Ransomes MG5 Crawler

[Dieselman 63]

Today’s job. Get that second hoe off the trailer and into the workshop. The trailer belongs to my friend and goes home tomorrow, so I had to be quick. I’ve stripped all the bits I didn’t need. Used the gas to cut it, it was easier than trying to get the grinder in or using spanners on seized bolts, was also pouring down today so I just sat back and got to it.

 

[Dieselman 63]

The good one in the workshop, next to the good crawler. I’m probably going to sell the other crawler, and then scrap the remnants of the other hoe, bringing craziness down. The goal is having two small engined machines at the API show. Would still like an Allen Scythe, too…

 

[m_c]

Would still like an Allen Scythe, too…

There was one of those in a shed as well. Not seen it for a while though...
Villiers two stroke engine that was somewhat temperamental.

All came were originally bought by my grandad, and he even had a Ransomes crawler, although it was replaced by a narrow/vineyard grey fergie long before I existed.

 

[Dieselman 63]

There was one of those in a shed as well. Not seen it for a while though...
Villiers two stroke engine that was somewhat temperamental.

All came were originally bought by my grandad, and he even had a Ransomes crawler, although it was replaced by a narrow/vineyard grey fergie long before I existed.

Sounds like an awesome guy. The crawlers are great.

 

[Dieselman 63]

I think the Howard is around 1953-1955. The crawler is 1950, so a good stable mate for it. Had a look at it last night as I was up at the workshop, I think it will need a lot of work but hopefully I can get it going before the 20th of Jan for the show.

I’ve been given this lovely Record 112 (says plain but it’s quick release). I was going to sell it but I think I might swap it out for my current Woden. Thought about selling the Woden, but I like that too. Might just keep both. The Woden was restored a few years ago from a red painted mess, it’s done a lot of good, hard work for me, cast steel too so 90ish years old!

 

[Migmac]

There was one of those in a shed as well. Not seen it for a while though...
Villiers two stroke engine that was somewhat temperamental.

All came were originally bought by my grandad, and he even had a Ransomes crawler, although it was replaced by a narrow/vineyard grey fergie long before I existed.

I used an Allen Scythe, great tool when they are going.

 

[Dieselman 63]

I used an Allen Scythe, great tool when they are going.

Ok so the trio is now complete…

 

[Dieselman 63]

In you come.

Fuel tank is rusted through, line looks bent/knocked too. Wheels are seized in place, tapers won’t knock free. Hmm.

 

[Dieselman 63]

I’ve tried to get the scythe running today with no luck. It’s clearly been very neglected and worked on before by some moron who managed to lose half the screws, didn’t put gaskets where they should be etc. . Bit sad about that. It’s a very early machine, pre-war.

 

[KimB]

In you come.

Fuel tank is rusted through, line looks bent/knocked too. Wheels are seized in place, tapers won’t knock free. Hmm.

View attachment 427417 View attachment 427418 View attachment 427419

Is that a really early one? I’ve never seen one like that but it’s very cool. My parents have one they want me to get going.

 

[Dieselman 63]

Is that a really early one? I’ve never seen one like that but it’s very cool. My parents have one they want me to get going.

Yeah the type of carburettor is pre-war, they started making them in 33 or 35 I think. The Villiers 11C stopped being fitted in 1943, so it’s rather old!

 

[KimB]

Yeah the type of carburettor is pre-war, they started making them in 33 or 35 I think. The Villiers 11C stopped being fitted in 1943, so it’s rather old!

Great, I look forward to seeing you bring it back up life.

 

[Dieselman 63]

Great, I look forward to seeing you bring it back up life.

Thanks

In an ideal world I’d have the Howard, this and the crawler ready for the show, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to. Still, a goal… this one was bought as garden art, a fate I couldn’t let it become

 

[KimB]

Thanks

In an ideal world I’d have the Howard, this and the crawler ready for the show, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to. Still, a goal… this one was bought as garden art, a fate I couldn’t let it become

That would be nice really nice. Have you got any implements for your Ransomes?

 

[Dieselman 63]

That would be nice really nice. Have you got any implements for your Ransomes?

Only the disc harrows. I’m trying to build a cultivator, but the bits are hard to come by.

 

[Dieselman 63]

Couldn’t get a bolt out… no way to get a spanner onto it, no clearance for a screwdriver. The last of my acetylene went into making this fine thing - the bolt had a slot in it, thankfully. Bolt removed

 

[Dieselman 63]

Villiers mk11c, rings snapped in the hot wash… mmm

 

[Dieselman 63]

So moving on from the tragedy of the very rusted rings, the rest of the case came up really well. I haven’t dismantled the crank as it feels really good. There was so much carbon buildup underneath the rings though. I’ll probably leave the case bare aluminium or paint it silver. It looks nice.

I’m going to investigate getting the head blasted, maybe vapour blasting is the way. I want those fins painted.

Next bit I’ll dismantle and smuggle into work will be that aluminium end cover that the motor bolts to. I also need to make a new felt for mating the engine to the box.

 

[Dieselman 63]

The head has gone to an engine restorer to be cleaned with blasting. He’s also going to order me some new rings too. They’ll replace the lot which is great.

 

[Dieselman 63]

The previous owner said he’d opened this box and it was full of bronze gears, funny as there’s no bronze gearing in here, just an iron shoe with a brass slide which runs off an eccentric. Some serious machining here. I bet bronze casting went away when WWII came along. I really need to work out how to split this box from the main body.