DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
Old Leafsprung Land Rovers
HTML https://ollr.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: Anoraks Corner
*****************************************************
#Post#: 97000--------------------------------------------------
The Simar Rototiller
By: Jackual Date: April 9, 2015, 8:47 am
---------------------------------------------------------
While I was working as a small engine mechanic in Halifax in my
teens, I was on a delivery and came across a couple of these
strange looking machines;
Introducing the Swiss-made Simar model 30 Rototiller
[URL=
HTML http://s8.photobucket.com/user/hey124/media/c30zuck_zps89kkaapo.jpg.html][IMG]http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a1/hey124/c30zuck_zps89kkaapo.jpg[/img][/URL]
(Not my machine, Image Courtesy of C.Zuck)
They had been laid up, untouched and complete, in the back of a
now collapsing glasshouse of a small market garden, since just
after the war. They were in a bad state, engines seized solid
and tin work laced with holes, infact there wasn't very much
left at all of the miller tine covers.
I was intrigued by the Simars, The glasshouses were due to be
pulled down because the site was to be developed into housing,
So I offered the old boy scrap value and trundled them into my
boss's Transit, dropped them off home to the sheer delight of my
dad, and stuck them in his shed :thumbs:.
Because they were both so rotten and totally seized(The engines
didn't budge, even after a year sitting with diesel down the
bores!), I wanted to get my hands on another, possibly better
condition Simar, I heard of one up for grabs in Biddulph,
Stoke-on-trent. It was in much better condition than my other
two, although It had been painted with the dregs of old tins of
paint, and had a fair bit of P/O bodges, I ended up trailering
it home.
I completely stripped every bit down on this 'new' machine,
taking bits off the other two as and when I needed. I Had all
the tin work, handles & wheels shot blasted and powder coated by
my mate in Elland.
I never got to put the machine back together, not in the UK
anyway, we moved to NZ and the Simar came too, In a few boxes of
parts wrapped in shrink wrap and tins full of nuts and bolts.
Its been here nearly 8 years now, And I've only just got round
to putting it back together!
[URL=
HTML http://s8.photobucket.com/user/hey124/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150406_115955_zpsg0ls0s4a.jpg.html][IMG]http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a1/hey124/Mobile%20Uploads/20150406_115955_zpsg0ls0s4a.jpg[/img][/URL]
The engine is a 2-stroke, about 400cc, and has a whopping 3.5 HP
[URL=
HTML http://s8.photobucket.com/user/hey124/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150406_114637_zpsl2twgcau.jpg.html][IMG]http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a1/hey124/Mobile%20Uploads/20150406_114637_zpsl2twgcau.jpg[/img][/URL]
The Carburettor is a Nickel plated bronze Amal, And the Magneto
is a Lucas, The magneto was a real pain, parts from all 3
magneto's were used to build one that creates spark.
[URL=
HTML http://s8.photobucket.com/user/hey124/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150406_113152_zpsbbvggmv4.jpg.html][IMG]http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a1/hey124/Mobile%20Uploads/20150406_113152_zpsbbvggmv4.jpg[/img][/URL]
The fuel tank has the air filter running down the center, Oiled
wood shavings is the filter media.
[URL=
HTML http://s8.photobucket.com/user/hey124/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150407_124355_zpss2iaumft.jpg.html][IMG]http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a1/hey124/Mobile%20Uploads/20150407_124355_zpss2iaumft.jpg[/img][/URL]
The wheel hubs have 2 speed selectable gearing, and ratchets for
turning.
[URL=
HTML http://s8.photobucket.com/user/hey124/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150408_112612_zpsv6zhg8nt.jpg.html][IMG]http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a1/hey124/Mobile%20Uploads/20150408_112612_zpsv6zhg8nt.jpg[/img][/URL]
The tines are spring loaded, and controlled separately from the
driving wheels.
[URL=
HTML http://s8.photobucket.com/user/hey124/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150407_124433_zpss413nl9b.jpg.html][IMG]http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a1/hey124/Mobile%20Uploads/20150407_124433_zpss413nl9b.jpg[/img][/URL]
There is no silencer (although I'm making one up) and its
insanely loud, I can't imagine using it in a closed glass house.
[URL=
HTML http://s8.photobucket.com/user/hey124/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150407_124417_zps3rzb1yfe.jpg.html][IMG]http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a1/hey124/Mobile%20Uploads/20150407_124417_zps3rzb1yfe.jpg[/img][/URL]
I've just set fire to the miller tine cover to remove the powder
coating, it needed a fair bit of welding, beating and filling.
[URL=
HTML http://s8.photobucket.com/user/hey124/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150408_114447_zpspasodhr0.jpg.html][IMG]http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a1/hey124/Mobile%20Uploads/20150408_114447_zpspasodhr0.jpg[/img][/URL]
I've done the welding and now I'm on with the job of filling.
[URL=
HTML http://s8.photobucket.com/user/hey124/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150409_110144_zpsssjpqr3m.jpg.html][IMG]http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a1/hey124/Mobile%20Uploads/20150409_110144_zpsssjpqr3m.jpg[/img][/URL]
[URL=
HTML http://s8.photobucket.com/user/hey124/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150409_124053_zpspbnyicez.jpg.html][IMG]http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a1/hey124/Mobile%20Uploads/20150409_124053_zpspbnyicez.jpg[/img][/URL]
I've a fair bit more to do with the tine cover, Its missing the
flap that trails behind, it shouldn't be hard to make another.
The control linkages have gone AWOL, and I need to make up some
new ones.
The wood in the ends of the handles is missing, my mate has a
wood lathe, I'll get him roped into it.
But I think the biggest problem is the tank, it leaks, its
soldered together, and the solder has melted and run out from
the seams when it was being cooked during powder coating. I'm
not wanting to strip it, the powder coating is like glass, its
tough and and can really only be removed with fire, which would
totally destroy the soldered tank. Any recommendations for a
tank sealer?? Not chewing gum please!! :toothless:
Hope you enjoyed that! Jack.
#Post#: 97005--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Simar Rototiller
By: Snailer Date: April 10, 2015, 6:07 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Great story
#Post#: 97008--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Simar Rototiller
By: hippydave Date: April 10, 2015, 4:28 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Strange looking machine, would love to try it on my allotment. I
have a howard 350 from the 60s that i use and that is
indestructible.
#Post#: 97033--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Simar Rototiller
By: Peter de Dawg Date: April 11, 2015, 3:13 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
We had an Allen scythe many years ago, used to use it clearing
bridle paths etc, worked fuckin' brilliantly, tho I bet the 'elf
an safety wankers wouldn't like it....
#Post#: 97050--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Simar Rototiller
By: divie Date: April 12, 2015, 3:17 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Most old motorcycle magazines will have adverts for tank
sealers. Go for an ethanol proof one. Not sure about use with a
soldered tank but on my bike tanks I derust with brick acid.
Sometimes swilling around with a handfull of plasterboard screws
helps. Once clean and dry add the sealant.
#Post#: 97094--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Simar Rototiller
By: Jackual Date: April 14, 2015, 8:39 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=divie link=topic=9190.msg97050#msg97050
date=1428869830]
Most old motorcycle magazines will have adverts for tank
sealers. Go for an ethanol proof one. Not sure about use with a
soldered tank but on my bike tanks I derust with brick acid.
Sometimes swilling around with a handfull of plasterboard screws
helps. Once clean and dry add the sealant.
[/quote]
Thats good!, I don't need to de-rust, its spot less, the oil in
the 2-stroke mix has kept the tank rust free. I'll have a browse
online for a sealer, maybe even see the guy at the motorbike
shop.
[quote author=Peter de Dawg link=topic=9190.msg97033#msg97033
date=1428783215]
We had an Allen scythe many years ago, used to use it clearing
bridle paths etc, worked fuckin' brilliantly, tho I bet the 'elf
an safety wankers wouldn't like it....
[/quote]
There is a scythe still being made, The BCS power scythe! Much
better than those glorified wheeled string DR trimmers.
HTML http://www.tracmaster.co.uk/2014-01-30-13-29-09/bcs-crusader-power-scythes.html
Never had an Allen scythe, but worked on many of the later hover
mowers.
[quote author=hippydave link=topic=9190.msg97008#msg97008
date=1428701303]
Strange looking machine, would love to try it on my allotment. I
have a howard 350 from the 60s that i use and that is
indestructible.
[/quote]
Do like the Howards, I had a small collection of Howards in the
UK, A couple of Villiers powered 200's a couple of bantams one a
Villiers 2-stroke and the other with a dirty Honda GX 160, And a
great big BSA powered Yeoman, That was a proper rotavator!
Tiller miller rotor tine blade cover filled and sanded smooth;
[URL=
HTML http://s8.photobucket.com/user/hey124/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150412_185217_zpsdvrvaiv9.jpg.html][IMG]http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a1/hey124/Mobile%20Uploads/20150412_185217_zpsdvrvaiv9.jpg[/img][/URL]
Then primed;
[URL=
HTML http://s8.photobucket.com/user/hey124/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150412_201104_zpscg8yabgj.jpg.html][IMG]http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a1/hey124/Mobile%20Uploads/20150412_201104_zpscg8yabgj.jpg[/img][/URL]
[URL=
HTML http://s8.photobucket.com/user/hey124/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150412_201122_zps8oblyqhw.jpg.html][IMG]http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a1/hey124/Mobile%20Uploads/20150412_201122_zps8oblyqhw.jpg[/img][/URL]
[URL=
HTML http://s8.photobucket.com/user/hey124/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20150412_201717_zpseu4icuse.jpg.html][IMG]http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a1/hey124/Mobile%20Uploads/20150412_201717_zpseu4icuse.jpg[/img][/URL]
Cheers, Jack.
#Post#: 97106--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Simar Rototiller
By: 1960SeriesII Date: April 16, 2015, 1:54 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Very nice - and a good job you've done on it so far, too! Love
these old agricultural machines - no-nonsense technology that
lasts a lifetime or two if properly maintained.
*****************************************************