1960's JCB 3C

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Where I have another play pen, on a friends farm.

There is a JCB 3C, aprox build date 1966(?). Lost in a undergrowth since 1973. It was purchased from the local councill in 1972, for the engine for a farm project that did not go ahead.

We know the battery will be shot, along with ruber hoses, tyres and other parts. But if we can get the engine running and the hydrolics working it will be accessed to see if it can be moved on to step 2.

Now the plan was to pull the machine out, get going, do up/restore and sell on. If that is not possible, due to cost. It will be broken for spares.

So, any one with experiance on JCB's who can point me is the direction off:

Possible faults with the machines of this age.

Known faults with the machine.

What jobs will need to be done, other than the obvious ones.

Who can supply decent spares with in a 50 mile radius of the BA14 post code.

With the current situation, this project is on hold. But it gives me a chance to reseach in advnace.

Thanks for any advice or help.

 

[mike 109444]

Try on youtube for a really nice guy to watch call wes and his channel is "watch wes work" he has resurrected a few old bits of kit and is a very pleasant guy to watch.

 

[8ob]

If its running, can move under its own steam and is reasonably complete there will be a job for it. Not so sure breaking it for spares is a good idea, its all heavy going and most people restoring them will all want the same bits leaving you with an immobile pile of scrap. BMC engines are thin on the ground these days so that will sell, hydraulic pump off the front of the engine will sell but after that it will get bitty. Personally I would try and get it running and sell it on as a resto.

Bob

 

[plewlandsbob]

I would recommend , either getting a socket and bar on crankshaft pulley bolt and try turning engine by hand, to make sure it is not siezed. If you cannot get to pulley bolt, remove the starter motor and use a lever into the flywheel ring gear instead. This could influence your way forward, before spending money on it.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

If its running, can move under its own steam and is reasonably complete there will be a job for it. Not so sure breaking it for spares is a good idea, its all heavy going and most people restoring them will all want the same bits leaving you with an immobile pile of scrap. BMC engines are thin on the ground these days so that will sell, hydraulic pump off the front of the engine will sell but after that it will get bitty. Personally I would try and get it running and sell it on as a resto.

Bob

@80b
At present it is 10 feet deep in brambles, one small ash tree has grown up through the front arms.
We know it is there, that's all. What we can see, it is complete.

It was driven there, in the hope the engine could be used on the farm. But never happened.

So if we get it running we will restore.
If not sell on and gas axe the rest.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

I would recommend , either getting a socket and bar on crankshaft pulley bolt and try turning engine by hand, to make sure it is not siezed. If you cannot get to pulley bolt, remove the starter motor and use a lever into the flywheel ring gear instead. This could influence your way forward, before spending money on it.

That's was the plan, after it is uncovered and removed from the vegetation.

If the engine is seized, it may be worth investigating a rebuild for the fun.
But that's a future idea.

.

 

[8ob]

@80b
At present it is 10 feet deep in brambles, one small ash tree has grown up through the front arms.
We know it is there, that's all. What we can see, it is complete.

It was driven there, in the hope the engine could be used on the farm. But never happened.

So if we get it running we will restore.
If not sell on and gas axe the rest.

A lad up the road has one and gave it a second life, he dropped off the rear digging arm and welded a hiab onto the back of it. They have got good hydraulics and operate stuff like this really well.

Bob

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

welded a hiab onto the back of it. They have got good hydraulics and operate stuff like this really well.

Don't give me ideas like that.

Not when I know there is a nearly new Pallfinger Crane.

YOU are a bad person.

 

[Chillitt]

You need a swimming pool and half a tonne of citric acid... And possibly a hand with clearing the shrubbery...

 

[pedrobedro]

I'd get a good jump battery on it connect to the solenoid terminals just to see if there's any chance of turning it over under it's own steam.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

You need a swimming pool and half a tonne of citric acid... And possibly a hand with clearing the shrubbery...

I know the following about some one north of the M4, south of the Watford gap. East of Bristol, west of Swindon.
Who has.
2 chain saws.
2 hedge trimmers.
1 shredder(Needs TLC)
Magic petrol(possibly on the floor)

 

[slim_boy_fat]

You need a swimming pool and half a tonne of citric acid... ..

 

[8ob]

View attachment 219051

Another would be Kieth Moon , there will only ever be one Kieth Moon.

Bob

 

[minimutly]

I all ways regret not byuing a Fordson major digger - not sure who did the conversion, but it was like yours - in a pile of brambles, only visible in winter. Suprisingly, the old boy farmer agreed to sell it, but it was too big a project for me at the time - it was rare though, much more so than a jcb.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Another would be Kieth Moon , there will only ever be one Kieth Moon.

Bob

Aye, but that stunt was staged.

 

[Seadog]

West of Bristol, east of Swindon.

Is he somewhere is the Pacific, by any chance?

 

[stuvy]

@8ob would it not be worth exporting?

 

[Barking Mat]

My brother's got one. Meddows diesel engine, very similar to BMC.

Expect all hydraulic hoses to be dead.

 

[M.F.]

Try these guys for parts and advice

https://www.vicaryplant.co.uk/

Based at Lutterworth, they specialise in new and used JCB parts and have a wealth of knowledge

 

[Barking Mat]

Id also expected the hydraulic pump and injection pump, to be suffering.