Different Blue - Ransomes MG2 Crawler

[oehrick]

OEH Towers has become the temporary home for a friends newly acquired Ransomes 'FrankenCrawler' an MG2 which has been very nicely fitted with a rare Petter PAV4 aircooled engine and hydraulic drive. It is so not Ransomes looking it is 'right' if you know what I mean, currently suffering from a steering brake problem, I wondered if anyone on here had a digitised MG2 manual they would be prepared to share ?? (or know where I can find one online - I've looked hard and the nearest found is for an MG5 - don't know how different they were.

Its not True Blue but Nacton / Orwell blue (and military green for the engine !) I'm looking forward to having some fun with it and maybe haul out some timber inaccessible to the Major if I can get it to steer properly.

[Emiel]

Hi Rick,

Any pictures perhaps? Sounds like a nice machine.

rgds
Emiel

[oehrick]

It is certainly 'different' Emiel, I'll try and get a pic when next he is over and has the cover off - it has been nicely done, oil tank at rear with a hole through it for the starting handle. then engine, then seat at the front over the gearbox. it has plenty of power but not much steering so that will be the first thing for him to address, not a usual one for me as I tend to 'take over' and while it is living here for a while it isn't mine, thought about a couple of davits on the back of my Major so I could carry it like a lifeboat

[mathias1]

Rick,

No problem to talk about other brands of tractors here . We also have a green one with yellow wheels. Who can guess the brand of this one?

[Emiel]

hijgend hert?

[mathias1]

hijgend hert?

no , but it's part of the New Holland family in a way...

[Emiel]

Aha, you're a man of wealth and taste (I allready knew, when people have roadless they are )Then it's a single pot hot bulb from France. Nice.

[mathias1]

Aha, you're a man of wealth and taste (I allready knew, when people have roadless they are )Then it's a single pot hot bulb from France. Nice.

Emiel, it's a County, not a roadless . And for the French old girl: actually it's my wifes tractor. It's a tiny one single pot hot bulb. Brand name: SFV - Societé Française Vierzon. They were bought out by Case back in the day. Currently the fuel pump has been taken off for service. The Vierzon tractors are cheaper here and not as popular as Lanz Bulldog, Ursus, Landini and Pampa hot bulbs. My budget is not big enough for those. Anyway, a 5000 pre force based County is still on my wish list, doesn't have to be a 6pot.

As long as Rick isn't coming over with some pictures, we can have some small talk here

[Hair Bear]

Sounds interesting, the starting handle at the back and the seat over the gearbox suggests a reverse drive model. Because of the brake design they work far better going forwards (travelling engine first!) than backwards.
We've owned MG 2, 5, 6, and 40 over the years - the MG 2 has been with us since 1970.
To get to the steering brakes on an MG 2, remove the brake lever pivots and release the brake adjuster, remove the gear selector, then it's the 10 (?) long bolts around the front and back of the gearbox and lift the top off.
They are flexible brake bands which with a bit of wriggling should pull out. The brake chambers have the gearbox on one side and the final drive case on the other so if there's oil contamination you have 2 possible suspects.
Looking forward to photos,
Rob.