1862 London Exhibition: Catalogue: Class VIII.: Ransomes and Sims
1961. RANSOMES and SIMS, Ipswich.
Portable double-cylinder steam engine, 20-horse power; portable steam crab, 5-horse power.
This engine is the largest of the exhibitors' standard series of portable steam engines, which are made from 3 to 20 horse power.
These portable steam engines are extremely simple, durable, and easy to manage; and are capable of application to almost all purposes where steam is required, such as working circular, horizontal, or vertical saws for cutting timber; for driving pumps for irrigation, millstones and mill gear, quartz-crushing machines, stampers, amalgamators, etc.; and are built for burning either wood or coal, a great desideratum in countries where coal is scarce.
The boiler, which is multitubular, is of the exhibitors' own make, and is constructed with especial reference to durability, on the same model as the most approved locomotive boilers. The hulk of the plates are Low Moor, the others being best Staffordshire. Ample water-space is given round the fire box, and between the tubes, for the free circulation of the water, the escape of steam, and the settling of sediment. The boiler is tested by hydraulic pressure to 100 lbs. per square inch. It is fitted with a steam gauge, glass water-gauge, steam whistle, 2 gauge cocks, safety valve with spring balance, blow-off cock, etc. etc. and is lagged with wood, covered with sheet-iron. It is fitted with a lock-up safety valve when so ordered.
The chimney is furnished with a wire top, which extinguishes all sparks and prevents all danger of fire.
The crank shaft and connecting rods are of wrought-iron, and all small wearing parts are case-hardened.
The fly wheel is properly balanced, and can be hung on either end of the crank shaft.
The slide valve eccentric can readily be shifted to admit more or less steam, according to the amount of work to be performed, or to reverse the motion of the engine, if necessary.
The power is calculated at 45 lbs. pressure of steam in the boiler. Every engine is tested under steam before leaving the factory, and may be safely worked at 60 lbs. pressure, at which they give off double their nominal power, consuming, of course, fuel and water in the same increased proportion.
In estimating the power an engine will produce, the size of the cylinder is only one element, and by no means the most important, for it must be borne in mind that the power really depends upon the capability of the boiler to generate dry steam, as fast as the engine can utilise it. In a portable engine, the size of the boiler is limited by the condition that the engine must be easily portable; and Messrs. Ransome's engines are furnished with as large boilers as is compatible with that condition. The exhibitors have chosen a moderate sized cylinder, and a quick speed, in preference to a larger cylinder and a slow speed, as possessing, for this class of engine, very many substantial advantages; and it will be found in practice, that these engines will give off as much power, and cost as little to keep in repair, as any others of equal weight and portability, but furnished with larger cylinders.
These engines are all furnished with the following articles, viz. waterproof cover, tube brush, fire pricker, rake, shovel, screw spanners, oil can, lane funnel, and spare gauge glass, which are included in the price quoted.
They are also sometimes fitted with a simple apparatus in the smoke box for heating the feed water. This economises the fuel considerably, and is not liable to get out of order.
A 5-HORSE POWER PORTABLE STEAM CRAB, with Bidden and Balk's patent boiler.
This crab is capable of raising about 25 cwt. at a rate of from 70 to 80 ft. per minute. It is especially designed for raising building materials but if the winding gear is not required, it can be disconnected by shifting a clutch, and the engine can then, like any ordinary portable engine, be used for other purposes, such as driving a mortar mill, pumps, or circular saw, etc. The rope which generally passes through a snatch block, and over the swivel pulley on the fore carriage, is wound up on the winding drum, which is furnished with a ratchet wheel to retain it in its position, and also with a lever and rollers ' to enable the driver to cause the rope to coil properly. It is also furnished with a break, which is worked by the foot of the driver, and which serves for lowering and stopping suddenly. The release of this break is made self-acting by means of a counterweight.
The engine is made to reverse to facilitate the starting, and for the purpose of unwinding the chain or rope on the drum, so as to facilitate the descent of the end of the chain or rope when empty.
Everything necessary for the working of this crab, can be done by the driver, without leaving his place.