A few weeks ago I said in another topic I was going to the Slate museum at Llanberis to attempt to start the Smith excavator.
Yesterday (Fri) I went to Llanberis to see what the situation was. After having a chat with the manager and the archivist I was let to get on with it.
It has been standing for a few years now so I had to losen off a few levers, linkages etc. but the engine turned over on the handle thankfully not siezed. But I must say things were better than expected. We were not planning to start the engine yesterday, but only to get everything prepared as they want to film it being started etc etc.
But to cut a long story short after checking it was safe and no danger I primed the fuel system, tied a rope on the decompressor. Gave it a short blast of easy start and turned the handle like I used to swing Grandmother's old mangle. Pulled the decompressor with the rope and it fired on all cylinders.
I personally have not started it since 1986 since driving it off Sam Mc Kinley's low loader when delivering it to Llanberis. And believe me it was a great experiance.
I did not let the machinery turn as it needs lubrication and I did not bring a grease gun and cartriges. The one a Llanberis did not work. But it will get sorted next time.
The museum will arange a midweek day in the near future for us to start it and work it for a while.
http://www.aditnow.co.uk/photo/Personal-Album-106-Image-004/ 🙂
Bellach dim ond swn y gwynt yn chwibian, lle bu gynt yr engan ar cynion yn tincian.