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Yours looks great Paul, all very original! Are you taking it to any shows this year? I put all mine roughly together this morning to see what it looks like when it's all assembled. I'm quite impressed by it.. Tom

Hi all as I mentioned earlier I kept having chain issues with the rear drive so i ordered new pilot bore sprockets Similar to What Mark used in fact I have copied his very clever idea on mounting them ( I asked him first if I could copy him ) any way now that my lathe is up and running I bored out the brake drums and the sprockets here's is what I have done

Malvern is getting close so I Started to make the rear drawbar hook that was used to clasp the canal barge tow ropes, it's cut from 1" thick plate and 1" bar bent to shape. I need to taper the round bar and mill a slot so they can be pinned together, then make the latch lever.

Nice to meet up with Iain again, was a back breaking job with those heavy bits but I think we all enjoyed the rummage

After weeks of sorting and clearing lots of small stuff, mainly junk for the tip, we had a visitor from Norfolk yesterday. Iain arrived for what he thinks will be his last visit to collect his reserved items. Luckily it was mainly dry, not like today which is wet and windy. Didn't get many photo's this time, just a few near the end of the loading. The main items were John's last remaining Bolens tractor which had fun dragging a very heavy 8ft steel bench, a heavy engine hoist and bench drill up to the van. Iain also twisted our arms to let him take numerous other smaller items plus a pair of trailers and peace offerings for his boss at home. He couldn't though, be persuaded to take a 6ft 3 furrow Ransom plough which had recently been discovered in the undergrowth. John knew it was there but forgot to tell anyone. Thanks again Iain for making the trip and to the Showman for all his help on the day. It was hard work for the three of us, most likely impossible for two due to the weight involved.

Just finished scanning these photos and had a quick read at the latest posts on the skimmer thread. There is only that one photo of the skimmer, the rest have been taken at different rallys and show other Ransomes MGs. From the look of some of the photos they were taken quite a while ago, in among the photos I found a brochure for the 1992 Great Dorset Steam Fair which would back this up. I did not know when I was bidding on the piece of Ransomes literature that these photos would be included, the seller just added them in. I had sort of figured that since all the other photos were likely from down round the south that the photo of the skimmer would be from the same general area. Here's the pics, anyone recognise any of the machines? Rob

Maybe :-) nothing stopping the boss planting a few hundred hedge plants in the field now :-)) What made me smile is how they came untied on the way home and ended up all over the van. Had to take them out one at a time, took s while Iain

Great to see Alan, Chris and John yesterday. Thanks for the fantastic company and for helping with the loading, it was a good day. Looking at Alan's pictures I still had some more space in the van The Bolens was clearly excited to be coming to Norfolk and joining my other Bolens, as it was rattling against the van bulkhead all the way home. Iain

Standard model has 7hp Kohler, three speed, one rear wheel brake, narrower front end than the deluxe, recoil start with electric start an option, pto Deluxe has 10hp Kohler, 6 speed gearbox (3 High 3 low), electric start, two pto points Here's the brochure photos. If you look on my Martin Markham Colt Deluxe post there are more photos of the Deluxe brochure...

it's keeping them clean Norm, would be a nightmare in mud - plus they aren't designed to run out of line either I thought of cogged v with perhaps some grooves or notches in the pulleys to stop it slipping just not enough room James I've turned the sides of the sprockets down to allow a greater angle. I think running worn and loose with idlers is the way to go.I ran it again at the weekend and it did better, but it is an extreme angle i'm asking it to do I've just finished 4 years of development!!!!!Brief update... Started with a vengeance on the hydraulics. Done the levers Shame every fitting I have is different I think I'll end up changing everything over to jic, as can't adapt the spool valve to metric

As if by magic... Apologies for he rubbish shot, number 2 son came in and stood in the light It's been a cold day up north, minus 4 first thing and it just passed zero degrees by lunch. So lots of cups of coffee were in order and using the kitchen island to put most of the first loom together And the first bit in place behind the tank and steering column. Next job is to make the panel fit and add the fuses and light circuits.

Today's update, lots of stuff has arrived Firstly switches, lights and connectors Then a batch of stickers Which meant I could finish these, shame I couldnt get the tacho in black bezel... Might have to spray it.... Might make a start on the dash panel tomorrow.

cheers Norm I think its a nice touch Only managed to Wheel it out of the workshop before tea for an arty shot I'm starting on the gauges and electrics next I think...

You'll have to come back Iain, you forgot the sliding door rails

That's what he told me as well. What's his boss's phone number ? She needs to know.

Nice job again, Rhys.

you lot have inspired me minty really didn't want it go Archie did a ace job steering it There is 500 yard run between our fields and our house I dare not tow him on the road so i pushed it down the pavement, its weighs a bastard! its now all tucked up in my garage. I'm a hoarder.

So that's what made him late

Nice job james

it is thanks, it's a good test ground well there is an invite just let me know when you want to pop down a think the weight helps you've got me thinking Doug well if you bring Noddy up... I have thought about life preservation...

That was on of my earlier plans, but they are not as tolerant to twist as v belts, plus once clogged up they ride over too. Will perservere a little longer

Well first phase of the new year hasn't gone well. Here's the original setup Then the new one A short test drive ended like this So for now, back to plan a

Long overdue an update! But now I have a fairly functional workshop I can get on with the outstanding jobs to complete bendy. In no particular order: Improve final drive to live rear axle, if the belts get wet or grass gets trapped then I lose drive under extreme conditions. Complete front three point hitch Add a diff lock indicator and improve the spring tension Complete the hydraulics. Add a front chain idler - the front chain has stretched and flaps around a bit Get the crank pin reground on the magnum 16 I'm thinking of tackling the hydraulics next, here's a d series dual spool valve and transit power steering pump. There should be just enough room to squeeze them in under the front right fender.

It's looking like our entries for our favourite show in august have not been accepted, so I might well be joining you.... I'll start saving up now! Thanks Ian Thanks!I work in London all week, and get a few days at home to play... But all that time driving and in hotel rooms gives me plenty of time to dream the ideas up. It's actually 5 years since I thought about it, and two years since I started

thanks! me too, just about the right amount of beefy thanks, thats the front three point... hope so

Hmm, works for me, Nigel and Ian... Try refreshing the page

I was dead lucky, no Idea when I'll get another good day.

Great weather up here today so time for some painting

Brake is at the front Norm

Teeny update... Tension spring added to hold the diff lock out an make sure it disengages properly. Trying to come up with a linkage that works across the pivot point.

Today's update, after being 12 nuts short of a full packet you can stop picking on me. A quick zap in my magic tank And voila, shiny nuts

Today's update... Beside the new headlight unit, I have braved the cold to just about finish the wiring. Which whilst it's my strongpoint, I get zero enjoyment from! Wired the lower dash panel and used a PC style connector so it's removable. Tested it.... It works! Plus I now have switch on and off able lights

I have a plan for it... but not sure how weatherproof it will be

I don't smoke...

Latest sticker order arrived today, so the lower dash panel is complete.

Perfect! Looks like I'm dropping in the week after next Thanks

Maybe I haven't then, mine are bsp both ends

Hmmm, not so sure... Could be a plan...

Short update Battery isolator and fuse box in place Cut n shut complete on the ram

Managed a few hours tonight, cleaned up one of the rams kindly donated by Doug and tried it in place. The stroke is right but the overall length is too much for the space I have... So out with the grinder Got a new end cap and pivots to sort out next - that's the plate underneath in the pic. A quick drop into place and it should fit ok

Slow day today, put the gauges back in this morning and went for a spin... Within 5 seconds the volt meter and rev counter stopped working the wires wrapped around the steering uj and ripped out of the back So lost an hour there soldering them back in Finally hooked up the choke linkage, then started on this The battery isolator and fuse box panel.

The posty brought gifts this week. A new seat, battery and some led running lights. In between showers managed to get a bit more done... Firstly mounting my new seat, a kab p2 which is the same as the original raider had. The seat holes and spring holes don't match so the base has two new brackets made up. Then some light brackets on the front fenders And with running light fitted View from the new seat Finally new pin for the handbrake turned down and a teeny bit cut out of the fender so the handbrake clears. And not forgetting finally getting some primer on the hood and seat base before a quick stick together pic.

Today's update... The keyway in the axle was shot, the end of the hub shot too. The end to middle was ok and useable but needed a longer key to replace the small woodruff key. So I ordered a 1/4" end mill and used the lathe to cut a new one. Firstly making sure the height was spot on by marking the centre of the axle, this needs shims in order to get the correct centre. The final score line can just be seen. Then running the mill through in small passes to cut an 3 inch keyway. Once the full cut was done here's a half together shot showing the hub, fresh key steel and axle.

Here's a big clue, needless to say my cunning plan works

Sten what a cracking collection 1980's is 30 years ago, and when will you see another collection like that ?? Take 'em to a show !!

A short update.... Centre drive complete

Few more updates.... A 1972 beetle steering box And mounting it the wrong way round

A few more goodies in the post this week, so a little lathe work. Turning out a 17t pilot bore sprocket for a 42mm bearing. Front intermediate drive assembled.

Another update Part of the rear fender, also the 3 point top link mount How it mounts Finalising the front tranny mount Making the intermediate drive from the mid tach point. Checking position

Managed a bit of a rejig in the shop today and in a bid to save my knees got the project up a bit higher! First job is to sort out a small alignment issue on the rear subframe, then crack on with hooking the two transmissions together.