Running the Rumely 1923 Tractor

My friend Scott Glover with the Mid America Flight Museum has been acquiring vintage tractors over the last few months. In this video we fired up the 1923 Rumely and Scott showed me how it works and operates. This was so much fun and I really appreciate Scott letting me have this opportunity. Fun Day!!

[@WranglerSlim]

Using oil as coolant was pretty ingenious, as it allowed higher combustion temperatures without radiator boil over, prevented cooling system corrosion, and protected against freezing. I believe Rumely recommended filling the radiator with light oil at temperatures above 40 F, and mixtures of oil and Kerosene or pure Kerosene at temperatures below 40 degrees. The exhaust pipes are also routed through the radiator box in such a way as to create an updraft that sucked air through the radiator, ensuring that the harder the engine worked, the more air would go through the radiator. The OilPull was truly an engineering masterpiece in it's time.

[@czmilosz]

I believe that the water pump was originally used in conjunction with kerosene. At least that's what I've been told about our model L. The L also has a second, smaller tank that held water. These are great machines! Thanks for posting the video.

[@MarssStar]

Love that nifty Armstrong Start System! ;)

[@Wrench245]

Is there anything that Scott doesn't know how to operate? At this point, I'm half tempted to suggest he go see one of my friends out near Terrell, he pretty much has his own collection of antique machinery. It's great to see history preserved.

[@wrightflyer7855]

Yep, that's an AN 2.

[@jimjackson4256]

I’d say they could use a little quick start.Imagine starting that thing in the winter

[@JohnChvatalGSTV]

Wow! Look at Erik smile! Those steam engines sound a lot like a “mechanical” horse. You need to make sure you feed and care for them.

[@hankhill5860]

Wheel of fortune

[@williameudy6615]

Love the Russian biplane. Is it an Anatov?

[@daw162]

3:20 BANG!

[@robertduncan2742]

What would be great is get smaller engines made like the Rumbley for garden tractors that would be great

[@wrightflyer7855]

These old machines are really neat. But of course by today's standards they'd be OSHA nightmares.

[@jimjackson4256]

Actually the water in the carb had nothing to do with keeping anything cool.The water injected into the cylinder is so when it fires the water turns to steam which expands more than just air and fuel which increases its efficiency

[@smug8567]

Quasi-turbine, spends $86,000 on machining internals, spends $7.95 on plumbing fittings to pipe it up