This is my first post on this site, I acquired my BGSH about 25 years ago and it has be in my quonset ever since. The engine was half ripped apart at that time and missing parts. I removed it at that time and found it to be in ruff shape. As time pasted an older friend of mine told me he had a 27 Massey Harris Combine in an old shed with a Hercules engine in it. He had purchased this machine new and the engine was original. Massey used the Hercules engine for one year. He never told me that I could take the engine out. Again time pasted and as he got older one day he said "you better get that engine" which I did with the help of my Son-in-law, he passed away about 8 months later. It was also stored in my Quonset for many years (maybe 10), last week I loaded it and took it from the farm to my home and am now starting to work on it. It appears to be a perfect fit as best I can see. I haven't even checked to see if it will turn over. Over the years I have placed diesel fuel in cylinders and also a mix of ATF and Acetone.
So that is my story, I have never driven a crawler and am how 72 years old so if I plan to drive this one I better get to it.
My BGSH has the serial # 8C960 and looks to have been built in 1946. I don't know much about it, it never has had a blade on it and appears to have only been used as a pull crawler. The sheet metal is in good condition, I will see if I can post a few pictures in the future. One thing I know for sure is I have a lot to learn about this machine, any advice you guys have will be greatly appreciated.
Fantastic history, now we need pictures, well done for having the foresite to lube the pistons and bores while it has been waiting.
Its been quite some time since my first post. Summer gets busy and now the weather has turned cold, 1° this morning. I am going to try and post a few pictures of the progress made this pass summer. Didn't get as far as I wanted, thought I would get the Hercules engine in the crawler but didn't make it. Now I can't find all my pictures, so if the first picture posts you can see what I found when I took the engine apart last Nov. I will find the more recent pictures and get them posted so you can see how things are going.
Found my pictures, engine is ready except the carb had to be finished.
two more photos.
Keep the pictures coming, can't wait to see it completed.
Dave
The progress is very slow this winter, its just been too cold. Shop is nice and warm but one has to get there. Have gotten a few smaller pieces taken care of. Battery box is now done and stored away and am working on the carb. Just got the kit this week. I did want to put the Tillotson back on it but have now given up on it. Put it all in a box and maybe someday someone will need parts from it. I am going to use a Zenith Carb. that was on a newer Hercules JXC engine, the engine I rebuilt. I will post a few pictures of the Battery Box and the Tillotson Carb. I took pictures of the Zenith and then accidentally deleted them. Stay warm everyone.
hi hsaele12,
It is warming up, please get busy, you are almost there. I would like to see it run too. I always wanted to try farming steep sidehill with a BGH. I think it might be better than a Cat.