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Profile picture of Ben Tompsett

Ben Tompsett

@benjamin active 2 months, 2 weeks ago
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  • Profile picture of Ben Tompsett

    benjamin replied to the topic Bolt thread type? in the forum Help and information 2 months, 2 weeks ago

    Yes, I am of the conclusion a thread gauge is a must. I did sent the bolt off to the above mentioned company who very quickly identified it as BSF and sent me 6 new shiny ones which fit perfectly. I now have the bolts, new felt washers and new oil seals which once put back together should solve my tiller oil leak on my mk1 Clifford Rotavator!

  • Profile picture of Ben Tompsett

    benjamin replied to the topic Bolt thread type? in the forum Help and information 2 months, 4 weeks ago

    Thanks everyone – this is all most helpful and something I must begin to get my head around.
    Certainly need to get a set of thread gauges and the Zeus tables
    I have contacted NAMRICK (thanks hortiman) who were very helpful too.

    I could have re-used the original ones, but they were such a pain to get out, that they are quite beaten up (I am…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Ben Tompsett

    benjamin replied to the topic Bolt thread type? in the forum Help and information 3 months ago

    Thanks Charlie. I knew it might be complicated, but not that complicated.
    The replacements were UNC and to be honest I was just taking a stab in the dark.

    What would be the easiest way to identify the one I have? Is there anywhere I could send one to to be matched? Sorry for all the questions.

  • Profile picture of Ben Tompsett

    benjamin started the topic Bolt thread type? in the forum Help and information 3 months ago

    Im trying to match some bolts. The bolt in question is from a 1950’s clifford rotavator and as you can see it has a very fine thread unlike the attempted replacement. The replacement is imperial, but has a much corser thread (plus they sent me the wrong length ones as you can see). Does anyone know what type I should be asking for (The dimensions…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Ben Tompsett

    benjamin replied to the topic Douglas SV54 Questions in the forum Help and information 3 months, 2 weeks ago

    Thanks for that Sean – very helpful.
    If you wanted to sell a couple, do let me know.
    Also, what oil would you use for the Trusty, as mine looks like it needs changing?

    Many thanks

    Ben.

  • Profile picture of Ben Tompsett

    benjamin replied to the topic Douglas SV54 Questions in the forum Help and information 3 months, 2 weeks ago

    No problem Sean. Happy to help – I certainly learnt a lot from your Norton Trusty restoration which was extremely interesting to follow.
    I believe mine is 1947, perhaps yours is older?

    Out of interest do you remember where you got your trusty wheel felt washers made? Was it RH Nuttall? I need to get a pair and if I use a company who has done them…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Ben Tompsett

    benjamin replied to the topic Douglas SV54 Questions in the forum Help and information 3 months, 2 weeks ago

    Ok, unless I am missing something here, it looks like the filler cap and dipstick are two different things in my Douglas engine.

  • Profile picture of Ben Tompsett

    benjamin replied to the topic membership in the forum Help and information 3 months, 3 weeks ago

    Posted mine on Wednesday.
    Looking forward to another year of the cultivator. My thanks also to everyone involved.

  • Profile picture of Ben Tompsett

    benjamin replied to the topic Douglas SV54 Questions in the forum Help and information 3 months, 3 weeks ago

    Hi Sean. I will measure mine tomorrow and let you know. My trusty has the same engine.
    Not sure on the crankcase question though.
    Ben.

  • Profile picture of Ben Tompsett

    benjamin replied to the topic Are these the correct tines? in the forum Help and information 3 months, 3 weeks ago

    Just to say the second picture shows it best. If they were flattened out, it looks like they would be the same length.

  • Profile picture of Ben Tompsett

    benjamin started the topic Are these the correct tines? in the forum Help and information 3 months, 3 weeks ago

    In restoring a Mk 1 clifford I used a doner machine for some of the parts needed. On that machine was hanging from the hanldlebars a rusty, yet brand new set of tines. Great i thought and started removing the old worn out ones, it was then I realised that the new ones are a different shape. Are these correct? Do the old ones become more right…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Ben Tompsett

    benjamin replied to the topic Help with tine shaft oil seal – Clifford Mk1 in the forum Pedestrian operated machines 8 months, 3 weeks ago

    OK, after further investigation I can see that the two items in the picture above are the felt washer and outer space.
    In order to access the actual oil seal I have to take off the end cap which is held on by 3 screw in bolts (In the picture they look like rivets as the screw heads are full of dirt and somewhat burred over.
    Before I go to the…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Ben Tompsett

    benjamin replied to the topic Clifford rotavator mk1? with villiers engine clutch problem? in the forum Garden implements 9 months ago

    Yes, running in oil does seem strange. If bits have broken off and got lodged between the discs it might explain the symptoms you described. It might be worth taking them out (never done this myself, but have read of someone who did) and cleaning them up, plus a light rub over with emery paper or similar and replacing them, being careful to…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Ben Tompsett

    benjamin replied to the topic Clifford rotavator mk1? with villiers engine clutch problem? in the forum Garden implements 9 months ago

    I had a similar problem with my Mk1 clifford. To solve it I gently eased the discs apart with a screwdriver (they seemed to have seized together) So I freed them up and it has worked perfectly since. Do be careful doing this as from my knowledge these discs are not available for sale.

    Yes, the clutch does run in oil and there is an oil fill on…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Ben Tompsett

    benjamin started the topic Help with tine shaft oil seal – Clifford Mk1 in the forum Pedestrian operated machines 9 months, 1 week ago

    Having got my mk1 clifford up and running i now notice that oil is leaking from one side of the tine shaft. Having taken the tines off there appeared to be a poorly seated bush or spacer and a felt washer surrouning that. Is this the oil seal and where would one look for a replacement? Any help gratefully received.

  • Profile picture of Ben Tompsett

    benjamin replied to the topic I am looking for a clutch cable for a Brott202 1970 lawnmower. in the forum Ride-on machines 9 months, 2 weeks ago

    Try ‘The Mower Centre’ in Hailsham. If he doesn’t have one, he should be able to make one up for you.

  • Profile picture of Ben Tompsett

    benjamin replied to the topic Allen Scythe starts easily, but won't rev in the forum Pedestrian operated machines 10 months ago

    I tried using the carb from my mk1 clifford rotavator, but it still doesn’t rev properly. I also tried putting the machine under load; it’s like it gets quite close to going into that purring mode, but not quite. It does cut the brambles ok, but just doesn’t quite sound right.
    I also looked at the govenor, but that seems to be fine. Would the…[Read more]

  • Profile picture of Ben Tompsett

    benjamin replied to the topic The Cultivator in the forum General talk and discussion 10 months ago

    Thought they looked different. Mine (the one in my profile picture) has a Douglas engine and looks similar to the jap one.
    Thanks for the info.

  • Profile picture of Ben Tompsett

    benjamin replied to the topic Can anyone identify this rotavator please in the forum Help and information 10 months ago

    Yes, that certainly looks like it!

  • Profile picture of Ben Tompsett

    benjamin replied to the topic The Cultivator in the forum General talk and discussion 10 months ago

    I don’t know if the pictures are of the same trusty as I know my Grandad had at least two. What I do remember is that it was always a pain to get started!
    At least one of them ended up in Africa.

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