Chris 642 #26 Posted July 31, 2016 On 30 July 2016 at 2:27 PM, Rocboni said: According to the royalty legend there were about 76 skimmers but I'm not sure if this includes every machine. Alastair does know his stuff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocboni 257 #27 Posted July 31, 2016 Having wire brushed off the flaking paint and rust and chipping off all the hard sand/grease I could reassemble. All seal and bearings appear to be in good condition which is good as aim is to spend as little as possible. I Spent ages freeing up all the rollers on the drive wheels, all I could do is hit them with a hammer and twist with a set of vice grips the ones which have been nearest the ground are quite bad but will do. I've still got the other wheel to do! At least it is getting to the point where I can touch it without bits falling off! 3 Stormin, Alan and hpearce reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocboni 257 #28 Posted August 1, 2016 Second side cleaned and reassembled. I have refitted the belt drive roller and gearbox, weighs an absolute ton, the engine crane was priceless for this job. I do not like to think about how much this machine weighs all together! Not sure why gearbox is yellow, must have stole it from Jonathan's skimmer! 1 Stormin reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocboni 257 #29 Posted August 1, 2016 Oh no, wheres the floor gone! 1 nigel reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris 642 #30 Posted August 1, 2016 Thats cleaning up very well. I would just oil it up to preserve the paint Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocboni 257 #31 Posted August 1, 2016 21 minutes ago, Chris said: Thats cleaning up very well. I would just oil it up to preserve the paint That's what I'm doing, don't have the energy to completly strip and paint ect. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocboni 257 #32 Posted August 2, 2016 Tracks back on, one track snapped as I was freeing them up, hopefully no more will snap when driving as bolts are in unknown condition as the are covered with the rubber pads. Off to get some steel today so I can move forward with engine and brakes. 1 Triumph66 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocboni 257 #33 Posted August 2, 2016 New top plate fabricated Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocboni 257 #34 Posted August 2, 2016 New floor pieced in, tacked ready to try engine on. Someone has also cut away the side for the kohler oil drain pipe, I think I'll have to replace the cardboard with steel though..... 5 Alan, Triumph66, nigel and 2 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meadowfield 1,900 #35 Posted August 2, 2016 Making good progress! 1 Rocboni reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Triumph66 1,256 #36 Posted August 2, 2016 Looking very good and you are cracking a fast pace with this project. 1 Rocboni reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocboni 257 #37 Posted August 2, 2016 I should really slow down a bit but once I get started I can't stop! Keeps me busy on my holidays. 1 Triumph66 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 4,458 #38 Posted August 2, 2016 Keeps you out of the pub as well. 1 Rocboni reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocboni 257 #39 Posted August 3, 2016 7 hours ago, Stormin said: Keeps you out of the pub as well. It does, although when your skinning you knuckles and burning yourself with the plasma cutter, the pub seems much more appealing! 1 Stormin reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocboni 257 #40 Posted August 3, 2016 An early start this morning seen me trial fit the engine, and decide on packer thickness this allowed me to fully weld in the floor, also cut side and patched that in aswell. Just waiting on a package today so I can rebuild Clutch and fit engine permanently. 2 HeadExam and Stormin reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HeadExam 1,783 #41 Posted August 3, 2016 Okay, for us on this side of the pond. What exactly is this machine and what does it do? Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocboni 257 #42 Posted August 3, 2016 In the uk our drinking water is collected in reservoirs, the water is filtered through large sand filter beds, these can be larger than football pitches in size. After a period of time the top layer becomes dirty and is required to be removed, originally this was done by hand, Ransomes developed this machine to skim off this layer and load it into a following dumper. Diff cover fitted and brakes set up, clutch relined and fitted today, I was unhappy with the strength of the engine bay floor, even though it is thicker than original at 5mm, I have added a peice of angle iron to stop it flexing. 2 HeadExam and Triumph66 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HeadExam 1,783 #43 Posted August 3, 2016 So it's kind of like a snow blower, but a sand sucker, very cool. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocboni 257 #44 Posted August 3, 2016 31 minutes ago, HeadExam said: So it's kind of like a snow blower, but a sand sucker, very cool. I'll let you know how it performs in the winter! 1 HeadExam reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocboni 257 #45 Posted August 3, 2016 Engine finally on, now to start on the frame. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meadowfield 1,900 #46 Posted August 3, 2016 crackin on! 1 Rocboni reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocboni 257 #47 Posted August 3, 2016 What's left of the old seat runners.....the NOS ones still fits on the rails! 1 Stormin reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocboni 257 #48 Posted August 3, 2016 I needed to put a curve on the back of a 3mm sheet 20inches long, after a bit of thought in the press and 10Tones or so, I had a nice curve! 4 nigel, Stormin, Alan and 1 other reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 4,458 #49 Posted August 3, 2016 Your doing well, Rhys. Nice job on getting the curve. 1 Rocboni reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocboni 257 #50 Posted August 3, 2016 That press has been the best thing I've made. Wish I could find a seat, probably going to have to make one as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
