Rick Apple, who owns the 36" Keck-Gonnerman threshing machine, let the smaller engines thresh this year. I was really surprised at how easy the machine pulled, though I've always heard a larger thresher was easier to turn, just as long as it wasn't loaded too hard.
Here's David threshing with his 12 hp Frick. His great-uncle bought this engine new, and his grandfather ran it for him. A few years ago David was able to acquire the old engine and get it back in the family. He got a new boiler built for it, and regularly shows the engine at several shows a year. It's about as perfect a size engine as you could ever want, as he hauls it with his pick up truck and tri-axle trailer!
I threshed with my 13 hp Gaar-Scott later in the day on Satirday, here we are stoking up and getting ready.
The 17 yr old young fellow on my engine came down from Illinois with his uncle, who is an engine owner. I basically "handed him the keys" for the little Gaar over the weekend, and all I can say is that boy is probably hooked for life on steam! I thought he was about going to drive the wheels off my engine!