Challenge Engine Information
From Original Catalogs
The following information was gleaned from several different Challenge Catalogs. If you happen to have a catalog that is not one of these listed, I would love to be able to see scans, copies of the pages that pertain to the engines in it. This helps to determine when changes were made to the lineup. Pictures will be scanned in and added as time permits.
Be sure to look at the Challenge Photo Page.
Check out the Challenge Parts List Page for catalogs scans covering Engines and Challenge Equipment.
Check out photos of the Challenge Factory and Windmills.
There has been some discussion about the connection between Challenge and Taylor Vacuum Engines. Click Here to compare in side by side photos.
Challenge Catalog #??
Challenge Wind Mill and Feed Mill Co. States that it has been in the windmill business for over 27 years. 1894 is written in pencil inside the front cover. Catalog is 132 pages long. The following two images are on page 130 and 131. They are for a Lambert Side Shaft Engine. These scans were taken from a photocopy of the pages of an original catalog from the Batavia Historical Society.
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Challenge Catalog #??
States that it has been in the windmill business for over 27 years. Since Challenge started in business in 1867, at the earliest, this would be 1894 or later. There are 2 pages of write up on engines. Hot tube is mentioned as a self starting feature. "press small lever forward".
| Style Pictured | HP | Speed | Pulley | Engine Weight | Price |
| None | 2 | 280 | 8x6 | 1040 | $175 |
| None | 4 | 260 | 11x8 | 1800 | $300 |
| None | 7 | 250 | 15x10 | 2688 | $425 |
| None | 10 | 220 | 20x8 | 4010 | $500 |
Challenge Catalog #45
Featured Company Name change from Challenge Windmill & Feed Mill Company to Challenge Company.
(p144) |
Introduction to Challenge Gasoline Engine |
(p145) |
4 HP Vertical Tank Cooled |
(p146) |
2 1/2 HP Vertical |
(p147) |
1 1/2 HP Vertical Tank Cooled |
(p148) |
1 1/2HP Vertical Self Contained Gasoline Engine |
(p149) |
Self Contained Horizontal Pumping Engine |
(p150) |
Self Contained Horizontal Engine
2-3 HP Tank Cooled |
(p151) |
Gasoline Engine
5, 8, 10, 12 HP |
(p152) |
5HP Gasoline Engine - Geared For Pumping |
(p153) |
5hp Pumping Engine |
(p154) |
Portable Engine |
(p155) |
Information and Price List (as shown below) |
| Style Pictured | HP | Speed | Pulley | Floorspace | Engine Weight | Price |
| Horizontal Tank Cooled | 2 | 350 | 8x6 | 40x30 | 690 | $160 |
| Horizontal Tank Cooled | 3 | 300 | 10x6 | 42x30 | 1000 | $200 |
| Horizontal Tank Cooled | 5 | 280 | 11x8 | 64x42 | 1890 | $300 |
| Horizontal Tank Cooled | 8 | 260 | 15x11 | 52x79 | 3600 | $425 |
| Horizontal Tank Cooled | 10 | 250 | 20x12 | 52x81 | 3700 | $500 |
| Horizontal Tank Cooled | 16 | 230 | 24x12 | 58x86 | 4400 | $600 |
| Self Contained | ||||||
| Vertical Tank Cooled | 1-1/2 | 350-600 | 5x5 | 30x30 | 425 | $120 |
| Vertical Tank Cooled | 2-1/2 | 350-400 | 9x8 | 32x32 | 800 | $160 |
| Vertical Tank Cooled | 4 | 350-400 | 12x8 | 60x36 | 1200 | $220 |
| Horizontal Tank Cooled | 2 | 350 | 8x6 | 78x40 | 800 | $160 |
| Horizontal Tank Cooled | 3 | 300 | 10x6 | 78x42 | 1100 | $200 |
| Self Contained with Pump Jack | ||||||
| Vertical Tank Cooled | 1-1/2 | 350-660 | 5x5 | 60x30 | 585 | $135 |
| Horizontal Tank Cooled | 2 | 350 | 8x6 | 88x34 | 1070 | $175 |
| Horizontal Tank Cooled | 3 | 300 | 10x6 | 88x36 | 1350 | $215 |
Challenge Catalog #48
No engines were pictured, but there was a 2 page write up on their engines. It requested that you ask for information on them. Quotes in the book from customers dated from 1905 and 1906.
Challenge Ad from 1908 Magazine - Stationary Air Cooled Pumping Engine
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Challenge Catalog #51
Featured Horizontal and geared base engines in sizes:
2 1/2, 3 1/2, 4 1/2, 6, 9, 12, 15 - All were tank cooled.
Challenge Catalog #62
Featured engines 1 1/2 - 16 hp
| Style Pictured | HP | Bore | Stroke | Speed | Pulley | Crankshaft Diameter | Flywheel Diameter | Flywheel Weight | Engine Weight | Code Word |
| Hourglass | 1-1/2 | 3-1/2 | 5 | 500 | 3x4 | 1-5/16 | 16 | 42 | 275 | Vamp |
| Hourglass | 2 | 4 | 5 | 450 | 5x4 | 1-3/8 | 20 | 58 | 400 | Van |
| Hourglass | 4 | 5-1/4 | 8 | 400 | 9x8 | 1-7/8 | 26 | 135 | 850 | Vend |
| Hourglass | 6 | 6-1/4 | 8 | 350 | 11x8 | 2 | 32 | 185 | 1150 | Venom |
| Square Hopper | 8 | 6-3/4 | 11 | 300 | 15x20 | 2-1/4 | 42 | 400 | 2200 | Venue |
| Square Hopper | 10 | 7-1/2 | 13 | 280 | 20x10 | 2-3/4 | 48 | 526 | 3200 | Verb |
| Tank Cooled Horizontal | 12 | 8-1/2 | 13 | 250 | 20x10 | 3 | 52 | 600 | 3400 | Veil |
| Tank Cooled Horizontal | 16 | 9-1/2 | 15 | 240 | 24x12 | 3-1/4 | 56 | 775 | 4400 | Vent |
Engine Trucks pictured:
| Engine | Wheel Diameter | Face | Weight with Trucks |
| 1 1/2hp Hourglass | 12" | 2-1/2" | 365 |
| 2 hp Hourglass | 12" | 2-1/2" | 485 |
| Trucks Alone | 90 | ||
| 1 1/2hp Hourglass on 2 Wheel Hand Portable | 8" wheels with sockets to place on skid ends | 331 | |
| 4hp Hourglass | 12" Front, 15" Rear | 2-1/2" | 970 - Hand Portable |
| 6hp Hourglass | 12" Front, 15" Rear | 2-1/2" | 1320 - Hand Portable |
| 4hp Hourglass | Included 14x6 Clutch Pulley and seat tongue | 1400 - Portable | |
| 6hp Hourglass | Included 20x6 Clutch Pulley and seat/tongue | 1600 - Portable | |
Challenge Catalog #72
Around 1913 or later based on the customer quotes printed.
| Style Pictured | HP | Bore | Stroke | Speed | Pulley | Crankshaft Diameter | Flywheel Diameter | Flywheel Weight | Engine Weight |
| Headless | 1 | 3-1/4 | 4 | 550 | 3x4 | 1-1/4 | 1-1/4 | 14 | 235 |
| Hourglass | 1-1/2 | 3-1/2 | 5 | 500 | 4x4 | 1-5/16 | 16 | 42 | 275 |
| Hourglass | 2 | 4 | 5 | 450 | 9x8 | 1-3/8 | 26 | 58 | 400 |
| Hourglass | 4 | 5-1/4 | 8 | 400 | 11x8 | 1/3/4 | 32 | 135 | 850 |
| Hourglass | 6 | 6-1/4 | 8 | 350 | 11x8 | 2 | 32 | 185 | 1150 |
| Square Hopper | 8 | 6-3/4 | 11 | 300 | 15x10 | 2-3/8 | 42 | 400 | 2200 |
| Square Hopper | 10 | 7-1/2 | 13 | 280 | 20x10 | 2-3/4 | 48 | 526 | 3200 |
| Tank Cooled Horizontal | 12 | 8-1/2 | 13 | 250 | 20x10 | 3 | 52 | 600 | 3400 |
| Tank Cooled Horizontal | 16 | 9-1/2 | 15 | 230 | 24x12 | 3-1/4 | 56 | 775 | 4400 |
Catalog # ?????
Anthony Hordern & Sons Ltd - Australian Dealer in Challenge Equipment. These scans are from a fellow engine collector in Australia.
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Challenge Gas Engines available in 2, 4, and 6 HP Sizes |
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Challenge Windmills also available |
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Dual tags shown from a 6hp. |
Challenge Catalog #82
Featured 4 different engine sizes along with a full line of other equipment. Scans from catalog in my personal collection. (Please note, these scans are in the 150-215k size for easier reading)
p. 2 |
Factory Drawing | |||||||||
p. 3 |
Listing of Engine specs as shown below. | |||||||||
| HP | Bore | Stroke | Regular Pulley | RPM | Crankshaft Diameter | Flywheel Diameter | Flywheel Weight | Shipping Weight | Floor Space Occupied | Distance between Anchor bolts |
| 1-1/2 | 3-1/2" | 5" | 6x4 | 475 | 1-3/8" | 20" | 48 lbs | 300 | 33x26 | 18x8 |
| 3 | 4-1/4 | 6-1/2" | 8x6 | 450 | 1-9/16" | 22" | 70 lbs | 395 | 28x34 | 21-3/4x8 |
| 5 | 5-1/4" | 8" | 10x8 | 400 | 1-3/4" | 26" | 140 lbs | 900 | 34x51 | 34x9-3/8 |
| 8 | 6-1/2" | 10" | 14x8 | 350 | 2" | 32-1/2" | 190 lbs | 1050 | 36x54 | 42x9-1/2 |
p. 4 |
Challenge Engine showing working parts. | |||||||||
p. 5 |
Image of Gas Engine | |||||||||
p. 6 |
Image of Kerosene Engine | |||||||||
p. 7 |
Write up on Kerosene Engine | |||||||||
p. 8 |
1 1/2 & 3hp Engine Details | |||||||||
p.09 |
5 & 8hp Engine Details | |||||||||
p.10 |
Hand Portable Engine Specs | |||||||||
p. 11 |
5 & 8hp Horse Portable Engine Specs | |||||||||
p. 12 |
5 & 8hp Portable Sawing Outifts | |||||||||
p. 13 |
1-1/2 & 3hp Kerosene Engine | |||||||||
p.20 |
Challenge Pumping Unit No. 3 - Stationary and Portable - Uses 3hp Challenge Engines | |||||||||
p. 21 |
Challenge Pumping Unit No. 4 - Uses 5hp
Challenge Engine
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p. 22 |
Challenge Pumping Unit No. 5 - Uses 1-1/2 and 3hp Challenge Engine | |||||||||
p. 23 |
Challenge Pumping Unit No. 7 - Uses 1-1/2 and 3hp Challenge Engine | |||||||||
p. 28 |
Challenge Hoisting Outfit No. 1 - Uses 1-1/2, 3, and 5hp Challenge Engines - Hourglass Pictured | |||||||||
p. 29 |
Challenge Hoisting Outfit No. 2 - Uses 5 or 8hp Challenge Engines - Hourglass pictured | |||||||||
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Parts Breakdown for Hourglass Engines s/n 2000-6000 | |||||||||
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Parts Breakdown for Hourglass Engines s/n 6000-10000 | |||||||||
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Parts Breakdown for Challenge Gasoline and Kerosene Engines | |||||||||
Challenge Catalog #90
Featured 1 1/2hp Dishpan for $90, 3,5,8 hp Flat top hoppers with Wico EK magneto's
Challenge Catalog #92 - 1929
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Pumping Unit No. 5 |
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Challenge Pumping Units (Unites 8-12) |
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Engine Parts and Sizes |
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1 1/2hp Dishpan Engine |
   
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Stationary Engines 3, 5, 8hp |
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Kerosene Engines with Throttling Governor |
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Portable Sawing Outfits
5HP and 8HP |
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Engine Cart |
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Portable Cement Mixer (Dishpan Engine) |
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Hoisting Outfit
No. 1 and 3 |
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Hoisting Outfit
No. 1S and 3S |
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Hoisting Outfits No. 2 and 2 1/2 |
| Part number listings in back refer to Serial Numbers 26000 & up for Gas engines and 20,000 & up for Kerosene. |
| Style Pictured | HP | Bore | Stroke | Speed | Pulley | Flywheel Diameter | Engine Weight | Price |
| Dishpan | 1-1/2 | 3-1/2 | 4-1/2 | 400-550 | 4x4 | $60.75 | ||
| Flat Top Hopper | 3 | 4-1/4 | 6-1/2 | 450 | 8x6 | 22 | 440 | $113 |
| Flat Top Hopper | 5 | 5-1/2 | 8 | 400 | 10x8 | 26 | 900 | $198.50 |
| Flat Top Hopper | 8 | 6-3/4 | 11 | 340 | 14x8 | 32 3/4 | 1295 | $307 |
| Special Outfits | ||
| HP | Price | |
| Portable Saw Rig w/Flat Top Hopper | 5 | $378.50 |
| Portable Saw Rig w/Flat Top Hopper | 8 | $498.50 |
| For Kerosene Add | $8 | |
| Portable 2 Cubic ft. Cement Mixer | 1 1/2 Dishpan | $150 |
| Hoisting Outfit #1 w/Flat Top Hopper - Wico EK | 3 665 lbs | $171 |
| Hoisting Outfit #3 w/Flat Top Hopper - Wico EK | 5 1125 lbs | $314 |
Price Lists with Dates
| Catalog referred to | Date on price guide | Form # |
| 54 | March 1910 | 279 |
| 54 | March 1910 | 281 |
| 54 | Sept 1, 1910 | 333 |
| 72 | Feb 1, 1917 | 570 -26 |
| 82 | July 26, 1920 | 750 -20d |
| 90 | July, August, Sept 1925 | 884 |
| 92 | April 1, 1930 | none - 30a |
| 92 | May 1934 - 1 1/2hp Dishpan, 3-5-8hp also pictured | 1073 - 34a |
| Catalog #41 | "Water Supply Equipment" - 71st Anniversary - A small air cooled engine (like Briggs & Stratton) is shown on a pumpjack | |
| Catalog #68 | Wood and Steel Tanks - Hourglass Engine is pictured on p.32 | |
| Catalog 90 | Date as June 1, 1925 printed on page 3 | |
| Back to Challenge Photo Page |
