I recently purchased an Oliver crawler with a 3 cylinder gas Hercules engine. i was told that engine was recently rebuilt (50 hours).its been sitting for about a year in long island weather. I tried to get running and here's what I've done..i checked the oil (a little black, but good and full) antifreeze was full, i pulled spark plugs and put some w-d in it, plugs looked good, i moved the fan and alternator pulleys to be sure free, pulled and bench tested starter,(worked fine, will need rebuild in future) added new starter solenoid.i checked all wires and they seemed to be in good working order, but i will replace all of them when i have it started and can move it to my shop.i put in charged battery, but starter sounded like not enough power, I SHUT OFF KEY AND TRIED TO HOOK UP JUMP CABLES AND I noticed sparks at terminal, like something was on, I TRIED TO DISCONNECT WIRES ONE BY ONE , but couldn't isolate short. .so i have 2 problems, one ,do i have a short, and 2 is there a way to turn motor over by hand to be sure its free....is there a safety switch that prevents it from starting while in gear? this is my first experience with a crawler, I am mechanically enclined and can usually get any engine to run....then figure how to make run right....i purchased this crawler to help build a driveway/road at our home in upstate new york, it has a blade on the front, does this have anything to do with safety switches? i noticed a driveshaft coming off front of engine going to a pump, (hydraulic i assume)...
is there an operators manual i can look up, or buy, repair manual?......I BELIEVE ITS AN OC-4....BUT COULD BE WRONG...
Any help at all would be really appreciated... thank you in advance....
Hello.
I'm not familiar with your model, but I've found that you can turn over most engines by removing the starter and using a large screwdriver or small pry bar to engage the flywheel teeth and lever the engine forward or back.
Good luck with your new acquisition!
i am going to try that in the morning.ill keep a posted.. thanks
A 3 cylinder Hercules would mean it's an OC-4, or an OC-46 (Highlift). Making sure the motor turns by hand would be the first step. If you have another machine to pull it with, just put it in gear and pull it to turn the motor over.
Good luck with turning her over. I've used both methods suggested to good effect.
Adding to what the other guys said:
There's no safety switch to stop you starting it in gear unlike Oliver wheel tractors of the same vintage. But there's usually a kill switch of some kind ? on 3 cylinder models they tend to have a regular keyed ignition, like most automobiles. But I've seen push starters with a isolation switch too.
Solenoid switches can stick. You hear a click or stuttering noise, but starter will not move. I would add a new one or give the one you have a crack with a small mallet or screwdriver. Then try the starter again. Sometime that's enough to free it. Seems to happen mostly in damp or freezing conditions.
I can supply you with original or copy Operator's and/or Part Manuals. They will really help you to understand your machine. There's also a Shop Manual, if you ever want to get into some serious rebuilding. Let me know. I'm north of Syracuse, NY. www.Facebook.com/OliverCrawlers
I picked up a 3 cylinder diesel OC46 on Long Island. I was amazed at how corrosive that salty sea air can be on exposed steel!
Quote from: oliverchris on May 05, 2013, 02:12:12 PM
Good luck with turning her over. I've used both methods suggested to good effect.
Adding to what the other guys said:
There's no safety switch to stop you starting it in gear unlike Oliver wheel tractors of the same vintage. But there's usually a kill switch of some kind ? on 3 cylinder models they tend to have a regular keyed ignition, like most automobiles. But I've seen push starters with a isolation switch too.
Solenoid switches can stick. You hear a click or stuttering noise, but starter will not move. I would add a new one or give the one you have a crack with a small mallet or screwdriver. Then try the starter again. Sometime that's enough to free it. Seems to happen mostly in damp or freezing conditions.
I can supply you with original or copy Operator's and/or Part Manuals. They will really help you to understand your machine. There's also a Shop Manual, if you ever want to get into some serious rebuilding. Let me know. I'm north of Syracuse, NY. www.Facebook.com/OliverCrawlers
I picked up a 3 cylinder diesel OC46 on Long Island. I was amazed at how corrosive that salty sea air can be on exposed steel!
Would you know why battery cables get hot after replacing them with new ones? I've had the starter rebuilt too with new brushes and what not. The solenoid may be the issue, any idea what kind to get? It's and AD 4 cyl Diesel with 12 volt starter. I'm stuck and tried everything.
Thanks
Andy