Greenmech Eco Arborist 150 Won't Start

[MatthewJM-S]

Hello folks,

 

I am at my wit's end. I have the chipper mentioned in the title. I was using it on a job, it was running fine, I turned it off to have a bite to eat, came back to it and haven't had it running since. It has an Isuzu 3LB1 engine and I have checked the fuel pump and the shutoff solenoid and both of these work. Beyond this, I'm getting out of my comfort zone because I've no experience with injectors. 

 

The machine has always been a bit smokey for the year that I've had it, so maybe injectors are a good place to start? 

 

When I turn the engine over, it belches out black smoke from the exhaust, but never actually fires. 

 

Why would it choose to do this? I.e. running fine and then after being turned off, not restarting? 

 

If anyone can give me some guidance, I'd greatly appreciate it. 

 

Thanks in advance 

[AHPP]

I saw something the other day a little like this. It was an air hose collapsing when warm. Doesn’t feel like a slam dunk answer to your particular problem but something to consider. 

[AHPP]

Greenmechs are shit btw.

 

Timberwolf for tow and tracked.

TP for PT(O). 
Schliesing for showing off. 

Edited Friday at 22:34 by AHPP

[woody paul]

44 minutes ago, AHPP said:

I saw something the other day a little like this. It was an air hose collapsing when warm. Doesn’t feel like a slam dunk answer to your particular problem but something to consider. 

Old boss bought a job lot of tractors  one wouldn't start after towing it no joy just black smoke. Air cleaner mushroom had loose top which had been pushed down so no air. Took mushroom off and it fired up and ran sweet. 

Have also known air cleaner hose on land rovers collapse. 

[PeteB]

52 minutes ago, MatthewJM-S said:

Hello folks,

 

I am at my wit's end. I have the chipper mentioned in the title. I was using it on a job, it was running fine, I turned it off to have a bite to eat, came back to it and haven't had it running since. It has an Isuzu 3LB1 engine and I have checked the fuel pump and the shutoff solenoid and both of these work. Beyond this, I'm getting out of my comfort zone because I've no experience with injectors. 

 

The machine has always been a bit smokey for the year that I've had it, so maybe injectors are a good place to start? 

 

When I turn the engine over, it belches out black smoke from the exhaust, but never actually fires. 

 

Why would it choose to do this? I.e. running fine and then after being turned off, not restarting? 

 

If anyone can give me some guidance, I'd greatly appreciate it. 

 

Thanks in advance 

I'd talk to Jason on Monday, black smoke makes me think of choked filter. But you are right in that why would it fail to work after it worked OK? The previous comments are not helpful and are not even funny or intelligent!  You ask for help and abuse - he even slags of my cooking!

[monkeybusiness]

I’d be inclined to disconnect the air inlet hose from the engine altogether and try it - maybe gently fire a blowtorch into the inlet as you turn it over (in case the glow plugs aren’t working). If it’s giving smoke then it appears to have fuel, and diesel engines only really need that and air to run. 

[Peter 1955]

On 28/02/2025 at 23:21, monkeybusiness said:

I’d be inclined to disconnect the air inlet hose from the engine altogether and try it - maybe gently fire a blowtorch into the inlet as you turn it over (in case the glow plugs aren’t working). If it’s giving smoke then it appears to have fuel, and diesel engines only really need that and air to run. 

Logical. The colour of the smoke makes me suspect some sort of air restriction, as a non starting diesel ( eg failed glow plugs ) usually gives white smoke if it's getting air and diesel. I once left a wire off an engine when replacing an alternator, and despite cranking the engine until the building disappeared in white smoke, it refused to fire. 

[woody paul]

There's been 2 other threads about chippers with problems and we have posted comments and the person how has the problem has never responded to what we have said. 

Some people. 

[MatthewJM-S]

On 28/02/2025 at 23:21, monkeybusiness said:

I’d be inclined to disconnect the air inlet hose from the engine altogether and try it - maybe gently fire a blowtorch into the inlet as you turn it over (in case the glow plugs aren’t working). If it’s giving smoke then it appears to have fuel, and diesel engines only really need that and air to run. 

I'll definitely give this a go. Thanks for the suggestion, even if it's just to eliminate a possible problem. 

[MatthewJM-S]

19 hours ago, woody paul said:

There's been 2 other threads about chippers with problems and we have posted comments and the person how has the problem has never responded to what we have said. 

Some people. 

I didn't get any notifications, so I thought that my post had gotten passed over. Thanks for the replies!