A good step forward with HCT022.
A set of 2 ‘065′ type batteries had been charged up again.
The hydraulics were put into manual mode and each solenoid manually actuated and the hand pump used to push a little bit of fluid round. The rail clamps were put down and up and the turntable ram was jiggled about a bit. The brakes were pumped off and the machine rocked slightly to free the axles. All this was done to help just get oil flowing.
The battery connections were cleaned, and a new lead made up with crimped terminals. The batteries were installed and the wires connected with all connections checked for tightness. All the stop switches were checked, and the PTO switches were checked to ensure they were in the off position. An attempt was made to crank the engine, and it turned over a lot better.
It still didn’t seem to want to start, so the fuel inlet pipe was disconnected at the banjo, and using a spare banjo union a fuel drip was set up to ensure there was a supply to the Fuel Injection Pump. A few of the unions on the High pressure / Outlet side of the pump were slackened and the engine was cranked over while these were observed. While there was some diesel coming out it was agreed that there was less than there should be, and as such it was decided to remove the Diesel Stop Solenoid. This had been checked to see if it was getting current; but one on the bench is turned out that although current was getting to the coil, it wasn’t pulling the plunger in all the way (this appeared to be because of grit on the plunger.) A spare unit was cleaned up and bench tested, and was installed instead. The engine was turned over again and this time there was a much more positive spurt of diesel from the outlets. All unions at the pump end were tightened and the injector ends were slackened and the engine cranked again in order to purge any air, each unions being tightened once only fuel was being released.
The engine was set on quarter throttle and the cold start lever in “cold” position and we turned the ignition key to “glow” once the warning light came on the key was turned to “crank” and after a few coughs the engine fired into life.
As there were a few clunking noises (presumed to be the hydraulic pump starting to run dry, it was decided to kill the engine and put the batteries on charge while we took a run into Alnwick to get some hydraulic oil and some lunch.
On return, we fitted the newly purchased suction pipe to the hydraulic filler pump and proceeded to try and fill the tank, unfortunately there was a slight fault on the pump, so this was stripped down, the issue corrected and reassembled, and we tried again. The tank was duly filled.
Again, each item was operated by hand to try and get the oil circulating, and then we fired the engine back up again. It sounded a lot better. It was left to idle for 5 minutes to settle and warm through, and then we operated the turntable to turn the machine around, and release the suspension isolators.
The engine was stopped, and the fuel line was put back over to the main feed from the proper tank. The engine was started up again firing up almost the second the key was turned.
Traction was engaged, and after a little bit of pushing the machine took over and both forward and reverse were operable.
After parking in the middle of a panel, the turntable was used to lift the machine so the suspension isolators could be re-engaged, the rail clamps engaged, and the platform slowly raised.
The cantilever was extended to it’s full extent and wound back in, but this tripped a circuit breaker a few times (this was later found to have been caused by the grease on drive chain being so dry, that it was binding and actually later snapped.
The platform was lowered, the rail hooks disengaged, and traction engaged from the platform. Drive was easily controlled, and operated with the platform up or down.
Other items:
DX98710 – This has been lifted off road 1 and into a space behind. A start has been made on cleaning the cab out of rubbish and other items.
Next week we hope to pressure wash HCT022 and will lubricate all the relevant points on it. The cantilever drive chain will be repaired as well.