed a 10 ton gasoline powered Lombard as rated for a 12 bottom plow I doubt if any actually did. At the time the midwest farmers were fully dedicated to the sod busting steam and gasoline traction engines - such as Avery, Huber etc. while here in the northeast, with our much smaller farms, the Fordson, early IHC etc. dominated - besides, that 50 foot turning circle would have been fun to deal with small field with minimal headland!
Thus in 1928 the Model "T" was just such an effort. However, the model "T" was aimed squarely at the construction and municipal markets - road construction and repair, heavy hauling and plowing.
While following the standard Lombard pattern, it differed in a number of key features. The first of which was the use of boggie wheels rather than Lombard's traditional roller chain setup and using a four cylinder Hercules YXC-2 in place of the massive Wisconsin engines used in the 10 ton models. The Model "T" also featured a dump body and overall smaller dimensions and a slightly different track design. The model "T" other features included a four speed transmission setup that also provided four speeds in reverse!
This particular machine was delivered to the Town of Gorham, Maine in 1928. Later, it was used by the Starbird Lumber Company. This is only one of two model "T" that have survived. Paul's family own's both.
Anyway, the job now is to bring this beast back to life after a long slumber. Yesterday Herb and Paul paid a visit to Clement's Starter & Alternator in Carmel, Maine. Reggie had rebuilt the magneto and generator adding a manual advance as part of the work.
Reggie's shop is one of those gems that is the salvation of lovers of old machines and a very enjoyable time warp. Here are two videos Herb shot:
YouTube
YouTube
Once back at Paul's they worked to get the magneto installed and timed and the generator installed. They were hoping the beast would fire right-up but it wasn't to be. There is plenty of spark but..... no fuel.
Next step (later this week) is a close look at the fuel system and carb. then.... fingers crossed.... it hopefully will come alive!
Lombard had worked from very early on to try to break out of its traditional market of supplying heavy tractors to the northeast timber industry. While machines such their 10 ton model NW (and earlier 20 ton steamers) were well suited to hauling long trains of sleds heavily laden with logs or pulpwood over iced roads. their adaptability outside of that was more limited. While one publication listed a 10 ton gasoline powered Lombard as rated for a 12 bottom plow I doubt if any actually did. At the time the midwest farmers were fully dedicated to the sod busting steam and gasoline traction engines - such as Avery, Huber etc. while here in the northeast, with our much smaller farms, the Fordson, early IHC etc. dominated - besides, that 50 foot turning circle would have been fun to deal with small field with minimal headland!
Thus in 1928 the Model "T" was just such an effort. However, the model "T" was aimed squarely at the construction and municipal markets - road construction and repair, heavy hauling and plowing.
While following the standard Lombard pattern, it differed in a number of key features. The first of which was the use of boggie wheels rather than Lombard's traditional roller chain setup and using a four cylinder Hercules YXC-2 in place of the massive Wisconsin engines used in the 10 ton models. The Model "T" also featured a dump body and overall smaller dimensions and a slightly different track design. The model "T" other features included a four speed transmission setup that also provided four speeds in reverse!
This particular machine was delivered to the Town of Gorham, Maine in 1928. Later, it was used by the Starbird Lumber Company. This is only one of two model "T" that have survived. Paul's family own's both.
Anyway, the job now is to bring this beast back to life after a long slumber. Yesterday Herb and Paul paid a visit to Clement's Starter & Alternator in Carmel, Maine. Reggie had rebuilt the magneto and generator adding a manual advance as part of the work.
Reggie's shop is one of those gems that is the salvation of lovers of old machines and a very enjoyable time warp. Here are two videos Herb shot:
YouTube
YouTube
Once back at Paul's they worked to get the magneto installed and timed and the generator installed. They were hoping the beast would fire right-up but it wasn't to be. There is plenty of spark but..... no fuel.
Next step (later this week) is a close look at the fuel system and carb. then.... fingers crossed.... it hopefully will come alive!
