Diesel rotavator

[Baz]

I was given a Howard Gem Hatz 780 24" rotavator. I gave the chap Ł100
anyway.
It has a Kohler K301T engine.
It is in need of a good overhaul and was wondering if there are any like
minded people here. I will need engine parts though I have had it started.
Of course it looks like a heap of scrap and I am new to diesel engines but
I think I can do it.
If this is the wrong group, which I know it is, can someone point me to the
correct group?

Thanks
Baz

[Mike]

"Baz" <b...@fawlty.com> wrote in message
news:XnsA0F5AFEDB12...@81.171.92.236...
> I was given a Howard Gem Hatz 780 24" rotavator. I gave the chap �100

> anyway.
> It has a Kohler K301T engine.
> It is in need of a good overhaul and was wondering if there are any like
> minded people here. I will need engine parts though I have had it started.
> Of course it looks like a heap of scrap and I am new to diesel engines but
> I think I can do it.
> If this is the wrong group, which I know it is, can someone point me to
> the
> correct group?
>
> Thanks
> Baz

Can't help you with your questions Baz but can endorse the Howard Gem. Had
one when I had the large garden in Leicester, that was a work horse. (Petrol
though)

2 Blocks of flats now :-)

Mike

--

...................................

I'm an Angel, honest ! The horns are there just to keep the halo straight.

...................................

[Baz]

Martin <m...@address.invalid> wrote in
news:hdhd88tlv6mn3hlcv...@4ax.com:

> On Tue, 23 Oct 2012 16:18:18 GMT, Baz <b...@fawlty.com> wrote:
>
>>I was given a Howard Gem Hatz 780 24" rotavator. I gave the chap �100

>>anyway.
>>It has a Kohler K301T engine.
>>It is in need of a good overhaul and was wondering if there are any
>>like minded people here. I will need engine parts though I have had it
>>started. Of course it looks like a heap of scrap and I am new to
>>diesel engines but I think I can do it.
>>If this is the wrong group, which I know it is, can someone point me
>>to the correct group?
>

> The DIY group probably has more experts, but you will probably find
> somebody useful here too.

Thankyou, Martin, will post to one or two. Do you know of a specific group
I could try?

Baz

[Baz]

Martin <m...@address.invalid> wrote in
news:amkd8851p6ksg7ate...@4ax.com:

> On Tue, 23 Oct 2012 16:44:59 GMT, Baz <b...@fawlty.com> wrote:
>
>>Martin <m...@address.invalid> wrote in
>>news:hdhd88tlv6mn3hlcv...@4ax.com:
>>
>>> On Tue, 23 Oct 2012 16:18:18 GMT, Baz <b...@fawlty.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>>I was given a Howard Gem Hatz 780 24" rotavator. I gave the chap

>>>>Ł100 anyway.

>>>>It has a Kohler K301T engine.
>>>>It is in need of a good overhaul and was wondering if there are any
>>>>like minded people here. I will need engine parts though I have had
>>>>it started. Of course it looks like a heap of scrap and I am new to
>>>>diesel engines but I think I can do it.
>>>>If this is the wrong group, which I know it is, can someone point me
>>>>to the correct group?
>>>
>>> The DIY group probably has more experts, but you will probably find
>>> somebody useful here too.
>>
>>Thankyou, Martin, will post to one or two. Do you know of a specific
>>group I could try?
>

> uk.d-i-y
>
> there are others under fr.uk containing diy

Thanks, Martin.
Baz

[Rod]

On Tuesday, 23 October 2012 17:18:18 UTC+1, Baz wrote:
> I was given a Howard Gem Hatz 780 24" rotavator. I gave the chap �100

>
> anyway.
>
> It has a Kohler K301T engine.
>
> It is in need of a good overhaul and was wondering if there are any like
>
> minded people here. I will need engine parts though I have had it started.
>
> Of course it looks like a heap of scrap and I am new to diesel engines but
>
> I think I can do it.
>
> If this is the wrong group, which I know it is, can someone point me to the
>
> correct group?
>
>
>
> Thanks
>
> Baz

I'm a bit confused about the engine on this one. You say it's a Hatz diesel, then you say it has a Kohler engine.
I only know of Kohlers as petrol engines. The Hatz diesel was a 2 stroke diesel engine, and a good one. So I wonder if it's had an engine transplant at some point, it's often the case with old Gems.
I can tell you a certain amount at least about operation of the Hatz diesel if in fact that's what it is. The Kohler petrol engines as fitted to the Gem were pretty much standard industrial engines that should be self explanatory to anyone experienced with larger petrol driven garden machines.
Try online for facsimile manuals, parts etc.
There used to be a rump of Dowdswell - the company that took over the brand after Howard went bust and you could get some spares from them but I don't know if they're still going.
A local firm that serviced our old Gem always seemed to be able to get bits and Gems are still being used by many landscape firms so you should be OK.

Rod

[tin...@isbd.co.uk]

Baz <b...@fawlty.com> wrote:
> I was given a Howard Gem Hatz 780 24" rotavator. I gave the chap £100

> anyway.
> It has a Kohler K301T engine.
> It is in need of a good overhaul and was wondering if there are any like
> minded people here. I will need engine parts though I have had it started.
> Of course it looks like a heap of scrap and I am new to diesel engines but
> I think I can do it.

I don't think the Kohler K301T is a diesel is it? I have a rotavator
with a Kohler engine and mine's certainly petrol.

--
Chris Green

[David Hill]

On 23/10/2012 17:22, 'Mike' wrote:
>
>
> "Baz" <b...@fawlty.com> wrote in message
> news:XnsA0F5AFEDB12...@81.171.92.236...
>> I was given a Howard Gem Hatz 780 24" rotavator. I gave the chap �100
>> anyway.
>> It has a Kohler K301T engine.
>> It is in need of a good overhaul and was wondering if there are any like
>> minded people here. I will need engine parts though I have had it
>> started.
>> Of course it looks like a heap of scrap and I am new to diesel engines
>> but
>> I think I can do it.
>> If this is the wrong group, which I know it is, can someone point me
>> to the
>> correct group?
>>
>> Thanks
>> Baz
>
> Can't help you with your questions Baz but can endorse the Howard Gem.
> Had one when I had the large garden in Leicester, that was a work horse.
> (Petrol though)
>
> 2 Blocks of flats now :-)
>
> Mike
>

I never thought of converting my old Howard Gem into flats. I'd have
thought they would be a little cramped even if it is a fairly large
rotavator

[David Hill]

On 23/10/2012 19:31, Martin wrote:

> On Tue, 23 Oct 2012 11:02:38 -0700 (PDT), Rod
> <rodtheg...@btinternet.com> wrote:
>
>> On Tuesday, 23 October 2012 17:18:18 UTC+1, Baz wrote:

>>> I was given a Howard Gem Hatz 780 24" rotavator. I gave the chap ?100

>>>
>>> anyway.
>>>
>>> It has a Kohler K301T engine.
>>>
>>> It is in need of a good overhaul and was wondering if there are any like
>>>
>>> minded people here. I will need engine parts though I have had it started.
>>>
>>> Of course it looks like a heap of scrap and I am new to diesel engines but
>>>
>>> I think I can do it.
>>>
>>> If this is the wrong group, which I know it is, can someone point me to the
>>>
>>> correct group?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>>
>>> Baz
>>
>> I'm a bit confused about the engine on this one. You say it's a Hatz diesel, then you say it has a Kohler engine.
>

> He said a Hatz mower. Baz is right see, except it is a petrol engine.
> http://www.rescuingthepast.co.uk/Howard_Gem.html

>
>> I only know of Kohlers as petrol engines. The Hatz diesel was a 2 stroke diesel engine, and a good one. So I wonder if it's had an engine transplant at some point, it's often the case with old Gems.
>> I can tell you a certain amount at least about operation of the Hatz diesel if in fact that's what it is. The Kohler petrol engines as fitted to the Gem were pretty much standard industrial engines that should be self explanatory to anyone experienced with larger petrol driven garden machines.
>> Try online for facsimile manuals, parts etc.
>> There used to be a rump of Dowdswell - the company that took over the brand after Howard went bust and you could get some spares from them but I don't know if they're still going.
>> A local firm that serviced our old Gem always seemed to be able to get bits and Gems are still being used by many landscape firms so you should be OK.
>>
>> Rod

I don't know if I am missing posts but Baz said it has a Kohler K301T
engine.
No mention of Hatz engine, He also said he has had it running.
I am sure that he can tell the difference between petrol and diesel, and
can tell if the engine has a spark plug or not.

[Dave Liquorice]

On Tue, 23 Oct 2012 20:27:44 +0200, Martin wrote:

>>> It has a Kohler K301T engine.
>>

>> I don't think the Kohler K301T is a diesel is it? I have a rotavator
>> with a Kohler engine and mine's certainly petrol.
>

> It's a 4 stroke single cylinder air cooled 12 hp engine, that runs on
> unleaded petrol ...

Depends what is fitted to Baz's particular rotovator. Seems as if various
petrol or diesel engines have been fitted (but perhaps not to his
particular model):

http://www.howardgem.webs.com/

Baz say's he has had it started, the procedure for that would be a give
away. It's a pretty damn well near impossible to pull start a diesel
without releasing the compression, spinning it up, dropping in the
compression and hoping the flywheel has enough inertia to take it through
compression and for it to fire. The presence, or not, of a spark plug is
also a big hint...

On parts and advice another place to ask might be
uk.rec.engines.stationary but it's very quiet in there.

--
Cheers
Dave.

[meow...@care2.com]

On Tuesday, October 23, 2012 8:28:03 PM UTC+1, Dave Liquorice wrote:

> Baz say's he has had it started, the procedure for that would be a give
> away. It's a pretty damn well near impossible to pull start a diesel
> without releasing the compression, spinning it up, dropping in the
> compression and hoping the flywheel has enough inertia to take it through
> compression and for it to fire.

Its funny when I hear people say that, I used to do it daily. I daresay its true for car sized engines.


NT

[Pete C]

"Baz" <b...@fawlty.com> wrote in message
news:XnsA0F5AFEDB12...@81.171.92.236...

>I was given a Howard Gem Hatz 780 24" rotavator. I gave the chap �100

> anyway.
> It has a Kohler K301T engine.
> It is in need of a good overhaul and was wondering if there are any like
> minded people here. I will need engine parts though I have had it started.
> Of course it looks like a heap of scrap and I am new to diesel engines but
> I think I can do it.
> If this is the wrong group, which I know it is, can someone point me to
> the
> correct group?
>

Baz, have a look here....
http://chat.allotment.org.uk/
scroll down to 'equipment shed'......might get some advice there.
HTH
Pete C

[Dave Liquorice]

On Tue, 23 Oct 2012 16:49:53 -0700 (PDT), meow...@care2.com wrote:

>> It's a pretty damn well near impossible to pull start a diesel
>> without releasing the compression, spinning it up, dropping in the
>> compression and hoping the flywheel has enough inertia to take it
>> through compression and for it to fire.
>
> Its funny when I hear people say that, I used to do it daily. I daresay
> its true for car sized engines.

My little (300cc) single cylinder diesel genset is almost impossible to
pull through compression. It can be done but it's not very pleasant on
the fingers and more than two or three pulls hurts the arm. Because it's
so hard to pull it might not fire as it's not going fast enough and the
cylinder/block is cold. *Much* easier to operate the decompression
lever... Some engines have cunning automatic decompression mechanisiums.

By comparison a petrol engine has very little compression. Think about
the effort needed to half push in a bicycle pump with the end blocked and
the effort required to push it in to within the last inch of the end.

--
Cheers
Dave.

[Dave Liquorice]

On Wed, 24 Oct 2012 10:16:41 +0200, Martin wrote:

>>>> It's a pretty damn well near impossible to pull start a diesel

>>>> without releasing the compression, ...

>>>
>>> Its funny when I hear people say that, I used to do it daily. I
>>> daresay its true for car sized engines.
>>
>> My little (300cc) single cylinder diesel genset is almost impossible
>> to pull through compression.
>

> I suggest you read or re-read what Baz posted, ...

New to usenet? Not heard of thread drift? This bit of the thread has
wandered off into starting small diesels...

> ... he clearly identified which engine is in his mower. The engine he
> identified is a four stroke petrol engine.

I suggest *you* read what Baz wrote, it's inconsistent. He never
mentioned "mower" only a rotavator and a Hatz variation of the Howard
Gem, Hatz are diesels. Yes he does say "It has a Kohler K301T engine."
which does indeed appear to be petrol but that doesn't fit with his
statement further on "I am new to diesel engines" or the earlier
reference to Hatz.

We need clarification as to what type of engine really is fitted to his
rotatvator. If it is a Hatz they appear to be still in business so spares
might be very easy to come by.

--
Cheers
Dave.

[meow...@care2.com]

On Wednesday, October 24, 2012 9:13:04 AM UTC+1, Dave Liquorice wrote:
> On Tue, 23 Oct 2012 16:49:53 -0700 (PDT), meow...@care2.com wrote:

> >> It's a pretty damn well near impossible to pull start a diesel
> >> without releasing the compression, spinning it up, dropping in the
> >> compression and hoping the flywheel has enough inertia to take it
> >> through compression and for it to fire.

> > Its funny when I hear people say that, I used to do it daily. I daresay
> > its true for car sized engines.

> My little (300cc) single cylinder diesel genset is almost impossible to
> pull through compression. It can be done but it's not very pleasant on
> the fingers and more than two or three pulls hurts the arm. Because it's
> so hard to pull it might not fire as it's not going fast enough and the
> cylinder/block is cold. *Much* easier to operate the decompression
> lever... Some engines have cunning automatic decompression mechanisiums.
> By comparison a petrol engine has very little compression.

I've no idea what engine size the 7kVA generator was, but it started on the handle ok. Too much force required for a pullcord. I expect less than 300cc.


NT

[Dave Liquorice]

On Wed, 24 Oct 2012 04:37:07 -0700 (PDT), meow...@care2.com wrote:

>> My little (300cc) single cylinder diesel genset ...

>
> I've no idea what engine size the 7kVA generator was, but it started on
> the handle ok. Too much force required for a pullcord. I expect less
> than 300cc.

My genset is only 2kVA... For a 7kVA set I'd expect an engine over over
1000cc. You can get a lot more umph into a handle than you can a
pullcord, just keep your thumbs out of the way. B-)

--
Cheers
Dave.

[meow...@care2.com]

On Wednesday, October 24, 2012 2:58:03 PM UTC+1, Dave Liquorice wrote:

> On Wed, 24 Oct 2012 04:37:07 -0700 (PDT), meow2222 wrote:

> >> My little (300cc) single cylinder diesel genset ...

> > I've no idea what engine size the 7kVA generator was, but it started on
> > the handle ok. Too much force required for a pullcord. I expect less
> > than 300cc.

> My genset is only 2kVA... For a 7kVA set I'd expect an engine over over
> 1000cc.

I figured if a 1.8d can produce somewhere in the region of 100hp = 75kW, 200cc would power a 7kVA gen at 6000rpm, or 600cc at 2000rpm, very roughly. Single speed operation offers better optimisation & efficiency, but gen engines are more basic than car engines.

300cc 2kVA with 80% gen efficiency means about 2.4kVA = 12.5l per 100kVA or 1.05l per 7kVA.

OTOH I later had a 1.5 petrol that was much harder to handle crank, why I don't know. Probably a good thing as it had no spark retard provision!

> You can get a lot more umph into a handle than you can a
> pullcord, just keep your thumbs out of the way. B-)

Heh


NT

[Baz]

David Hill <da...@abacus-nurseries.co.uk> wrote in
news:aeo7ap...@mid.individual.net:

>>>
>>> I'm a bit confused about the engine on this one. You say it's a Hatz
>>> diesel, then you say it has a Kohler engine.
>>
>> He said a Hatz mower. Baz is right see, except it is a petrol engine.
>> http://www.rescuingthepast.co.uk/Howard_Gem.html
>>
>>> I only know of Kohlers as petrol engines. The Hatz diesel was a 2
>>> stroke diesel engine, and a good one. So I wonder if it's had an
>>> engine transplant at some point, it's often the case with old Gems.
>>> I can tell you a certain amount at least about operation of the Hatz
>>> diesel if in fact that's what it is. The Kohler petrol engines as
>>> fitted to the Gem were pretty much standard industrial engines that
>>> should be self explanatory to anyone experienced with larger petrol
>>> driven garden machines. Try online for facsimile manuals, parts etc.
>>> There used to be a rump of Dowdswell - the company that took over
>>> the brand after Howard went bust and you could get some spares from
>>> them but I don't know if they're still going. A local firm that
>>> serviced our old Gem always seemed to be able to get bits and Gems
>>> are still being used by many landscape firms so you should be OK.
>>>
>>> Rod
>
>
> I don't know if I am missing posts but Baz said it has a Kohler K301T
> engine.
> No mention of Hatz engine, He also said he has had it running.
> I am sure that he can tell the difference between petrol and diesel,
> and can tell if the engine has a spark plug or not.

Confusion over I think.
It was bought new with a Kohler petrol engine, as it says on the paperwork,
and was later fitted with the Hatz diesel in the 70's so it could use
cheaper red diesel. I have never heard of any of the two engine
manufacturers before so it's very exciting really. The guy still has the
Kohler engine according to his son and that is mine too, just have to find
it and cart it home. What do you do with this?
I am tempted to restore this beautiful machine, but for now it is a tool
and it runs nicely, a bit rattly.

Baz

[Baz]

Martin <m...@address.invalid> wrote in
news:0mag881jj6l18onvq...@4ax.com:

> On Wed, 24 Oct 2012 17:24:53 GMT, Baz <b...@fawlty.com> wrote:
>
>
>>Confusion over I think.
>>It was bought new with a Kohler petrol engine, as it says on the
>>paperwork, and was later fitted with the Hatz diesel in the 70's so it
>>could use cheaper red diesel. I have never heard of any of the two
>>engine manufacturers before so it's very exciting really. The guy
>>still has the Kohler engine according to his son and that is mine too,
>>just have to find it and cart it home. What do you do with this?
>>I am tempted to restore this beautiful machine, but for now it is a
>>tool and it runs nicely, a bit rattly.
>>
>>Baz
>

> Thanks for making everything clear, Baz.
>
> Good luck with your purchase and engines.

Well I have found tyres which I thought would be a bugger but not so.
Weather allowing it is going to be put to the test Sat. morning.
I will find somewhere to buy red deisel! VAT free.

Baz

[Simple simon]

Red has 5% VAT...........used to be much cheaper than it is now, but price was increased as so many people are using it in road going vehicles now.

[Granity]

meow...@care2.com;971585 Wrote:
> On Wednesday, October 24, 2012 2:58:03 PM UTC+1, Dave Liquorice wrote:-
> On Wed, 24 Oct 2012 04:37:07 -0700 (PDT), meow2222 wrote:-
> ---
> My little (300cc) single cylinder diesel genset ...---
> --

> I've no idea what engine size the 7kVA generator was, but it started
> on
> the handle ok. Too much force required for a pullcord. I expect less

> than 300cc.--
> -

> My genset is only 2kVA... For a 7kVA set I'd expect an engine over over
>

> 1000cc.-

>
> I figured if a 1.8d can produce somewhere in the region of 100hp = 75kW,
> 200cc would power a 7kVA gen at 6000rpm, or 600cc at 2000rpm, very

> roughly.. Single speed operation offers better optimisation &

> efficiency, but gen engines are more basic than car engines.
>
> 300cc 2kVA with 80% gen efficiency means about 2.4kVA = 12.5l per 100kVA
> or 1.05l per 7kVA.
>
> OTOH I later had a 1.5 petrol that was much harder to handle crank, why
> I don't know. Probably a good thing as it had no spark retard
> provision!
>

> -

> You can get a lot more umph into a handle than you can a

> pullcord, just keep your thumbs out of the way. B-)-
>
> Heh
>
>
> NT

Gem service and repair manual, covers both petrol and diesel:
http://tinyurl.com/9yp5lss




--
Granity

[Dave Liquorice]

On Wed, 24 Oct 2012 18:27:22 GMT, Baz wrote:

>>>It was bought new with a Kohler petrol engine, as it says on the
>>>paperwork, and was later fitted with the Hatz diesel in the 70's so it
>>>could use cheaper red diesel.

Ahh.... thanks for the clarification.

>>> The guy still has the Kohler engine according to his son and that is
>>> mine too, just have to find it and cart it home. What do you do with
>>> this?

Keep it as a spare? Or find/build something to mount it on, clean it up
to "showroom" condition and run it at stationary engine shows.

>>> I am tempted to restore this beautiful machine, but for now it is a
>>> tool and it runs nicely, a bit rattly.

"restore" in my book is maintain properly, ie clean it after use. Keep
the engine fettled, oil changes etc, repair carefully if required. Store
in decent conditions.

> Well I have found tyres which I thought would be a bugger but not so.
> Weather allowing it is going to be put to the test Sat. morning.

Go for it they look like fun but I have sneaky feeling they are not that
easy to control.

> I will find somewhere to buy red deisel! VAT free.

You still pay VAT but the duty is only 11.14p/l rather than the 57.95p/l
on road diesel (46.81p/l difference). Last lot I bought in Dec '11 (25l)
was 90p/l. The local Spar currently advertises red at 98p/l.

I suspect the Hatz engine is none to fussy about fuel, it might run on
Straight Vegetable Oil (SVO), have a dig about on the web and see what
others have found. Mind you new cooking oil prices in 20l bulk quantities
are a similar price to red diesel. But if you have a cheap/free source
(local chippy, filter it first)... Starting from cold or in cold weather
with SVO might be tricky but that can eased by adding diesel, experiment.
Always assuming the engine will tun on SVO.

BTW The duty on red will rise on 1st Jan 2013 to 11.72p/l (+0.58p) and on
diesel/petrol to 60.97p/l (+3.02p).

--
Cheers
Dave.

[Dave Liquorice]

On Wed, 24 Oct 2012 13:43:50 -0700 (PDT), Simple simon wrote:

> Red has 5% VAT...........

Are you sure? I thought the only stuff that attracted the 5% VAT rate was
"domestic fuel" be that electricity, gas, kerosene (28sec oil) or gas oil
(35sec oil not for road use, aka red diesel).

I'd expect red diesel for non domestic fuel use to attract 20% VAT.

> ... but price was increased as so many people are using it in road
> going vehicles now.

Just don't get caught. B-) They impound the vehicle on the spot and
prosecute. There are "hidden" markers as well as the visible red dye, so
a tank dip is not just sticking a large pippette into the tank and
looking at the colour of the fuel, they also test for the hidden markers.
Also be aware that the hidden markers are not as easy as the dye to
remove.

--
Cheers
Dave.

[Dave Liquorice]

On Thu, 25 Oct 2012 11:23:07 +0200, Martin wrote:

>> Aiui, they not only impound the vehicle and impose a fine, they can
>> send the vehicle to the knacker's yard, too!
>
> From what I have read they do send the vehicles to the knacker's yard.
> they do the same to vehicles that are stopped where the driver has no
> insurance.

Or the vehicle isn't taxed. No deterrent to people happy to drive about
in an old banger worth less than tax + insurance + MOT though. If they
are prepared to break thos laws not having or having taken away their
driving licence isn't going to bother them either.

> The markers are detectable in the tested fuel long after the illegal
> fuel was used.

I wonder what HMR&C would do if they tested a vehicle and it was positive
and the current owner denied ever using red in it. But a previous owner
had... Should people buying second hand diesels get the fuel system
tested?

--
Cheers
Dave.

[Baz]

"Dave Liquorice" <allsortsn...@howhill.com> wrote in
news:nyyfbegfubjuvyypb...@srv1.howhill.co.uk:

>
> I wonder what HMR&C would do if they tested a vehicle and it was
> positive and the current owner denied ever using red in it. But a
> previous owner had... Should people buying second hand diesels get the
> fuel system tested?
>

The current owner would definatly be prosecuted and the vehicle impounded.
It is up to the current owner to make sure the vehicle is 100% legal in all
areas. There is no movement in the law. The owner is responsible.
I wonder if a new owner could possibly check a vehicle economically, surely
it would cost hundreds if not thousands.
Apart from a HPI and safety check I would ride my luck with a second hand
vehicle.

Baz

[Baz]

"Pete C" <pet...@btinternet.com> wrote in
news:_fCdnfkPh6BmARrN...@bt.com:

Nice one. I will explore it in depth when I can soon. Just the sort of
thing I am looking for.
Right now, seeing that I have a very long weekend, I have the thing started
and running, and am going to run it over the garden 'cos I can't wait.
It's been running for about 5mins and it sounds less rattly and no smoke so
I think it would be rude not to give it a go. New toy.

Thanks for the link
Baz

[damdu...@yahoo.co.uk]

On Thu, 25 Oct 2012 11:28:01 +0100 (BST), "Dave Liquorice"
<allsortsn...@howhill.com> wrote:

>
>
>> The markers are detectable in the tested fuel long after the illegal
>> fuel was used.
>
>I wonder what HMR&C would do if they tested a vehicle and it was positive
>and the current owner denied ever using red in it. But a previous owner
>had... Should people buying second hand diesels get the fuel system
>tested?

There must be precedents for this as during one of the fuel shortages
,possibly the delivery drivers strike in 2000* HMRC allowed some
haulers to use stocks of red diesel in place of DERV. This did not
mean they could avoid paying the higher duty as users were required to
declare what they had used and pay it. A reasonable no of vehicles
must have had some red put through them.
For an individual a risk which may be difficult to talk your way out
of is using a fuel can normally used to get red home from a pump is
pressed into service for to carry some Derv instead. You need to check
the can was really empty and dry before using it.

G.Harman

[Baz]

Janet <H...@invalid.net> wrote in
news:MPG.2af33568...@news.eternal-september.org:

> In article <XnsA0F77CF21B2...@81.171.92.236>,
> b...@fawlty.com says...

>
>> Right now, seeing that I have a very long weekend, I have the thing
>> started and running, and am going to run it over the garden 'cos I
>> can't wait.
>

> Pull up and discard any couch grass before rotovating.
>
> Otherwise your rotovator will make and plant a zillion viable
> cuttings
> of couchgrass.. don't ask how I know ...
>
> Janet.
>

I always make sure of not breaking up weeds and roots. As far as I can
practicably not do so.
I won't ask how you know. Thanks for the warning.
Pity that our food plants are the opposite and we have to plant or sow
every year.

Baz

[Rod]

No problem, they're both good engines. Go get the Kohler engine, it's well worth keeping and Kohler is still going so spares should be OK.
Am I to take it that you've had the Hatz diesel going? If so you obviously know the procedure for starting etc.
For others who may be interested. The Hatz is a 2 stroke single cylinder air cooled diesel. Starting is slightly different from other more common small diesels in which a decompression lever is flicked over at a strategic point when you are swinging on the handle (you need 3 hands for this)
On the Hatz there is an indexing knob on the side of the engine - fully turned is full decompression and as you swing the engine over the decompression clicks off a click at a time - as small diesels go it's a dream to start.
For cold weather starting there is an L shaped lever in the cylinder head and this can be removed to insert a kind of fibrous 'match' red at the end like an old fashioned match into the end of the plug. This ignites on compression and acts like the 'glow plug' in other engines.
One little quirk which may be disturbing the first time it happens is; if you stall it on a housebrick or such, when you restart it after dislodging the obstruction it may (being a 2 stroke) start backwards and blow the oil out of the oil-bath air cleaner - never mind no harm done, refill the air cleaner and start again, this time all will be normal.
Oh and it runs forever on a tank of red diesel.
The Kohler in the housebrick situation may kick it out and inflict serious pain on your shins - a mate of mine used to wear cricket pads on newbuild sites)

Rod

[Baz]

Baz <b...@fawlty.com> wrote in
news:XnsA0F77CF21B2...@81.171.92.236:

I tried this rotavator at home on my light soil and it was OK, just too
heavy and it got bogged down sometimes.
Today I passed it over the allotment which is clay soil and it is a
dream, quite muddy conditions but it is up to the job. Like a knife
through hot butter. Neve did the revs. go down even through parts that
have not been forked over. Its a messy thing. Chucks mud at me. A few
modifications like mudflaps need to be done somehow. It is also an art to
turn the thing around at the end of a pass.
All in all a pretty good experience.

Baz

[Baz]

Rod <rodtheg...@btinternet.com> wrote in
news:a11cd172-5e40-4b14...@googlegroups.com:

Thanks for the info.
When I was passing this over the allotment today, and was splattered with
drops of mud I was thinking what would happen if it stalled and stroked
backwards. I think I have some cricket gear somewhere.......

Baz

[Rod]

On Friday, 26 October 2012 17:45:23 UTC+1, Baz wrote:


> Thanks for the info.
>
> When I was passing this over the allotment today, and was splattered with
>
> drops of mud I was thinking what would happen if it stalled and stroked
>
> backwards. I think I have some cricket gear somewhere.......
>
>

You won't need the pads with the diesel, it's the Kohler petrol engine that tends to chuck stuff at your shins.
The hood over the rotor was originally in 3 parts, the 3rd part - a flap about 6inches wide on the back edge is easily damaged and often missing on older machines, though even the in absence of that it shouldn't kick too much out of the back.
I wonder if you are mollycoddling it and not letting it dig deeply enough?
Handling a beast like this is an art form - lugging it about by brute force will just hurt you, all manoeuvres should be done under power at low revs with the rotor disengaged. Let the machine move it's own weight about, it's stronger than you are.
If you back it up against a wall or fence, just make sure your hips are between the handles and if correcting your course near a wall or fence watch your knuckles.
It's worth looking after it and learning how to use it because nothing nearly as good has been made since.

Rod

[David Hill]

This is the sort of thing that needs pruning.

[David Hill]

> I tried this rotavator at home on my light soil and it was OK, just too
> heavy and it got bogged down sometimes.
> Today I passed it over the allotment which is clay soil and it is a
> dream, quite muddy conditions but it is up to the job. Like a knife
> through hot butter. Neve did the revs. go down even through parts that
> have not been forked over. Its a messy thing. Chucks mud at me. A few
> modifications like mudflaps need to be done somehow. It is also an art to
> turn the thing around at the end of a pass.
> All in all a pretty good experience.
>
> Baz
>

One way was to hang a Hessian sack across the back so it drags along
where the flap plate should be.

[Baz]

David Hill <da...@abacus-nurseries.co.uk> wrote in

news:af0a69...@mid.individual.net:

Yes, that will work until I can get a more permanent fix. Thanks.
In fact that might be the fix, just keep renewing the sack.

Baz

[Baz]

Rod <rodtheg...@btinternet.com> wrote in
news:aa09b12d-327f-4979...@googlegroups.com:

Thanks, Rod.
All of your advice is taken, and I appreciate it.

Baz