Can anyone tell me what this piece of equipment is?

Hi everyone.
I am scanning some photos from my father's Army album and ran across him working with a piece of equipment that I do not know what it is. He doesn't remember it either and it has our curiosity up. This was taken around 1953 in Japan at Camp Younghans. He was a welder in the 94th Ordinance DS Company. Does anyone know what this thing is? Thanks!
Doug Young

 

I'm sorry I don't but I suspect by the size of the wheels that it is not where you would normally find it.

KTK

 

mmmmm....guess what? Im guessing a heater!

 

Well, Doug, I can't help you either. However, we have some pretty sharp folks here who have figured stuff out with a lot less info and worse photos. It may take and hour or a couple days, but somebody here will probably dig up an answer for you. Now I'm curious, too!

 

You mean like the NFL teams use on the sidelines during games in cold weather stadiums?

 

Actually...yes! well...a less advanced example...probably used to heat a hall or large area...then again it could be a golf ball cleaner hehe...

 

Could it be a compressor?

 

There does seem to be a compressor involved...but what for?

 

Perhaps it could be a pump of some sorts, Just a guess

 

I could be 'way off beam here and I'm just guessing ; but I'm sure I've seen something similar which was a portable air-heater of some kind used for assisting with aero piston-engined starting in cold or damp conditions.......

 

I have seen and worked with some similar looking beasties in the British Army, since you say he was a welder could it not be an arc welding machine?.

 

It looks like an American soldier...I could be wrong...But its possibly an American, cold war era....Making jam butties...Jelly sandwiches to our cousins...Bread over two rollers..Jam inserted thru tube out of site at rear..turn handle comes out onto plate like a washing roller dryer...We used them in Germany to make egg banjo's..The machine not the yanks..

 

Warning To Those Who Are Not British :
​

Our colleague urqh has just given an excellent demonstration of the renowned English Sense Of Humour.

( Warning : The Surgeon General Has Determined That This Can Be Injurious To Your Blood Pressure )

 

It does remind me of some sort of heater unit, especially with the sections on top that look to have tubes in them for air flow or something. One thing for sure is that it belongs on concrete because of the little wheels. The area down at the front he is fooling with looks like a fan or pump to me, but I'm not sure.

 

Taking guess I am wondering if it might be a combination oxy/acy. outfit and a portable welder. The tubes/bottles on top maybe hold some form of gas for cutting steel and a typical welding machine is heavy (perhaps explaining the wheels and frame) and tow hitch. He might be showing how to start it by crane or if it is a rectifier (electric) type welding machine he maybe using that crane affair to set the amps?

KTK

 

We have a winner! That's amazing! Thanks so much for the help. I just called dad and now he remembers them. He knew it was familiar but just couldn't place it. Thanks!
Doug

 

Doug, You need start a new thread 'Name that thingy'

 

I too forgot to welcome you to the forum, when the "answer" appeared I thought of something else. This sort of like the early version of a Knipco space heater to fill a huge area with warm air without filling it with noxious fumes.