JCB engines (Perkins)?

[frank horton]

Looking to buy a used 3-3,5ton Midi tracked digger.........
Normally I would go for a Kubota or Komatsu........but here they cost the earth and the Jap models are quite rare.....
there is a JCB dealer in Athens that can supply a used machine but have heard the 3cyl Perkins engine have many problems .....
Partic around the head gasket /cooling area/system........
just dont want a problem child....it will be used just around the farm, not for prof use.....

last resort would be to buy one in the UK, but shipping and import duty.........!!!!!!!

what do ya think.....ta

 

[8ob]

Never had a problem with the Perkins engines in the small plant Frank, Had one in an excavator and another in a lighting tower, neither missed a beat.

Bob

 

[anto44]

A neighbour of mine is currently replacing a 3 cylinder perkins engine in a big grass mower due to a failed head gasket, the radiator in it was a pure disgrace. It had removable screens for the radiator which were blocked completely solid with a few seasons of grass built up on them.
He works on a lot of these engines and he reckons all the ones he's seen failed had coolant system issues, either blocked rads, inoperable cooling fans or let run low on coolant.
He maintains that they're a very good engine once cared for correctly.

 

[Cato]

You have to look very carefully at the cause of plant/machinery getting poor reputations as the vast majority stem from the same issues of neglect and abuse. It never ceases to amaze me just how little mechanical sympathy people have, even with kit costing tens of thousands.

 

[Bornfree]

If it's the 400 series engine. They are bulletproof apart from head gaskets.

 

[James1979]

You have to look very carefully at the cause of plant/machinery getting poor reputations as the vast majority stem from the same issues of neglect and abuse. It never ceases to amaze me just how little mechanical sympathy people have, even with kit costing tens of thousands.

Welcome to my world. Quarry operators are the worst by far. Big 360 with a breaker or shear on that costs a few hundred thousand without the digger and they abuse the hell out of them and then say “so and so make of whatever are rubbish” Really annoys me. I’ve seen a guy drive a shovel for a whole week in a quarry before he asked me where he could find a grease gun...

Then you’ve the ‘operators’ who have the touch of a rapist and slam the levers about, bashing the machine and it’s attachment around. Some boat skippers I know are no better! Come in with the handles full forward and stuff it into the pier, rope on, engines off and jump off. It amazes me people who work with and reply on machines for their job are so coarse with them!

 

[Bornfree]

A neighbour of mine is currently replacing a 3 cylinder perkins engine in a big grass mower due to a failed head gasket, the radiator in it was a pure disgrace. It had removable screens for the radiator which were blocked completely solid with a few seasons of grass built up on them.
He works on a lot of these engines and he reckons all the ones he's seen failed had coolant system issues, either blocked rads, inoperable cooling fans or let run low on coolant.
He maintains that they're a very good engine once cared for correctly.

They are a shibaura engine made under licence. The bottom end is very similar to a Kubota and incredibly strong.

 

[Bobtail4x4]

no engine will survive long if mis treated,

 

[frank horton]

thanks guy's....feel a bit better now......

well aware or blocked rad either internal or external....(straw)....

when lived in California.....all Brit cars had the 3 core radiators replaced with 5 core, esp Jags...no troubles after that.....