Monday, Oct 05, 2015 at 14:01
Allan, I think we can share our mutual old-diesel-hand-cranking experiences!
The old man had a 27HP, twin cylinder, CK model Ronaldson Bros & Tippett engine in the late 1950's, driving a 4" (100mm) centrifugal pump.
The engine probably dated to the late 1930's or early 1940's. It came from the Williams powerhouse.
That beast was hand-cranked - and I can tell you, you needed your Weeties to fire that thing up!
The crankhandle was massive, and I'm sure it was designed to be used by two men!
On top of that, the rotating mass of the engine components was enough to give any bloke a hernia.
The flywheel was about 800mm in diameter and probably 200mm thick.
It took an enormous amount of effort to just get the engine rotating - let alone get it up to starting speed.
Strangely, I have never seen a Ronaldson Bros & Tippett engine that size again, anywhere, in any antique machinery show I have been to.
Maybe the old machinery blokes haven't got the strength left to start one!
Cheers, Ron.
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