Junk equipment

[Bruno of NH]

I'm learning my lesson on junk equipment.
When you know nothing about fixing it don't buy it.
I knew better but had to cut some debt to move forward.
Getting up on 12 days of no sawing with orders piling up and losing some.
Big Bob rebuilt starter broke yesterday. 
Waiting on a fix.
Some days I wonder if the man upstairs is telling me to move on.
I can't I enjoy my customers to much.
Had a new one today.
He said he would be back.
If I can get through the winter months with a Florida skid steer I will have to look for a spare machine.
Being broke down don't pay the bills.
Don't buy junk .
Lesson learned.

[A-z farmer]

Bruno did you ever get some kind of heater either for the oil pan or block .That will make a big difference in cold weather starting .I have a whole shelf of starters that went bad on our last skid steer.We always bought new ones but cranking them too long shortens their life considerably.Good luck on your repair.

[Bruno of NH]

I'm working on the heater 
I will have a heated shed next year.

[farmfromkansas]

I take a kerosene (diesel) heater, and just set it about 3 or 4 feet from the skidsteer and warm it up if the cord won't reach.  Easy starting warm. Feel the air stream, don't want to burn up anything.  Also use it to warm up my 7130 JD tractor, did not come with a block heater, just glow plugs.  Starts easy after a few minutes of the heater blowing on it.  Warms the engine and transmission if I set it under the loader pointing back.

[47sawdust]

A block heater with a timer will help.My kubota has a block heater that comes on at 5a.m.When I'm ready to roll it fires right up.
It has a hydraulic shuttle shift tranny so I let it run for 20 minutes before it moves.Everybody is happy.
Sorry for your frustrations.

Those kerosene heaters scare me to death.I'd never turn my back on one.

[Nebraska]

How much time did you have on that starter rebuild?

[Bruno of NH]

It was rebuilt in July

[mike_belben]

Is the starter off right now?  Theyre very easy to fix and Im happy to walk you through getting it sorted out over the phone if you want.  


Or my uncle is up in ellsworth maine if you want it done right.  probably one of the best starter alternator guys left if you feel like a road trip.  Doesnt fool with cheap aftermarket parts, has obsolete stuff manufactured to his spec.  Charlie at bonded auto on RT 1A.  

[Walnut Beast]

It was rebuilt in July

Get on the people that rebuilt it 

[Walnut Beast]

I take a kerosene (diesel) heater, and just set it about 3 or 4 feet from the skidsteer and warm it up if the cord won't reach.  Easy starting warm. Feel the air stream, don't want to burn up anything.  Also use it to warm up my 7130 JD tractor, did not come with a block heater, just glow plugs.  Starts easy after a few minutes of the heater blowing on it.  Warms the engine and transmission if I set it under the loader pointing back.

Smart suggestion from a farm boy from Kansas 😂Propane to ( use caution and keep an eye on things 

[Nebraska]

You shouldn't  have it fail that quick, I didn't think  it was very long ago. Thst shop should stand behind it. I would take Mike up on his offer. I don't think your machine is junk it sure is bigger, badder, and way newer than mine.

[Corley5]

  New ones break too.  The shop I use for starters etc. gives a one warranty on their work.  Hang in there.

[barbender]

Bruno if you or your helper was cranking on it too long (entirely possible if you are fighting getting it started) it is within reason to think you cooked a good starter. It could also be a defective starter. I've seen several new 24v probably $1000+ starters fried on Ponsse machines that wouldn't start. Starter motors don't have any cooling mechanism like a continuous duty motor does, so heat starts to build up the second you hit the key. The easiest option is a block heater, I don't know how access is on that engine, but a block heater is a basic mechanical job. The hardest part is draining the coolant usually🤷🏽‍♂️ You can get this done and get Big Bob going again👍👍 I forgot what engine is in that machine, Perkins?

[Walnut Beast]

Are you speaking from experience burning up those 1000 dollar starters barbender 😂

[barbender]

Haha not personally😂 When they first got the Ponsse Scorpion processors out in the woods they were having some major starting problems on the cold days. I think Ponsse was covering all of the starters because they had an issue and they knew it- their new flagship machine was making headway, a lot of Green machines were getting traded in on them. Then we got the first cold day and all across the northland, none of the Scorpions would start😬 They've got it all sorted now😉 It's entertaining to stop at the Ponsse shop after the first good cold day, and look at the huge pile of core batteries that gave up the ghost on that day. I contributed a couple myself this year😁

[mike_belben]

I doubt brunos newish starter cant be fixed up within an hour with some sandpaper and hand tools.  Ive only had like 3 of probably 40 be actual junk.



Very good chance its more the fault of a big voltage drop somewhere else in the circuit causing high amps.

[Bruno of NH]

Got the starter back in and it's running tonight.
The solenoid was worn out and the gear to greasy.
That's what I was told.
$126 
Wish me luck in the morning. 

[Ohio_Bill]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think there is a Perkins 236 in Big Bob. I have had several Perkins over the years and have a 236 in service now.  I have had great luck with the Prestolite gear reducted starters .If your starter fails you might consider one. If I remember correctly this one will handle an 8 litter engine so it makes the little 236 spin without much effort.


 

[mike_belben]

If theres a fork kicker outter that the solenoid engages, then yes frozen grease will stop them from kicking the drive gear out.  Warm it up with a bottle torch. Just dont catch bob on fire. 


Box store solenoids are mostly foreign cheapos anymore and they lack dielectric grease so they corrode and arc and dont move sufficient current before very long.  Its aggravating. 

[Hackeldam Wood Products]

If you have room in the lower radiator hose you can put a heater in there easily. I am sure you know if you live in cold climates it helps the starting and is much easier on the engine. It will last longer with less cold starts. Also fully synthetic oils help cold starting as it floes easily in cold temps. and prevents cold start wear. I use Amsoil in everything I own for years. They make a small engine oil the is perfect for the mill.

When you replace starters and alternators it is especially important to check the cables and connections,grounds and the battery. A half used battery or one with a bad cell ruins more new and rebuilt starters and alternators then anything.

Remember that starter in cold weather is under tremendous load as it also is turning the cold hydraulic pump and other accessories. Cranking more then 30 seconds a try is hard on them.

Never get upset with breakdowns, it is just part of doing business.

Happy Healthy New Year, Bruno.

Rich