T16 restoration starts in earnest

[andrew honychurch]

thanks Richard, yes almost sorted the wiring, well, not really but nothing that stops me from driving her. I was getting very bored so needed to get it out and drive it. Its odd, its not showing a charge on the ammeter, but after driving it around the field when restarting the starter spun over far faster than it has previously so i wonder if the ammeter is bust or wired the wrong way around. Anyway, no point in spoiling the party moaning over little things.

Actually, the worst thing in my view is the stuck and seized links on the tracks as this is making the drive very lumpy so to speak. In the first video you can see the track are seized as I come off the side of my barn. I just hope the free up without breaking a pin!

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by andrew honychurch

Its odd, its not showing a charge on the ammeter, but after driving it around the field when restarting the starter spun over far faster than it has previously so i wonder if the ammeter is bust or wired the wrong way around.

Andrew,

A simple check to see if it is charging is to check the battery voltage before you start up, then with it running at a fast idle, check again, if it is a higher reading, then that can assure you the problem is most possibly in the ammeter or its wiring.

[andrew honychurch]

thats a good idea Richard. I will try that the next time I go for a run with it. thanks

[hrpearce]

Good to see you have made it to the fun part Andrew

[Lynn Eades]

Great to see. Why dont you oil those frozen links. Once they are moving again you can wash them. A bit of oil might help them free up, which has to be better than a pin breaking. (the brakes will always work better while the tracks are still on)

[andrew honychurch]

well Lynn, I had not thought of that to be honest!! I know that sounds stupid but I have always been told by my father that the tracks should not be oiled, but i suppose that when they are free. Ummh, what does everyone else think? I had been hoping that they will free of their own accord. I think they are better than they were for a brief run.

[RichardT10829]

As Lynn says as long as its a short run and you jet wash all the oil out after you could be ok. better than soaking lengths of track in baths of Black strap molasses for a few weeks

[Richard Farrant]

Andrew,

Better to spray the tight links with something like Duck oil, or even diesel, as they will penetrate more. Oil will stick to the outside and attract dirt. My tractor and plant experience has always been not to oil the links.

[eddy8men]

well done mate, now you can start to get a little bit back from the old girl, the trouble is once it's running the resto might give way to some fun. it did for me, after going all out on my carrier for a year now it's running things have stopped i haven't even washed the mud of the tracks from beltring yet

all the best

rick