The Classic Machinery Network

Bridge the two main terminals on the solenoid using a test light or volt meter. Operate the starter switch and when the solenoid clicks you should get a light or voltage reading. That will show that the solenoid is switching current to the starter. If using a volt meter for this test and the starte...

I just can't understand why it works like a good un' when it's off the machine yet won't work when fitted . Unless you have a test bench where you can test the starter under load, any such testing is unfortunately not conclusive. 1/ where is the earth terminal from the battery normally earthed to o...

I doubt the solenoid can have been damaged by shorting across the terminal, except for the terminal threads which can become damaged by the arcing. One of the simplest things you could do is actually to try this yourself. WARNING! If you do, double and triple check that the machine is not in gear! I...

I have what I believe to be a 3550 (all markings, including nameplate are gone). As I understand it, the 3550 is the predecessor of the 550, which in turn was replaced with the 555. Based on my experience, I would consider the following: Transmission: Does it have a shuttle transmission? If so, chec...

In the diagram, 57 and 59 are not the flashers but the lights. The flashers are 32 and 33, and have indeed only two connections. The damaged PCB could indeed be a part of your problems, but if I had to guess I would think that this kind of damage was more likely to be the result than cause of the fu...

Have you checked the downloads on this site? There is a JCB 3CX, 4CX, 214, 215, 217 Workshop Manual there, covering M/c no. 930000 onwards. I took a quick look, and the tachometer there is indeed driven from the W terminal of the alternator, see circuit diagram on page 156 of the PDF. As for owners ...

I think this is the same type of pump as on our Ford digger, though ours is 4 cylinder. Here is the bleeding procedure from the Ford Industrial Tractors 3400, 3500, 3550, 4400 & 4500 Operator Manual: 1. Make sure there is adequate fuel in the tank. 2. Loosen the fuel filter bleed screw on top of...

Is it a Doe? I'm guessing purely because I understand those were complicated to operate, what with dual engines and gearboxes, a description which would seem to cover this contraption also.

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Regards, Kári.

Looking at your pictures, are the two black wires not of different thickness? It seems to me the wire going to the centre terminal is much heavier than the other one, and about as heavy as the red wire? Also the terminal with the red wire is marked +, and the centre terminal -, so I would think thes...

I´m wondering if you may be overfilling the radiator? These older engines without expansion bottles generally require a bit of air at the top of the radiator, to allow the water to expand. Of course, the water should at least cover the top of the radiator pipes when cold.

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Regards, Kari.