Ransomes MG5 Crawler

[Dieselman 63]

I would imagine there is a dozer blade available for earth moving....Ill bet it pushes well. Ill bet it would drag just about anything too!

JP

There is. One with manual lift, and a hydraulic kit made by an Australian firm. There’s also a plough, a hoe, a disc Harrow, to name but a few... you could drag anything you wanted though, you’re correct. I want to get a tow ball to mount onto the drawbar, and some heavier chain for dragging logs.

 

[Dieselman 63]

This is what happened the other day. I need to raise the machine to get it back in.

 

[Tinbasherdan]

There is. One with manual lift, and a hydraulic kit made by an Australian firm. There’s also a plough, a hoe, a disc Harrow, to name but a few... you could drag anything you wanted though, you’re correct. I want to get a tow ball to mount onto the drawbar, and some heavier chain for dragging logs.

our dad had an mg6 with hydraulics, and a full set of attachments. Wish I had it now!

 

[Dieselman 63]

I filled the engine with oil, which went in easy enough. Then I set about rebuilding the air filter which needed cleaning and filling with oil. I only have sae30 but I’ll change it out later, just needed something for now.

Then I wanted to test my work so I rebuilt the engine up to look like this and started to crank it. It took a few goes but eventually did start, though I choked it quickly, after which I got quite a telling off for starting it this late - some people inside thought it was an earthquake! It works though, that’s my main worry. Onto the gearbox, which I’ll be working on tomorrow night

 

[Dieselman 63]

our dad had an mg6 with hydraulics, and a full set of attachments. Wish I had it now!

They’re a very British machine, extremely good fun to work on. Though small it’s still quite large and there’s certainly nothing toy-like about it. I’m pleased I have a set of Britool BSW sockets to use on it! Proper hardware.

 

[Dieselman 63]

I’ve changed the engine oil and fed it some oil stabiliser too. The manual recommends adding upper cylinder lube to the fuel which I will do as well. The low idle is much better and much more even now, plus the oil leak has disappeared. I’m still seeking out cork sheet before I have to resort to buying it online. I want that gearbox filled with oil and sealed up again

Also four bolts for the cowling atop the cooling fins need sourcing.
https://youtu.be/VpqevL_5uf8

 

[Dieselman 63]

I saw one for sale at a show, luckily for my pocket I had no way of getting it home...

View attachment 258681

I always err on the side of caution with purchasing restoration jobs like that. The lifting chain at the back is painted red, things like that get used and shouldn’t be painted, really makes you wonder the competency of the restorer...

 

[mechman]

What make of engine is that or have I missed it somewhere?

 

[bourbon]

I always err on the side of caution with purchasing restoration jobs like that. The lifting chain at the back is painted red, things like that get used and shouldn’t be painted, really makes you wonder the competency of the restorer...

I go to a lot of steam fairs (when they are on!) and I notice this type of thing all the time. As a re-enactor, Obviously working parts won't have paint on them, The breech block on a gun for example. But for a display piece, It looks nicer, you don't have to continually get the rust off and grease doesn't go everywhere.

 

[octo0072000]

What make of engine is that or have I missed it somewhere?

could be Villiers of some sort

 

[Tinbasherdan]

could be Villiers of some sort

Ransomed own usually, but some ended up with a JAP

 

[Robotstar5]

I always err on the side of caution with purchasing restoration jobs like that. The lifting chain at the back is painted red, things like that get used and shouldn’t be painted, really makes you wonder the competency of the restorer...

Probably done like that to show not use. I go to a lot of shows and the machinery varies from "working clothes" through "oily rag" to what I call "showmans finish"

One of my engines would have left the factory painted battleship grey all over, but I have polished the brass and picked out the letter details to show it, all down to the individual

 

[Dieselman 63]

Probably done like that to show not use. I go to a lot of shows and the machinery varies from "working clothes" through "oily rag" to what I call "showmans finish"

One of my engines would have left the factory painted battleship grey all over, but I have polished the brass and picked out the letter details to show it, all down to the individual

View attachment 258898

That’s nice work though. I like it when the bolts are not painted!

 

[Dieselman 63]

What make of engine is that or have I missed it somewhere?

MG2 had Sturmey Archer engines, MG5+6 had Ransomes own, and some MG40s had Drayton Diesel engines, too.

 

[Dieselman 63]

The old gearbox gasket was cork, and it tore apart as I removed it. It had really had its day, so I bought some new cork sheet and cut a new gasket.

Once cut, it was time to slather it up with Hylomar and refit the gearbox lid. All the bolts were cleaned, this took a while but I’m glad I did it as they were rather crusty. It was then time to refill the box with the five pints of oil it needed.

 

[Dieselman 63]

Finally the crawler is looking like a crawler again, after having been apart for most of the week. Tomorrow I’m going to buy a new air hose and clamps, and I’ll get new bolts for the cowling too.

 

[Newlands]

When I were a lad the local boatmen used to run these on the beach to pull up all the hire boats at the end of the day - usually 10’ and 12’ rowing boats, some used to hire out canoes as well. That was at Sandown on the Isle of Wight. I remember the boatman at Seaview also bought one for the same job - I watched them unload it when it was delivered, and the first time they drove it down the slipway it tipped forward onto its nose! They’re a bit front-heavy, which is probably fine if you’re going up the hill!!

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Finally the crawler is looking like a crawler again, after having been apart for most of the week. Tomorrow I’m going to buy a new air hose and clamps, and I’ll get new bolts for the cowling too.

Coming along nicely . I notice the BFH is always to hand....just in case....

 

[Seadog]

One spotted in the wild at Hastings, earlier this year.

 

[Dieselman 63]

I couldn’t find new radiator hose but I did buy new hose clamps. I also got new bolts for the cowling.