WATERLOO GAS ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER RESEARCH

January 8, 2006

         The Waterloo Gasoline Traction Engine Company began business in 1893 with the intent of build gasoline tractors. Sales were slow so the company reorganized and engine production began in 1895.  In 1906, the company began production of its "Waterloo Boy" hopper-cooled open crank engine that characterized its well-known line for the next fifteen years. Its design supposedly came from Jeff Knowlton, a farmer and blacksmith. During this time, Waterloo became one of the “big four” manufacturers along with Fairbanks Morse, Hercules and International Harvester.  From 1906 through 1918, Waterloo engines were sold by at least sixty-four companies with each having their own ID tag attached. The Majestic, Eaton, John Smyth, Jackson, Sandow and Waterloo Boy are some of the more common Waterloo engines.   

         After the sale of Waterloo to Deere and Company in March of 1918, the company introduced a new design with the "H” (gasoline) model with hit and miss governor and the “K” (kerosene) model with throttle governor. On both, the most visible change was the drip oiler relocated to the hopper top and there were other minor mechanical changes.

        Production of the “H” model seems to have started in mid-1919 (#201476 is the earliest found) and ceased in 1925 (#240973 is latest found).

        Production of the “K” model seems to have started in mid-1919 (#160187 is the earliest found) and ceased in late 1921 (#222845 is the latest found). A “Waterloo Boy Repair and Parts List No. 10” dated April 1, 1920 and a “No. 11” dated July 15, 1920 for the “K” model has been found also indicating production probably began in mid-1919.

        Production of the Deere type "E" began in 1921 (#200065 is the earliest found) and ended in 1946.

        Any information on “H”, “K” and “E” model engines with serial numbers before or after these listed is sought to aid in the research.

** Some numbers probably skipped as Waterloo Boy "H" and "K" and John Deere "E" models were all in 

production replacing the original model.  No serial numbers in the #165000 – 179999 and #190000 – 199999 

ranges have been found so far. 

** Waterloo Boy “H” and “K” and John Deere “E” only

     ** Refer to the serial number list for Deere type "E" engines produced through 1946.   

 CASTING DATES

        Only a few of the earliest "Waterloo Boy" engines had a casting date. Casting dates are found on the sub base under the crankshaft and are viewable through the flywheels. Check under the crankshaft on both sides of the body and all over the engine for a possible date.

        My theory on casting dates is that the first engine body produced each day was given a date. All sub bases produced that day, in various HP sizes, were lined up in a field or large warehouse. Some of the engines were able to cure for a few months while others were assembled immediately to fill an order. One engine was cast and shipped in three days and may have been a rush order. The more thermal cycles cast iron can experience, the stronger the engine. Dates have been found only on engines produced in the 1911 thru 1915 years. Many dates are for a Saturday and Sunday indicating a seven-day per week production and shipping. The shipping dates were also obtained from the John Deere Archivist. The furnaces would not be shut down so at least limited production continued around the clock. Waterloo claimed production capability of 100 engines per day in their massive facilities.

        Casting dates are important in historical research. Please forward any casting date along with the engine serial number to me for recording. Thanks for your support in continuing the Waterloo research.