![Peerless steam tractor [4032x3024 - 5.56MB]](https://pic8.co/sh/XC9tLv.jpg){kind=link}
Steam engines should be readily available, portable and cheap. Like a 5 horsepower model or even smaller. Something you could take off grid and be versatile enough to hook up a generator, a pump or even a golf cart-like vehicle.
I'd like to mow my lawn with a fucking steam engine. When you hear that whistle on Sunday morning, you'll know I'm out choppin' the grass. Don't worry about that cloud of smoke; it'll dissipate.
Steam is our civilizations great power source. Hell, even nuclear power plants use radioactive rods to heat water to produce steam to fire off steam turbines to generate electricity. Plus I like SteamPunk shit.
Those big tractors are no more than 10-15HP, although some came in more from the factory, up to 60ish. It takes a lot of steam to do that much work, not to mention the boiler needs to be maintained or it explodes. See the Medina explosion from 2001. https://www.farmcollector.com/steam-engines/tragedy-at-medina-county-fairgrounds/
I'd prefer a simple gasoline engine. The early ones were very simple and could be repaired with just about anything you had.
Yeah, but it can't run without gasoline and oil. With a steam engine, anything that burns can give you power, and a little bear fat once in a while for lubrication can keep it running smooth.
(sorry for the Yeahbut. I always hate hearing from the "yeahbut" guy.)
You're probably going to need petroleum based products for lubrication, but it's moderately easy to crack petroleum yourself. Not much different than distilling alcohol.
(post is archived)