Rumely 25-45 Type R

The early 1920’s saw a shift in the tractor market, away from the big heavy models to smaller, lighter and most importantly, more economical versions. Rumely had offered lightweights since 1916, but 1924 saw the introduction of four new lightweight models, the L at 15-25 hp , the Type M at 20-35 hp , the Type R at 25-45 hp and the Type S at 30-60 hp.  These models would remain in production into 1927.

In this post we’ll take a look at the Type R, like this example that the Shealy Family brought to the Richland Creek Antique Fall Festival at Saluda, South Carolina in Nov. 2016.

Kerosene was the preferred tractor fuel in the early years of the twentieth century because it was cheaper and more commonly available than refined gasoline but it had its drawbacks. A higher operating temperature was needed to properly vaporize the kerosene but the higher temperature created cooling problems as well. The boiling point of water was too low to be a suitable coolant for a kerosene burning tractor as many a Fordson owner could attest. Rumely solved the problem by using oil as a cooling medium since it boils at 400 degrees F. Think maybe that’s where the name “Oil Pull” came from? 

Rumely shipped a Type R to the University of Nebraska in 1925 where it was evaluated from July 7 to July 14 in test number 116. The following observations were recorded. Brake horsepower for the rated load test was listed as 45.55, drawbar rated at 27.42 hp. Advertised speeds were: low, 2 mph, second, 2 ½ mph, high, 3 mph. Total weight as tested, with operator, 11,900 pounds. 

The R was powered by a Rumely built 2 cylinder, horizontal, valve in head engine with a bore of 7 13/16 inches and a stroke of 9 ½ “. Engine speed was listed at 540 rpm.  The engine speed was controlled by a Rumely built flyball governor. Rumely advertisements claimed it could pull 5 or 6 14” plows or a 10 foot road grader. It came from the factory equipped with a price tag that read, $3200. 

Sources:

Encyclopedia of American Farm Tractors  by C.H. Wendel

https://digitalcommons.unl.edu