Mark Bolam

It’s fuel madness out there. I’ve just queued for nearly two hours to top up the Transit. Only cost me £6.40, mind.

How do you know he said that? The media. They should stop reporting what politicians say.

The only people to blame for this bollocks are the media. It really is that simple.

No worries Phil, I’ll ping him a message and get back to you.

I’ve been accused of the same for inches instead of cc.

No sense at all mate. As my old Dad once said, ’If it’s got a clutch or a fanny it’ll give you bother’.

Pivots are well greased mate. I bet not many of us do the maintenance we really should, it is vital though.

Think I’ve cracked it. Mike Bowers from VFS emailed to say he thought it would be the body lowered limit switch at fault. I bypassed this by pulling the 2 wires out of it which are female spade fittings and connected them with a bent piece of wire. Hey presto! The body now drops continuously no problem. The controller won’t switch off with the wires connected, but diagnostically was gold. I’ve reinstated everything for now, £20 new switch should be in stock next week. Big up to VFS who built the original tipping body in 2006. That’s pretty good aftersales service from them! Also massive thanks to everyone who has contributed on here, my luddite knowledge of tipping gear has improved about 9000% over the last few days. Particular thanks to @dig-dug-dan (I’ve greased the hell out of those ram bearings now!) and @Mike Hill who took the time to call me from Norway at 7am to give advice. Nice one Arbtalk, and of course @Steve Bullman for putting me in the position of being able to get this advice. It won’t be free for me, however, anyone who has contributed to this thread will be getting a beer on me at the APF next year. 🍻

If crane work goes wrong it can go very wrong. Is it worth it to save a customer money? What’s in it for you?

Thanks Dan. VTS have also just emailed with a bypass for the body lowered limit switch (which is a £20 part) which I can try as well. Really appreciate your help on this.

@dig-dug-dan I lowered it loaded today, euc rings. It came down pretty quickly in 3 cycles instead of the 8 it is taking empty.

I would work for someone else first. You’ll learn a hell of a lot in a year.

What grease gun (syringe) have you got? The only one I’ve found that works is the original metal barrelled Oregon one. All the rest have been utterly useless.

It could be a filter problem, but returns every time at normal speed, just in 10 stages instead of one. There is a local hydraulic place, I’ll check what wiring I can then use them if I have to. The problem is if it’s an electrical problem with the electronic unit in the dash they might be as clueless as me.

How???!!!! I’ve got jump leads.

Yes mate, electronic pad on dash.

The thing is, if it was something physical like a blocked filter it wouldn’t return at all, would it? Each down ‘cycle’ is at normal speed. Like Dan says, maybe a poor connection somewhere, hence the on/off business? A new solenoid loom assembley is about a tenner. Next stop?

Haven’t tried it mate. I had it full of logs yesterday, I should have tried it when I tipped off.

No.

Update on this. VFS were very efficient and after a call yesterday morning a new lowering solenoid arrived today. Fitted straight after work and the problem is exactly the same. Tips strongly, only lowers in on/off bursts. Also have to press OFF on the electronic control on the dash between raising and lowering, which I didn’t have to before. Now also weeping hydraulic oil (slowly) out of the top of the valve. What’s next? Before I take it to someone who knows what they’re doing!

Haha, cheers. I’ll read it in the morning then!

OK, maybe I’m a weirdo! PM me a link to your book can you mate, I am keen to read it.

You must know some weird dog owners. There’s only one thing worse than picking up dog shit, and that’s not picking up dog shit. If you’re not prepared to pick up dog shit every day then don’t get a dog.

I’ve got two labs and just let them shit in the house now, it bothers me so little.

I shouldn’t take the piss, but I had a business meeting with @Retired Climber and @kevinjohnsonmbe earlier tonight. These are genuine pics from Kev leaving.