1916 Case 50 Continues farm Tradition

Over the years since then, I have learned to know and appreciate John for the many things he does for the preservation of steam in Minnesota communities. He has been tireless in his willingness to haul his several engines from one parade to another, and from one festival or centennial to the next.

Most importantly for me, he taught me how to care for and run his engines. And, after he was convinced that I was taking it seriously, he consented to sell me his 50 Case three years ago. John had owned it for twenty years or so, and believes it powered a sawmill in Wisconsin at one time.

For the past four years we have threshed here at the farm, using all our own equipment. Our practice is to invite all the neighbors and community friends to join us. Everyone is encouraged to 'dress the part' of the old threshing days, and to come ready to work. Old tractors and equipment are welcome, as well as teams of horses and grain wagons. At the end of the thresh, a huge traditional meal is served, with wonderful food cooked on a giant charcoal grill.

We use a ground driven John Deere binder which ties perfect bundles of our spring wheat. Our completely rebuilt McCormick-Deering 22 inch separator is easily handled by the 50. We keep her thirst quenched from a carefully crafted wood and water tender carried on wood-spoked truck wheels we found off an old fire engine. We fire with wood, of course. Oak slabs are cured and stacked in readiness for the threshing bee. A rebuilt McCormick 10-20 industrial power unit, belted to a 32 inch buck saw, neatly trims the slabs to perfect firebox dimension. A 1936 Farmall F-12 on steel serves to pull a bundle rack, giving each old timer a chance to spin the crank for old time's sake.

Steve Eckman (student) at left, with John Schoenning (professor), of Independence, Minnesota, on threshing day at the Eckman Farm, August 1996.

But it certainly is the 1916 Case 50 that gets the most attention.

Most of my work on the 50 has been cosmetic painting, pinstriping, polishing, etc. I have replaced much of the piping, and brassed the cylinder tin. All the wood was refinished and the color brought back to 'generally accepted' original.

John had reflued her, and the inspector gave me 150 pounds on the last go-round, so we seem to be in good shape. I do detect an annoying 'knock' when she's working hard with a delayed cut-out, so I'm going to do some investigating this winter. Hopefully, there's just some play in various spots that's adding up to what I hear. Interestingly, old-timers don't hear the knock but I think that's a product of their hearing rather than the actual situation. I did replace a leaking cylinder head gasket, and, while I was in there, I was able to take about a half a turn on the nut on the top of the piston, so that may have been part of the noise.