Today, stationary diesels are still used for power generation, pumping, and other purposes. The Indian Grave Drainage District in Quincy, Illinois still has three operational Model 32 engines, and three engines are on standby as back-up power generators in Delta, Colorado. A number of engines were still in regular service at various locations into the 1970s, with at least one being run until 1991. The Model 32 was built at least into the 1940s. At 40,000 hours, or 4.57 years of continuous operation, the piston pin and bushing should be replaced. At 20,000 hours the needle rollers should be replaced again and the piston pin should be rotated 180 degrees. To give some idea of the service life of the engine, at 10,000 hours of operation the needle rollers on the piston pin should be replaced. The Model 32 engines were in service for years in power stations, manufacturing plants, ice plants, flour mills, rock crushing plants, cotton gins, seed oil mills, textile mills, irrigation and drainage pumping stations, and many other locations. Fuel consumption was around 0.39 lb/hp/hr (237 g/kW/h).įairbanks Morse Model 32E piston sectional, piston, and connecting rod assembly. As the piston moved down on the power stroke, it uncovered the exhaust port, allowing the burnt gases to be expelled. The air was then compressed by the piston as fuel was injected into the cylinder at 2,000 psi (137.9 bar) and ignited by the heat of the 500 psi (34.5 bar) compression.
Air was drawn through the crankcase and into the cylinder when the piston uncovered an induction port. The engine had no intake or exhaust valves. The only moving parts in the Model 32 were the pistons, connecting rods, crankshaft, oil pumps, fuel pumps, flywheel, and governor. The two-stroke, water-cooled diesel of all cast iron construction was air started with 250 psi (17.2 bar). Normal operating speed ranged from 257 to 360 rpm. The 14×17 engine, known as -14, was available in one- through six-cylinder versions with each cylinder displacing 2,617 cu in (42.9 L) and producing 60–75 hp (45–56 kW). The 12×15 engine, known as -12, was available in one- through three-cylinder versions with each cylinder displacing 1,696 cu in (27.8 L) and producing about 40–50 hp (30–37 kW). The Model 32 was available in two cylinder sizes: 12 in (305 mm) bore with a 15 in (381 mm) stroke and 14 in (356 mm) bore with 17 in (432 mm) stroke. The base for the individual cylinders mounted directly to the lower base. The crankshaft and lower base for a four-cylinder 32E engine. The Model Y was available in sizes from one through six-cylinders, or 30 to 200 horsepower (22 to 149 kW). Introduced in 1914, the company’s large Model Y semi-diesel stationary engine became a standard workhorse used by sugar, rice, and timber mills mines, and other applications.
Small power plants built by Fairbanks Morse were popular and evolved by burning kerosene in 1893, coal gas in 1905, and semi-diesel in 1913.Īfter the expiration of Rudolf Diesel’s American license in 1912, Fairbanks Morse entered the large engine business. The Fairbanks Morse gas engine became a success providing power for irrigation, electricity generation, and oilfield work. The Company began producing oil and naptha engines in the 1890s. In the late nineteenth century, Fairbanks Morse & Company continued to expand its now very diverse product line. Morse’s successful sales abilities enabled to him becoming a partner, and the company was eventually renamed Fairbanks Morse & Company. In the 1870s, Charles Morse, an E & T Fairbanks Company distributor, was responsible for adding Eclipse Windmills and pumps to the E & T Fairbanks Company product list. Four-cylinder Fairbanks Morse 32E-14 engine.