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Feb 17, 2018 15:13:10 GMT
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Hi all, I've bought this from a mate because (a) it was cheap and (b) I need something bigger than the Westwood which I'm killing with my paddock     It didn't run (surprised?) so having ascertained that the engine, Briggs and Stratton Vanguard 16hp twin, wasn't seized, we shorted across the starter motor, poured a bit of petrol down the carb, and hey presto, we have ignition. For at least a second, then it died. The engine won't turn on the starter switch, the solenoid isn't clicking, and I have NO IDEA WHATSOEVER what all the controls do. It even has a massive (for me) hydraulic oil tank. Now I know from experience that most of these have cut-outs which prevent you starting when its in gear, cutters engaged etc etc, but lack of knowledge prevents me from even getting this far. Said mate got it as part of a job lot, and freely admits that he knows less than I do about it, he didn't even try to get it going. PLease please please does anyone out there in Retrorides land have any experience of these? I can't even find an operators manual on the net! TIA all |
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Feb 21, 2018 19:58:46 GMT
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I would ask here arbtalk.co.ukIts a tree forum but helpful lot many of whom cut grass as well as trees. |
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It will come in handy even if you never use it
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Feb 23, 2018 11:41:15 GMT
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Know sweet FA about them, never even knew B&S did a V-twin but, fit lots and lots of gauges and pretend it's a Sunderland or Shackleton.  "Okay Ginger, old boy, your mission is to fly a series of reciprocal patterns hunting for enemy subs, boring but vital work. Trouble is, they've just been fitted with Ransome seeking missiles, so this could be damn dangerous, I'm afraid. Of course, at the end of each homeward leg, you can stop for a little snifter. Bolster the old confidence, what? Oh, and the crew must all be volunteers. (voice breaking) Good luck, son, good luck" Bookmarked, just because. |
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Feb 23, 2018 15:34:11 GMT
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Just check under the seat to see if there is a micro switch which is operated by weight / someone sat on the seat - lots of this type of kit / plant kit won't run unless you are in the seat - it's a failsafe so if you are thrown off or it overturns etc the engine cuts out - also check the forward / reverse & cutting controls - if any of these are switched at all - you may well have several things in a sequence position before it will start
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Feb 23, 2018 21:01:52 GMT
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pcj
Part of things
Posts: 203 
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Feb 23, 2018 22:34:43 GMT
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As Grumpynortherner says these devices have several safety switches to stop the thing eating you. They operate a bit like the dead man's handle on a train. There will almost certainly be one for the seat, usually a microswitch operated by seat pressure (or sometimes by a link/lever from the seat being occupied), there will be one on the clutch if it has a clutch (won't allow starting unless clutch pedal depressed), and possibly others as per Grumpy's post related to cutters etc.
As yours is a 3 gang mower I'm presuming it has hydraulics to swing the gangs into position and if so there may well be another safety or two associated with those so you can't power the gangs unless deployed first.
The safeties are usually all connected in series (circuit passes through each one to the next) so any one not operated or defective (including the wiring) and the starter solenoid is inhibited usually via the ignition switch.
Whatever you do, if you find a faulty switch don't be tempted to by-pass it temporarily, because those temps have a habit of becoming near-permanent. With a 3 gang mower should you fall off you'll almost certainly get hit by a gang before you have a chance to get out of its way.
Keep us posted on progress.
BTW Ebay is often a good source for pictures of mowers etc and you could always contact the sellers of such mowers for information.
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Last Edit: Feb 23, 2018 22:35:52 GMT by pcj
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Feb 23, 2018 23:19:26 GMT
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nice find. i have a very ancient ransomes Mastiff
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69 Plymouth Fury Convertible
75 Range Rover 2 door
82 Range Rover 4 door
84 Range Rover 4 door
78 Datsun 120Y 2 door
78 Datsun 120Y Coupe
78 Datsun 620 Pickup
81 Datsun Urvan E23
86 Datsun Vanette van
98 Electric Citroen Berlingo
00 Electric Peugeot Partner
02 Electric Citroen Berlingo
76 Honda C50
04 Berlingo Multispace petrol
07 Land Rover 130
15 Nissan E-NV200
15 Fiat Ducato
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Hi, It looks like the sort of kit used by golf clubs, is there a golf course near you that you can go and ask the grounds keeper if they have any experience of it.
Colin
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Feb 24, 2018 10:00:07 GMT
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Depending on the age there will be a seat safety switch under the seat which can be bypassed, also a neutral lever switch & a cutter circuit switch. These can all be bypassed with a slave wire. As stated above though don't be tempted to leave it bypassed the cylinders will chop you up if you stick a hand in.
From memory the cutter circuit bypass is on the centre cutter lift/lower arm that the cutter cylinder is attached too.
The hydraulic system does nothing more power the cutter circuit motors. It has no other function for the machine. There will be a pump driven off the engine via a coupling of some sort or it could be belt driven via a clutch.
I'll try & get you some more info this week.
I used to work for a John Deere dealership & worked on loads of this older gear.
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Last Edit: Feb 24, 2018 10:10:12 GMT by ianlea73
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Feb 24, 2018 11:37:15 GMT
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Right I've refreshed my memory a bit. Haven't worked on mowers for 5 years.
All the interlocks don't matter as long as the handbrake or footbrake lock is on & that interlock is working. This is the 1st one in the series. If it's not working bypass this one. The machine should start,if not......
Check voltage at the starter solenoid by cranking the key. If you have 12v & nothing works remove the solenoid & Check to see if the plunger is working. If it's not there should be a part number on there. I can source old Briggs, Jacobsen & ransomes parts for you.
Also where are you based? I could always have a look.
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Last Edit: Feb 24, 2018 11:37:56 GMT by ianlea73
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Feb 24, 2018 20:02:31 GMT
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you can usually use those BL / Ford type solenoids on mowers and they usually last longer than the original Briggs type ones.
i nearly bought a Jacobsen 5 gang a couple of years ago
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69 Plymouth Fury Convertible
75 Range Rover 2 door
82 Range Rover 4 door
84 Range Rover 4 door
78 Datsun 120Y 2 door
78 Datsun 120Y Coupe
78 Datsun 620 Pickup
81 Datsun Urvan E23
86 Datsun Vanette van
98 Electric Citroen Berlingo
00 Electric Peugeot Partner
02 Electric Citroen Berlingo
76 Honda C50
04 Berlingo Multispace petrol
07 Land Rover 130
15 Nissan E-NV200
15 Fiat Ducato
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