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Geoff, the Trusty in the picture has a fan cowl which is the opposite hand of the one grafted to my Mk20, i.e. anti-clockwise fan rotation.

The serial no. plate for the engine is long gone, but the Trusty is 4256T, which you have already added to your survivors list. although it would be nice to know what engine was fitted originally, if the records show this.

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Gold stars all round gentlemen!! There’s no fooling you. I deliberately did not post the photo of the drive pulley side of the block, as this clearly showed the number M189, identifying it as Mk20/25. A measure of the bore diameter confirmed it to be a Mk20. The original cowling must have corroded away, to be replaced by the cast alloy one. When removing the cowling, it became apparent that the two halves had been spaced apart with Plywood, in order to fit around the flywheel. You might just be able to see this in the photo’s.

The only machine I had seen with anything similar to this cowling was Brian Carter’s Atco Tractor, so had palpitations thinking I might have a rarity!! I think you are spot on Andy with regards to it being from a Rowtrac. Looking at photo’s on the old forum, it is a perfect match, although mine has been modified slightly to fit around the Mk20’s cylinder head.

Amazingly, the Mk20 was in pretty good nick internally, apart from some severe pitting around the exhaust valve. Will be kept as a spare parts donor for now, unless I happen across a suitable replacement cowling, then it might just rise from the dead!!

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Hi snowfish i have a howard dragon (made 1981) and l have the reversible plough /rotavator and sickle bar attachments. i also have 4 howard gems plus some other smaller howards. i have ploughed but getting a good grip with small wheels is a challenge. i also have an auto culto with a plough and one of these auto culto ploughs would be my choice if you want to experiment with a gem ploughing.

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Great write up but shame its only 2 pages

BRING BACK FHEC MAG. Why they stopped it I dont know

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Merry Christmas, Have a good one everyone. All the best for the New Year.
Owen.

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Just renewed on line Plonker

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Hi Jeremy, I sent you an email but just realised I got an auto reply to my junk folder saying you’re away from the office till the new year – so guess you’ll pick it up then? Best wishes, Edward

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Do you have a direct email Jeremy, I’m at snowfish@hotmail.co.uk

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kiwibloke, your machine is looking wonderful. I’m working on a MK2 as well. Yours is providing inspiration.

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Thanks for that, Jeremy, and apologies for the delay in getting back to you. I think I’ll give something a go with a Gem gearbox and it’s own chassis. What’s the worse that could happen….

I’m slightly surprised that more people didn’t chip in on this – or on my other little queries. I wonder if the talk of modifying stuff gets people’s backs up?! I personally think originality is all well and good, but I like a machine to work…hence most of my things are modified. Usually in such a way that they could be changed back.

I’d love to put a different engine in a Clifford Mk1 but not found anything sufficiently narrow.

Did your Gem have the Kohler twin from new? I wonder if it has heated seats etc too?!

I hope the Yeoman is going well!

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Interesting reading

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Thanks Jeremy, I happened to have read your post earlier about your yeoman – I can see the logic in what you’re doing, for sure.

I’m in the reverse position in a way, in that I’m more than happy to have more machines than entirely necessary…. I have a Gem which I put a Lombardini twin in for heavy work; a merry tiller, a Clifford Mk1 and a rather modified mayfield… and that’s just the functional stuff.

So, if I made a Gem into a tractor the rotor box would never go back on. My only real concern is that Howard put those friction clutch affairs on the wheels – as if the gearbox is made of bone China. On my Lombardini Gem I have the wheel and rotor clutches done up tight and I’ve worked it hard (the engine is nearly 30hp) – when the engine bogs down the main clutch will slip a little – otherwise no problems – but I realise that most of the power is going to the rotor.

That’s my main concern, that if it’s pulling hard with bigger wheels without the slip clutches that something will break. Maybe I should just get on with it…

I was pondering this afternoon about a Petter ph1 Diesel instead of a petrol Jap – which could I thought be done by making a chassis that would pick up on the bellhousing and the rear rotor mounting and give a mounting for the engine and for implements.

Am I barking mad do you think?

Edward

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Hi Charlie, Sorry it has taken me so long to reply!! My life has been pretty crazy! The washers are 38mm in diameter and I still have no idea where they came from! Progress is coming along well, however I am having trouble finding tyres and the wheels are cracked beyond repair and I am looking at having new units cast. The engine is fully rebuilt and I even managed to find a brand new never used cylinder head with valves! Here is a photo of my progress so far. Regards Alastair.

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Received our copy today

Top job Mr Haggle, even my grinning face at Newbury looked ok !

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Dear Peter,
thank you very much for your support!

[Author]

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