I Bought A JCB Fastrac Tractor, How broken is it? The Next Clarksons Farm?

In This quick update video Im introducing my latest purchase, the 2004 JCB Fastrac 3170, After driving it home from Leicester I've found a few unexpected problems but just how bad is it?
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[@tommofpv6497]

If you think them manifold bolts are gonna snap, cut the heads off before they snap and pull the manifold off... Makes it so much easier to slide a nut over the remaining bolt, weld it on and then wind the bolt out 👍 if you let them snap, they normally snap off right close to the head... Makes your life a lot more difficult when they are like that.

[@TheFrogster1985]

Thats a quality bit of advice, I've done manifold bolts on a 3cx and they were a nightmare!

[@fittermatt]

Yep, completely agree with you! An addition from my experience would be to give either the uncut bolt heads or the cut down with nut welded to it, a quick session of percussive shock with a hammer attachment in an air hammer/chisel. The amount of misery mine has saved since finding out about using one is untrue and I recommend to as many as I can. Not teaching to suck eggs, just sharing my experience amongst fellow mechanics

[@robertthorpe7297]

Absolute yes to the farming content!! Get a Sony head unit, they’re generally pretty great.

[@drewkuta8736]

Use to have one of those before changing it up to a 3230 xtra amazing piece of kit especially for grain carting and grass cutting

[@kerbsidebob1]

Nice one good looking fast trac all the best with your new venture. It’s worth joining a machinery ring if you are not already it’s a great way of getting to know what sort of work is available through the different seasons my local machinery ring keeps me in work most of the year round now. And I have made a lot of good contacts through working on a variety of farms

[@davidrussell8689]

Love your definition of this “ tractor “ as an “ off road lorry “👍

[@virendsouza6359]

I just bought a 3185 myself, mostly to run my Orkel compactor ! You should be able to get more HP out of yours seeing how it's the same engine. I'm looking forward to your videos to learning more about them!

[@chrisflemington819]

I agree with the suggested way of getting the cracked manifold off and then the seized bolts out. You would think that manufacturers, by now, would have found a way of using a different type of metal for manifold bolts/fittings because this always happens. At least on the JCB they’re easier to take off than on for example a car where they’re often buried! But overall the tractor looks really good for its age and hours. If it were me, and it’s not!, I would jet wash it first to show up any more damaged bits, leaks etc that might need refurbishment and then it sounds as if you’ve got an action plan and you seem to know what to do just go for it! I wish I had your skills and pragmatism to do something like this but I haven’t so good luck and I’ll look forward to seeing the progress and more importantly the end result. Good luck with this project 🚜🧑‍🔧

[@stitchmeupdoctor]

jcb fastrac 185-65 was one of the best all round tractor I’ve ever driven, a very good tool on land or road. Bit poor at ploughing mind but everything else, brilliant.

[@BRED510]

Look forward to seeing this progress!

[@danielsmith-wr3mk]

You bought well there mate. I’m a truck man myself, like you say , she’s an off road truck. I look forward to seeing more videos as you do the repairs

[@TheEdgey22]

The Case and JCB Cummins 6bt are well known for shrinking exhaust manifolds. Just done a MX170 manifold, don't bother with left handed drill bits, if they do break they are hateful things to get out of the head. We had to drill out to tap size and use a pick to pull the leftover bolt out, took most of the day!

[@mwnciboo]

Steam clean/ power wash the 3pt...then as you say Penetrating oil. I like a 50/50 mix - Transmission fluid, Acetone in a spray bottle. Looks a great find. 5.9 litre - ooooffff.

[@noelcxl2037]

Russell fastraxx in Ireland are very good for parts. George Saunders swears by them. Best of luck with her, she’s a weapon 💪💪

[@roberthiggins6401]

Lovely matt, I can't believe the parts are so cheap. Be nice to see what you get up too with her plus the tanks and what not.

[@jakewigmore5559]

Best penetrating fluid is worth rust off, had many bolt that look like they’ll snap or round off but come right out after a good couple days of soaking

[@weecharles_]

Yes ! Glad to see you got one

[@billyyoung5363]

Hi there, I would recommend ARMS Plant they sell aftermarket exhaust systems for all Fastracs in stainless also.

[@JonDingle]

New subscriber to your channel here. This will be interesting to watch this Fastrac progress. The Hay Team TV haven't had luck with their Trelleborg tyres, they keep blowing out. I used to drive a Fastrac when the regular guy was on holiday. I carted paper waste with it. Yours looks tidy and like you say, easy stuff to sort. Top regards from North Yorkshire!

[@mikedowland9949]

Great addition to the fleet👍

[@srlawnlandscape48]

Would love to see you build the contracting business as I've been interested and trying to get in to agricultural work for years even though its not my background it's something I've always wanted to be a part of. Hope it all works out for you, there'll no doubt be obstacles and bumps but stubbornness and hard work will always prevail

[@yates965]

My pet hate on head units, is the mult function tiny dials. Hit a bump while changing volume, and everything is scewed up. Had Sony, Kenwood, but still love a pioneer.

[@djharrison5801]

We use ARMS PLANT for fastrac parts they sell most parts, we bought a stainless exhaust off them for a 2140 better than standard but not quite as loud as a straight through give them a call Alistair will fit you up 👍🏻

[@averysenior6571]

I don't know what your shop situation is but snap on makes a really good tool for manifold bolts it gose into your air hammer and has a 1/2 drive end to put a socket on and then you turn it with a wrench but it shocks the threads loose and makes a job easy. I have a 3220 jcb and I really like the vetherstine tires (sorry for the butchering of the name) they seem very smooth on the road. If your doing a tone of road running put your front tires on backwards and it will save a tone of wear. You may look silly but no one's paying for your tires. Best of luck!

[@seggonscontractors588]

Im having a binge this morning Matt... and ive often wondered what happened to the contracting plan?? It would be nice to see a video of what happened with the fast track! 😊

[@kiwidonkeyk1656]

I would go through a set of discs each winter I reckon with the mud here, surprised to see that. I wept at the prices, I have just been quoted $900 NZ (450 pounds) just for a new position sensor for the three point linkage on my Same. Grammar seats are the way to go I love mine and would put them in the car if I could, go the whole hog and get one that swivels left and right, your back will thank you when you are working a paddock. Always liked the look of the JCBs don't see many here though. Would love to see some contract work Matt.

[@MrT0001768]

I liked the new farming content. I'm looking forward to seeing the repairs on the JCB. Pete Norcliffe, Huddersfield.

[@georgeilling568]

nice bit of kit that! should do you well ;) Would definitely be interested in seeing some contractor work along side all of the tanks ahaha

[@ac-ww5xm]

Best of luck with the new contracting adventure and the tractor.

[@ralfcourtauld9138]

Go for alliance, stand by them, good grip and excellent wear. I found they don’t wear anything like other brands. Wouldn’t touch Firestone or Mitas as they just ware way too quickly

[@Johndeere42302008]

Try heating the bolts and let them cool down a couple times and then when still hot melt a dark color crayon or wax into the threads, the wax will lube the threads and prevent striping and broken bolts.

[@frankfowler5079]

Want to have a look at the cross shaft for the lift arms Are known to cease up solid if not used! Diesel and grease mix is your friend!

[@eriks1256]

Speak to George Saunders . He's the fastrac guru on KZbin.

[@joefrankland8929]

Loving your videos mate I always wanted to be a contractor but never got their I spend my days fencing and landscaping but wish I could be on my own tractor Good luck to you I will enjoy watching your journey. Also I help a mate restore old military vehicles he has a fair collection

[@joefrankland8929]

And in a previous life I was a jcb sales rep

[@hywelisthebest]

Good luck with the venture!

[@gordonverrall1477]

Go down to your local scrap yard and get a top of the range radio /disc player.

[@etaontime7375]

Nice intro to the Fastrack … Good Luck … I’m a new subscriber 😎👍🏼

[@nicke6394]

Cracking looking bit of kit 👌

[@272TM]

Just make sure that your exhaust manifold is american if its a Chinese casting unfortunately it will fail and pul the cylinder head causing it to blow , noticed this issue when rebuilding a few cummins 6bt 👍👍👍 lovely tractor be interested to see the outcome of with all your work

[@rockandmeatroll]

Nice machine, best of luck with it.

[@mikego18753]

Thumbs up Mat.That manfold could be carefully cut away with oxy(it,s shagged anyway)plus it would make a good vid. Cheers mate.

[@andrewbibby7060]

Nice walk around vid, 👍👍

[@robertwillis4061]

That manifold can be welded. Grind a channel each side of the crack. And slowly MIG in the split. 5mm at a time, wait a minute, repeat.

[@captainclarke]

That George Sanders bloke on the YooTewbs there had to do the manifold on his similar Fastrac, studs came out surprisingly easy. Also I'd stick to the Vredesteins, Trelleborgs seem to have a bad rep at the minute for going pop at high speed once they get to a couple of year old or so.

[@russ7743]

yup bit of farming is good its all about the spin of the presenter so good. fit right in with the hay team, farmer P and barclay tree surgeons

[@mattwhitehall9536]

Speak with the lads at custom chrome about an exhaust, they’re in Nuneaton, about 35mins from Harborough, so a bit of a run down from yours, but built the exhaust for the JCB speed record tractor. They’d probably polish you a stainless steel one up.

[@Luccccca1]

Hey, i recently bought a Fastrac 2140 with the same transmission and Enginge (without intercooler... yet) and I am really curious to see which improovements you will do to your tractor. One thing i am also very interedtrd in is the brake replacement. I got it done by the workshop and it was really expensive... Wish i had known about ARMS Plant before. Good luck contracting👍🏻

[@KHGrinderboy]

Awesome, I shall share them on FB so the rest of the JCB LP Team see them too, you can tap into a wealth of Fastrac advice as pretty much most of the Engineers and Designers have Ag and Farming Backgrounds.

[@M3PH11]

8:52 Considering it has two wood screws holding it in i am not surprised it doesn't work right.

[@colin7334]

If you watch the Hay Team TVs KZbin channel you’ll see that they have popped 3 trellebourgs on one of their 4220’s in the last couple of month’s. I think they’ve got BKTs on the other one with no issues

[@matthewsmithurst6669]

Is that the fastrac from Joes workshop that was on the vicon baler ? Looks like a good un 👍 Lord Muck (kurt) or George Saunders are the yu chub, peeps you need to visit. Keep up the swearing and banter, loving the military & farm content.

[@r-urbex1611]

We've got an 185-65. Beast of a machine when she works. When. JCB just comes broke 😂

[@scoyle1750]

Subbed looking forward to more on the jcb👍

[@bendunford9665]

Manifold bolts should open, 6 point socket a short extension and give it a few slaps of a hammer, if they slip you could go a size smaller with the socket in a 12 point and it normally grips before you go cutting off the heads

[@jimspeed1388]

I'd like to see more on this. And as for being on the tools I've been a fitter for getting on 30 years and it does knock the shit out of you over the years so contracting might be a bit easier on the back and knees.

[@pattonm4753]

what's a fitter in the US? a mechanic?

[@alanalzee4849]

@@pattonm4753 yes a fitter in England is the same as a Mechanic on big stuff like trucks and tractors

[@fittermat]

I don’t intend to give up fitting altogether, however I enjoy farming much more so trying to get to a point where I’m looking forward to going to work

[@jimspeed1388]

I know that feeling mate.

[@pattonm4753]

@@alanalzee4849 ahh ok thx

[@ryang5561]

Would be good seeing to get that fast track looking nice. Farming content would be good.

[@adamtehan1936]

Looking forward to seeing some farming content

[@TheCainsie]

It would have been good to do a video on different Penetrating oils. Like the tool videos.... Maybe one for a tank video scrap engine?? Few different oils, and just hit one with heat alone ?

[@brumarly]

Quarter turn on each bolt at a time, sorter reverse head torque sequence, best chance at not making 1 looser and at the same time making 1 tighter. I live in Leicester too that makes me wonder who's it was?

[@matttonks1591]

Soo much room for activities, you could even have a bunk bed!

[@spannerworx7106]

Thats mint. I do like a fastrac.

[@daveparkin4104]

Check out truckmaxx exhaust and I find jvc head units good. And I see she has a carlise reg on plate must have been Scot JCB when new I would say

[@Harrythepot]

We have two terberg yard shunters at work, both have the same engine in. One has 55k hours on it and the other one has 76k hours on it. Solid as a rock

[@bustersmith5569]

55 thousand hours ? Is that correct 🤔

[@Harrythepot]

@@bustersmith5569 yep. Cummins power plant 222 hp

[@bustersmith5569]

@@Harrythepot well I guess I shouldn't worry about 4400 hours on my 4bt Cummins at all !!! TY,,,, 👍

[@turnerscorner9516]

Nice looking Fastrack.

[@byronlovesey1290]

Hi mat , George Saunders has one very similar fast track he has been doing his up aswell

[@ianatkinson8464]

I’d like to see you working on some farm equipment. 😎👍

[@FanaticQuattro]

Just found this channel amazing! Is there a follow up to this video?

[@dekkb]

More farming content? That sir is a grand idea 👍🏼 between Clarkson, Harry Metcalfe and yourself I'll be a proper expert in no time 😂

[@bobdascouse]

full stainless exhaust will sound good as is, going straight through on them will leave you with a head ache at end of the day lad

[@bobdascouse]

ceat tyres are good for them too, bit cheaper option too

[@WilliamStevens007]

I would be buying those new Nokian Ground king tyres, I expect they are dear but look a good tyre.

[@bumpy955i]

arms plant is the person to speak to thats if you ever need anything for it but good luck in trying to get in contact with him

[@motovlogger7198]

The guy from Tik Tok I've found ya on KZbin now 😆 I'll see thee 😆

[@ikweby9169]

Bring on the farming vids..... 👍👍👍👍👍

[@alastairpoultney644]

😅if you can't see the hook,put on a hydraulic system working off the spool valves so you can extend the hook out .makes it so much easier. Al Poultney .

[@wildbillkennedy6345]

where the dip stick is on the jcb fastrac as I can find it anywhere at all and Google is not helping just thought I would ask you as you have one and I'm putting it to work tomorrow thanks billy

[@DijGerful]

Damn, didnt know JCB used the 5,9 Cummins. Its a great engine!

[@aaronhajzyk]

Good kit i build the jcb loadall at rocester

[@willembrey771]

Would be good to see some contracting content. Any updates on the JCB repairs?

[@nicke6394]

Absolutely post some farming content 👍👍👍.

[@voxxag8054]

You'll happily get 250hp out of that if needed with out stressing it at all. 👍

[@turnerscorner9516]

More content like that please

[@OutofTownwithRobinBell]

look forward for more content on this 👍

[@fittermat]

More to come!

[@AmisCorolla]

did it ever come?@@fittermat

[@adriandukes7690]

This project is going to make great viewing, hurry up and get those brakes done 😂

[@adamdakin140]

Yeah let’s see some farming

[@d8gty392]

Exhaust can be custom made in Wakefield, speak to my friend Chris @ Baf Motorsport buddy

[@escapegoat3472]

Yeah, give us some farming content.

[@janniedewetbarnard3636]

I will put new tyres on the back ( Bridgestone) and the rear tyres in the front.... The rear links just change them out for new once

[@matijauricic5748]

Please make an update on the Fastrac

[@31Macdog]

Used to drive Fast Trac when I was in the RAF, used them for towing Harriers in Germany. Absolute beasts, 55mph forwards or backwards!

[@boblakes3226]

I would weld that manifold in place

[@samrodian919]

Matt get hold of some Croil penetrating oil. That's the dogs bollocks as far as getting stuff to free up. It might be expensive over here but you probably only need to spray it twice and they will break free. I've watched a good few American KZbinrs who swear by it including one who I've visited in his shop in Kentucky and if he says it's good and is not sponsored I believe him. (This was a face to face recommendation by the way)

[@andygraves3658]

Speak to Lord Muck about tyres. He seems to have a few contacts at a good price

[@kingofcavell1620]

Have you any updates or more videos on the jcb yet?

[@jonathanlewis498]

More Agri content would be great!

[@tonygreen769]

You want the exhaust as quiet as you can get it.the droning in that cab all day from a noisy pipe will absolutely do your head in.driven fastracs since the nineties.....

[@chox2001]

Should be plenty of work for you with that 👍

[@bmw1894]

I find Titan Tyres / Goodyear are worth their money.

[@joshmilner301]

UTV for the led lights

[@darrenminter4190]

Unbolt exhaust off the tractor and take it to your nearest power flow dealer they have them all over the UK they will be able to make you a stainless steel exhaust and copy the one that you’ve got a do whatever sound you want

[@tomkidman2476]

Hello matt How are you doing with the fastrac Have you done much contracting with it?

[@nialllynch7120]

watching this video gave me PTSD - My family ran a fastrac 3185 for 4 years , only 4500 hours was on a baler all its life - she broke our heart , for the linkage put a 5 furrow plough on her for a day and make her sweat