expeatfarmer 591 #1 Posted January 26, 2016 Getting bored with tracked machines so today I have made a start on the four wheel drive skid steer tractor number 11734 dating from 1957. This machine is ex British Rail Brighton Yard and was used for shunting trucks, it is equipped with a Boughton cable winch driven off the pto and drop down sprag at the rear. First job was to remove the petrol engine which is destined for the skimming tractor. I then towed it down to the workshop and winched it on to the lift ready to refit it's original Drayton diesel engine which has been fitted with an electric start cleverly mounted to drive a flywheel ring gear. Plan is to get it running and mobile for Malvern, I have some new tyres to fit and the drive chains should ideally be replaced as they are very stiff but may recover if I take them off and soak in plus gas and diesel for a day or two. At some point a large girder has been welded across the back as a big bumper, looking at the welding it was fitted by some incontinent sparrows so I have cut it off, fortunately I have its original tow bar. My lift mounted winch worked a treat I towed the ITW down with my mower to the workshop door and then hitched up the winch cable and pulled it straight on to the lift ramp, easy peasy! 5 nigel, Ian, wurzel and 2 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocboni 257 #2 Posted January 26, 2016 Workshop is looking the tidiest I think I've ever saw it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diggerjames 543 #3 Posted January 26, 2016 Nice start Jonathan love the work shop Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nigel 1,876 #4 Posted January 26, 2016 have you got any picts of all your machines together jonathan if you have i would love to see them Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocboni 257 #5 Posted January 26, 2016 Don't think they would fit in one shot! Would like to do that with mine in the summer, if we get a nice day! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 4,458 #6 Posted January 26, 2016 Workshop is looking the tidiest I think I've ever saw it! I'm not sure it's the same workshop, Rhys. 1 Rocboni reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
expeatfarmer 591 #7 Posted January 26, 2016 Oh yes it is took me three days to clean it up ! Now I have made a right mess in the other one ! Engines and gearboxes and oil all over the place. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocboni 257 #8 Posted January 26, 2016 It's Impossible to keep things tidy whilst doing a project or two, just have to clean up in between projects. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
expeatfarmer 591 #9 Posted January 26, 2016 That's the plan cat litter is good for sopping up oil spills ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 4,458 #10 Posted January 26, 2016 That's the plan cat litter is good for sopping up oil spills ! Out of the bag/packet I trust and NOT the tray? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocboni 257 #11 Posted January 26, 2016 Out of the bag/packet I trust and NOT the tray? I think it's lost its properties by then..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mg_rob 70 #12 Posted January 26, 2016 You are going to have to open a Ransomes museum to show all your machines. I like the winch on the back of this ITW. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 4,458 #13 Posted January 26, 2016 You are going to have to open a Ransomes museum to show all your machines. That has been mentioned before. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
expeatfarmer 591 #14 Posted January 27, 2016 Fun and games today, Stormin came to help thank goodness spent most of the day trying to get the four wheels off, the rime are a really neat fit on the hubs and had rusted solid, each wheel had to be heated up with the gas bottles quenched with paintbrush cleaner and then pried off a bit at a time with a 6ft pry bar. We got there in the end I will put some copper slip on when I refit!!! Rebuilt the mag and carb for the skimmer in between . 1 nigel reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocboni 257 #15 Posted January 27, 2016 Wish you found this before I made mine, would have saved me a lot of measuring and figuring out! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 4,458 #16 Posted January 28, 2016 Those wheels were a right fight to get off. When we came to split them to take the tyres off, we found the bolts were counter sunk slotted screws, with a very narrow, shallow slot. Daft idea. No way could we hold them. Fortunately two wheels had them welded up. That's what's going to happen to the other two. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocboni 257 #17 Posted January 28, 2016 The idea of split rims was that because the tractor is a skid steer, it may pull the tyre off the sealing rim and deflate the tyre (if no inner tube fitted). I don't image a wheel designed for splitting is very easy to remove the tyre the conventional way over the edge if they are welded up? I would cut the bolts and replace with csk hex bolts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C-101plowerpower 548 #18 Posted January 28, 2016 The idea of split rims was that because the tractor is a skid steer, it may pull the tyre off the sealing rim and deflate the tyre (if no inner tube fitted). I don't image a wheel designed for splitting is very easy to remove the tyre the conventional way over the edge if they are welded up? I would cut the bolts and replace with csk hex bolts. i think the welding up is about the bolts/screws in one side of the wheel Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
expeatfarmer 591 #19 Posted January 28, 2016 Reason for split rims is that the wheels are cast and then machined presumably for extra strength and traction weight. I have welded up the screw heads at the back of the wheel to stop the bolts turning when being undone. If I ever need to replace the bolts an end mill would take out the weld. Poor Norman has spent all day splitting two of the wheels which had original tyres so possibly had never been off in 60 years! and rest of the day wire brushing the wheels so I could paint them before we refit new tyres and tubes. As Rhys says the tyres will have a huge side thrust when skid steering and for this reason the tyre beads sit on a very wide sealing face. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocboni 257 #20 Posted January 28, 2016 Would never have thought they would be cast. Do the wheels not fit in your blaster? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 4,458 #21 Posted January 28, 2016 It's the time factor Rhys. We've just over three weeks to get whatever is going to Malvern running. The wheels were in a terrible state. so using a rotary wire wheel to clean them up, was the quicker option. Though a tad dusty. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocboni 257 #22 Posted January 28, 2016 Not long to go, getting excited. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
expeatfarmer 591 #23 Posted January 29, 2016 Yes they would but takes too long when you are in a hurry. Engine in, exhaust fitted perfectly fuel tank mounts need to be modified to fit around starter motor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
expeatfarmer 591 #24 Posted January 29, 2016 One of the handbrakes is seized up soaked it overnight hoping it may ease off with a bit of heat. Hope the paint on the wheels has dried so we can fit the tyres today and rig up the electrics. Fitted a pulley clutch housing to drive a small dynamo but not found one yet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocboni 257 #25 Posted January 29, 2016 http://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/product/1176/category/250 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites