Stirling Engine Tractor

[trader-abe]

Has anyone had experience in making a Stirling-powered Tractor designed by Rudy Kouhoupt. The design I am considering was published in 7 articles of HSM starting with 11/12-1997.

[gary hart]

Abe, Rudy Kouhupt had a good design and all the ones I've seen are good runners. Built one but changed a few things for a different appearance. Anything in particular you got a question about? gary

[trader-abe]

Gary,

Thanks for your reply about the Stirling powered tractor. I am a new machinist but after reviewing all of the plans for this tractor I think I have a chance of completing it. What I would like to know is did you find any errors in the plans. I would hate to make some parts as designed and then find they dont't fit because there was a dimension error.

Thanks for any advice you can give.

[gary hart]

Abe,
I started with Rudy’s basic design. Frame, gearing wheel sizes are to Rudy’s drawings. I wanted mine to look more like a steam traction engine then an Oil Pull design.

I was lucky enough to meet Rudy at a show. Rudy told me he always drew up his plans and figured out all his tooling before starting. He would build the project from the plans he had drawn up. So, I think it is unlikely you would find any errors with any of his projects. Being your new at this might want to check if there is a club around your area or mention where your at and maybe somebody on this board who is close by could offer advice if you need it. ………….. gary

Will try insert picture of mine.

[Tinkerer]

Very nice.

[trader-abe]

Gary,

Thanks for the comments. I am a member of a local club and I know I can get good advice from some of the members.

Your tractor is truly outstanding. If I can make mine look half as good, I will consider myself successful and lucky.

[trader-abe]

Gary,

I forgot to ask. Where did you get the aluminum tubing that is used for the front and back wheels. I have asked around and nobody seems to have the necessary sizes.

[gary hart]

Wasn’t able to find any aluminum tube for the rear wheels. That is one of the reasons it is a brass tractor instead of aluminum. The rear wheel rims are rolled from flat brass stock and silver brazed to form the rim. Think you could roll aluminum for the rear wheel rims or maybe hand form a piece of aluminum strip over a piece of pipe. Use aluminum strip longer then needed and you will less likely have a kink near end of the bend. Over lap and clamp the ends for the right diameter and saw through both pieces. Cut a short piece of the unused bent aluminum to put under the butt joint and rivet it all together. Think it would look good and be authentic.
gary

[oldmx]

Gary nice work, is the steering actually hooked up? If so do you have pictures of it or a discription on how you did it. Thanks, Joe.

[gary hart]

Joe, the steering was an after thought. It gave me the most problems because I didn’t plan ahead for it. If I was doing it again the front axle would of pivoted and would of used chains to steer it as used on lots of old traction engines.

The steering gear is the only gear that I didn’t make. This gear was robbed from an old automotive spot light, the kind where you twisted the handle inside the car and the light swiveled outside the car (It was in my junk box). Will try my luck at inserting picture.