[vhgmcbuddy]

Hi there, what a find!
It looks like you have the fore runner of the Rotoscythe Eton model, you are correct to say villiers engine on that machine as yours dated from roughly 1935,Although its lost it original colour on its hood.Rotoscythe did use Bux engines from 1939 onwards. Hope this helps

[vhgmcbuddy]

Hi Everyone. I’ve added some more pics of the engine of my Rotoscythe. Can anyone help identify? Thanks in advance.

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[vhgmcbuddy]

That’s interesting about the Kubota hex-bar, and thats for the axles of their two wheel tractor/rotavators? A bit like the search for small farm tractor wheels, I have been searching around for Kubota dealers that carry the small stuff? Its always their mid range tractor, diggers, etc that i find. Never seem to come up with their two-wheel tractor range? Any ideas?

The same seems to be true of Iseki, so any ideas or leads welcome?

And isn’t it great that we have a forum here at VHGMC to air these questions, and find others with similar interests and pursuits. Long may it continue.

We are at heart, I guess, collectors, but finding these small, niche, pieces of, at times, overlooked, equipment makes our working lives so much easier. They often make otherwise laborious chores a pleasure, and rewarding on many extra levels.

[vhgmcbuddy]

I had difficulty finding wheels for my Honda, as ive said Andy, but it was the hexagonal extension axle that posed the biggest obstacle. Then i found the axles, the wheels followed on the same website shop, on a certain auction site!

My wheels are 4.00 x 8, and these were the only size that this shop carried, but they happened to be exactly what i needed.

They did have lots of other bits and pieces that were Honda compatible it seemed at a glance? I got a central hexagonal shaft fitting as well.

Its a Spanish site, but if you search for CONJUNTO BUJES L 24 CM, HEXAGONO 23 X 26 MM, ATAQUE RUEDAS CHINO 75.4 DISTANCIA and follow on to there other items for sale, who knows, might find what your looking for?

If you need any extra follow up information feel free to message me

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[vhgmcbuddy]

Hi All

Just come in from the cold! I was with Thomas and Mr Wallingfield last night as we can now meet in groups less than 6.
This rollers proper name is a Sorrell roller which comes from the Patent. I do not think its a Pattison as they all had large wood rollers with steel spikes screwed in. all tended to be much larger as well normally about 3 feet in width.
For my money it dates to the late 30’s and was made by a Company long gone in name called Smiths, but is still with us today in another guize.Smiths were bought out after the war(second) by Sisis who ran out of the same factory, in the last few years Sisis was struggling, so Ian Howard came to the rescue and now they are part of the Dennis group.
Yes Thomas can remember such barbaric machines from his apprenticeship days, the golden rule don’t work on steep gradients, dragging behind you, with open shoe laces!

[vhgmcbuddy]

Thanks Charlie. That’s great info. There is no cable on the lever on the left hand side over the clutch at present. I’ll have a look to see if I can figure out how the handle bar swing works and fix it if I can. I’ve been changing my back garden and spent a while this afternoon using the tiller to rotivate part of my existing lawn and some of the soil that had baked….. With a big smile on my face! The only problem I had was the handle bars folding over when pushed. I’ll have a look at the locking handle soon. The handlebars have a lot of rust so Ive likely lost some material on the locating diameter.

[vhgmcbuddy]

If there’s any history that can be added, I’d love to hear it. I’ve not delved any deeper than the carb so far, but I have one more lever than I have cables running to the engine. Does ano know if it’s supposed to be geared?

[vhgmcbuddy]

Goes without saying that i am alway on the lookout for small tools and equipment that suit these small machines. Small is Beautiful. And when you have heavy soils and high rainfall, you want to be as fleet footed as possible. So any ideas, suggestions or places to search are welcomed.
With the new wheels, i can see this little Honda getting a new lease of like and a lot more light work to do around the farm and garden.

[vhgmcbuddy]

And yes, the drawbar on the roller needs to be modified! But the weather was good and the job in hand needed to be done today. Even the smallest of maintenance jobs like that can scupper a full days work at times? Fixing it on the fly is the farming way. Not the right way. And if there were dangers attached, not the way at all.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Smaller tractors, smaller files!

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[vhgmcbuddy]

It took a while, but, finally got a set of wheels and hexagonal bar axles for my Honda rotavator. Got them from Spain! And all things considered they were as reasonably prices, including shipping, as common or garden wheelbarrow ones down the local hardware store!
I hadn’t been using this rotavator that much recently, a two wheel tractor version getting most of the work, but these wheels have given the Honda a new lease of life! Had it out today, with a small roller to roll in some oats I’d sown. A lot better than pulling/pushing, even a small roller like this!
So, being nice and light compared to other tractors the little Honda may be seeing a lot more service in the months and years ahead!?

[vhgmcbuddy]

Andy, I agree completely with you. Almost all wheel hoes would be a pleasure to work with I’d say? I use a Glaser, with a stirrup hoe, in my place of work, and it halves the work involved. Im sure most other newer hoes are equally as good? Bar the few, poorly made ones.
The Jalo I have recently acquired is truevto form, sturdy but light and easy to use. Like you, and today even, i was opening drill for broad beans and peas, with two opposite plough shares that make a perfect ridger when set up correctly.
Rakes, sweep hoes, discs they all add to the versatility and pleasure of using them.
I’d believe you when you say the Planet Junior you use is the best in your option, they are obviously well made, but look elegant, and probably may be that little bit more well proportioned for comfortable use? Your lucky to have your Grandfather’s Planet Junior.
I have a Planet Junior no.3 seeder, its all there abd looks the part, but I’d say i either have to attune myself to its more subtle usage setting? Or it needs to be given a service by someone that knows what they are doing? The seed dropping, if peas and beans at any rate, is a bit random abd unpredictable? I think the problem may be the final little clicker lid that open where the seed drops out, that may be the problem. Its either a bit stiff or the spring, mechanism, is worn with years of use.
But i digress. The wheel hoe question i had really, was, are there and fittings or modifications that allow using it to sweep alone lightly, removing those just emerged weeds, on ridges or drills? Not to do any actual heavy earthing up, just to keep that first flush of weeds at bay. Hoeing the sides if raised drills. It would save a lot of work with a hand hoe!?
Either way, we will dream on. And its great to hear your endorsements and thoughts on all other things to do with these wheel tools.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Try here
https://www.guypartsandservice.co.uk/

[vhgmcbuddy]

And, so it comes to pass. I have been lucky enough to get my hands on a Jalo Wheel Hoe, with a good few sweeps, rakes, and attachments to go with it. A real find, and one that i have been seeking for a long time. I use newer ones at work, but aren’t they so expensive, for what they are? Still good at what they do, but are they any better than the older designs, like the Jalo, Planet Junior, etc? And do they have the sweep and range of the older attachments? If one could find those old work tools.

But my question here is? Have any of you experience with using these wheel hoes for ridge weeding, or scuffing, drills like potato drills? Or any even slightly elevated areas needing weeding?

The sweeps, hoes, etc all weed flat, but did these hoes, or other models come with frames to modify the angle, of attack, as it were?

Any suggestions welcome, but just like that, interested to hear any of your wheel hoe, Jalo, Planet Junior, and all, stories.

[vhgmcbuddy]

The Trusty restoration is still at a standstill, too many other jobs, chores and work pushing in! But the tractor, plough and attachments are in under a weather protective roof and on a solid dry floor. The Garage in other words! For the time being the Trusty must content itself with seeing the other working tractor going out to do the work for Spring.

The one thing that would benefit all involved is a good tidy up of the garage and sheds. But then, more room is a dangerous thing? Empty floor space or elbow room can allow a new purchase to enter the fold!

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