How not to impress the EPA...

[hugenbdd]

That thing is cool!!!
Two questions maybe you guys can answer.

1.) What is he pulling that makes it "clank" and throw smoke rings?  (what does it do...)

2.) What is the little engine?  It looks like it may be connected to an air compressor?  really hard for me to tell what it is and used for.

Thanks
Dave

....by buying this Fairbanks-Morse  :

Could be the start of a really impressive CHP system...? 

[LowGear]

I'm really curious about 1.) too.

The air compressor and storage tank is for starting (my guess).

Casey

Nice grammar lesson huh?

[Ronmar]

The little gas engine is driving an air compressor that is feeding a large air flask setting on it's side behind the engine.  That is starting air to crank it over.  What he is pulling is the fuel control lever that is adding fuel to it and trying to accelerate the engine, so big black smoke while it trys to accelerate.  I wonder if the governor is broke as it is only manually throttled(seems like all or nothing/accelerate and coast) and never left to settle into a steady RPM.  Here is another 50HP fairbanks that shows the whole start sequence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vS_dnFVYGpA&feature=related

[cognos]

I thought, while I was looking at the video, that there was an old tobacco kiln in the background...

LaSalette, in the heart of what used to be tobacco country, is 7 miles up the road from me! I'd love to see this engine. Hell, I probably mapped this guy's tobacco farm in the 70's for aerial spraying. Wish I'd payed more attention!

Need a hand loading the truck, give me a call. I love to stand around and watch other people work!     

Seriously - I could drive by and have a look, maybe get some more info. Let me know!

[JohnF]

This could be fun, someone on the ground close to the engine.  It would be nice to have an unbiased view as to what is needed.  Cognos - pm sent.

[akghound]

If it don't work out for you John, I'll take it. You know I'm broke down for the time being and that would fill in just right. Could you ship it to me via. UPS?

[cognos]

Found it! Belongs to a friend of a friend of a friend... going to try to set up a viewing, just for fun. I'll keep y'all posted...