Vintage Horticultural and Garden Machinery Club | jim-beacon | Activity

jim-beacon replied to the topic Geo Monro works Waltham Cross in the forum General talk and discussion

Mon, 11 Feb 2019 19:16:28 +0000

I did visit the site of the Auto Culto factory, the only remains from that time are a few cobbles in the road, the factory site is now riverside flats.
Thames bridge house, which was the company address in the late sixties is still standing though.

jim-beacon replied to the topic Auto Culto Model L in the forum Pedestrian operated machines

Mon, 11 Feb 2019 19:13:16 +0000

Liam, Nice to see it coming along!
The early metal handlebar machines have the serial number stamped into the bar, the ID plate is a later thing (though wooden handlebar machines always had a plate).
Jim.

jim-beacon replied to the topic Club shop at Newbury in the forum General talk and discussion

Wed, 03 Oct 2018 13:24:56 +0100

I’m currently planning to visit Newark, most probably on the Saturday.
I’ll post a similar announcement when I’ve finalised my plans.
There is the postal order option as well!

Jim

jim-beacon started the topic Club shop at Newbury in the forum General talk and discussion

Mon, 01 Oct 2018 09:15:12 +0100

I’ll be going to The Tractor show at Newbury on Saturday 6th October, and can bring items from the shop if required.

Drop me a message with your requirements.

Jim.

jim-beacon replied to the topic auto culto in the forum Help and information

Thu, 12 Jul 2018 08:22:18 +0100

I should also say that I’ve used the mkIX in both rotavator and ploughing configurations, with both engines – the BSA is the better engine, but if you’re ploughing, traction will be the issue, not power!

jim-beacon replied to the topic auto culto in the forum Help and information

Thu, 12 Jul 2018 08:18:27 +0100

Firstly, apologies for anyone who has emailed the register address, and not received a reply. The web page has been off-line for some months, due to the server being hacked, and me not finding a suitable hew hosting company yet. I’ve also had issues where a reply to an email has been rejected by other peoples mail servers, either for security or…[Read more]

jim-beacon replied to the topic Tractor World Autumn October 8/9th 2016 in the forum General talk and discussion

Sat, 13 Feb 2016 13:40:11 +0000

That would be handy for me as well!

jim-beacon replied to the topic Bantam stopped again in the forum General talk and discussion

Sat, 06 Feb 2016 22:23:18 +0000

The usual one is the timing has slipped again…..

If so, remove the flywheel completely, and clean the internal taper of the flywheel and the external taper of the crankshaft, ideally with brake or carburretor cleaner, but clean petrol will do. Also ensure that the tapers are undamaged. Slight burrs can be dressed out with a fine file or emery…[Read more]

jim-beacon replied to the topic Monty Don and his slasher in the forum General talk and discussion

Tue, 02 Feb 2016 23:42:28 +0000

I’ll stick with my loud two-strokes, both ancient and modern, thanks…….
Or, if the allotment is your hobby / food source, and you still have to work, you take all the mechanical help you can get!

jim-beacon replied to the topic Villiers 15 non starter in the forum General talk and discussion

Sat, 30 Jan 2016 13:27:22 +0000

If you have a spark, check the ignition timing and compression.
The timing has been know to slip on these smal Villiers engines, as the flywheel is only held on a taper, and people either don’t clean the taper, or don’t tighten the flywheel nut properly!

jim-beacon replied to the topic Auto Culto modelA 1926 in the forum Pedestrian operated machines

Tue, 26 Jan 2016 00:46:13 +0000

Auot Culto did make a turnover plough, shown in the picture on a model D (or E – difficult to tell from the flywheel side). It looks to be the same as yours. The brochure it came from had a price adjustment for 1939, and shows the model DX, but all of the attachments are shown with the previous range of models, so is probably from 1938.

jim-beacon replied to the topic Help with Villiers engine identification in the forum General talk and discussion

Tue, 21 Oct 2014 19:52:02 +0100

could be an earlier lighweight model (412, 415, 515, 512 etc). Manuals are here:

http://www.g1jbg.co.uk/autoculto/autodat.htm

jim-beacon replied to the topic Auto Culto register in the forum Pedestrian operated machines

Sun, 19 Oct 2014 23:08:00 +0100

After a quick check, the Autogardener rotor box will not it the Mk ix

jim-beacon replied to the topic Auto Culto register in the forum Pedestrian operated machines

Fri, 17 Oct 2014 21:27:14 +0100

I’ll check tomorrow, but I don’t think that the Autogardener rotor box will fit the Mk ix. Some odd bits do turn up for the mk ix occasionally, but not often. Mine came with both the plough and the rotovator, but the rotovator was worn out (long term job, as I have to make anew rotor shaft).
Chester Hudson did have some bits, but I don’t know what…[Read more]

jim-beacon replied to the topic Albion Gearbox in the forum General talk and discussion

Sun, 12 Oct 2014 22:33:11 +0100

The midgiculto doesn’t have a starting lever – three forward speeds, no reverse

jim-beacon replied to the topic Auto Culto register in the forum Pedestrian operated machines

Thu, 25 Sep 2014 20:59:35 +0100

Thanks Andy!
A few more bits have turned up over the last couple of days (Thanks Richard!), and I’ve realised that I’m missing three models (at least) from the list (D,E and F). I’ve also reviewed the pictures I’ve taken over the last year or so, and realised that I have some better pictures to add for some models, so I think there will be a…[Read more]

jim-beacon started the topic Auto Culto register in the forum Pedestrian operated machines

Tue, 23 Sep 2014 22:39:16 +0100

I have update the website for the Auto Culto register, with some more brochures and a few extra bits of information.

http://www.g1bg.co.uk/autoculto

jim-beacon replied to the topic Merry Tiller with F. Wright Plough in the forum Pedestrian operated machines

Mon, 15 Sep 2014 21:57:23 +0100

If it’s homemade, it’s very good!
You need a set of wheel weights anda balnce weight now.

jim-beacon replied to the topic HELP ME SORT A PROBLEM BMB PLOWMATE in the forum Pedestrian operated machines

Sun, 07 Sep 2014 18:20:12 +0100

More attractive lines (to my eye) than the later version!

jim-beacon replied to the topic Harvesting the Spuds. in the forum Pedestrian operated machines

Sun, 07 Sep 2014 18:18:28 +0100

I grew Cara and Casablanca this year, which are supposed to be blight resistant, but they seem to have succumbed (they’re supposed to be a second early, but normally do quite well as a main crop in my soil). Slugs are always a problem on the clay soil in this part of hampshire

jim-beacon changed their profile picture

Sat, 06 Sep 2014 18:26:45 +0100

jim-beacon replied to the topic Harvesting the Spuds. in the forum Pedestrian operated machines

Sat, 06 Sep 2014 18:19:48 +0100

I was thinking of doing the same with the big Auto Culto this week……

jim-beacon replied to the topic Auto Culto in the forum Pedestrian operated machines

Fri, 05 Sep 2014 11:34:50 +0100

The Autogardener has a throttle control, the Junior does not.
Engine oil is SAE30, gear box and chaincase are SAE140 (I use the Goldenfilm classic oils from Morris lubricants, as they are compatible with the bearing materials in these machines).
Lead replacement additive is probably not needed, as these engines are designed to run on low octane…[Read more]

jim-beacon replied to the topic Help needed to Identify in the forum General talk and discussion

Fri, 05 Sep 2014 11:26:11 +0100

Image 14.jpg is an Allen and Simmonds (Auto Culto) Midgiculto, from the 1960’s – it should have a Villiers lightweight engine.
10.jpg and 11.jpg look to be an Auto Culto Model A – introduced in 1926, and made until the mid 30’s

jim-beacon replied to the topic Are we missing a trick? in the forum General talk and discussion

Fri, 05 Sep 2014 11:18:53 +0100

At the two small ralliesI’m involved with, we encourage horticultural machines to go into the parade ring. Due to the small number of machines, this is usually with the tractors, but it seems to be appreciated by both exhibitors and the public.
Unless you have a really good commentator, you need provide commentary detail, or interview the owner…[Read more]

jim-beacon replied to the topic Great Dorset Steam Fair 27-31/08/14 in the forum General talk and discussion

Fri, 05 Sep 2014 11:14:02 +0100

I had a good week, despite the weather. Thanks to Chris for providing tea and shelter!
I took my 1936 Auto Culto EX, which only went back together the weekend before the show, so had more than its fair share of teething troubles, but was running reasonably well by Sunday.
Thanks to everyone else who took part, or who stopped to chat.

I’m also…[Read more]

jim-beacon replied to the topic auto culto junior and villiers mk 15 instructions in the forum Projects

Sun, 09 Feb 2014 21:15:07 +0000

the main differences between the Junior and the gardener are:
1. the Junior engined is fully goverened – there is no throttle control
2. The Junior has a slightly narrower cut.

The Junior doesn’t have reverse, but then, neither do some models of the gardener.

jim-beacon replied to the topic Lister Train Truck in the forum General talk and discussion

Sun, 09 Feb 2014 21:05:35 +0000

Just had another look, and the first picture shows Graham driving his petrol loco, double headed with his diesel Lister, being driven by his son Matthew, and it looks to be at Amberley

jim-beacon replied to the topic Lister Train Truck in the forum General talk and discussion

Sun, 09 Feb 2014 21:03:28 +0000

The Lister in the first picture belongs to Graham Feldwick, and is based at Twyford waterworks, it is quite an early one, with a 600cc JAP petrol engine, There are also two later Listers at Twyford, with Lister diesel engines.
I have driven all three, and the petrol one is by far the most difficult, it is prone to running away on gentle downward…[Read more]

jim-beacon replied to the topic Bad Weather Forcasted in the forum General talk and discussion

Mon, 18 Nov 2013 19:46:03 +0000

Suppose I’d better fit the snow ploughs to the Merry Tiller and the Allen Scythe then!

jim-beacon replied to the topic Auto Culto website in the forum General talk and discussion

Mon, 04 Nov 2013 23:57:55 +0000

There are a couple of Autogardener manuals on my webpage:

http://www.g1jbg.co.uk/autoculto/autodat.htm

You’ll also find a brochure (attachments don’t come up too often, but at leats you’ll know what to look for), and the manual for the Villiers Mk15 engine.

There are hints on gears and ratchet hub use in the handbook.

Jim.

jim-beacon replied to the topic Greensleeves Lawn Edger in the forum Garden implements

Sun, 03 Nov 2013 20:33:10 +0000

I have a Jalo one here, which I suspect doesn’t work very well either!

jim-beacon replied to the topic Flame gun in the forum Garden implements

Sun, 03 Nov 2013 20:32:08 +0000

I’ve used Basecamp several times in the past, for flameguns, garden syringes, spraeyrs and various other letaher washer needs. I’ve always found them to be very helpful.

Jim.

jim-beacon replied to the topic Birthday.... in the forum General talk and discussion

Sun, 03 Nov 2013 20:25:11 +0000

Thanks for your birthday wishes!

Jim.

jim-beacon replied to the topic Auto Culto website in the forum General talk and discussion

Sun, 03 Nov 2013 20:21:40 +0000

Hi Rob,

third gear (top) is for moving the machine only. Rotovating can be done in first or second, with the drive wheels engaged, the gear you choose will be goverend byt the soil conditions – light sandy soil, you’ll get away with second, heavy clay, or lots of vegetation to get through, use first.
The lever on the back of main body, by the…[Read more]

jim-beacon replied to the topic Allen scythe re-engining in the forum Pedestrian operated machines

Thu, 31 Oct 2013 00:15:18 +0000

This one is definatly a bodge job, and it came with its original seized Mk25c. There is an adaptor plate to amtch the mounting holes between the scythe and the engine, and a horrible arrangement for the throttle.
The owner is familiar with old 2 strokes, so returning it to its original spec is probably for the best!

jim-beacon replied to the topic Auto Culto website in the forum General talk and discussion

Wed, 30 Oct 2013 19:38:08 +0000

Couldn’t make the link work, and now I can’t edit the original post!

Try this:

http://www.g1jbg.co.uk/autoculto/

jim-beacon started the topic Auto Culto website in the forum General talk and discussion

Wed, 30 Oct 2013 19:31:18 +0000

Just to get this on the new forum:

I have updated a few pages, as information has come in, and have added some manuals, including one for the Villiers 25A used on the model L.

There is more to add, including Villiers Mk7 instructions, and a brochure for the just post-war models.

Jim.

jim-beacon replied to the topic Allen scythe re-engining in the forum Pedestrian operated machines

Wed, 30 Oct 2013 19:19:51 +0000

I have one here that has a Kohler engine on it – funnily enough, it is about to go back to a Villiers 25C as I can get the parts easily, and it is suitable for field maintainance (it is a working machine). The engine was changed due to the original seizing, but I have managed to obtain a short engine to rebuild it.

Jim.

jim-beacon replied to the topic Merry Tiller drive wheels, ?. in the forum Pedestrian operated machines

Sat, 26 Oct 2013 19:32:57 +0100

There’s often some blue smoke with those engines – run it under load for a while, and then look at the spark plug. It may well run a little rich (may be adjustable, depending on which carb it has), or it may be a little worn and sucking up a bit of oil.
In fact, check that it isn’t overfilled with oil first!

Jim.

jim-beacon replied to the topic Problems viewing entire topic. in the forum Help and information

Fri, 25 Oct 2013 22:03:15 +0100

This issue seems to be resolved, at least for me. I can see all of the posts in a thread now.

Jim.

jim-beacon replied to the topic Merry Tiller drive wheels, ?. in the forum Pedestrian operated machines

Fri, 25 Oct 2013 21:55:28 +0100

Alan Rogers will probably be able to tell you if the engine matches the frame, but I think they are of the same period.
The wheels are off a much later machine, po9ssibly a Norlett, but I’m not entirely sure. They look like good ones though!