Maytag Fruit Jar Engine Value Guide

The Maytag Fruit Jar Engine is a legendary piece of American engineering designed to power washing machines in rural, off-grid households. These 'Hit and Miss' gasoline engines are highly collectible due to their unique vertical cylinder design and their historical role in transitioning domestic labor from manual to mechanical power.

What Is Maytag Fruit Jar Engine Worth?

The typical price range for Maytag Fruit Jar Engine is $700 - $800 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Mechanical functionality and the ability to demonstrate the iconic 'hit and miss' firing cycle significantly increase value.
• The quality of the restoration, specifically the use of period-accurate paints and polished brass components.
• Completeness of the engine, including original mounting skids and the often-missing fuel tank assembly.
• Market demand for early 20th-century agricultural and domestic gasoline engines, typically ranging from $700 to $800.

How to Identify Maytag Fruit Jar Engine?

• Look for the distinct vertical cylinder and the upright 'fruit jar' style fuel tank configuration.
• Verify the cast iron construction and check for the authentic Maytag branding cast into the metal components.
• Inspect the brass fittings and the specific governor mechanism characteristic of the 1909-1928 production era.
• Confirm the presence of the original flywheel design which is essential for the hit-and-miss operating principle.

History of Maytag Fruit Jar Engine

Maytag, best known for its washing machines, produced these small gasoline engines from 1909 to 1928. Originally designed to power washing machines in rural homes without electricity, they gained popularity for various light-duty tasks on farms and in workshops. Their simple design and reliability made them a staple for many households during their production era, and they are now highly sought after by collectors.