6" Savage "Little Samson"

We are delighted to offer for sale this impressive 6" Little Samson Steam Tractor.

Over the years we have handled a number of Little Samsons and have always held the design in high regard. They are powerful, capable engines that perform exceptionally well both on the rally field and on the road. Large enough to be a significant step up from a 4" traction engine, yet still sensible in terms of transport, storage and handling, they represent an excellent balance of practicality and performance. Whether you are looking for your first larger engine or simply want something with a little more capability, the Little Samson is hard to beat.

This particular example was built as part of a pair by a time-served engineer and was completed in 2021. Since then it has attended only two or three rallies each year, so it remains in excellent mechanical condition.

The current owners have always favoured the honest "oily rag" approach to presentation. By that we certainly don't mean neglected or covered in grime (as some people seem to think)—quite the opposite. The engine has been carefully maintained throughout its life, with the emphasis placed firmly on reliability and enjoyment rather than polishing every brass fitting before each outing. The paintwork is functional in places and the brasswork has not been maintained to showman's standards, but personally we think it suits the engine perfectly. It has a wonderfully authentic appearance that suggests it is ready for a day's work—and by "work", of course, we mean giving the family rides around the rally field!

The engine is UK road registered and fitted with vulcanised tyres supplied by BH Leake. The rear wheels feature cut strakes, providing an excellent compromise between grip on damp rally fields and comfortable road manners. Although the video shows a little vibration, this is simply due to the uneven concrete driveway where it was filmed. Once out on the tarmac the engine runs smoothly and comfortably.

The boiler was built by Bell Boilers in 2017 and is supplied with full CE certification. Since new it has been inspected by the same respected independent boiler examiner, with the latest steam test completed only last month. There are also five years remaining on the hydraulic certificate, offering excellent peace of mind.

Water is supplied to the boiler via both a crank-driven pump and a steam injector. Rated at 180 psi, the boiler gives the Little Samson an abundance of power and makes it a particularly capable performer on road runs. In normal use you are unlikely to require the full working pressure, but the generous reserve certainly contributes to the engine's effortless performance.

The injector fitted performs best between approximately 50 and 120 psi. If you particularly wanted an injector that worked efficiently at the upper end of the pressure range, this could easily be changed, although in practice the crank-driven pump is very effective and is the primary means of feeding water to the boiler.

As with all of our Ready-to-Rally engines, the sale includes a full set of firing irons, chimney extension, coal, oil and, if required, a full day's tuition to help you get the very best from your new engine.

Viewing is welcomed at our premises in Suffolk, and we are always pleased to consider quality steam engines and vintage vehicles in part exchange.

For further information or to arrange a viewing, please do not hesitate to get in touch.