Ransomes MG5 Crawler

[Dieselman 63]

I managed to lose this vital piece that links the clutch linkage to the handle - most annoying. I turned my car upside down and tidied the whole thing and FOUND IT!

It’s only 5/16w internal thread with a 1/4 hole bored through the end, but I hate making new parts that I’ve lost. Seems so counterproductive.

That’s my first linkage reconnected, tested it with a cable tie and the clutch works perfectly. In front of it is my lawnmower, that was my first ever project of 20 years ago now. I wouldn’t have had a clue about half the stuff I know now, so I have learned some things since then.

 

[Dieselman 63]

Pitiful update today, I’ve done hardly anything.

The depth thing has been ground back so the worn metal has been replaced.

I need more cloth? felt? what is this, does anyone know? It’s from the oil filter, I need to make a new one.

Next piece to work on is going to be the power take off, that way I can reconnect that particular lever up.

 

[Dieselman 63]

Today I did some good work on moving things forward.

To start off with, I decided to hammer the cowling back into shape with some heat, and some terrible gas welding along a crack. Then I built a forming tool to hammer the rolled edge back into shape - all bits from the scrap bin I thought might come in handy one day. I’m a total hazard for pilfering old metal. The cowling is going away to be blasted, tomorrow hopefully, as they were shut today.

The rotor for the tines is bent at the end. I assumed there was a bearing in the end that was bent and there was. I thought it would press out but actually it didn’t and it instead broke a welded circle out the pipe - whoops. The collar which I thought was a press fit was actually a left hand thread, all seized. Bit of a balls up here. Everything was so full of earth and dried oil it wasn’t clear what was what.

The bearing is an MS7, and an oil seal. The circle that popped out would have retained the oil for the bearing but now there’s going to be no way of sealing the pipe, so the oil seal might be a bit redundant. I might see if I can get a sealed bearing, but it’ll be expensive I think. I didn’t expect this to be the price hurdle!

I’m not going to bother blasting or painting the rotor as it’ll just get covered in mud again, it seems pointless to me.

Another day goes by and a little more progress. It’s adding up.

 

[Seadog]

It's cast iron. Can't you braze or silver solder it?

 

[Dieselman 63]

It's cast iron. Can't you braze or silver solder it?

It’s steel, it’s just I can’t access where it goes into. Any torch would have trouble, it’s annoying.

 

[Dieselman 63]

Had this in acid all day, it’s come up well.

Took the cowling and toolbox to the sandblasters today, then started dismantling all the bits of copper equipment I’ve pulled out of bins as money is getting tight.

 

[Turbo]

Had this in acid all day, it’s come up well.

Took the cowling and toolbox to the sandblasters today, then started dismantling all the bits of copper equipment I’ve pulled out of bins as money is getting tight.

'The Rotary Hoe'

Really trying to resist as there are so many things I could say but I will keep it clean.

 

[Dieselman 63]

Got some linkages hooked up. Didn’t do much else.

 

[Dieselman 63]

Some straightening needed on this final tine holder, the others are lovely a straight. The circle needs to be welded back in I have decided. I shall sort something out. There’s a threaded hole for oil to be fed in but I might drill it out and re-tap it for a nipple. I have the oil gun with ep140 for the tractor rollers, that would be ideal.

 

[Dieselman 63]

First bit of straightening complete, need to do the other half.

Sprayed the head silver high temp paint today, then wondered what it would look like attached to the rest of the machine.

 

[Robotstar5]

First bit of straightening complete, need to do the other half.

Sprayed the head silver high temp paint today, then wondered what it would look like attached to the rest of the machine.

I prefer the black barrel and silver head look myself (head not finished in this pic)

 

[Dieselman 63]

I prefer the black barrel and silver head look myself (head not finished in this pic)

View attachment 504313

I went the silver way because the crankcase is silver (or bright alloy). The cowling which covers the cooling fins will be gloss black, as will the air intake and filter. I’ll probably have the exhaust in black, too. It won’t look as ‘stark’ as it currently does, don’t worry!

 

[Dieselman 63]

Bit the bullet, this is the most boring work ever, and I’m getting tired of it. Unfortunately there’s loads more painting still to do!

I finally found a use for that shear. I might have to sell it, I don’t use it, it’s in good order though.

 

[Dieselman 63]

Drive lever is back on and it works! The welding/filing I did has given it a lovely ‘bite’ as it slots into gear.

Still waiting on the blasters to finish the cowling, I need this done so that I can bolt together the outriggers through the toolbox.

 

[Dieselman 63]

Bit of a mixed post today.

Got stung with a written warning at work. The final nail in the coffin for me. My enthusiasm for the place just dipped off the end of whatever level it was at before…

I’m going on a two day course (unrelated to the previous issue) so there will be no tractor posting for the next few days. Sorry guys

Happily, I won two Zarges cases at an auction, I think they’ll be an excellent addition to my life. I’ve been after something nice to take to work sites but can’t really justify buying a Milwaukee milk crate.

The parts from the blasters have come back and I’ve started painting them, getting them straight into primer. I also attached this side bracket, ready for when the cowl goes on. Not bad for now.

 

[dobbslc]

Don't let the bxxxxxs get you down at work.
Take your time, find a new job, then drop them in the soup* as best you can

*Not soup

 

[Dieselman 63]

Heaps of progress today, painting and fitting.

I got the cowling and a heap of other bits into orange, this went really well. I assembled the lever for the sprung pin which allows you to change the position of the handles, then got the rotor lever on.

The outriggers weren’t lining up so I got a bottle jack and pushed the height bar out til they did line up. I love bottle jacks, they’re ideal for this sort of work. The holes were a bit tight so I drilled them out to 5/16 and got a bolt through. The outrigger on the left goes through the toolbox, which of course had to be painted. Lots of work, not much to show for it.

 

[Dieselman 63]

So when I was little, I’d watch in awe as the DCC mowed the school and wish I could be out there mowing instead of sitting inside working.

Reading through the Howard literature, it says it was available for councils. An idea came into my mind that the orange of Howard hoes was very similar to that of the Derbyshire County Council.

For fun, I have drawn out and freehand painted the logo on the cowling. Maybe I can find some stencils for ‘southern hemisphere division’!

 

[Dieselman 63]

I took it for a spin outside the workshop. The things that I’ve reconnected are working. The gears and interlocks are working! Great success! Everything sprung that was seized is going again which is lovely.

 

[Dieselman 63]

Success has been short lived. I realised that the cowling must be assembled before you attach it, otherwise the depth stop won’t allow you to fit it. Good one.

I’ll need to fix up all the damage to it, then get it sandblasted along with the roller and its arm, then we might be getting somewhere.

I’ve filled the oil baffle with acid, and it’s frothing up nicely. I’ll see that tomorrow and check on it.