Ransomes Mk12 Towed 3 Gang Mower

[Doug Tait]

We've picked up a towed mower to do my mates paddock, looks a bit tired but doesn't seem too bad really.

Anyone familiar with them?

 

We got another mate to top it with a tractor then tried the gang mower and it did ok, was still a bit long/rough in places but I think if it's done regularly it'll be fine.

 

 

 

Needs some TLC though. Got the clutch levers freed off and lubed, but grease is a stranger to the nipples and one height adjuster is broken.

 

I suppose it'd be advised to change the oil in the clutch/gears but no idea how or what to use?

 

If anyone knows about these things be good to hear your opinion.

[Will C]

I did a training day with a bloke from ransoms years ago for a self propelled gang mower - a folded (4 thickness) rizla is a about right to set he drum to the static blade, once set you should be able to spin the drum with a single folded rizla but tear a doubled one. 

 

no idea to the gearbox but it’s not doing 100mph so I would just say any half decent gear oil would be fine and better than no oil!
Use one like that as a yoof, Seem to remember they are just a chain driven over run dog clutch (plus release handle to take out of gear for transport) in the gear box so nowt that can’t be fixed by a ape with a lump hammer!

Edited August 27, 2023 by Will C
Spellin

[Doug Tait]

Thanks will.

Hadn't thought of the blade gap at all, very helpful.

 

It's the levers for transport that we've freed off already so they're ok. Any idea what the oil level should be? And is there a drain plug (I didn't think to look earlier).

[Will C]

Sorry Doug that’s as much as I can remember, the set the same I used i towed with a allis charmers model b and then promoted to a grey fergy about 30+ year ago, I was about 11 and I’ve slept since then!

 

[Will C]

Seem to remember he said a single sheet of a4 paper could be used folded once to set and single to not tear, once set - but at that point almost everyone on the course had rizla so it was the easy measurement tool!

[Doug Tait]

Sorry, was asking quite a lot of your memory!

The rizla scale of measurement works for me.

[spudulike]

I know a fella who can sharpen those cylinders on an Atco sharpener that gives the cutting blades a slight angle, does a nice job at a good price but...he will be well south of you.....did my Suffolk Colt and Atco Royale cylinders.

The methodology you are talking about is the same for most cylinder machines, you adjust so the cylinder is off the anvil and then bring it down on both sides until it brushes the anvil. You then use paper to make sure it cuts the paper both sides....it will probably never be perfect but the better it is, the better the cut. This fella also grinds the anvil to ensure it is flat. 

Cylinder machines are for technicians....the rest use rotary mowers!

[Mick Jones]

7 hours ago, Doug Tait said:

Thanks will.

Hadn't thought of the blade gap at all, very helpful.

 

It's the levers for transport that we've freed off already so they're ok. Any idea what the oil level should be? And is there a drain plug (I didn't think to look earlier).

There will be a drain plug on the bottom of the chaincase Doug. Also a level plug( at the front if I remember correctly.) The original spec. oil would have been EP 80/90 s. You may find that if you refill you will have leakage at gaskets/seals etc. If this is the case try a liquid grease (as used in land rover front axle swivels)

If your reasonably happy with the cut leave the sharpening for a while until your paddock has had the high spots knocked off. New bottom blades/screws and a cylinder grind and your away.👍

[Doug Tait]

10 hours ago, spudulike said:

Cylinder machines are for technicians....the rest use rotary mowers!

 

By that advice we should have rotary!

I'll hang on to Will's comment about the ape with a lump hammer, describes my mate and I better than 'technicians'.

How far South is the sharpening fella located Spud?

[Doug Tait]

2 hours ago, Mick Jones said:

There will be a drain plug on the bottom of the chaincase Doug. Also a level plug( at the front if I remember correctly.) The original spec. oil would have been EP 80/90 s. You may find that if you refill you will have leakage at gaskets/seals etc. If this is the case try a liquid grease (as used in land rover front axle swivels)

If your reasonably happy with the cut leave the sharpening for a while until your paddock has had the high spots knocked off. New bottom blades/screws and a cylinder grind and your away.👍

 

That's all very helpful Mick, thank you. We'll get the oil done on it but I think you're right about sharpening just now, it made a good job of the more level areas with thinner growth so not in need yet.

 

I think more important to repair the broken height adjuster which is allowing one cylinder to bounce a lot.