The Classic Machinery Network

As the name suggests it should be used to 'dump' the drive from the engine when moving to allow gear changes. Never tried on without using it, so don't know what might happen!

Several reasons I suspect, maneuverability, we've got vacuum tankers using this axle setup, they'll get into places an 8x4 wont. Rear axle can be lifted when empty, reduces rolling resistance, also chassis would be slightly lighter and therefore fuel consumption is reduced. Vehicle is still plated a...

If memory serves me correctly, the early versions had the Perkins 4.236 in the 50H and I think the 50HX had the 4.248 to give a few more h.p. Sure the 4.236 is the same engine as used in the JCB 3CX of the same era.

It's a trick of the light, I think the camera angle allows just a slight gap between the road and the dipper, enough for the light to 'blind' the camera and hide the rod.

http://www.vicaryplant.co.uk/ Not too far from the M1 Junc 20, have a couple of 3C's if any use to you? I dont think the cabs will be up to much on any machine of that era, the rot seems to have claimed most examples by now.

Give everything a good greasing, may stop creaking, otherwise as said, old machines will creak and groan, especially if your working her hard! Ditto if she's working hard to power through heavy mud, then the engine and transmission are working a lot harder than normal and will get hotter as a result...

In the interests of fairness, I had a brand new Cat duck a few years back and that had more problems than hours on the clock. We had 2, I think they cost Finning a fortune in warranty work!

One I had was pretty straight at full speed, unless you hit a bump, and then life became interesting! Few years after that though, I had to drive a 2WD 3CX from Stamford to Corby, that proved impossible to keep in a straight line! I didn't dare get out of 3rd gear for fear of wiping someone out on t...

4th is only ever really for roading, and that's only if you can get the machine up to top speed, keep her in straight line and stay in the seat!

If I recall correctly, (haven't driven a 3Ciii for 20 years!), it's known as a 'dump' pedal, use to 'dump' or disconnect the drive to allow you to change gear whilst the machine is moving. It is not a clutch and shouldn't be used as a clutch, press it to change gear when required, otherwise leave we...