[vhgmcbuddy]

A: not me.

B: but i have recently got a Dragon Owner’s manual.
sorry , that is =
“Dragon Operating Instructions and Parts List”
Part Number 209005108
with parts list pages dated 12/79

i have not scanned it to a pdf file yet,
do you have an owner’s manual or not?
if not i will send it to

Rotavator Manuals

ive been gunna send it there anyway, but im a bit slack.

if you have a book already, if its different to mine,
what is the full title and its publication number please?

best wishes, Rod.

[vhgmcbuddy]

A: wait for S1G to contact you. be patient, he is busy.
have all your serial numbers handy.
does the Series III have a JAP or a BJ engine?
you should be able to get a year date a JAP by its sn from
the info from the JAP websites.
its a letters code.

B: make sure you’ve got all the manuals,
did your machines come with the original books?
always ask about the owner’s manuals when buying a machine,
sometimes they are there, just forgotten.

Rotavator Manuals

umm , i see they dont have a JAP manual.
do you already have a JAP manual?
the one thats says “for the engine developed for the Howard Rotary Hoe” ?
there are at least 2 editions.
also absent is a 700 manual.

there are guys that sell good quality reprints too.

C: visit MERL and see what you can find.
their database searching takes a bit of getting used too,
but last time i was there it was easier to use then the first time.
they have a nice collection of all sorts of Howard literature,
i have purchased copies of 2 items not available elsewhere.
unfortunately they claim copyright to the copies they produce,
so i cant put them on the net,
but they are still good info and machine reference documents.

D: of course you have already seen S1G website…”howardgem.webs”

good luck, Rod.

[vhgmcbuddy]

All my bolens with a howard sticker on then Kev

[vhgmcbuddy]

Hi I have a Gravely convertable 7.6 electric start 2 wheel tractor, not entirely vintage but not too many in the UK
I have made toolbar fittings for front or rear cultivation but have not used the m/c to do any work yet
It is automatic so very easy to use and zero turn also.
I have a friend who buys and sells Gravely mowers and he is very knowledgeable of the engines and transmissions.
I have never seen any Graveley,s on show anywhere

[vhgmcbuddy]

A great weekend, well done Kevin and team

Our 2018 display we discussed is good to go

[vhgmcbuddy]

Great weekend Kevin with some interesting machines

Roll on next year

[vhgmcbuddy]

I agree about never having seen a straight shaft Sloper on a Marquis and also the issue with the Briggs’s incompatibility with the centrifugal clutch although Ransomes did offer extra strong clutch springs to alleviate that issue. However a Marquis with a Briggs was never as nice to use.
There was a similar issue when replacing worn out JAPs and MAGs with Kohlers on Mastiffs,
there again, stronger springs were available. Ransomes solution on later machines was to take the drive from the camshaft on Kubota and Honda lumps modified to run anti- clockwise (at the flywheel end) so that the half speed drive of the cam was the correct rotation for the machine.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Well I better not bring my MG40 along for that route then Dave

Something with tyres then!!

[vhgmcbuddy]

Also what engine oil and what chain oil should I use?

Thanks

[vhgmcbuddy]

all loaded for dorset steam fair on the way tomorrow looking fordward to meeting everyone

[vhgmcbuddy]

the mystery rotavator has chrome handles which have been half painted red as has the rest of the machine, it has a centrifugal clutch started with second pull at Biggar rally nearly rotavated the grass it started that easy. Any information would be appreciated. Would post pictures if I can figure how to.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thank you very much for your replies. I think I better find my nearest auto jumble.

I have a howard gem with a 600cc JAP engine, is that the same engine as the JAP 600?

I think an original fuel tank might just be my biggest problem.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thank’s charlie will have to rethink my trailer options

[vhgmcbuddy]

Paul child’s sorted an original part….Thanks Andy.😎

[vhgmcbuddy]

Hi Charlie, I thought I would post an update!
The clutch is now finished, a local firm has crafted me a clutch plate from the same kind of material and I have resurfaced the clutch disks. The input shaft has been repaired and is ready to assemble with new sealed bearings and seals. The gearbox casings are at a fabricators and they are going to dress all the internal shafts as well as oversize the casing outputs and press in sleeves. I have dropped off the 030 oversize piston at the engine shop together with new big end and main bearings and hope to have that back next week.
A new old stock cylinder head has been found and I am now into the laborious task of cleaning up the mill!! So far so good!
Alastair.

[Author]

Posts