[charlie]

Gearbox was tight, so I stripped it down and found one bearing was tight from lack of use, now all turns nice and easily. Below are a couple of photos of final drive to wheels and associated clutch, looks to be some good solid engineering.

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[charlie]

An online search of MERL archive has revealed they have a leaflet for the Commando Hoe, something to look at and copy next time I visit.

[charlie]

A search of British newspaper archive revealed an article dated December 1949 that shows the Commando Hoe exhibited at Smithfield Show. Associated photo shows a machine the same as mine.

Attachments:

1. BL_0001858_19491228_011_0012.pdf

[charlie]

After giving carb and magneto a good clean and replacing perished HT lead the engine now runs. New throttle cable made. Now to checkout gearbox and how clutches are supposed to work. Clutch to disengage hoe drive does not seem to work.

[charlie]

Sean, many thanks for copying the photo etc. The machine in the photo is the same as mine except for slightly different wheels.

[charlie]

Reading through ’70 Years of Garden Machinery’ by Brian Bell, it looks as if your rotavator is an early Mountfield M1. These first appeared in 1962 and were fitted with the Kirby Lauson engine, later models had Briggs & Stratton engines.

[charlie]

busman, thanks for the extra information, that is one book I dont have (yet).

[charlie]

A useful method, worth remembering, also would be a good one to include in The Cultivator.

[charlie]

Another photo of the same David Brown towpath tractor in ‘galleries’ section of this website at https://vhgmc.co.uk/photo-galleries/david-brown/david-brown-imgdb030/

[charlie]

Yes Sunday morning when most were on trundle around farm. Luckily it ran long enough for me to video it running.

[charlie]

Just one of the rare machines seen at Weeley a Trusty roller. I have posted a link to video of the SIMAR 10 in a post in pedestrian machines section of forum.

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[charlie]

Martin, the photo you posted is not the David Brown I refer to.

[charlie]

Martin, have you seen this web page, it would be well worth contacting Bob he may have a copy of the literature you want. Please keep us informed of results.
Are you aware of the David Brown canal tractors, based on their model 2D, I know at least one survives.

[charlie]

A brilliant weekend, thanks to all involved in oragnising and everyone that attended. Some were lucky to witness me starting up and running the SIMAR 10E for the first time, it still needs a bit of work to improve starting and running. Photos to follow.

[charlie]

All loaded up. 5, 30, 50, 122 (or which ever model it is) and a couple of other items.

[Author]

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