More Schramm stuff

Wardner · Apr 20, 2010

I took my own advice and looked for Pneumatractor on Google. I was surprised at the big Diesel. Apparently the compressor was separate from the engine. Serial number on that one is 501. It's probably around 600 CFM.

It appears that there were many different models built during the middle part of the last century. These were built along side of the well drilling rigs that are still built today.

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Bob M · Apr 20, 2010

Warnder - Here's a couple more old Schramms for you:

Top photo is single block, 6 cylinder (3 cylinder engine x 3 cyl pump) Pneumadiesel tractor.

Below is a closeup of the of the injection pump side of the 3x3 Pneumadiesel

Bottom is an older Schramm unit with separate engine and pump. Prime mover is a 6 cyl Buda flathead directly coupled to a 6 cylinder pump (it is running in this photo)

Someplace in my archives I've got photos of a gas Pneumatractor; also of Schramm-Wisconsin air cooled V4 (2 cylinders engine + 2 cylinder pump). Will post if I can turn 'em up...

Wardner · Apr 20, 2010

Thanks for the pictures.

You have to wonder why compressors weren't driven off the PTO with controls running to the tractor engine. Seems like a much cheaper solution.

You could also direct drive a compressor from the belt pulley gear box and put the air receiver on the other side.

Something like this but bigger,

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Bob M · Apr 20, 2010

(quoted from post at 22:20:40 04/20/10)
You have to wonder why compressors weren't driven off the PTO with controls running to the tractor engine. Seems like a much cheaper solution.

I wondered about that too Wardner.

I suspect however modifying an existing, high production engine so half its cylinders pumped air was cheaper than building a separate compressor and PTO drive and mounting it to a tractor.

Keep in mind also the Pneumatractor was really only a "self-propelled portable compressor". It's tractoring capabilities were modest at best, and were only a secondary consideration in its design.

---

Incidentally when I was a kid back in the 1950's seemed every town highway dept around here (western NY) had at least one Schramm compressor on their equipment roster. Cool, old technology!

PORKY B. · Apr 20, 2010

quite unick stuff

Jim A · Apr 22, 2010

Wardner, top photo is my Pneumatractor, its is a 1972 model 160. That is 160 cfm at 100 psi. The engine was a Schramm design, block also. The picture I attached is a 1948 Schramm Crawler 60, has a flathead Ford V8, runs on 4 compresses on 4, only made 150.

Jim A · Apr 22, 2010

Forgot to add earlier, the big Diesel Pneumatractor is a 300 cfm unit.

Wardner · Apr 22, 2010

OMG, crawlers too. ??? Very nice. Do you have a Pneumacar? Or a Pneuma-amphibian. My local gas utility runs 1.5 ton vans with 150 CFM Sullair PTO compressors.

I am retired from the sandblasting business. I did a few ski lifts but the towers were always moved to the parking lot with a helicopter for total rehab. I was thinking that a big Cat with a PTO comprressor out the back, a six ton b;asting pot on the front, and an aerial lift bolted to the middle might work. The problem is that many of the lifts in New England run in the woods.

Is the Schramm above with the "C-37" stencil using a UD-18 engine?

Here's my answer to Schramm. Been thinking about replacing the Midland (?) 2 cylinder compressor with a Bendix-Westinghouse 4 cylinder in-line air brake compressor. Both compressors are flanged for Detroit Diesel. Either that or the air end of my 150 screw type Sullair that I bought new in 1970. Still wondering why Schramm didn't do something similar.

M Diesel · Apr 23, 2010

(quoted from post at 20:29:08 04/22/10) OMG, crawlers too. ??? Very nice. Do you have a Pneumacar? Or a Pneuma-amphibian.

Is the Schramm above with the "C-37" stencil using a UD-18 engine?

No. Probably a converted 16 sized engine, (502/525/552). They were based on 9 sized parts. LeRoi also had similar units to these.

Jim A · Apr 23, 2010

Schramm did make compressors that went on some Cats, was pto driven. They also had aerial lifts on the Pneumatractor. You would not believe everything they did.

Jim A · Apr 23, 2010

The picture with c37, the Schramm manual states the engine is Schramm, thats all I can tell you on that.
1st picture; Cat 30 with Schramm compressor
2nd Cat 28 with schramm compressor
3rd Schramm pneumalift with "skyworker"

Jim A · Apr 23, 2010

some more pictures for you.
1st "skyworker" in action
The next two pictures are of a Pneumatractor I would like to find. This was made for the Marine Corp. This is a series 62 125 cfm. In the first picture you see what all equipment goes on the tractor, next picture shows it together.

OK, I am sure you are bored to death by now, but if you want more information you can email me.
JA

Wardner · Apr 24, 2010

Bored?

I don't think so. This has been the best thread for some time. I like multi-function vehicles. The Schramm engineering staff must have had a blast going to work. Tractors are the epitome of multi-function with PTOs and hydraualics all over the place.

The double bucket arial lift is a "Sky-Worker" made by Correct Mfg. They were also the last company to take over Divco Trucks, the funky home delivery milk trucks, before they went bankrupt The heavy duty style fiberglass buckets and booms were made near me in Lowell, MA. I sandblasted hundreds of those buckets when they came back for repair. The tree guys used to push 3/4 sawn trees over with them. I bought a new 45' Skyworker in 1980 for $17,000. Still have it.

Don't remember seeing any Pneumatractors at Camp Lejeune in 1966. Maybe I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I did remember seeing alot of the 53 series Detroit Diesel powered stuff. When I got out, I found a 4-53 and put it in a '47 KB-5 IH truck. Still have that too.

I am trying to figure out what that unfocused lump near the tractor's left front wheel is. Maybe a generator or water pump.

Jim A · Apr 24, 2010

Schramm did have a lot of different ideas, some ahead of their time. For one, the crawler I have came with a full rubber track with steel belting in 1948. They had problems with it, recalled most and changed to steel track. I have a lot of different pictures of Schramm equipment.

The unfocused item by the left front tire os the front mount winch.

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