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Anyone know anything about this old steam boiler?

Ando1983
Ando1983 Member Posts: 3
in Strictly Steam
A new state park opened in my area at what was someone's farm long long ago. On one of the trails, you come upon the ruins of the old farm house and this beauty was hanging out front. First, I am glad I didn't have to drag it out front with its 4" thick cast iron walls. I'm assuming the fuel (coal or wood) was shoved in that hole in the front and it heated the flying saucer looking tank above. Does anyone have any info on something like this?


Comments

  • Ando1983
    Ando1983 Member Posts: 3
    Found this in an old Boiler Book from early 1900's. I know it is generic, but I can see similarities


  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,237
    It's old that's for sure. They were all pretty much the same. The cast iron base is missing, the boiler would have sat 12" or so higher when on the base.

    The wood or coal was shoveled in through the opening in the boiler where the fire door used to be. Then it burned on the grates which were down in the missing base
  • Ando1983
    Ando1983 Member Posts: 3
    Thank you! What do you think of the return/supply piping both being on top? that kind of threw me for a loop... pun intended
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,306
    Those are both supply connections. The return connection is at the bottom, probably on the side.

    Any radiators or pipes left in the house?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    mattmia2
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,245
    Steamhead,

    How were those sections connected?
    A single large push nipple between each?
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,306
    edited May 2022
    One or two, usually. Some had three.

    This type of boiler was something like 40% efficient on oil or gas, according to one of my Dead Men's Books.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    JUGHNE
  • pedmec
    pedmec Member Posts: 1,009
    the old snowman boiler. i bet you can find the asbestos buried in the ground somewhere
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 10,665
    I bet you can find some still embedded between the sections.
  • reggi
    reggi Member Posts: 523
    EBEBRATT-Ed said:
    It's old that's for sure. They were all pretty much the same. The cast iron base is missing, the boiler would have sat 12" or so higher when on the base. The wood or coal was shoveled in through the opening in the boiler where the fire door used to be. Then it burned on the grates which were down in the missing base
    So do you figure it was abandoned where it sat when it came time to upgrade , I know this is older than you BTW
    One way to get familiar something you know nothing about is to ask a really smart person a really stupid question

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