Jonathan Cox

Iain
I had exactly the same scenario with the magneto on my MG2 137 eventually I fitted a replacement magneto and it has never been an issue since but I worked for days trying to get it to run on the original which gave every semblance of being serviceable. Have you a machine nearby you could borrow a mag off?

When you have the new points and condenser fitted try turning the mag at low speed with your drill and check that the impulse mechanism is working.It should disconnect once you speed up the rotation to about 700/800 rpm After refitting set up a strobe timing light and mark the flywheel at tdc check that spark fires at tdc for starting, if the…[Read more]

Iain
I have had a similar problem in the past which turned out to be a magneto fault, just not enough oomph to fire twice. I also have a dynostart fitted to an MG5/6 engine which works a treat I fitted a pulley to the back of the flywheel and mounted the dyno on top of the gearbox. It would be a better job to machine a vee belt groove in the…[Read more]

It has always been rumoured that they were used on grass airfields for towing fighters out on to the runways but other than the picture Neil attached which I believe is from a museum in Holland, I have never seen any photos of MG crawlers in use. I have seen quite a few photos of crawlers painted in military livery including American army. I have…[Read more]

My neighbour has done the same thing, he has an MG5 to which he has fitted a chinese single cylinder electric start diesel engine, he uses the machine for raking horse paddocks and general trailer work.He also pulls a big Cambridge roller behind it.

If it is some time since it was started, I would be tempted to connect a good set of jump leads to a big battery or a truck and keep turning it over until it starts .

I think the pump will be connected to the governor linkage which has to be disconnected through an access plate. I have three Sachs engined MG and they are all very good starters once you pull out the excess fuel start button .

Good progress,have some spare spark plugs to hand and if you have one a spark tell tale that fits between plug and ht lead and lights up when plug sparks. Clean and check magneto points, nice new petrol and off you go ,make sure tractor is out of gear, throttle open a fraction and full choke until it fires then back off the choke slightly. To…[Read more]

You may be able to free the exhaust valve with a wooden dowel down through the plug hole if you are reluctant to remove the head.Speaking from recent experience even bits of a Ransomes MG are heavy `enough to kill you if you try lifting them unaided.

Some of the track drive rollers may be originals that were riveted over rather than nuts and threaded shafts. The way to free off the rollers is repeated hammering to break up the rust mud inside the roller. Do not use grease or oil on the freed rollers they are meant to run dry.Not easy to hammer with track on .

PM received and cover in process of wrapping.

Fuel taps can be repaired,they usually leak because the cork seals are either worn or dried out. You can buy corks online or may recover the originals by soaking them for days in alcohol or petrol.

You are in luck I have a gearbox cover undamaged in alloy which is correct for the MG2.
If you make me an offer and postage you are welcome to it. Send me a pm with your full name and address.

A single wire off the brass tab on the outside of the magneto body will do the job connect to a switch or push button near the seat, A runaway crawler is not funny they will climb over anything and drop off steep banking without coughing. I am near Carlisle but may be able to get a cover delivered to you. I will have a look and see what I have.

I may have a spare gearbox cover where are you from?
I think it is great to involve your children so many now have no idea of mechanical things.
The MG2 does not normally have an electric cut out switch near the driver. As they are prone to sticking throttle cables the centrifugal clutch means that the tractor cannot be stopped if the throttle…[Read more]

I use 140 grade oil which is thick enough to be applied using a standard grease gun.
The gear levers are notoriously tight a puller and heat are the only way to remove without major damage. Do not lever against the gearbox cover it will crack. How old is your son?

The Ransomes canal tractor which Neil shows was I believe sold by Ransomes into the London canal system/dockyards. It evolved over a number of machines which were trialled in a number of areas but reputedly only one was made with the wheel steering system. A number of records and photos are held at Reading .

Well done Iain it has been a long haul and a lot of work but well worth the effort. Can you turn the float upside down or is it dented both ends?

Patience , persistence and preferably a mate with a strong right arm and the heart of a lion !
I have had similar experience which at the end of the day turned out to be either magneto or condenser related a tell tale plug from Neil is well worth the expense, shows if plug is sparking under compression. I have also found on the MG5 that the choke…[Read more]

Even the smallest horticultural machines have heavy parts which become harder for the mature person to lift safely. I anticipated that this may become a problem with my Ransomes collection and invested in a lifting pallet truck, various very cheap hoists from Lidl an engine crane and various other helpful devices which would enable me to continue…[Read more]