I have a new project, Restoring a old Steam Engine Governor.

[jackieschmidt]

I was in Port Arthur at a Shipyard Monday and Tuesday, and before I left, I paid a visit to the office to say high to the owners.

When I walked into their lobby, I saw this standing in the corner. I asked them where they got the old Steam Engine Governor, and the owner said he found it at a county fair, and was planning on making a lamp from it.

I told him it looked almost complete, and would be worth restoring.

he asked me if I wanted it. I asked him how much, he said I could have it.

It was painted with red primer, I stripped it all off so I can take pictures, then disassemble it, repair any bent or broke parts, and bring it back to life. As best I been able to ascertain, it was probably manufactured in the early 1900’s.

I can’t really give a good reason why, I just think it is a neat piece of equipment from a past time.

I guess you can say I will be going “balls out” with this project.

 

[46and2]

Yep, balls out it is

 

[Dusty Stevens]

A flyball governor. I knew when i showed up to a jobsite and their steam or hydro turbines had those i was in for a “vintage” experience

 

[55fairlane]

Neat piece.....that came off a large steam engine

 

[jackieschmidt]

Neat piece.....that came off a large steam engine

I asked Where the engine was. I suspect it would have been too big to get in the back of the shop pickup.

 

[Mulligan]

Jackie, behind the picture of the striped governer thingy, is a fairly large screw. What is it for and how many ponies does it take to drive that thing?
CW

 

[jackieschmidt]

I have been doing a internet search, the Monarch Governor was made from a patent owned by the Pickering Governor Company. Pickering brought a law suite against Monarch, and won their injunction. Monarch was forced to cease manufacturing this design of Governor.

The Monarch was considered a top notch Governor.

 

[jackieschmidt]

Jackie, behind the picture of the striped governer thingy, is a fairly large screw. What is it for and how many ponies does it take to drive that thing?
CW

That is a 76 inch diameter wheel off of a twin screw 2000 HP push boat. We are blue fitting the prop’s taper to the shaft.

 

[dnellans]

Can someone explain what I’m ever looking at and how it works?

 

[55fairlane]

The faster the the governor "runs" spins, the father up/out the balls (wieghts) move keeping the engine from over reving and destroying its self

 

[55fairlane]

I can't find the pictures now (damnit) but I did the restoration/ rebuild on a 65HP Case steam tractor governor.....lots of fun machining....

 

[jackieschmidt]

I can't find the pictures now (damnit) but I did the restoration/ rebuild on a 65HP Case steam tractor governor.....lots of fun machining....

Mine is a 1 1/2“ pipe outlet. What HP steam engine would you think this size Governor goes on.

 

[snert]

Every June there is a steam engine show at Portersville PA. My dad used to take me to it, and after I went to college in the 80's he spent a few years volunteering to run and display an old steam engine and thrasher. I have a picture of him on it, somewhere. Fascinating machines.

(The way things are headed, we may be back there using them again someday....Thnks Joe!)

If I get to the show this year I will take photos of the old engines.

 

[55fairlane]

Mine is a 1 1/2“ pipe outlet. What HP steam engine would you think this size Governor goes on.

100 to 250 HP is my guess

 

[rardoin]

The faster the the governor "runs" spins, the father up/out the balls (wieghts) move keeping the engine from over reving and destroying its self

Hence the old expression “running balls out”/“balls to the walls”.

 

[Tommie]

Jay Leno would love that thing!

 

[55fairlane]

I was in Port Arthur at a Shipyard Monday and Tuesday, and before I left, I paid a visit to the office to say high to the owners.

When I walked into their lobby, I saw this standing in the corner. I asked them where they got the old Steam Engine Governor, and the owner said he found it at a county fair, and was planning on making a lamp from it.

I told him it looked almost complete, and would be worth restoring.

he asked me if I wanted it. I asked him how much, he said I could have it.

It was painted with red primer, I stripped it all off so I can take pictures, then disassemble it, repair any bent or broke parts, and bring it back to life. As best I been able to ascertain, it was probably manufactured in the early 1900’s.

I can’t really give a good reason why, I just think it is a neat piece of equipment from a past time.

I guess you can say I will be going “balls out” with this project.View attachment 1323593View attachment 1323594View attachment 1323595

In the top picture, what is the box , with the Morse taper shank , I guess it's a gear box, do elaborate!!

 

[pintopete]

Neat video here. Mentions governor briefly.

 

[butchlambert]

Neat video here. Mentions governor briefly.

My Grand Daughter in Law's family has a tractor like that. She still drives it and competes in tractor pulls with it at the steam shows.

 

[jelenko]

If there's still competitions for steam driven tractor pulls, maybe there's hope for the shooting sports.