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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.

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

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...

I got room for a Wheelhorse or two

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

Maybe one more :-) Yes, space is an issue, but we all have that problem Iain

I thought you weren't buying any more?

I had the chance to have a very quick look at Andrew's 850 yesterday when I was dropping a tractor off for Chris. Very nice machine. Iain

Good .neat job James

The latch springs shut holding the hook closed. Ready to bolt to the tractor after a quick paint.

I would of had it

A classic photo Have you taken it through a drive-through yet?

hahaha. Yes my Mrs was out in my van and i'd got no beer ...... so this happened

C4 has felt neglected lately and last weekend I decided to test its limits. It did pretty well, I think the limit is my own survival instinct

It's mainly water causing me pain and snow. I can't seal them in

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

Plan a was belts, they've worked for over a year, but are less effective under water

Yup... Bed, food, clothes, transport, workshop and an awesome dad Final picture and play before loading up...

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

Great weather yesterday meant bendy received his final decals and an airing in the sun. Finally fitted a throttle and made the linkages work.

Great weather up here today so time for some painting

the bore isn't scored nor is there any massive wear marks - so it will stay standard. However the piston has quite a bit of sideways movement and the oil ring is non-existent! Given it's been split at some point and the gaskets are junk, I just want to stop it burning oil and dribbling, spitting out of every orifice. A 550cc displacement causes a lot of crank pressure and pushes oil out of places you'd never imagine. I once took the dipstick out when it was running and It's not going to be a massive worker, more of a show piece - but it certainly will be put through it's paces and I will test the whole 16hp

I could get the bits here, but £70 for just the piston and rings, another £40 for the full gasket, oils seals and con rod seemed like a better deal. Our lad has had two k241 rebuild kits from the same chap so should be good to go

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

Finished the light looms, here's the sidelights at dusk And the spots

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

I don't smoke...

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

that was the original plan Doug, but there's just not enough room - I did the calculations. At 700psi (powersteering pump) it will lift 0.17 tons, and push down 0.24 tons.. With a decent geared pump (3000 psi) it will lift 0.74 tons and push down just over a ton. I think 700 psi is a good start point, that would lift me at the end of the lift arms I've got 4 10l -3/8 bspp fittings already, but they are the same at both end have you got some with metric thread on the other end? used some more of those brackets today to make part of the front three point hitch, plus turned some 19mm bushes down. cheers

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

that's the plan, I've a lot to learn about hydraulic fittings though Bought four items today, only two fit - and only at one end I'll get on with the other bits for a while...

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

there's only one port cos I chopped the end off the cylinder Norm Got some welding to do....

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.

And the video....

Well big progress today Bendy is back to a rolling chassis... I fit the remaining oil seats in the front transmission, ordered some more woodruff keys and started the reassembly process. Lots of new nuts and bolts, its a shame to fit rusty ones back in especially when you can see them..... well I did cheat reusing the old ones for the transmission and the wheel bolts, 7/16 unf are hard to come by and not so cheap. I'm going to buy some zinc and have a go at electroplating them. Also got the remote shift working the forward reverse, just the high low lever to fit. the cat sneaked into a shot

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.

Got through a lot this weekend... Cleaned up the front hubs and beefed them up, along with some painting. Looking better with some red on! One of the hubs and axle in pretty chewed up, 1/4" slot drill on order to cut a new keyway.

Small update from yesterday... 'Borrowed' the 8 speed from my C-161 as I want a heavy duty trans at the back. Surprise surprise, the hitch pin is seized.... Out with the grinder to cut the end off and then drill the remaining inch and half out to split it. And as usual, it's full of yoghurt Full set of seals ordered as it's getting a reasonable overhaul, the diff is getting special treatment too That just might find its own special thread

A short update.... Centre drive complete

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

They sure are, Duro HF255