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Rock Island Plow Co.

Great Western engines as offerd by Rock Island Plow Company for 1911 were available in several styles and sizes. Among them was the vertical tank cooled style. Among them were the vertical tank cooled style shown here. Using a two cycle design, these tank cooled engines could be purchased in 5 and 6 horsepower sizes, with the company guaranteeing that each engine would develop its rated horsepower. A water circulating pump was standard equipment – in a rather unusual design, these engines featured low tension make – and – break ignition instead of the spark plug ignition so often found on two cycle engines. THe 5 horsepower engine shown here weighed 950 pounds – the entire package was mounted on massive oak skids over 7 feet long.

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Topping Rock Island’s Great Western engine line for 1911 was this 10 horsepower two cylinder model. Spark plug ignition was featured, with the timer being wirtually identical to this system as being ideal, since the engine was easily reversed. Separate intake and exhaust manifolds are shown here, although individual exhaust pipes probably would have done no harm. Weighing 1,200 pounds, this big engine had its share of oilers adn grease cups-four sight feed lubricators were needed for the cylinders and crankpins, while the grease cups took care of the main bearings. Note the flywheel-driven ignition dynamo- an extra cost option.

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