Nichols-Shepard produced many engines of varying horsepower over the years. This page organizes the engines into basic categories revolving around horsepower, single or double cylinder, and side or rear mount. More is written on types and characteristics that gets into the details of identifying changes further. Date ranges are given for when each engine model was sold, though keep in mind this range is given evidence of start and end from catalogs, advertising, and existing engines. It is possible some may have ceased production for a time.
Single Side Mount Engines
The early single side mount engines were 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17HP with straw burners (return flue) engines of 13, 14, 16, 18, and 20HP. These are all single cylinder engines with traction wheels mounted to the side of the boiler. In later years the common single side mount sizes were 13, 16, 20, 25, and 30HP.
6 Horsepower Single (1877 – 1896)
This small engine was built probably from the beginning through 1894 where it still appeared in the catalog. It is not present in the 1897 catalog.
The 1894 catalog says it has a 6 x 9 cylinder and has a 33-inch band-wheel with 7-inch face, though the engine memorandum ledgers show a few built as 6½ x 9 cylinders.
8 Horsepower Single (1892- 1899)
The 8HP engine makes its first appearance in the engine memorandum ledgers in 1892. It is listed in the 1897 and 1899 catalogs as well. It is said there is an 8HP engine in the Henry Ford Museum with serial number 347 which would place the year of manufacture around 1876.
This engine has a 6½ x 10 cylinder, 25½ x 122″ boiler, 19¾ x 31 x 30½ firebox, 33 1¾” flues of 66″ length, a band wheel 36 x 9½ face, and has traction wheels of 60 x 12″.
10 Horsepower Single (1879 – 1903)
The 10HP engine is listed in the 1885 brochure, 1894, 1897, 1899, and 1902 catalogs. Many hundreds of these engines were built between 1887 and 1893 as noted in the engine memorandum ledgers. Advertising in 1901 and 1903 refers to 10HP as the start of the range offered. There is an indirect advertising reference to a 10HP sold in 1879 via a two page testimonial ad in 1915.
This engine has a 7¼ x 10 cylinder according to some catalogs, but all 10H engines in the engine memorandum ledgers from 1887 to 1893 were 7 x 10. It has a 26½ x 128″ boiler, 22 x 33½ x 32 firebox, 38 1¾” flues of 69″ length, a band wheel 36 x 9½ face (38 x 8 face in 1894 catalog), and has 60 x 14 wheels.
12 Horsepower Single (1891- 1893)
A few hundred 12H engines were built between 1891 and 1893 according to the engine memorandum ledgers. They primarily had 7½ x 10 cylinders, though some were built with 12″ long cylinders. Some portables were built, but most were self-guiding traction engines. This engine is not listed in the 1894, 1897, or 1899 catalogs.
13 Horsepower Single (1880 – 1918)
The 13HP engine was made over the majority of Nichols & Shepard Co.’s existence as a company. The starting year of 1880 is estimated from the possible production date of engine #1227, a 13HP owned by “Steam Engine Joe” Rynda. It has not been confirmed this is really a 13HP engine. Engine memorandum ledgers show 13H engines built between 1887 and 1893, both portable and self-guiding, but none were built in 1892, and few were built each year. The engine is listed in the 1885 brochure, 1894, 1897, 1899, and many other catalogs through 1918. In 1915 the engine took on the belt designation and was called a 13-40HP.
All but one of the engines in the memorandum ledgers for 1887 to 1893 are 7½ x 12 with one, #4524, listed as 7½ x 10.
In the 1894 catalog this engine was listed with a 7½ x 10 cylinder, does 225 revolutions, and has a 38 x 8 band wheel.
In 1897 and beyond, this engine has a 7¾ x 10 cylinder, 28 x 128″ boiler, 24 x 34 x 33 firebox, 47 1¾” flues of 69″ length, a band wheel 36 x 9½ face (38 x 8 face in 1894 catalog), and has 60 x 16 wheels.
In 1902 the boiler length changed to 143 inches, the flues to 38 2″ of 77″ length. In 1913 the fly-wheel is 36 x 10 and the wheels are 58 x 16 and held these dimensions through 1918.
14 Horsepower Single (1891 – 1893)
The 14H engine does not appear in any known catalog or advertising, but is listed in the engine memorandum ledgers. Only self-guiding engines were built in 1891 through 1893 with fewer than 100 made. The cylinder was 7½ x 12, the same as the 13H from the same time period, but the boiler was different.
15 Horsepower Single (1893 – 1897)
A 15HP engine was offered and appeared in the engine memorandum ledgers only in 1893, the last year of the existing ledgers, where 29 were built as self-guiders.
In 1894 this engine was listed with a 7¾ x 12 cylinder and had a 40 x 9½ band wheel. In 1897 the engine cylinder changed to 8 x 12, and the band wheel widened to 10 inches.
16 Horsepower Single (1893 – 1924)
The 16HP single side mount appeared in the 1899 catalog and was listed through the end of production in 1924. In 1915 this engine took on the belt designation and was called a 16-50HP.
In 1899 this engine has a 8 x 12 cylinder, 29 x 130″ boiler, 25 x 36 x 36 firebox, 56 1¾” flues of 69″ length, a band wheel 40 x 10, and has 60 x 18 wheels. One 16HP, #4589 built on June 19 1893, single side mount is listed in the engine memorandum ledgers with the same specifications as the 1899 catalog, except 2″ flues were used.
In 1902 the boiler length extended to 146″, and the flues were changed to 42 2″ of 77″ length, and the band-wheel was now 10⅜ wide. In 1906 the boiler is now 150″ long, the firebox is 25 x 40 x 40, but now only 40 2″ flues of 77″, the band wheel is back to 10″ wide, and the wheels have grown to 64″ diameter and these appear to remain the specs until end of production.
17 Horsepower Single Portable (1887-1893)
The 17HP engine is listed in the 1885 brochure as a plain engine, which would otherwise be known as a portable. Portables are not listed in the 1894 and later catalogs. A total of 6 of these portables were built between 1887 and 1893 according to the engine memorandum ledgers. They had 8 x 12 cylinders, like the 16H engine, 32 x 124″ boiler, 27 x 36 x 40 firebox, and 58 2″ flues of 72″ length.
18 Horsepower Single (1902 – 1906)
The 18HP single side mount engine was also short lived in the early 1900s, appearing first in the 1902 catalog and having a last appearance in the 1906 catalog.
In 1902, this engine has a 8¼ x 12 cylinder, 32 x 149″ boiler, 28 x 40 x 39 firebox, 47 2″ flues of 77″ length, a band wheel 40 x 12, and has 66 x 20 wheels. In 1906 the boiler was changed to 30 x 157″, the firebox 26 x 40 x 40, 42 2″ flues of 84″ length, and the wheels grew to 67″ diameter.
20 Horsepower Single (1899 – 1924)
Like the 16HP, the 20HP single side mount appeared in the 1899 catalog and was listed through the end of production in 1924. In 1915 this engine took on the belt designation and was called a 20-70HP. In 1899 this engine was only offered as a wet bottom. The 1902 catalog introduced the “straw burner” dry bottom boiler, so the 20HP was offered in both styles until 1906 when a common “universal” dry bottom boiler was used.
In 1899, this engine has a 8½ x 12 cylinder, 33 x 142″ wet bottom boiler, 30 x 40 x 40 firebox, 54 2″ flues of 76″ length, a band wheel 40 x 10, and has 66 x 18 wheels.
In 1902 the wet bottom boiler was extended to 149″ long, the band wheel widened to 12″, and the wheels widened to 20″. Also in 1902, a dry bottom boiler for a “straw burner” version was offered. This 1902 dry bottom boiler was 32 x 163 with a 27 x 40½ x 31 firebox, and 32 2½” flues of 90″ length.
In 1906 the wet bottom boiler was no longer offered and the dry bottom “boiler changed to 32 x 175″, 27 x 49 x 46 firebox, 32 2½” flues of 94″ length, and wheels of 67 x 20″. By 1913 the firebox grew slightly to 27 x 49 x 49 and the specs stayed constant to the end in 1924.
22 Horsepower Single (1897)
A 22HP single side mount is listed in the 1897 catalog, but was not to be found in either 1894 or 1899.
The 22HP engine had a 9 x 12 cylinder with a 40 x 10 band wheel.
25 Horsepower Single (1902 – 1924)
The 25HP single appeared in the 1902 catalog and would be available through 1924. It was presented as a new locomotive style “straw burner” which, at that time, meant a new dry bottom boiler. In 1915 this engine took on the belt designation and was called a 25-85HP.
In 1902, this engine has a 9¼ x 12 cylinder, 36 x 169″ dry bottom boiler, 31 x 42½ x 36 firebox, 45 2½” flues of 94″ length, a band wheel 40 x 12, and has a very large traction wheel size of 72 x 20″.
In 1906 the boiler was extended to 177″, firebox was 31 x 51 x 49, and the wheels were widened to 24″.
By 1913 and later, the firebox changed slightly to 31 x 51 x 51 and the wheels were listed as 73″ diameter.
30 Horsepower Single (1902 – 1918)
The 30HP engine was introduced alongside the 25HP in 1902 only as a straw burner (dry bottom). In 1915 this engine took on the belt designation and was called a 30-98HP.
In 1902, this engine has a 9¾ x 12 cylinder, 39 x 169″ dry bottom boiler, 34½ x 42½ x 39 firebox, 54 2½” flues of 94″ length, a band wheel 40 x 12, and has a traction wheel size of 72 x 20″.
As with the 25HP, in 1906 the boiler was extended to 177″ and wheels were also widened to 24″. Also, the firebox changed to 34 x 51 x 53.
By 1913 and later, the firebox slightly changed to 34 x 51 x 55, but the wheels are now distinctly larger than the 25HP now being 79 x 32″.
Double Cylinder Side Mount Engines (1906 – 1916)
The double cylinder engines all appeared in 1906 and were advertised as plowing engines. They would be produced through 1916 where they were phased out by the double cylinder rear mount engines.
These engines used the new “universal” dry bottom boiler, so all were dry bottom.
16 Horsepower Double Side Mount (1906 – 1916)
The 16HP DSM appeared in 1906 and would be available until replaced in 1917 by a rear mount version. In 1915 this engine took on the belt designation and was called a 16-50HP which was the same as its single cylinder brother. This engine was never offered as a “straw burner,” which by this time would mean that it was not offered with a firebrick arch and chute necessary for burning straw.
In 1906 both cylinders were 5½ x 10, the dry bottom boiler 29 x 150, firebox was 25 x 40 x 40, 40 2″ flues of 77″ length, a 40 x 10 fly wheel, and 64 x 18 wheels.
By1913 and later, the cylinders both grew slightly to 5¾ x 10.
18 Horsepower Double Side Mount (1906 – 1908)
For a brief period of time, an 18HP DSM was offered. Since this engine is prior to 1915, there was never a belt horsepower designation added to the model name. This engine was never offered as a “straw burner,” which by this time would mean that it was not offered with a firebrick arch and chute necessary for burning straw.
In 1906 both cylinders were 5⅞ x 10, the dry bottom boiler 30 x 157, firebox was 26 x 40 x 40, 42 2″ flues of 84″ length, a 40 x 12 fly wheel, and 67 x 20 wheels. No catalogs are available to 1908 to learn if specifications changed. The engine is known to be available into 1908 due to advertising.
20 Horsepower Double Side Mount (1906 – 1916)
The 20HP DSM appeared in 1906 and would be available until replaced in 1917 by a rear mount version. In 1915 this engine took on the belt designation and was called a 20-70HP which was the same as its single cylinder brother. This engine was also offered as a “straw burner” with brick arch and straw chute, but otherwise the same specifications.
In 1906 both cylinders were 6¼ x 10, the dry bottom boiler 32 x 175, firebox was 27 x 49 x 46, 32 2½” flues of 94″ length, a 40 x 12 fly wheel, and 67 x 20 wheels.
By 1913 and later, the cylinders both grew slightly to 6⅜ x 10, the firebox to 27 x 49 x 49, and the wheels were now 69 x 20 inches.
25 Horsepower Double Side Mount (1906 – 1916)
The 25HP DSM appeared in 1906 and would be available until replaced in 1917 by a rear mount version. In 1915 this engine took on the belt designation and was called a 25-85HP which was the same as its single cylinder brother. This engine was also offered as a “straw burner” with brick arch and straw chute, but otherwise the same specifications. Note that the 25-85 rear mount was sometimes called a 25-90, but the side mount was always either a 25HP or 25-85HP (1915 and later).
In 1906 both cylinders were 6¾ x 10, the dry bottom boiler 36 x 177, firebox was 31 x 51 x 49, 45 2½” flues of 94″ length, a 40 x 12 fly wheel, and large 72 x 24 wheels. By 1913 and later, the only specification that changed is that the wheels are now 73″ diameter.
30 Horsepower Double Side Mount (1906 – 1916)
The 30HP DSM appeared in 1906 and would be available through 1916. In 1915 this engine took on the belt designation and was called a 30-98HP for 1915 and 1916. This engine was also offered as a “straw burner” with brick arch and straw chute, but otherwise the same specifications.
In 1906 both cylinders were 7½ x 11, the dry bottom boiler 39 x 177, firebox was 34 x 51 x 53, 54 2½” flues of 94″ length, a 40 x 12 fly wheel, and huge 78 x 32 wheels. By 1913 the wheels grow slightly to 79″ diameter, but in the last year of 1916 the wheels are a gigantic 87 x 32 size, possibly because the 35HP was no longer sold that year.
35 Horsepower Double Side Mount (1906 – 1912)
The 35HP DSM appeared in 1906 and would be available only through 1912. This engine was also offered as a “straw burner” with brick arch and straw chute, but otherwise the same specifications. As the engine was pre-1915, it never was listed with a belt designation (e.g., 35-150HP was never used in catalogs or advertising).
In 1906 both cylinders were 7⅞ x 11, the dry bottom boiler 39 x 191, firebox was 34 x 57 x 57, 54 2″ flues of 100″ length, a 40 x 12 fly wheel, and gigantic 86 x 32 wheels. A catalog between 1907 and 1912 is not available to learn what other specifications may have changed.
Double Cylinder Rear Mount Engines (1916 – 1924)
Rear mount engines were first announced in late 1915 for the 1916 model year. In 1916 the 25-85 was introduced followed by the other models in 1917.
As these engines were offered after 1915, the drawbar-belt HP designation was used.
16-60 Horsepower Double Rear Mount (1917 – 1924)
The 16-60HP DRM appeared in 1917 and would be available through 1924. This engine was not offered as a “straw burner.” Note that with the rear mount, the belt horsepower was raised from 50 in the side mounts to 60 in the rear mounts.
In 1918 both cylinders were 6¼ x 10, the boiler 29 x 152, firebox was 25 x 45 x 40, 40 2″ flues of 79″ length, a 40 x 12 fly wheel, and 64 x 20 wheels. In 1920 the fly wheel narrowed to 10″ but back to 12″ in 1921 (a miss-print?).
20-75 Horsepower Double Rear Mount (1917 – 1922)
The 20-75HP DRM appeared in 1917 and would be available only through 1922. This engine was offered as a “straw burner” with identical specifications. Note that with the rear mount, the belt horsepower was raised from 70 in the side mounts to 75in the rear mounts.
In 1918 through 1922, both cylinders were 6⅝ x 10, the boiler 32 x 171, firebox was 27 x 49 x 49, 32 2½” flues of 94″ length, a 40 x 12 fly wheel, and 71 x 24 wheels.
25-85/90 Horsepower Double Rear Mount (1916 – 1924)
The 25-85HP DRM appeared as the first Nichols-Shepard rear mount engine in 1916 and would be available through 1924. This engine was also offered as a “straw burner” with fire brick and chute with identical specifications, and the 1916 engine was only offered as a straw burner for the introduction. This engine was listed initially as 25-85 in 1916, but was adjusted to 25-90HP in 1919. Oddly enough, it was listed in 1920 as 25-85 again, but for the remaining years it was listed as a 25-90.
In 1916 (25-85HP) both cylinders were 6¾ x 10, the boiler 36 x 177, firebox was 31 x 51 x 51, 58 2″ flues of 94″ length, a 40 x 12 fly wheel, and 73 x 24 wheels. In 1918 (25-85HP) the cylinders were now 7 x 10, the boiler shortened to 36 x 173, flues changed to 45 2½ of 94″ length, and wheels widened to 28″. Specs stayed constant after 1918, despite the engine being renamed a 25-90HP.
Return Flue Engines (1887 – 1902)
Early Nichols-Shepard straw burners were of the return flue configuration with smokestack at the rear of the engine. Later straw burners starting in 1902 were locomotive style.
Straw burners are documented in the engine memorandum ledgers from 1887 to 1893. The range of years 1894 to 1902 are what is known from catalogs. They were not shown as early as 1885.
Return flue engine were also offered with compound cylinders. These are described below in the section on compound engines.
13 Horsepower Return Flue (1887-1890)
The 13H straw burner is listed in the engine memorandum ledgers. Only 46 were built between 1887 and 1890. They had a 7½ x 12 cylinder, a 32½ x 143″ boiler, firebox of 26 x 38 x 37″ and 19 return flues of 3″ with 96 length.
14 Horsepower Return Flue (1891-1893)
The 14H straw burner is listed in the engine memorandum ledgers. Only 82 were built between 1891 and 1893. They had a 7½ x 12 cylinder (like the 13H), a 32 x 144″ boiler, firebox of 24 x 39 x 34″ and 18 return flues of 2¾” with 104″ length.
16 Horsepower Return Flue (1892-1894)
The 16HP straw burner is listed in the 1894 catalog and is not present in the 1897 catalog. Dimensions given are 8 x 12 for the cylinder with a 40 x 9½ band wheel. The engine memorandum ledgers show 46 built between 1892 and 1893 and show a 32 x 144″ boiler, firebox of 24 x 39 x 34″ and 18 return flues of 2¾” with 104″ length. The 16H appears to be a cylinder upgrade of the 14H return flue.
18 Horsepower Return Flue (1892 – 1901)
The 18HP straw burner is listed in the 1894, 1897, and 1899 catalogs, as well as being mentioned in a January 1901 Threshermen’s Review advertisement for “Straw burners from 18 to 26 Horse Power.”
Dimensions given in 1894 are 8½ x 12 for the cylinder with a 40 x 9½ band wheel. In 1897 the cylinder reduces to 8 x 12, but the band wheel widens to 10 inches. In 1899 the dimensions given increases the cylinder to 8¼ x 12, the boiler is 32 x 156, firebox is 24½ x 34 x 34½, a main flue of 12″ diameter and 76″ length, 18 return flues of 2¾ with 113 length, band wheel stays as 40 x 10, and wheels of 66 x 20. The engine memorandum ledgers show a total of 35 18H return flue engines built between 1892 and 1893.
20 Horsepower Return Flue (1892)
One 20H straw burner, #4179, is listed in the engine memorandum ledger. Like the 18H, it had a 8½ x 12 cylinder. The boiler was 36 x 127, firebox was 28 x 39 x 32, and had 20 return flues of 3″ diameter with 104″ length.
22 Horsepower Return Flue (1897 – 1899)
The 22HP straw burner is listed in 1897 and 1899 catalogs. It is not shown in 1894, nor 1901.
Dimensions given in 1897 are 9 x 12 for the cylinder, and a 40 x 10 band wheel. These specifications do not change in 1899, though additional dimensions are given of 36 x 156 for the boiler, 28 x 34 x 37½ for firebox, a main flue of 15″ diameter and 76″ length, 22 return flues of 2¾ with 113 length, and wheels of 72 x 20.
Compound Cylinder Engines (1897 – 1902)
Compound engines were offered with locomotive style and return flue style boilers for a limited time ending in 1902. They do not appear in the 1894 catalog nor in the earlier engine memorandum ledgers.
In the 1902 catalog these engines are omitted from the dimension summary table, but they are briefly mentioned “Although we do not list compound engines we are in a position to furnish them when required in the following sizes: 13, 16 and 20-horse wood and coal burning compound engines, and 25-horse straw burning compounds.”
Locomotive style compound engine
13 Horsepower Compound (1897 – 1902)
Dimensions provided in 1897 are 5¾ x 10 for the high-pressure cylinder, and 8½ x 10 for the low-pressure cylinder, along with a 36 x 9½ band wheel. In 1899 additional dimensions are given as 26½ x 128 for the boiler, 22 x 33½ x 32 for firebox, 38 1¾ flues of 69″ length, and wheels of 60 x 14″.
16 Horsepower Compound (1897 – 1902)
Dimensions provided in 1897 are 6⅜ x 10 for the high-pressure cylinder, and 9¼ x 10 for the low-pressure cylinder, along with a 36 x 9½ band wheel. In 1899 the cylinder was changed to 6⅛ x 10 for the high-pressure cylinder, and 9 x 10 for the low-pressure cylinder. Additional dimensions are given as 28 x 128 for the boiler, 24 x 34 x 33 for firebox, 47 1¾ flues of 69″ length, and wheels of 60 x 16″.
20 Horsepower Compound (1897 – 1902)
Dimensions provided in 1897 are 6¾ x 10 for the high-pressure cylinder, and 9¾ x 10 for the low-pressure cylinder, along with a 49 x 10 band wheel. In 1899 the high-pressure cylinder was changed to 6½ x 10. Additional dimensions are given as 29 x 130 for the boiler, 25 x 36 x 36 for firebox, 56 1¾ flues of 69″ length, and wheels of 60 x 18″.
25 Horsepower Compound (1902)
The 1902 catalog refers to the ability to furnish a 25HP compound straw burner. In 1902 the “straw burners” were using the new dry bottom locomotive style boiler, so here it is assumed this reference is also to a locomotive style. No specifications were given in the catalog.
Return flue style compound engine
20 Horsepower Return Flue Compound (1897 – 1901)
The 1897 catalog lists the 20HP straw-burner compound with a 6¾ x 10 high-pressure cylinder, and a 9¾ x 10 low-pressure cylinder, and a 40 x 10″ band wheel. The 1899 catalog adds dimensions of 32 x 156 for the boiler, 24½ x 34 x 34½ for firebox, a main flue of 12″ diameter by 76″ length, 18 2¾ return flues with 113 length, and wheels 66 x 20 inches.
26 Horsepower Return Flue Compound (1897 – 1901)
The 1897 catalog lists the 26HP straw-burner compound with a 7¼ x 10 high-pressure cylinder, and a 10½ x 10 low-pressure cylinder, and a 40 x 10″ band wheel. The 1899 catalog adds dimensions of 36 x 156 for the boiler, 28 x 34 x 37½ for firebox, a main flue of 15″ diameter by 76″ length, 22 2¾ return flues with 113 length, and wheels 72 x 20 inches.
