Fowler Petrol Engine Resources

Rare Original Fowler Cement Mixer

Alongside engine production, Fowler produced a range of powered plant including pumps, compressors, shearing sets and generators. Cement mixers were also offered and a very original and unrestored unit has turned up in preservation.

Plant No. 22679 is fitted with a 1.5 HP, 700 RPM Fowler 1PA, Engine No. 10337. This makes this set an early set of particular interest and of worthy comparison with other engines in the range. Click on the thumbnails below to enlarge.

This unit is in original unrestored condition and it is apparent that the engine has been well protected by the enclosure over the years. It appears to have a non-original fuel tank and magneto which can be assumed to have been replaced during its working life to keep the unit operational - all part of the history ! These parts can be easily replaced with the original parts as and when restoration takes place. Being a 10xxx series engine puts the set in the 1936-1939 era and it is remarkable how such a unit has suvrived. Cement mixers and other such construction plant often have a hard and short life which makes this such an interesting unit and worthy of preservation.

The engine itself has a number of early features (comparable with my engine No. 10283) such as cast iron oil filler and crankcase door, cast iron governor housing with early style governor cover, cast iron inlet manifold and what appears to be an original early style silencer with narrow atmosphere pipe. Looking closely you can also see the short crankshaft and early style bearing housing cover on the starting handle end of the crankshaft. This engine is similar to No. 10283 in that it has a number of early features yet has the later Solex carburettor and four hole flywheel. This would help confirm that the early cast iron carburettor engines, with straight spoke flywheel must have been part of the very first batch of 10xxx series engines, hence these are relatively rare in comparison to the Fowler 1PA's generally seen on the rallyfield.

Many thanks to Simon Jennings for providing the photos and allowing publication on this site.