WHO'S WHO IN THE COMMUNITY

ARCHIVE:

Curtis Dupee has lived in the Benson/Mescal area since 1979 and after graduation in '82 spent six years in the Navy. After leaving the Navy, he got to do a variety of jobs such as driving cattle trucks, running rock crushers, working on copiers and other office machines, and opening a precision optical and aerospace machine shop. After selling out his interest in the machine shop, Curtis and his wife, Rhonda, opened a small engine shop - Mescal Outdoor Power. It is here that Shelley resides.

"My granddad was a railroader during the steam era on the B&O railroad in Ohio. Under his influence, I developed a love of steam power and after going to some Ohio agricultural steam shows decided I wanted a steam tractor. I was 13 at the time and worked a bit with owners of vintage traction engines, learning as much as I could about design and operation of these big engines. Since I couldn't afford to buy or transport one, I started building Shelley, a smaller version I could put to practical use and transport easily.

I began building the boiler in December of 1983 at age 19 and over the next three years managed to scrounge, build and modify various parts to eventually complete the engine in May 1987. Granddad used to scare me to death with stories of boiler explosions and the tremendous forces contained within the walls of an operating boiler, so I built my boiler extra-heavy.

The main course (barrel) is 5/8" thick and the remaining plates are 1/2" thick. Vintage full size traction engines usually used 3/8" material with a few exceptions some being thinner and some thicker. I came to learn that a boiler is only really as dangerous as the operator and I developed stringent attitudes toward my boiler operation. I tested the boiler to 450 pounds after completion and 225 pounds on each test thereafter.

The boiler has a maximum operating pressure of 150 pounds and the safety valve is also set at 150. I inspected and tested the boiler each year until the State of Arizona took over the process a few years back. Now the boiler carries an Arizona tag and certificate of inspection. The engine itself is a four inch bore by four inch stroke single cylinder and runs at 350 rpm on the governor.

We take the engine to various events including the Pima County Fair. From time to time we'll use the engine to cut firewood for the engine, bar-b-que, and shop heat during the winter. We like to go through the 4th of July and Butterfield paraeds, and put it on the tractor pull sled during the Rex Allen days tractor show in Willcox. Sometimes we fire up the steam tractor and cruise around&nb sp;Mescal/J-6.

Some of the usual questions we are asked include:

1. How fast does it go? (4mph in high gear, .9 in low); What horsepower? (3.9 horsepower, though in low gear it averages about 1200 foot pounds of torque at the wheel rim);

2. What do you burn? (Normally I burn wood, though coal when available gives much more steam pound-for-pound);

3.How much does it weigh? (4000 pounds give or take a few depending on the water level in the boiler); and

4. How much wood and water do you use? (It all depends on the operating conditions and what I'm doing. During the Benson 4th of July parade, I used about 200 pounds of wood and 60 gallons of water. If I keep the pressure high, I'll use less water and only slightly more fuel. When sawing firewood I'll use about 125 or more gallons of water in one 14 hour day.)

I'll get other questions about various parts such as the governor, water pump, injectors and other aspects, and I have a lot of fun teaching those who are curious about steam engines. I used to take it to the schools and enjoyed teaching the young kids about our agricultural history as it pertains to steam, though I haven't had any requests to do so again in several years."

Other than running the shop, Rhonda and Curtis like to go desert exploring when the opportunity presents itself. Curtis still carries a Class A CDL and from time to time will drive an 18 wheeler for Dunagan's Trucking in Willcox when they have need for an extra driver. "We treat these as trips as 'mini vacations' and take the dogs and cat with us - it's a lot of fun!"

Curtis and Rhonda Dupee opened Mescal Outdoor Power on October 6, 2006. Curtis is a certified Briggs and Stratton Master Service Technician (the small engine equivalent to the automotive ASE designation.) The Dupees work on chainsaws, trimmers, push mowers and trimmers, garden tractors, tillers, generators, pumps, hand tools and other small equipment. They are an authorized service and warranty center for many quality brands.

Rhonda has a wealth of experience in Customer Service. She also was raised around engines and heavy equipment since her dad was a diesel mechanic. According to Curtis, "She has a natural talent and love for working on small engines."

In addition to repair, "We stock bulk chainsaw chain for making new chains and sharpen chains as well. We also carry engine oil, two-stroke oil, chain oil and fuel additives." Drop in and say "hello".