I think it would be fair to say that with the vast majority of stationary engines that we see in preservation were intended to be used as a multipurpose prime-mover capable of performing a wide array of duties. However, there were a small number of engines that were designed primarily for one dedicated application, such as the little aircooled four-stroke engine produced by the Standard Separator Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.

This engine, which was rated at 1/2hp at 1,375rpm, came as part of a complete cream separator unit; it was first placed on the market around 1912 and remained in production for several years.

Although the engine was originally intended for use in the dairy, it could, with relative ease, be utilised for a wide range of light duties via a flat belt pulley, tasks such as driving a small water pump, washing machine, sewing machine and there was even a small electric lighting plant offered. In circa 1915, the Standard Separator engine was offered as a new-standing unit.

Charles Wendell in his book “American Gasoline Engines Since 1872” states that early Standard separator engines were equipped with magneto ignition, while later engines were supplied with battery and coil ignition. Was this backward step taken to reduced manufacturing costs, I wonder?

Just how long the Standard Separator Company remained in business is unknown, but it was, no doubt, one of the many  casualties of rural electrification that was expanded throughout America.

In the UK, the Standard Separator Company engine/separator units were marketed by the firm John Millar & Sons of Annan, Scotland; a very small number are known to have survived into preservation and are highly sought prized by collectors.

I am aware that the Standard Separator Company exported a number of these little engines to Australia but, to date, I have not been able to establish who marketed them or indeed what States they were available. If you own on  of these Standard Separator Company engines or a complete cream separator unit maybe you can add a little to what scant information is currently known. Patrick Livingstone has provided a photograph of a watercooled version of the Standard Separator engine; can anyone shed some light on the model?

*Patrick Knight

^ This late model is equipped with battery ignition