JamesDS

Thanks for your help, this is what I did: Bought folding crane off Machine mart with a vat-free voucher, for that price, it's a no-brainer. Got the engine out, it's not difficult with the right tools, most of which I already had. It's technically possible to do a clutch, belts and mounts without removing the engine, but you'll end up not doing it right, getting filthy, skinning all your knuckles and with a screaming back ache for no saved time and not a lot of saved money. Just get the bugger out, it's much simpler! I cleaned the engine, no one needs that amount of gritty grease covering everything, and it allowed me to de-clog the rad. I used truck-wash in a spray bottle and a pressure washer. The clutch removal needs either a really expensive tool, or a really cheap one and a bit of sense. I already owned the cheapy (search ebay for "2MT drift") and noted that the last time the clutch was removed, it was done cheaply, but without the sense bit. I cleaned up the damaged clutch taper while swearing about amateurs. I checked all the important parts for wear and ordered replacements with Osbournes. They were not the cheapest by about 9%, but the quality of aftersales and extremely knowledgeable telephone support easily made it worth the extra few quid. Ask for Michael, he is incredibly helpful and I could not have done this without him. I'll buy all my future parts off them. I replaced the fuel lines with clear reinforced poly pipe so I could see when there's air or gunk in there, Osbournes also supplied an inline transparent fuel filter. These aren't hi-pressure injection engines, so you don't need crimped connectors and hi-pressure tubing. Parts will arrive tomorrow and i'll fit at the weekend, and maybe put the engine back in then. Assuming that the hydraulics are all ok, we'll be greasing those nipples and a go for testing next week. From the quote I was given to replace ONLY the clutch, I reckon i've saved about £400 after tool purchases. I also found a bunch of extra stuff that needed doing that the guy hadn't noticed. To the next chap that wants to save himself the cost and DIY, PM me if you want any advice Cheers JDS

lmao!

Thanks for that, the big help was "Belt tension is more than likely done by shifting the engine across the floor of the engine bay". I think that is probably the key to this, which means I may be able to do it without removing it. Anyone hear of a service manual for one of these?

As requested, pictures as follows: .1. Picture of the engine, showing the main drive wheel on the right. .2. Picture of the main drive wheel, showing the clutch assembly at the bottom. Those two v-belts visible in both picture, link the clutch assembly with the main drive wheel. There is no belt tensioner assembly, which makes me wonder how the hell you fit replacement belts. Anyone any idea where to get a workshop manual for these? Cheers JDS

Hi all I've just picked up a 2004 TP150PHM (that's the trailer-mounted one) from a local arborist buddy who was sick of it taking up space in his lockup. He sold it cheap because it needs some TLC, and the first thing needing work is the clutch. It looks like the clutch has disintegrated completely, so i'm resigned to purchasing a new assembly from Osbournes, but i'd like to do the work myself if possible. Does anyone know anything about how to remove and replace the clutch assembly, or if it's even possible without lifting the whole engine out. I can't even see how to release the tension on the main drive v-belts - or find a manual online If it is an engine-out job, can anyone recommend a Bicester/Aylesbury/Oxford/Buckingham area engineer that understands these machines? Thanks in advance, and happy new year Cheers JDS

I have a Tormek whetstone. You can get them from Axminster tools and they do a cheaper one from Jet, that I think takes the same jigs. I bought it for doing engineering drill bits and it tackles full re-profiling and sharpening of 1in drills without complaint. It should be fine for doing the knives on my old TP150 when they need doing. Alternatively, why not buy a second set of knives and just post them to the guy with the grinder. JDS

Happy New Year all Instead of going and downing a few swift ones, I find myself registering for arbtalk (I know, saddo!). Been lurking here a while, but not in the trade. I have a smallholding near Bicester and do all my own cutting, other than stuff that needs skill or climbing, for which I use Shawn & Charlie at North Bucks. I've been on the scrounge for local timber for a couple of years and now have a stable full of cut n split ready for the 3 log burners. We're big on log burners 'round here! Cheers JamesDS:thumbup1: