Peter Roat aka "Roatavator"

roatavator replied to the topic MonroTiller series MG3 in the forum Pedestrian operated machines 10 years, 4 months ago

Nice one Charlie

What sort of date? Must be a late one, 1970’s?

roatavator replied to the topic New addition Simar 35C in the forum Pedestrian operated machines 10 years, 5 months ago

Good luck with the restoration! If she’s got compression then getting her running shouldn’t be too difficult (hopefully!). Look forward to more posts!

roatavator replied to the topic New addition Simar 35C in the forum Pedestrian operated machines 10 years, 5 months ago

Well done Bish! Great to know another one is to be preserved. Is it a runner? Do you intend restoration or keeping her in her working clothes?

roatavator replied to the topic Vintage Geo Monro films in the forum General talk and discussion 10 years, 5 months ago

Looking forward to them Charlie!
Any chance you will sell DVD’s when editing finished?

roatavator replied to the topic December Cultivator in the forum General talk and discussion 10 years, 5 months ago

Separate online renewals for me and Jr now successfully completed (hopefully!).

roatavator replied to the topic Season's Greetings in the forum General talk and discussion 10 years, 6 months ago

Happy Christmas to all.
May the New Year bring you the horticultural item you most wish for, and the wherewithal to acquire it!

Peter

roatavator replied to the topic December Cultivator in the forum General talk and discussion 10 years, 6 months ago

Great read as usual, thanks everyone!
If a club member happens to buy the featured Howard I’d love to know, it was offered to me when I was selling my 352 on that auction site, I was tempted but not really my thing (if it had been a 700 Hirth -one of the rare ones that actually work! – it might have been a different story!) But if one of the…[Read more]

roatavator started the topic Well done Charlie and Committee in the forum General talk and discussion 10 years, 8 months ago

Don’t know if you’ve all noticed but in this month’s (November) Tractor and Farming Heritage magazine not one but TWO articles about VHGMC.
First an item in the news section about the excellent work Charlie has done for a number of years as volunteer archivist for Museum of English Rural Life (including a photograph of Charlie handing over the…[Read more]

roatavator started the topic Tracks Charity Ploughing North Elmham Norfolk in the forum General talk and discussion 10 years, 8 months ago

Short notice, just realised its Tracks next weekend ,Sunday 11th October, 10.30 onwards.
Mainly tracked vintage tractors but there is a horticultural section for steel wheeled machines. Weather permitting I’ll be there with some of the SIMARS and the Commer.
Very well supported local event which regularly raises ove £1,000 for charity (Big…[Read more]

roatavator replied to the topic A few more photos of the horticultural section at GDSF in the forum General talk and discussion 10 years, 8 months ago

Beautiful machine, thanks for the extra photos Chris.
Very similar machine to the Gyrotiller, but so far as I can glean from the net, no relationship between the two. I have seen a Gyrotiller in the past but not yet the Holt. I’ll eventually make the treck to GDSF, but its a long way from Norfolk!

roatavator replied to the topic New toy! in the forum Pedestrian operated machines 10 years, 8 months ago

Just to reiterate what Charlie has said, EP oils must be avoided completely. They have an additive which attacks the bronze parts of the gearbox.

roatavator replied to the topic SIMAR 35 AND 56 in the forum Pedestrian operated machines 10 years, 8 months ago

Thanks Charlie

Peter

roatavator replied to the topic A few more photos of the horticultural section at GDSF in the forum General talk and discussion 10 years, 8 months ago

Is the first photo of the gun tractor a Holt?
If so, did you all clock the price paid for one at the recent large Norfolk auction of vintage tractors?

(£150k for those who didn’t, I’m not envious, it wouldn’t have fitted in my garage with the SIMARS anyway)

roatavator started the topic SIMAR 35 AND 56 in the forum Pedestrian operated machines 10 years, 8 months ago

I have been asked by Etienne on the French SIMAR site if it is known how many 35 and 56 machines were made by Monros in the UK.
Over to you, Charlie??

roatavator replied to the topic New toy! in the forum Pedestrian operated machines 10 years, 8 months ago

Facinating on the oils, my manual is from when machine supplied in 1949, but MG leaflet I’m guessing is from 1970’s. You takes your pick…… thicker oil may stand less chance of leaking out of seals!

My serial number 350873 supplied new 16/11/1955 to Gillingham Suffolk, bought locally at auction many years ago by the chap who sold it to me,…[Read more]

roatavator replied to the topic New toy! in the forum Pedestrian operated machines 10 years, 8 months ago

Hi all.
No, Stuart, its a Perkins 4.108 4-stroke, 1725cc if I remember right, not what you’d call overpowered, especially with a load on!
Charlie, so far as I can tell no bad damage, no funny noises from gearbox and everything selects and works OK. I think its probably advantageous that its leaked so badly, I don’t think much oil will have stayed…[Read more]

roatavator started the topic New toy! in the forum Pedestrian operated machines 10 years, 8 months ago

Hi all
Following on from my recent purchase of the Commer PB for transport, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to add to the collction of machines to go on her!
SIMAR 35, local to Norfolk/Suffolk all its life, all original paint and patina, currently has fixed tines but also came with spare spring tines and their rotor, and the rare petrol/oil…[Read more]

roatavator replied to the topic Weeley working weekend 2015 in the forum General talk and discussion 10 years, 9 months ago

Rats, real life has taken over, can’t make it, but hopefully next year!!

Hope its stays dry and you all have a good time.

Look forward to seeing photos/videos and reports!

roatavator replied to the topic Weeley working weekend 2015 in the forum General talk and discussion 10 years, 10 months ago

At the risk of sounding like a prima donna, I MIGHT be there, on one of the days.
Only depends on:-
1. House move actually taking place (hopefully exchange next week and complete/move end of August.
2. Being sufficiently moved in to justify time at play.
3. Getting ramps and tie points fitted to the Commer, so I can actually get the machines on to…[Read more]

roatavator replied to the topic My New Transport in the forum General talk and discussion 10 years, 11 months ago

Hi Steve
Yes, me and Jr consider ourselves very lucky!
Funnily enough, on a certain internet auction site there is currently a van type pick up with the lower floor and wheel arhes protruding into the load area, no tool boxes or ladder box underneath.
Yes, the engine is a 4108, although there appear to be one or two unusual features (I don’t…[Read more]

@roatavator