Replacing centre pivot on a Matbro TR250. Part 1. Disassembly

[@normanbuchanan9710]

your patience and innovative attitude is part of what makes your videos so interesting and enjoyable.

[@filmbluff99]

As a non-farmer, what makes your channel particularly interesting is the wide range of jobs that you tackle, and the ingenuity that you show in solving various problems and building tools. 😀🇬🇧

[@richwielechowski5191]

Recently discovered your channel from a shout out from Watch Wes Work. Your approach to repairs is sure top notch and through.

[@snowballengineering]

Thanks and welcome

[@johnbriglin3987]

Such a fantastic disply of tenacity and patience ,you virtually remade the difficult bits.I hope the farming community realise what a service you provide and what an engineer youare

[@TheByard]

Back in 1964 I drove a brand new Matbro Mastive front end loader, it also had the split body steering, a Ford 6-cylinder turbo charged engine, two forward gears, one reverse, two- or four-wheel drive. On the first factory service the engineer turned up in a new Mercedese Benze estate car, he was the head engineer at Matbro and had a lot of input into the steering system that they patented. The owner had either sold or leased the patent to Caterpillar and as a thank had given the engineer the MB. I loved the machine apart from it was bloody cold in winter as the driver pod was where the jib is on your machine. The lift and tilt mechanism was on each side of the cab, the bucket was 1.5 yards, and I could load 11 cy. trucks in 3 mins from a spoil heap. I was employed on the Victoria Line Tube tunnel, that were to be excavated using Tunnel Boring Machines the first time used in London UK.

[@andrewrobinson2869]

At least by videoing the job the customer can see how much extra work it is, I think it’s work videoing every job in case some unexpected happens you can always show the customer the issue. Love your work, regards Andy Perth Australia

[@andrewmawson6897]

With things like that gunged up spool block I always steam clean them first. Not only does it reduce the risk of getting muck in the lines but I believe the heat significantly eases undoing the pipe caps. Added benefit being more pleasant to work on.

[@hrenes]

Indeed! and top off the holes.

[@snowballengineering]

I power washed the middle but didn’t expect it to be as bad under the panel. It was already in the workshop by that point

[@bertjetolberg103]

I like to clean it first also but you always find greasy spots when pulling them apart

[@markb1487]

As a UK beef farmer this brings back memories,,just very poor maintenance has caused this.. Absolutely great video,,👍💯🇬🇧

[@RCake]

Whoa... what a bloody nightmare the state of that joint is! You are a hero for not just giving up on it.

[@zeff1015]

Great video! Don't listen to the comments about doing it wrong heating the bolt. Both work in different ways. Just don't heat both. If you heat outside it expands breaking the bond. Heating the bolt, it tries to expand but is constrained by the outside so when it tries to expand it can't and will lengthen instead. The result is that the diameter will shrink when it cools. Just make sure to replace the bolt.

[@noelscally1234]

Great job, no washing was going to make much difference there, that was a job that botched before! Great video👍

[@tehoro6893]

Oliver. The top bearing is a split race spherical type. It has the pin with a nut to keep reasonable tension on the two outer halves. The bottom is a fractured race spherical bearing. At 30:04 you see the fracture fore and aft. Fractured race bearings should be installed with the fracture 90 degrees to the line of pressure. In this case left or right as you view from the drivers seat I endorse Allanwinters' comment under, about reuseable plastic plugs and caps for hydraulic systems

[@herbemont7627]

Greetings from the U.S. just subscribed, I've been a heavy equipment mechanic for 30 years, I watch your videos and can relate to your struggles. I've seen repairs that cost thousands of dollars not to mention downtime that could have been avoided with a dollar's worth of grease. So far from what I've seen, you do great work, keep the videos coming.

[@alanbrodigan7731]

Love the type of work that you get to repair which are not easy. Your attitude towards the repair is great as you never seem to get to frustrated. Thanks for the entertainment.

[@Watchyn_Yarwood]

I forgot which KZbin creator recommended your channel but here I am and I must say I enjoy your videos. Great content and you are an excellent problem solver!

[@billforrest4205]

As Andrew said below you could have done with steam cleaning that area around those hose couplings first. A worthwhile investment would be a set of hydraulic line plugs/caps, keeps all the crap out of customers hydraulics! and helps stop the hyd oil swimming pool effect 😄

[@MattysWorkshop]

Gday, that’s definitely a ball arch job, you did we’ll splitting it on your own, it’s a pain in the ass job with 2 people, great job mate, cheers

[@grahamkahabka66]

It's always great to see your problem solving skills and listen to your descriptions of the logic you apply to the task.

[@mikestarkey7989]

Even to a complete laymen like myself this job looks like a LOT of hard work!

[@peterparsons7141]

I say ,,nay nay ! You know how to remove a damaged fastener. Every KZbinr thinks because they’ve seen a nut welded to a broken bolt,they know how to remove a fastener. I watched you do it and thought to myself,,a man who has removed a few fasteners. And then you made the comment about people who said you were doing the work incorrectly. At the end of the day whatever works, but when I saw you heating and then welding a nut, with heat applied to the correct spot to break the thread loose,,,and presto ! Very nice work !

[@gerryboard6615]

Definitely a two man job,( probably plus the apprentice) to split that one. Its strange how we get used to working on our own sometimes, it just takes a bit longer.

[@Barnagh1]

Great work, very difficult. Now for a long session at the parts washer!

[@jonathanodell9507]

Another great video Oliver. Don’t let the internet professional bother you one bit, they are sitting at home in the internet watching you do the job 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂!!!!

[@robinparkes988]

What a pig of a job. Well done for persevering Oliver. I love to see your problem solving skills, you certainly needed them for this job

[@mikestarkey7989]

Bodgit and scarper have gone to town on this vehicle! It makes for an entertaining film for us but a nightmare for you. Like I said an enjoyable film, keep up the good work!

[@StuartMoores]

just love fixing bodge work, been a carpenter for 50 yrs and I always point it out to my client and charge a 10% surcharge

[@philiphartley8823]

Its a good job there are skilled folks like you around or these machines would end up as scrap in many cases. Well done mate for showing us how it can and should be done.

[@davetestu]

Great intro though and I remembered the Keebird story when you started to retell it. Always has haunted me too. For the lack of a nail a kingdom was lost.

[@normesmonde5332]

I love farmers when they bring in all their stuff in that’s worn out you never ever get covered in grease fixing it. 😊

[@haydenwilliams1750]

I don't think I ever saw a farmer grease anything until they got 18v grease guns.

[@samherbert1724]

I could never say you're doing something wrong, considering your engineering skills are outstanding

[@ianm1470]

Great video Oliver, I admire your patience and stamina when tackling such a daunting job. I’m not sure when those bearings last got a shot of grease!!! a typical lack of preventative maintenance. Looking forward to part 2 and many thanks for an interesting project.

[@gbentley8176]

Good safety approach. Any job with wheeled bits needs thought. Love the tank jack. Shows what so called fabricators can get away with knowing the customer rarely checks. Thank you for posting.

[@clintcowles7563]

No problems, just solutions. Keep up your great work! Northern Michigan by the way. It is 6 a.m here on a Sunday morning. Drinking a bit of coffee waiting on the coming sunshine.

[@daleolson3506]

Ironwood mi here.

[@BruceBoschek]

​@@daleolson3506Used to shop in Ironwood in the 1950s! 😅

[@allanwinter4991]

A Caterpillar selection box of plastic hose fittings plugs and caps would be very handy for you when working on hydraulics.

[@carlthor91]

Every large company I've worked for, and lots of small ones, ensured, that equipment WAS ALWAYS cleaned before servicing, field service excepted. Work goes faster, you see MORE of what you are working on, and LESS contamination of assemblies in the work area. As well as a greatly reduced fire hazards. Insurance costs are much reduced as well as better working conditions, all as a result of an hour or so cleaning. Work proceeds faster. Best wishes.

[@ianbrooks6816]

Great work. One of those jobs you wish you hadn’t started, and you hadn’t! Love the makes; Need a spanner so made one. Needed a bigger spanner so extended it. Needed a trolly so made one!

[@antoniob519]

A little tip when it comes to loosening very hard screws: while you make force to loosen, give a few blows to the other part of the piece... you will get good results. Thank you for your videos! Greetings from Seville, Spain

[@theoldbigmoose]

You work very safe alone. Thank you for teaching us how.

[@seggonscontractors588]

Can't beat a Sunday afternoon watching Britain's answer to cutting edge engineering 💪💪 and it gets better as it's a series!! 😁😁😂 I've been asked to do the same job on a terex but I think I may decline politely... 🤔🤔😂😂😂😂 love the videos oly! Keep up the good work!!

[@samuelrobinson9012]

When trying to get your seized bolts out with gas, heat them up red/orange, then immediately cool it down with water. It'll nearly screw out with finger and thumb. I was told this by an old timer years ago, and it works. You can thank me later.

[@brucherrin8947]

This man will tackle any job ......BRAVO SIR

[@petercarioscia9189]

I really fkn love this channel. Watching you figure out issues and troubleshoot is damn fascinating. Reminds me of when i used to work on cars with my tool box full of random mismatched tools from my dad and grandpa...just on a much larger scale and a lot less cursing

[@waynep343]

Absolutely a splitting video. Planning on cutting some plates to bolt on to weld your line boring brackets to.

[@Ian-SaintGeorge]

Watching your "potato top n tail machine" re skinning the curved plates. Not wishing to teach grandma to suck eggs, etc etc. If you make a plywood template of the curve of the 'new skins' from the existing skins, a bit like the segment of an orange. You could have the profile ready to place on the metal whilst passing through the rollers. All you need to cut out of the template is a couple of U shaped pieces from the "skin side of the orange segment" so that you can place the wooden template into the new skin whilst in the rollers. Save a lot of guesswork. I think you work is excellent, having worked in heavy engineering most of my life. Keep up the great work, keeps me interested. Thank you.

[@josejaviersenandebarcia445]

real problem and real good solution. Good luck boy

[@scrunion]

I think "totally knackered" is a pretty fair assessment Oliver 🤔 Looking forward to part 2 !

[@globalns]

The stuck bolts made me think those hammering impact drivers might have been useful. But wow, never ending extreme disassembly effort required.

[@thepagan5432]

Well that's a mess without any doubt. When we would fit pins we would use a paste called Coppers lip which would keep the pin lubricated and make disassembly much easier. The cowboys who 'Fixed' the problem before probably worked for Blodgett & Scarper Ltd., they have depots everywhere. One thing I used to do when in the field was to have a bucket, scrubbing brush and soap, then clean the area down. The hydraulic hoses we had tapered rubber corks to fit in the ends and stop oil leaking everywhere. Can't wait for the next episode, take care mate 👍

[@graemewhite5029]

Another good video Olly, those pivot grease nipples have seen as much use as a BMW's indicators ! Those stuck countersunk screws respond well to a rattle up from an air chisel with a blunted spike, works great for stuck brake nipples too if you "massage" the caliper where the nipple screws in and no chance of melting rubber bellows or ABS sensors and the like when you're putting heat into them.

[@malcolmbennett3907]

Love your “work with what you’ve got” attitude. My dad was an agricultural engineer and I learnt a lot from him. As a boy I was the monkey sent up inside a combine harvester to hold the other end of a bolt. ….PS we’re talking Massey Harris now😂 Those who know will know🙄

[@kennyjohnson5804]

Hello from Oklahoma USA.....Oliver she is a complicated one. Much work to do but I believe you have a plan that will work. Loved the rolling cart you used. One of your best videos so far!

[@snowballengineering]

Thanks!

[@billdoodson4232]

The good thing with videoing these repairs is the fact that your customers can see exactly what needs to be done to make a good repair. Making good repairs never comes cheap, probably the reason why it's all having to be done again now, because it was done as cheap as possible previously. Anyway your customer is going to find it hard to argue about the size of the bill.

[@trevormansfield6740]

Brilliant video. Clearly shows the situations mechanics/fabricators face on a regular basis. Looking forward to part 2👍

[@DavoShed]

Great video. Customers all think it should be easy. Shame it’s so easy they can’t do it them selves. I hope you included a link to your video on the bill 🤠

[@pauldensley5459]

That's hell of a job to take on when you are on your own. Bravo. Those spherical bearings are a similar but smaller versions of those that we use on train couplers. With proper maintenance they are very good and last 400k miles between overhauls. As others have said, not quite sure they got any maintenance. Looking forward to part two.

[@astravanmk2]

Excellent work Sir! Looking forward to part 2.

[@gav2759]

Yep, you need to tie customer to a chair, to watch the video of repair, so they appreciate the work involved. Thanks for posting.

[@Ivc406]

Oliver, the farming,construction fraternity in you're area must think they've won the lottery with you on hand,yes they don't understand the graft that's involved,loved the wee dolly you built for that jack 😂 good job on separating the two,roll on part 2 regards to you're channel 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🛠️🚜

[@peterarmstrong8613]

Ollie, don’t listen to the armchair critics from KZbin. They aren’t there getting their hands dirty while you are rehabilitating someone else’s bodge job.

[@stefanmuller1017]

About the heating area and the comments you did mention. First of all: You are doing this as a job, so you are professional and others should respect that. And second: As everyone can see, heating the screw worked absolutely perfectly. And everything that works was the right thing to do. ;-) So it's nice that you explain such things that others can learn from your decisions. But just don't let the backseat drivers comments bother you. ;-)

[@stevefromlondon9175]

That's one arse of a job that's a farmer fix all right you have great skill & knowledge Regards Steve UK London

[@andersskog7589]

Small tip. When i split forest machines i reconnect one steering cylinder so both go out when i steer. So it pushes itself apart. Works great. Also when i pull it back together.

[@mauricekeithjohnson2598]

A genuine FABRICATOR ! Make the tools as needed !!

[@551moley]

I've got a Barford dumper that needs similar attention, L&S Engineers have full kits to replace the bushes and pins, not cheap but what is! You make it look easy many hours or days in 36 mins, lol.

[@johnwarwick4105]

At least your customer can see exactly the problems in doing that job. Had my older matbro split years ago to re bush. Have to say this is a better design than the old ones. If the rest of the machine is sound then it’s worth a couple of grand to sort out the pivot ( total guess on cost but it’s going to be at least that I would have thought) good KZbin content and you will become the go to man for matbro pivots now 😂😂 get yourself some of those tapered rubber bungs for hydraulic pipe, expensive but worth every penny

[@cstew8355]

Excellent mate you keep your cool! Calm and collected what a great channel and a good guy thanks for sharing you hard work brother 👍

[@bostedtap8399]

Great job on safely splitting the machine, carnage comes to mind on the previous bodge. Looking forward to a pukka repair.

[@joevalencic5275]

"I’ll be needing it back in a couple of days!" Sounds like my old customers who waited until it was broke to the point of not being able to be used, then making it an "urgent repair." My response used to be…"Poor planning on YOUR part does not constitute an emergency on MY part!" When following crap work, I always increased the rate because I know it’s going to be a nightmare. Love your channel and feel your pain. Been there…done that!

[@dougallmcmillan8970]

You sure your name is Oliver and not William - William the Conqueror. You find a solution for all adversity! Incredible

[@9madness9]

Looking forward to part 9,hate when jobs like these come in but pays the bills

[@williambailey9378]

Great work mate , glad to see you've ditched the music it detracted from your great work 👍

[@Hey_Its_That_Guy]

Fantastic work Ollie, as usual. Glad to see that a lack of proper maintenance (in this case about 💷1 worth of grease) is keeping you busy. Crack on! Looking forward to part two!

[@ruthbees7214]

Nice job making that spanner and jack trolley. Simple but very effective helps when you split the machine helps it to travel evenly. Well done you made that job straightforward with enough thought and clever bit of fabing. Cannot wait to see part two. If you ain't got it make it😁❤

[@larryskeeper1197]

Oliver, get some silver foil from the kitchen and wrap up the loose hose ends and adapters to prevent oil spills and dirt entry. When you get to do more of these hydraulic tasks, buy some assorted steel caps and plugs.

[@sjv6598]

Ignore the negative comments, there’s always more than one way to skin a cat. You’re doing an incredible job on your own. It’s amazing seeing one man split that thing in half 👏🏻🫡

[@brianalder2234]

This is abit different 👍 quite suprised that's what holds both halves together , velly interesting ! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@walterrobbins4470]

I had to check the definition and etymology of the word knackered. I wanted to make sure I understood the full meaning. It seems to be pretty straightforward

[@haydenc2742]

Wear and tear or lack of maintenance... Ah well...makes for GREAT content and job security either way! Love it...instead of one big ol' honkering piece of equipment...pop out a pin and then you have TWO big ol' honkering pieces of equipment each with their own set of problems and centers of gravity! Awesome! Love it! Get er dun!!! Keep em coming!!!!

[@aidanreilly520]

Great video Oliver, thats a tough job to be taking on by yourself Only advice I'd give is don't rush it & don't be afraid to charge the full amount for your time and materials. However it's arrived at its current state of disrepair it's now a big job to put it right. Hopefully owner realises with a little TLC+ Grease there's thousands of hours left in that machine when you've finished the job Best of luck Oliver hope everything goes smoothly

[@randytravis3998]

just a thought ,, cover the windshield with cardboard , welding paper , tin sheet metal .. when grinding / welding the hot sparks could melt into the glass , also another idea is too hook a brace too your rolling jack so it stays in the correct spot .. when rolling across the floor it could catch then the half of the tractor could fall .. great video ..

[@stephenbrockway1626]

Top job . There . Feel your pain With the job . As you say 2 man job . Professional job as always Just hope you charge enough for your professional skills . When it comes to line boring And all it pitfalls / problems Enjoy watching what you achieve on your own 👍

[@TT-qo9dv]

Thank you Snowball 👍 I really enjoy your videos 😊

[@PAINFOOL13]

Really enjoy your approach to the issues your up against. Nicely work Oliver 👍🏻👍🏻looking forward to next video . Be safe man.

[@kenreeve6549]

Always enjoy the hands on vids Oliver thank you. 10/10

[@filmbluff99]

I feel your pain on jobs like this. I help restore old military vehicles, and stuck bolts, rounded heads that need a nut welded on are all part of the job, but they certainly slow things down. 😀🇬🇧

[@BrucePierson]

That's a pretty massive job, but taking it step by step and doing one bit at a time, you'll get there in the end.

[@daleburrell6273]

You're a brave man!!! You really shouldn't be doing jobs like that if there's nobody else around- just in case there are unexpected issues...(!)

[@grahambaker9377]

All for a bit of grease ? I would of give it a good clean down first usually shows other faults up, nicer to work on. Good touch with the jack on a trolley.

[@cheechU38K]

Those fiddly hose unions 😮 similar to when I used to undo gas valves in tiny cupboards. Many tools and still making up extensions with the torque. I always tightened before removal as had some thing with every joint undoing but the one you wanted 😤 big lump to work on. Stay safe 🤞🏻

[@DavidSellars-b8l]

I would no longer attempt this. Your tank jack roller is quite good. I agree with the people on the steam cleaning and would have pulled it out once I saw what was under the panel. Also, all the oil on the floor should have gone away before using a torch or welder. I'm just finicky with fire. Prefer not to light off a customer's machine and my shop. My hat is off to you going after this one.

[@therealspixycat]

Yes nice video Oliver. Must be frustrating to deal with a job that always takes more time than anticipated and still manage customer's expectations....

[@rogerhutchings5811]

Another super interesting project can't wait for the next part

[@AddictedtoProjects]

Oooohhh. This will definitely be an interesting series to follow. Can't wait for Part-2! :)

[@StuartMoores]

love your work,. Straight forward and down to earth🎩

[@Spitter-ud8jd]

That's one of those jobs you gotta be like the Lord Humongous from the Road Warrior and {Just Walk Away]. They didn't pay you enough for that one. Great video keep em coming.🍻

[@raystormont]

Clever design for that upper split ball support joint. Seems new pins could benefit from induction/surface hardening before final maching to size and maybe drill a channel for zerk grease fittings if not already present. Ray Stormont

[@jeffo881]

great content, love your approach and problem solving, When you hand them the invoice just tell them to watch the video.

[@TonyFromSydney]

Good video again as usual Oliver, It's good how you work and think.

[@fredbcj]

I worked at Matbro Tetbury site for 7 years , stress relieving and lining pins up , inspection, if hard stamp is BCM 1 (bray construction machinery 1) I checked it, the top plate on front chassis doesn't look standard , and didn't have the 2 gussets running up the back

[@fredbcj]

we used oxygen acetylene with the biggest cutting nozzle ,only used for heat tho, and full psi on both regulators nearly , and put shrinks in ,say on a high spot when making the carriers the bars are always curved from the mill, so chalk the high spot, heat down the line starting with a neutral flame 5mm from the surface to tip of the flame cones, then with your thumb on the oxygen just roll on the oxygen till you see like lemonade bubbles fizzing on the mill scale ,keep moving , if you roll on to much you have 8 indents from the nozzle ,thats to much, so on the 250 ram bosses ,when distorted from welding and you need to lighn up for reaming , say the pin needs to come down to enter the opposite boss , a shrink can be added in a half circle opposite the weld outside at top of boss ,this will push in , and half circle bottom of the boss inside ,this will push out , re enter the pin and with the side sheet moved out at bottom and in at top pin should of dropped horizontal to enter the other boss , we used this on axle pads ,donkey heads , compensating levers, inner outer booms , in the sub assemblies every boss welded was stress relieved on opposite side of the weld .

[@stephenboyer5303]

Great Work ethics and no corner cutting with people seeing your videos has got to get you more & more work looking forward to part 2😊😊

[@yeagerxp]

As he said "He does not have a proper splitting rail" He better get one, me thinks he is going to need one.