Benford PT3000 Dumper. Steering ram, not charging etc

[willfromsussex]

Hi , I'm new here.
I Just bought this machine off Ebay to use around my small farm. It has a 3 cylinder Lister Petter air cooled engine which I understand is a TS3. Does start fine and seems to run ok but machine is in a right old state. Main problem is there is oil pouring from the steering ram, the end of the ram cylinder will not tighten up so it looks like the threads are stripped and therefore because of this and the pitted rod it needs a new ram, any ideas where to get one affordably?

There is no engine cover, I will probably end up making one but I'd thought I'd mention it in case anyone had a spares machine with one on.

Other main problem (apart from very worn main pivot) is the battery isn't charging. There isn't an external alternator, just wires from stator. One red pair and one black pair. There are ohms readings on there of 13 ohms per pair, and when running I'm getting 17VAC on the black pair and about 45VAC on the red pair. The rectifier/regulator unit has a broken off terminal so hopefully if I can find one of these units it will solve the problem, anyone know where to get or what can be used instead? I wondered if a motorcycle one might work.




Lastly, anyone know how to tell what year the machine might be? IF I had to guess I would say early 1990s. Thankyou

[gecko.cx]

A cheap-n-chearful /fit anything regulator is from the Yanma clone engines (eg. 186F).

The two wires (same colour) into one connector are input (AC), the fused wire is to the battery, the black (if present) goes to ground
eg. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/287573358784. (there are dozens )

[essexpete]

I think Benford was swallowed up by Terex. It might be possible to obtain steering ram, or failing that a specialist hydraulic shop may be able to help by rebuild or remanufacture.

A quick Google, not cheap.

https://www.htsspares.com/catalogue/pla ... 049-0003-0

[willfromsussex]

Thankyou, I've seen regulators like that on things like garden tractors. I'm not sure why the Lister has 2 sets of windings, I wondered if one set was to excite the other but that wouldn't explain why they seem to be producing power with out that.

Thanks for link to ram, looks different to mine, mine does not have a pipe running along the side but who knows, maybe mine is wrong.

[essexpete]

The operational length and end joints are the critical points.

[aliza mehmood]

Welcome to the forum! That sounds like a useful little machine, even if it needs a fair bit of work.

For the steering ram, I’d try taking the old ram to a hydraulic repair shop before buying a complete replacement. If the cylinder bore and gland are usable, they may be able to re-thread/repair the end, replace the seals and fit a new rod. A standard hydraulic ram with the same bore, stroke and mounting dimensions might also be a cheaper option.

Regarding the charging system, the 17VAC and 45VAC readings suggest the stator is producing output, so the broken rectifier/regulator could well be the main issue. I’d identify the original unit and its wiring/pinout before fitting a motorcycle regulator, as the two stator circuits may have different functions. A generic motorcycle regulator/rectifier could work in some setups, but the type and wiring need to match the stator.

Hopefully someone on here recognises the machine and can point you towards a supplier for the ram, regulator and engine cover. Good luck with the restoration!