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Gas Up!

Gas Up!

Old hit-and-miss engine pumping water
Old hit-and-miss engine pumping water

Every year around Fathers Day the Hudson-Mohawk Chapter of the Pioneer Gas Engine Association has a meeting out in Gallupville, NY. Their location is in a  truly lovely part of the state and is 30 to 45 minutes outside of Albany.

“Back in the day” when farms had no, or limited, electrical power the gas engine was the machine that allowed work to get done. In particular, the “hit and miss” motor was most often used. Many of these engines are now over 100 years old, but at the Gas Up you can see them working away doing what they do best- making life on the farm easier.

These old machines are on display at the Gas Up pumping water, taking kernels off corn cobs, and doing much more. One fun display has these motors powering belt-driven washing machines.

Speaking of washing machines, this year one member had some Maytag engines running, including a fully operational Maytag gas-powered washer. Maytag engines are seldom seen these days, but are surprisingly sophisticated. They are V-twins, very small, and air cooled. The best part is that they have a pedal-start. You just step on the pedal to get it running.

Old-time washing machine
Old-time washing machine

Details about the Gas Up are on the Association’s Web site at www.thegasup.org and put it on your schedule for next weekend.

Meanwhile, check out my photo album with 32 photographs at www.lipera.com/gallery/Wheels-and-Wings/Gas-Up-2017/