[jwilkes]

Progress update

The gearbox and ancillaries are all assembled except the clamp and gear level / cables as the new units arrived yesterday. About 1/2 way through machining a new engine mounting plate adaptor. Hope to have this as a running unit before new year now. Can look at the rotor box afterwards

[jwilkes]

Edward, Sent you an email direct

[jwilkes]

Edward
Good to hear from you

Not sure about the other members of the club, it is honourable to keep original, but like you I need my machines to work. The ones I have recovered largely have engines beyond economic repair as either rusted up, seized or completely missing. I agree with modify but with the option to reverse the modification afterwards if needed, this does keep the value up for the enthusiasts for keeping it original, after all someone might have an Engine looking for a machine and the two can be united.

Thoughts on the Clifford I would think about a 50cc or bigger strimmer engine as a swap as about the right weight and power It will require quiet a bit of engineering but the machine is of a good quality and worthy of continued use.

The Gen came with a Kholer 11 HP crank start unit where the BIg end broke. Heated seats could be on the agenda for the Yorman though good thought.

Tonight I have a Yeoman back to the rolling Chassis stage . The last bit to fit is the roto box clamp, next step is the Engine mounting , a day on the lathe over Christmas me thinks. Once that is done a full strip and repair of the rotobox. Only real problem is understanding the Reverse gear interlock which had been removed by previous user, If I can get some picture should be able to work it out.

As I am fitting this with a riding seat I am considering adding a riding perhaps some brakes on the hubs, hot sure at the moment what to use but that is in plan, also thinking of tandem conversion , small alpine if I can get a second Yeoman. Might be fun.

How are your Gem plans going? should be a beast and the diff lock is I suspect essential

Jeremy

[jwilkes]

Thought I should add an update. The gearbox is together now and all the remaining parts are stripped and in paint. After careful study I can see that the Reverse gear interlock mechanism is completely missing , I suspect that it was removed at some point in the past and lost.

Does anyone have a picture if how it should assemble? Approximate dimensions of parts:
16845 – Reverse fulcrum arm
16894 – eccentric

As I will need to remanufacture these.

Many thanks
Jeremy

[jwilkes]

Not sure what I think. My Gem has the Kholer Kt17 twin with the luxury of electric start, by coincidence I also have a Clifford mk1 setup with finger mower and largely original. Last time I used as a rotavator hit a stone and the flywheel span so needed retiming, keep it as a finger mower.

When I looked at the Gem I was more concerned about the actual mounting points that I would need to use for the implements. The connection with the Yeoman and the other demountable rotor machines seem more sturdy than using the handlebar mounting points. I think I would feel better if I could machine mew mounts directly into the gearbox casing for the attachment but that makes a much bigger gob as you get a full gearbox strip as a starting point. I am doing this with the Yeoman but this is only a 60 year service. I might be over sensitive as I have pulled the pig ark out of the field in the past – Normally use a Massy T20 for that job but it was broke at the time.

these old machines are over engineered by modern standards and should take some overpowering.

Got a lister Petter 2 Cylinder Diesel engine currently connected to a compressor but that would make a lovely pulling unit if I could find a strong enough gearbox and balance the chassis!

[jwilkes]

Edward

I have a Gem and like you was looking at the idea of using it a two wheeled tractor. The problem is that you have to take a lot of the rotor box off to get a usable tractor unit and then start welding to get a mounting point for implements. I have chosen to go the Yeooman / 70 route where the rotor box drops off easily and new implements can be attached whilst reverting back to rotavator when needed. I will sell on my GEM all being well in the spring as it has done the main job of ripping up a 1/4 acre to become a lawn.

The gem has a lot going for it – True differential and diff lock 3 forward and 1 reverse plus the weight and power

With regards to implements I use a 40mm square bare with a 20mm pin hole and can use most of the merry tiller stuff.

The Yeoman is a smaller unit – about 200KG rather than the 300KG that the Gem come in on. It has the choice on 1 or 2 wheel drive so no differential but an effective diff lock The gem has most of the bits available but Yeoman not so.

Just my thoughts

jeremy

[jwilkes]

Hi

I had the same problem solved when I bought some clutch plate offcuts from a specialist supplier in the west midlands and cut the plates myself using a scroll saw and many saw blades. Suppliers use Waterjet cutting as friction material is abrasive

If you get a drawing you may find that the ransomes mowers use the same sizes

Good luck
Jeremy

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