Save or Scrap? CAT Towmotor sitting for years. Will it Run??

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 20 сер 2024
  • Shell Rotella® is available at NAPA Auto Parts: bit.ly/3stzUwQ
    #runsonrotella
    Grab Yourself a Hat and a Shirt from the Merch Store! DieselCreek.com/
    Like something you see in a video? good chance its linked in my Amazon Store: www.amazon.com...
    Follow me on Instagram & Facebook @dieselcreek #DieselCreek
    Custom Music made for me by Vinnie Longhi of the Semi-Supervillains
    Check them out here: / tssvillains
    Check out these awesome recovery ropes from Yankum Ropes.
    yankum.com/?af...
    Use the code dieselcreek at checkout for 10% off your purchase!
    Wanna send me something? Send it to:
    Diesel Creek
    P.O. Box 109
    Burgettstown PA 15021-0109
    #sponsored

КОМЕНТАРІ • 3 тис.

  • @drunkdunc8738
    @drunkdunc8738 9 місяців тому +829

    The Towmotor co est 1919 were the inventors of forklifts, their early models didn’t have forks and would just tow carts from place to place 👍🍻

    • @ksw501
      @ksw501 9 місяців тому +50

      That’s interesting. I’ve worked in the LTL freight industry and have heard fork trucks referred to as tow motors by people who’ve got many years under their belts.

    • @divadyrdnal
      @divadyrdnal 9 місяців тому +32

      Ha, always heard the term “Towmotor” for “forklift”, now it makes sense! Thanks

    • @fourhillsfarm
      @fourhillsfarm 9 місяців тому +35

      Beat me to it. Cat bought that company and of course the rights to the name.

    • @grahammctygue724
      @grahammctygue724 9 місяців тому +13

      Distributor may be turning under load ,harmonics off be blessed Matt

    • @ColtonBlumhagen
      @ColtonBlumhagen 9 місяців тому +18

      Pretty sure Clark was the first.

  • @andrewmain3572
    @andrewmain3572 9 місяців тому +163

    You should know by now, if a forklift (or in this case a Towmotor) is not leaking, there's nothing left to leak!

    • @whitesapphire5865
      @whitesapphire5865 9 місяців тому +7

      If there ain't no oil under the engine, it's because there ain't no oil in the engine?!

    • @mudbunny6388
      @mudbunny6388 9 місяців тому +6

      Just like old Harleys, if it ain't leaking, it's out of oil.

    • @johnosborn2704
      @johnosborn2704 9 місяців тому +6

      One last thing you might do is check your muffler for being plugged

    • @mountainjeff
      @mountainjeff 9 місяців тому +2

      @@mudbunny6388 And British cars, of lore.

    • @colestowing8695
      @colestowing8695 9 місяців тому +1

      @@johnosborn2704 I thought the same. Could be packed full of rodent condos-that would maybe explain the blow-by too (backpressure)... And then if clearing it helped with backpressure it could even theoretically help with the oil leak

  • @leviwhite9
    @leviwhite9 9 місяців тому +9

    "Got a screwdriver..., woop yeah things are angry down here...., the lights really did dim, heh heh heh!" That gave me a hearty chuckle as well, especially since you called it beforehand.

  • @hydro2wheel
    @hydro2wheel 9 місяців тому +29

    This brought back many fond memories of the first forklift I ever operated, a 1950's Towmotor. The shop's chosen forklift mechanic knew of it's history before the shop owned it. It began life in the high rise construction industry. Back then it was raised floor by floor with a crane to move construction material around as the high rise buildings were constructed.

  • @tardis454
    @tardis454 9 місяців тому +245

    Don't give up on the Towmotor just yet Matt. At work we have a mid 70's 15,000lb capacity Towmotor with a Continental flat 6 that had a similar lost spark issue. Our company purchased the machine from a salvage yard where it lived outdoors exposed to the elements for many years. It took some digging, but my friend (who's name is also Matt) found the problem. There are bakelight/plastic pieces that isolate the points assembly/parts from the breaker plate and distributor body. The bakelight/plastic pieces had disintegrated and were causing the engine to randomly lose spark. My friend found some non-conductive material at our shop and made new isolators for the distributor. That solved the problem and the Towmotor has run fine ever since. The distributor in that machine was rusty like the one on your machine due to being stored outside for a long time. My friend thinks that's what caused the isolator pieces to become brittle and fail. It's worth checking out.. Distributor refurb kits are still available as are new/used distributor assemblies. Those old Towmotors are great machines once they're sorted. #DieselCreek

    • @kirdot2011
      @kirdot2011 9 місяців тому +24

      I think by the time he reads your comment it will already be a scrap metal...also...that doesnt solve the oil leaking problem

    • @davidnull5590
      @davidnull5590 9 місяців тому +12

      Gold star mark. You gave the solution to the ignition mystery problem, good work.

    • @leaderz0rz
      @leaderz0rz 9 місяців тому +8

      even if he fixes the spark problem, its still dumping oil like niagara falls.

    • @vaderdudenator1
      @vaderdudenator1 9 місяців тому +6

      It’s also still a clutch machine

    • @1978garfield
      @1978garfield 9 місяців тому +8

      I get it isn't worth it for him.
      I hope he makes an attempt to sell it before scrapping it.
      After all if everyone scrapped everything that was "worth more as scrap" this channel would have a lot less videos.
      I fully understand it isn't worth Matt's time to fix this.
      How ever there may be some one else who has the time and is willing to do the engine rebuild.
      Even if he swaps the mast and forks from the AC.
      It is a Cat and there are a lot of Cat collectors out there.
      I fear it has already been cut up but I would love for Matt to offer it for scrap +25% and find a taker.
      Hey, a can dream can't he?

  • @hotasianstepsister3039
    @hotasianstepsister3039 9 місяців тому +333

    The small forklift getting lifted by the bigger one is like a mother cat bringing her kittens back😂😂😂

    • @backroadsliving7740
      @backroadsliving7740 9 місяців тому +14

      Underrated comment had me dying

    • @dans_Learning_Curve
      @dans_Learning_Curve 9 місяців тому +6

      YEP 👍 Great comment!

    • @kevinchamberlain7928
      @kevinchamberlain7928 9 місяців тому +3

      That's a girly comment! LOL!

    • @TheSRBgamer63
      @TheSRBgamer63 9 місяців тому +4

      @@kevinchamberlain7928 It is ,because it is not forklift but wheel loader ....wtf.

    • @hayleyxyz
      @hayleyxyz 9 місяців тому +17

      @@TheSRBgamer63 you understood what she meant perfectly. don't be a pedant and condescending because you think women aren't interested in engineering/mechanics/old iron.
      I see dudes using slightly incorrect terminology all the time; I doubt you call them out. This is UA-cam, not a professional workshop.

  • @blue68chevelle
    @blue68chevelle 9 місяців тому +4

    O’Reillys used to sell a universal drop in four-cylinder electronic ignition upgrade to replace the points on forklifts. You might check on that. I’ve worked on a few forklifts over the years and I can tell you one thing. Even with a good running engine, if the starter is hung in to the fly wheel ring gear, it takes a tremendous amount of current to turn over that engine. I don’t know how many times I’ve seen people try to start a forklift that the battery was low on. they crank the engine over just slightly, and then the starter hangs in. even with a jump pack and a charged battery they won’t crank over. There was a couple in particular that I worked on all the time and the guys never could figure out how I could get them started after they had tried multiple times. The trick was really simple. I reached in and turned the fan blade which turned the engine over until I heard that tale tell click of the starter disengaging. Then I would hop on and fire it right up. That starter needs to get the momentum going before it engages the teeth on the fly wheel in order to have the torque needed to crank even a freshly ran engine. Another thing about the propane forklifts is your usually running a two stage regulator for the propane. The first stage takes liquid propane out of the tank at high pressure and evaporates it into a gas. The second stage of the regulator takes the pressure down even more to feed into the carburetor. To prevent the first high-pressure stage from freezing up as the liquid propane evaporates into a gas the engine coolant is pumped through the body of it. So, if your antifreeze/coolant is low or not circulating properly the high pressure regulator will freeze up starving the engine for fuel. There was one that was basically worn out, but it was at a small business where I knew the guys, they had already spent a bunch of money with a forklift repair technician who replaced all kinds of stuff, then wanted to do a head job on it, etc. so they called me and asked if I could take a look at it. Like yours in the video it would barely run had no power didn’t wanna stay running. What I finally decided was somehow, the timing had changed just enough that it was firing too late on all the cylinders. So I simply moved the spark plug wires, reverse rotation of the distributor, one tower on the cap. It fired up, and then I was able to adjust the timing using the distributor adjustment. they were ecstatic. When they offered to pay me I told them don’t worry about it. Just remember that next time I need something done. They used that old machine for probably another year before it started having other issues.

  • @michael_3985
    @michael_3985 14 днів тому

    You made the right choice Matt. Your time is more valuable than this tow motor. She’s done I’m afraid. Nice video all the same.👍👍

  • @sjgerber
    @sjgerber 9 місяців тому +385

    @Diesel Creek - Towmotor was a fairly popular brand back in the day. The company was founded in Euclid, Ohio in 1919, during the early days of forklifts, right when Hyster and Yale were getting started too. The company operated until 1965, when it became a wholly-owned subsidiary of another forklift manufacturer (Caterpillar Tractor), and production ceased sometime in the 1980s.
    Why share these pictures? Well, Towmotor is an interesting part of our industry history. See, the Towmotor marketing people were pretty savvy. They promoted their forklift as a "one man gang" capable of doing the work of 30 men (aka a gang) using hand trucks. That idea, of a one man gang really seemed to light up the imagination of forklift owners and operators. Soon people were referring to ALL forklifts as “towmotors” regardless of the brand. This was pretty great for Towmotor, but less so for all the other brands. It’s a classic example of a genericized trademark.

    • @DieselCreek
      @DieselCreek  9 місяців тому +57

      Thanks for the info!

    • @seanspring8991
      @seanspring8991 9 місяців тому +35

      I can still see the old Caterpillar Towmotor plant on Tyler Blvd. in Mentor, Ohio :)

    • @nsbhagwat
      @nsbhagwat 9 місяців тому +34

      Like using the name xerox for photocopy process.

    • @TheStevedie
      @TheStevedie 9 місяців тому +22

      Ive always wondered why guys call them towmotors! I'm like its a forklift not a towmotor...the hell is a towmotor? Now that makes sense.

    • @wayneblack7265
      @wayneblack7265 9 місяців тому +17

      I have always referred to forklifts as towmotors.when I worked for an industrial service we were contracted to a aluminum foundry. The main use of our forklift was towing trailers with big diesel welders on them. I would take them all over to where they were going to be needs. We had 4 welders and I also done the upkeep on all of the equipment.( Welders, forklift, man lifts and telehandler.

  • @jimburgess9205
    @jimburgess9205 9 місяців тому +179

    That starter is a real trooper.

    • @jimmycricket5366
      @jimmycricket5366 9 місяців тому +6

      Guaranteed if it was the summer that starter would've been smokin'... And not in a good way!

    • @masterbates7016
      @masterbates7016 9 місяців тому

      It was in my prayers

    • @alanprather8399
      @alanprather8399 9 місяців тому +6

      I'm suprised it didn't let the magic smoke out. ok it did let magic smoke out.

    • @garysprandel1817
      @garysprandel1817 9 місяців тому +30

      Starter needs to be pulled before scrapping and given a place of honor somewhere in the shop for service above and beyond.

    • @Theweldingmillennial
      @Theweldingmillennial 9 місяців тому +2

      When your engine has no compression, your starters not working very hard 😂

  • @alantorrance6153
    @alantorrance6153 7 днів тому

    Keeping the forks is undoubtedly the best option.

  • @collinlindsey3471
    @collinlindsey3471 9 місяців тому +10

    That started single handily carried this entire video. These are always great to watch cause I like looking at old machines run

  • @jas-FPV
    @jas-FPV 9 місяців тому +65

    You show some video editing skillz 🤣
    Nice 👍🏻
    The semi supervillains on the garage door

    • @user-ht1xu4gv2u
      @user-ht1xu4gv2u 9 місяців тому +2

      Epic graphic on door fix ND SELL SWap down the road

  • @mattnickeson9049
    @mattnickeson9049 9 місяців тому +69

    Much respect for calling attention to you doing something dangerous. Which of us hasn’t been in a hurry and done something stupid only to realize it afterward? It takes a lot of integrity and humility to own and highlight it for others.

    • @TjC2102
      @TjC2102 9 місяців тому +5

      Was thinking the same thing. Well done Matt. My grandpa always said it takes a man to admit when he's wrong. It still does.

    • @nigelgrant9693
      @nigelgrant9693 9 місяців тому +4

      Well done matt

    • @dougyaroch3380
      @dougyaroch3380 9 місяців тому +1

      Very good

  • @scatpackdriver2535
    @scatpackdriver2535 9 місяців тому +19

    The GM starter sell node back in the day , the contact disc could be flipped over giving you a new surface on the disk . Its been a long time back but it seams like the copper stud bolt contacts could be rotated 180 in the bakelight insulator.
    Thanks for making the video. 👍

  • @budlvr
    @budlvr 9 місяців тому +18

    I'd check the rim dimensions and see if you could transfer those pneumatic tires over to Allis (with maybe a little wheel opening trimming. Other than that, good decision Matt!

    • @MattOGormanSmith
      @MattOGormanSmith 9 місяців тому +4

      That'd probably screw the 5000lb load limit.

  • @Speedycat
    @Speedycat 9 місяців тому +26

    The sound of your Armytruck in the intro is so cool, i had to rewind to watch the intro again

    • @user-kv7jj6gt4f
      @user-kv7jj6gt4f 9 місяців тому +1

      Drove a lot a Army miles in an old Duce like that one.
      The horn has a sound of it's own plus love the Turbo sound too.

  • @scottyb2727
    @scottyb2727 9 місяців тому +23

    It's amazing how serviceable the older equipment is the newest stuff not so much

  • @slothbones9677
    @slothbones9677 9 місяців тому +4

    0:34 we can see here as the mother gently picks up her offspring. Truly a sight to behold.

  • @Balderoni_
    @Balderoni_ 9 місяців тому +23

    There was some comments here about not to give up on this one and not to scrap it.. But for real this forklift has so many issues as you said and maybe the worst problems you havent found yet so I do agree on scrapping this. It just doesnt seem to be worth the time and money to get it fixed & that clutch aint really a smooth one to use.
    Thanks for the awesome video and take care Matt ❤🇫🇮

    • @davidelliott5843
      @davidelliott5843 8 місяців тому +1

      I used a diesel powered Lancer Boss forklift in the mid 1970s. It had large pneumatic tyres, two gears (one forward and one reverse) connected by a torque converter. The only fault was its open battery that self discharged if left wet after use in the rain.

  • @royhedrick8099
    @royhedrick8099 9 місяців тому +105

    An air filter would help starting by causing more vaccum to suck the propane in. Similar to a choke on a gas engine

    • @masterbates7016
      @masterbates7016 9 місяців тому

      Definitely. Smaller the engine the fussier they are with air and fuel. I had a Honda spree scooter and without air filter it wouldn't run.

  • @franksupholsteryshop
    @franksupholsteryshop 9 місяців тому +42

    My nextdoor neighbors are both retired from Towmotor. They have one and use it as their mail box. He made a mini pallet on the forks and perched on it is the mail box. Pretty cute and a big middle finger to the P.O.A.

    • @jblob5764
      @jblob5764 9 місяців тому +2

      Absolutely love that

  • @tbddevelops
    @tbddevelops 9 місяців тому +33

    My Dad worked in a pallet factory that was just across the road from our house when I was small child in the 80s. 6 year old me, would love to go and stand by the fence and watch my Dad drive around in one of these things moving large stacks of pallets. It wasn't until I was in my late teens that I knew that these were called Fork Lifts. I had always called them Stacker Trucks. Just hearing the sound of this running brings back some fond memories.

  • @darkwaterliquor
    @darkwaterliquor 3 місяці тому

    Years ago when I worked on VW Diesels (pre 2,000), I would put Slick -50 into the cylinders after I jacked up the car to make the cylinders plumb. I would let the car sit over night, put the injectors back in, start the engine and let it get hot. Teflon in the Slick-50 would help seal the rings for a while to get College students through to graduation.

  • @prinzeugenvansovoyen732
    @prinzeugenvansovoyen732 9 місяців тому +48

    You should get that roof cage for the small wheel loader and as much steel as you can get from the lift stages, you can use that
    Also you can yank the side shift cylinder and the hydraulic valve
    Battery obviously, maybe keep the counterweight for a tractor weight and the cooler grill as Yard ornament, a cast that says Caterpillar is neat

  • @tarstakars
    @tarstakars 9 місяців тому +52

    I was a maintenance repairman at a metal Refinery for a very long time starting in the early 70s and we had about two dozen Tow Motor brand forklifts some dating back to the 1940s all powered by little Continental 4 cylinders. I'll tell you what, they were virtually indestructible.

    • @MrNobodyAkaCraft
      @MrNobodyAkaCraft 9 місяців тому +1

      Back when Made in America meant it was quality! Good old days!!!

    • @steveskouson9620
      @steveskouson9620 9 місяців тому

      Those old Continental engines are pretty damn good.
      Doesn't Matt's Deuce (and a half) have a Continental?
      steve

  • @michaelmckay9827
    @michaelmckay9827 9 місяців тому +29

    Matt these videos are getting better with each one I don’t know what I would do without your channel. Amazing!

  • @brunokhelloul4277
    @brunokhelloul4277 9 місяців тому +11

    One of your best ones for a while mate, so satisfying when they start😊

  • @sagewolf8528
    @sagewolf8528 9 місяців тому +16

    Semi supervillains logo on the door was a nice touch

  • @briancasey4917
    @briancasey4917 9 місяців тому +75

    I was a machinery hauler for 38 years. There was a machinery mover/rigger in cleveland that would load/unload from time to time that had Townotor lift trucks from the 1930S/1940s that solid built they would repair rebuild as needed. These guys were old school they would drive these townotors on and off their straight trucks on blocked wood planks. They were one of the best riggers I ever worked with.

  • @PaganWizard
    @PaganWizard 9 місяців тому +32

    I don't think I can recall the last time you threw the white towel into the ring, but you definitely gave it far more attention that it probably deserved. I'm sure that the outcome of this revival was not at all what you were hoping for, but this was still a great video.

    • @MikeT-TheRetiredColonel
      @MikeT-TheRetiredColonel 8 місяців тому +1

      Agreed, I can't as well, but, even with these occasions, you can still see Matt's skill shine - hell, he got it running after all, right? :) Matt, imho, scrap it

    • @paulsilva3346
      @paulsilva3346 8 місяців тому +1

      1:10:46 I disagree something is not working and you need to find it. I think you should dig this forklift back into the shop and see what the reader replies have said😮

  • @Swirlybum
    @Swirlybum 9 місяців тому +3

    Old trick with those delco solenoids is to slacken the top contact nut. push the stud in. rotate 180 degrees and retighten and you get fresh contact for the solenoid to contact with.

  • @Farm_fab
    @Farm_fab 9 місяців тому +129

    For those that might be wondering, the fuel gauge was designed for a gasoline engine, and the forklift was converted to propane, so the gas tank is completely empty for safety reasons.

    • @dans_Learning_Curve
      @dans_Learning_Curve 9 місяців тому +9

      Saw the gauge and fuel cap on the side. Probably an early conversation before duel fuel carbs?

    • @toddavis8603
      @toddavis8603 9 місяців тому +4

      Today's LOADING DOCKS are 90% no smoking areas, so fuels won't ignite as readily as say----1970's.

    • @safcforme
      @safcforme 9 місяців тому +7

      Watch our US friends head explode when an engine runs on GAS lol

    • @codyselcamino
      @codyselcamino 9 місяців тому +6

      I work for a forklift repair shop, I get a call once a month or so from customers that say their fuel gauge doesn't work, I have to explain this every time

    • @billtefft4315
      @billtefft4315 9 місяців тому +2

      . The name "Tow Motor" comes from the Towmotor Corporation, which was founded back in 1919. The original Towmotor machine did not have forks on the front. Rather, it was an industrial tractor that was made to push and pull carts from one point in a warehouse to another.

  • @mm9773
    @mm9773 9 місяців тому +39

    Watching these videos is like checking in with a friend who is into stuff you know nothing about. Just interesting and positive.

  • @irchrisb
    @irchrisb 9 місяців тому +3

    Towmotor still has a lasting legacy at Cat. Before TM, Cat part numbers were the 1A-0001 format, or type A. TM brought the 123-4567, or type T, format.

  • @roush1026
    @roush1026 Місяць тому

    Some of my favorite episodes are when you work to get an old motor started again. I love the step-by-step diagnostic process.

  • @Bigdaddyslasher
    @Bigdaddyslasher 9 місяців тому +47

    The reason I enjoy your channel is you remind me of my uncle, who was heavy diesel mechanic RIP R.G.. He would buy equipment at auctions typically not running and from people who had them for decades refurbished them and sold them. People would say he turned junk into gold.

    • @alanpecherer5705
      @alanpecherer5705 9 місяців тому +1

      Turning junk (some would say s**t) into gold is an absolute classic and very honest way to add value = make money. I had a fabulous business doing just that with specialized computer terminals in the 80's and 90's. Nowadays there seems to be very, very few opportunities to do that, with the exception of houses and older cars. And the older cars are usually over the top Hollywood or exaggerated eg; somebody puts 1200 hours into a 1961 Ford Fairlane rustbucket wreck and they sell it for $56,000. Right, happens every day. What I'm saying is, you don't see too many people using 25++ year old anything these days.

    • @Bigdaddyslasher
      @Bigdaddyslasher 9 місяців тому +2

      @alanpecherer5705 I watched him turn junk into cash until the day he died. He had the knowledge and skills with tools to do it. He built custom bolt action rifles in his machine shop because his hobby was long-range competition shooting. He didn't have a son but a daughter, and she wanted nothing to do with his business. When he died, she got it all and sold it all the same week. She only loved the money amd still does.

    • @barrytipton1179
      @barrytipton1179 9 місяців тому

      Bet you miss him

    • @Bigdaddyslasher
      @Bigdaddyslasher 9 місяців тому +1

      @barrytipton1179 Every day, he was my buddy, and I learned a lot from him, and we hunted together for years. He was my mom's baby brother at 6" 11" tall LOL

  • @richardaustinaustin1890
    @richardaustinaustin1890 9 місяців тому +53

    I would actually be disappointed if Matt didn’t use the impact on the spark plugs 😂. Thanks man 👍

    • @msmith2016
      @msmith2016 9 місяців тому +3

      But wait, there's more! The oil plug too! Surprised he didn't try to adjust the carb with it.

    • @realemonful
      @realemonful 9 місяців тому +2

      I was just glad that his bragging laughs did not get him anywhere this time lol 👍

    • @hmallett
      @hmallett 9 місяців тому +2

      What's the correct torque setting for those spark plugs?
      Matt: "Yes".

    • @msmith2016
      @msmith2016 9 місяців тому +2

      @@hmallett Obviously the goal is to hold the spark plug still and find an impact driver big enough to rotate the engine under it.

  • @jesterr7133
    @jesterr7133 7 місяців тому

    I worked with used batteries for over a decade, and I have charged and tested probably 20 thousand or so in my lifetime. If you want to try to bring one back that has been sitting for years, the trick is to take your time. To start, hook it up to a known good battery with jumper cables for a couple of hours to establish a base charge, then trickle charge it for about 24 hours. If it charges about 10.7 volts on the trickle charge, then it will probably be ok. If it goes above 10.7 on the trickle charger, then put it on fast charge for another 24 hours or so, regardless of what the voltage is after the trickle charge. Sometimes a battery can show a full charge after a trickle charge, but will not hold it if it sits for any length of time. If you follow these steps, the battery will come back around, as long as the cells have not delaminated. I brought back a 17 year old battery that had been in a car that hadn't run in 9 years without changing the acid. I jumped it off and charged it on several machines over 4 days, but it was good as new when I was done, and held at 11 under load after sitting on the shelf for a week. Also, the brands have a lot to do with it. AutoZone/Duralast/Valucraft batteries are the best on the market, with Everstart, Autocraft, and Interstate coming in right behind. Deka and AC Delco batteries are garbage.

  • @danw1955
    @danw1955 Місяць тому

    Caterpillar acquired Towmotor Corp. back in the mid-1960's, and from then on they were known as Cat Lift Trucks. I worked for their Lemoyne, Pa. branch back in the late 1970's for a couple years, and even then, they had some pretty advanced stuff being built. The newer ones all used hydrostatic transmissions, and propane burning OHV Cat designed engines, with electronic ignition.

  • @Revilo0o
    @Revilo0o 9 місяців тому +7

    Love the Semi-Supervillains ad placement!

  • @Easterndmondbk
    @Easterndmondbk 9 місяців тому +17

    TOWMOTOR CORPORATION was founded in 1919 and introduced the first forklift industrial truck in 1933. On November 10, 1965, Towmotor officially became a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Tractor Company of Peoria, Illinois

    • @jasonwolfanger4181
      @jasonwolfanger4181 9 місяців тому +1

      Also the first machine with that name was a forkless unit designed to push and pull carts in industrial settings.

  • @cpyart
    @cpyart 4 місяці тому

    You did all the right stuff. As to loss of spark, i've known a bad earth strap to be the causation. If she were mine, i'd rip out that engine because she obviously needs rings and a regrind of the valves and i'd fit a diesel unit. If time and price is a factor in your area, then strip her for parts and scrap what's left. Nice to watch you do exactly what i would have done before making these awkward decisions. 👍

  • @allenmkent9141
    @allenmkent9141 Місяць тому

    When you first put the spark plugs in without running a wire brush over them, I was yelling, "Chech the compression you dim-witt". Impatience, laziness, and short cuts are a mechanics worst enemy. 9 times out of ten they are a waste of time and usually cause more damage and more work, and more $s.
    I always found it rewarding to troubleshoot following the procedures developed by mechanical engineers who wrote the Chilton's auto-diesel repair and overhaul manual. I read thru 70s version of one about 4 inches thick in 1980 three times. Then I went and got a job as a mechanics helper with a construction company. Their head mechanic there would dive into greasy dirty machinery and put things back together with a bare minimum amount of cleaning around the area being worked. I started to get ahead of him and pressure washed our next projects and he realized how it was beneficial to work that way. No if, ands or buts.
    I would have pressure washed the whole unit, pulled the motor, clean and replaced any faulty parts and seals, lapped the valves, honed the cylinders. Then cleaned and refreshed the rest of the machine. I guarantee that doing it the right way you will feel a whole lot better about yourself, and you will have more respect for the mechanical acumen that you've added to your resume. It's an extra 6 hours well spent instead of trying this gimmick or that shortcut.

  • @wileycoyotesr8623
    @wileycoyotesr8623 9 місяців тому +10

    Win a few, lose a few, play a few in the rain. The video was well edited and entertaining. Thanks! 👍👍👍

  • @ez1913
    @ez1913 9 місяців тому +18

    She probably needs a new pressure regulator for proper LPG carburation. Makes them tough to start.
    Nice find, Matt. Good for parts. Thanks for sharing.😉

  • @bricelamey4358
    @bricelamey4358 9 місяців тому +4

    “You called it a sparkalator….”
    You and Derrick have helped me so much through this tendon recovery process I’ve been working through.
    I a hung fan of your content . Thank you

  • @ski3rcraz10
    @ski3rcraz10 9 місяців тому +1

    I no joke just happened to start scrolling UA-cam for a good video to watch while I am doing some other work and out loud said “yes! Never mind my next hour is booked” to which my wife said why, and I showed her you had released a new video. Can’t wait.

  • @hilham89
    @hilham89 9 місяців тому +14

    Nothing like starting the day with breakfast and a diesel creek video.

  • @michaelpage7691
    @michaelpage7691 9 місяців тому +4

    My mate stuck a 4 cylinder Toyota motor in his which he runs on gas. Magnificent little forklift. 🇦🇺😁👍🏻

  • @dryroasted5599
    @dryroasted5599 9 місяців тому

    One of my first jobs was in the stationary engine shop of a heavy equipment dealer. I worked with a crusty old German fellow whose accent made him barely understandable. He had a lot of odd terms for stuff that I hadn't heard before; including calling the forklift a "Towmotor." Finally one day I'd had enough and I exclaimed, "It's a forklift! Everyone calls it a forklift except you! Why do you call it a Towmotor?"
    He scowled at me and pointed, "Because that's what it is. Look, it says so right there." I looked where he had pointed, and barely legible under the rusty, scabbed paint, was the impressed moniker, TOWMOTOR. I haven't heard a forklift called that again until today.

  • @memyself7413
    @memyself7413 9 місяців тому

    And the ambiguity award for 2023...................goes to Diesel Creek's, Matt, for this beauty:-
    11.51 "I've seen batteries explode and take people out, and I've tried bringing a couple back, using a welder."
    Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!

  • @jacobspence5288
    @jacobspence5288 9 місяців тому +46

    Matt’s dance whenever something fires up for the first time cracks me up ever single time. Keep up the awesome content man! 👍🏻

  • @MapleHillMunitions
    @MapleHillMunitions 9 місяців тому +32

    I was 15 and taking automotive classes at the local trade school. We had a CAT forklift that had the exact same issues. Compression, spark, timing, fuel, firing order, etc was always good. Never did get that engine out to see if it had jumped time internally. I need to check in on it 😂

  • @joerodrigues3816
    @joerodrigues3816 9 місяців тому +6

    So happy to see you again hope you’re doing well and your family too mate all the best

  • @rockcrusher4636
    @rockcrusher4636 9 місяців тому +1

    An idiot in a gas station did just what you did and the battery blew up, started a fire, the entire gas station burnt to the ground and my uncle who worked beside this guy in the next repair bay got 167 stitches all over his body, all thanks to that guy's negligence. Not a scratch on the idiot. It's dam serious, good that you pointed it out. Cheers.

  • @oddvardmyrnes9040
    @oddvardmyrnes9040 9 місяців тому +31

    Seeing Matt's happy face through the smoke bring a smile to my face. A wise man said; happiness is enjoying the simple things in life. 🙃

  • @jackbraithwaite8345
    @jackbraithwaite8345 9 місяців тому +25

    Good episode Matt. I think you are making a good decision to send it down the road, maybe parting it out to friends, reference the engine to your "Continental" friend. But you might want to think twice about the starter. That thing hung in there like a Champ. Maybe it will work in another application, ya never know 😅. Looking forward to your next adventure. 👍🇺🇲💪

  • @oddwad6290
    @oddwad6290 9 місяців тому +1

    As a self trained street mechanic , I picked up about 10 old forklifts over the years . The small towmotors(precat) had many issues , but usually the same . Blown head gaskets between 2 cylinders , Worn steering joints , but joints could be adjusted for wear ( remove counterwieght for ease of access ) and very worn reverse/forward gears barely catching . Still I loved my small Towmotor lifts . They would start everytime and were extremely maneuverable in very cramped places . I had a 391 and a "LT35" plus other makes .They were very handy in a metal shop and tons of fun . Best tool ever . Enjoy your videos they bring back many fond and not so fond memories .

    • @johnstinnett1571
      @johnstinnett1571 5 місяців тому

      I just picked up a V30B yesterday. It will be a project.

  • @squirtdaddy3428
    @squirtdaddy3428 9 місяців тому +2

    My dad said back during the Civil War they used them to tow aircraft around in the hangers, Lee said, let's call those things "towmotors" and the name stuck. Makes sense to me@

    • @billsheffield4572
      @billsheffield4572 9 місяців тому

      Think you dad was pulling your leg a little bit, EVERYONE knows it was Grant that said that, NOT Lee.

  • @tbirdracefan
    @tbirdracefan 9 місяців тому +5

    We once had a Towmotor branded forklift at a company I worked at in the 80's. It was an old one and had a learning curve but was amazingly reliable.

  • @inasnap7133
    @inasnap7133 9 місяців тому +7

    On November 10, 1965, Towmotor officially became a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Tractor Company of Peoria, Illinois.

    • @danh2134
      @danh2134 9 місяців тому

      I think they closed up shop in Peoria and now in Texas

  • @ernestrhoades5147
    @ernestrhoades5147 8 місяців тому +1

    I worked on those yrs ago i was a cat mechanic ,if its not smokin it will run a nother 20 yrs , oil leaks are common from the rear seal the seal holder is aluminum and must be replaced as they warp.

  • @MRHSDM316SD18186
    @MRHSDM316SD18186 8 днів тому

    I remember when the nose cones on starters were cast iron; now they are all aluminum. I had a nosecone shatter on me in below zero temps on my 1984 Chevy Suburban a few years ago.

  • @oliverwilson6162
    @oliverwilson6162 9 місяців тому +5

    Awww, such a cute beginning! Momma CAT picks up it's kitten by the scruff of the neck

  • @Dinggo0
    @Dinggo0 9 місяців тому +18

    I love these long videos reviving the dead even if it's just to give them their last breath. It is interesting to see these machines, fun to see you complain about them and educational to learn the procedures to follow when finding yourself in those dead ends that can blow the fuses of more than one... and in the end, it was just a weak switch making ground contact. It's good to see it reach a successful end (the start-up) even if it's not the best of results, but not to see how the towel is thrown in... so I hope to continue watching many of these videos in the future! greetings from Argentina!!

  • @brucechapman1946
    @brucechapman1946 9 місяців тому +1

    Matt, pull the mast off and use it as a mezzanine lift if your building one into your shop, I have 3 of them to get into my house, and the loft inside my house and into the mezzanine inside my 2 story garage and they all run off 12v tail lift motors and remote winch controllers saves heaps of space not having stairs. Sad that the old gear has to go but recycling is still good.

  • @davidhainline6357
    @davidhainline6357 9 місяців тому +24

    Have you considered installing an Eye Wash station in your shop? Could save someone’s eyesight one day.

  • @objektivone3209
    @objektivone3209 9 місяців тому +6

    A respectable youtube channel

  • @general0ne
    @general0ne 6 місяців тому +2

    That opening shot was like a mama lion carrying her cub out of danger! 😄

  • @pjoter71
    @pjoter71 9 місяців тому +1

    Best background action, carton of delight 😆

  • @davidwelling9471
    @davidwelling9471 9 місяців тому +9

    Used to be able to rotate the contacts 180 degrees in the solenoid and it worked fine.

  • @joelwatson3045
    @joelwatson3045 9 місяців тому +61

    Checking compression early on in an unknown engine like this is a good idea.

    • @LarryYaw
      @LarryYaw 9 місяців тому

      That would not make as interesting a video, lol.

  • @jessedotson3308
    @jessedotson3308 9 місяців тому +5

    I’d love to go do stuff like this under my pole barn but back surgery has got me down but matt always got a good video to bring my morale back up thanks Matt and keep on wrenching

  • @davesworkshop2714
    @davesworkshop2714 9 місяців тому +1

    You need to keep that starter Matt 😂. That was a heart breaker. Suffered the same myself, went to do a will it start on a Case 1394 with the engine full of water. Got her rolling but no way would it fire. So much cranking that I carried 2 starters so I could swap out rather than waiting to cool. 3 videos, a set of rings, 1 piston and 4 exhaust valves later I got it to finally fire up. Just like that old CAT I'm looking forward to it heading for the shredder 😅😅. Somethings just don't want to be saved. Keep up the good work 👏

  • @michaelpowers5143
    @michaelpowers5143 9 місяців тому +9

    Matt, I found this information: many companies built variations, Towmotor's "one man gangs" were so popular that all industrial forklift trucks were generally referred to as "towmotors." Since they were considered essential cost-saving equipment, one Towmotor performed the work of thirty men with hand trucks...

  • @KE4GBW
    @KE4GBW 9 місяців тому +17

    Thanks Matt for mentioning the power company being there. I was wondering where you were at on that. Hope you get your heat and stuff going soon.

  • @billholemo2518
    @billholemo2518 7 місяців тому

    Towmotor used to be a forklift manufacturer many years ago. Cat bought towmotor out back in the 40s,50s toget in the game. Cat n Clark are the most Difficult to work on. Nissans are the Best. 😊.

  • @brianschuit8271
    @brianschuit8271 4 місяці тому

    Love the telehandler content! ❤ I have a 2007 jlg 1055 4.5 Deere motor
    Get a slide on boom attatchment or quick attach boom to make picking easier from the back of you sea cans..
    Also be very cautious of side loading the boom when pushing a truck or yourself out when stuck.. especially when extended! With the boom in the mud and machine turning the boom bends and is ruined. Straight back only. No wheel turning

  • @jodydoakes8754
    @jodydoakes8754 9 місяців тому +10

    I worked in a couple of factories many years ago. All forklifts, forktrucks were called Towmotors, regardless of brand. Some of them were actually Towmotor brand.

    • @alcopower5710
      @alcopower5710 9 місяців тому +3

      Like many people call a reciprocating saw a Sawzal (Milwaukee) regardless of manufacturer. 😂

    • @MrNobodyAkaCraft
      @MrNobodyAkaCraft 9 місяців тому +2

      And there was Kleenex in the office.... LOL 🤣

  • @Farm_fab
    @Farm_fab 9 місяців тому +3

    Matt, the only things I see of value on the Cat forklift would be the gauges, the hydraulic pump, the power steering reservoir and maybe the steering valve. The tires and wheels might be worth a few bucks to the right guy, or you might be able to get different wheels for the Allis, and use them on there.
    Years ago, I knew a guy that had a motorcycle engine he utilized to power his forklift. It sure sounded funny when he used it, but it did the job.

  • @mt2020
    @mt2020 9 місяців тому

    In 1965 Caterpillar bought Towmotor
    Other people have commented on the history of the company

  • @user-pv4ld1je5x
    @user-pv4ld1je5x Місяць тому +1

    Jan and Jen when up the hill To fetch a pail of water. Jan fall down and Jen came running. To help Jan. ❤

  • @ni_wink84
    @ni_wink84 9 місяців тому +10

    These videos are reminding me of the old garage days!! I love it

  • @ypop417
    @ypop417 9 місяців тому +36

    Matt The booms may switch from one to the other. Also you may be able to swap the tires and rims giving you pumatic tyers for driving outside.

    • @jstar1000
      @jstar1000 9 місяців тому +3

      I was about to post that about the tires and wheels myself.

    • @wrangler6977
      @wrangler6977 9 місяців тому +1

      Same here I am glad that I read this before commenting, however the Cat was rated for 2200 lbs and the Allis Chalmers for 5000 lbs. You will have to be sure that you can keep the original 5000 LB rated hydraulic cylinders and that the Cat carriage can handled that load. Also I would suggest that you invest in a Depstech bore scope, you will be able to pull the spark plugs and see what kind of shape the cylinders and valves are in, along w/ many other helpful uses. I love mine, helps me see what is going on before I get started.

    • @ypop417
      @ypop417 9 місяців тому

      @@wrangler6977 I believed the ratings decrease is due to the addition of the side shift and or height increase. Both have impact on the capacity.

  • @keyman42
    @keyman42 4 місяці тому

    I enjoy watching thanks for your time putting it all together. I am retired 72 years years old in Arkansas.

  • @Hyratel
    @Hyratel 9 місяців тому

    as other commenters have said: Strip it of *anything* useful: the propane tank brackets, the propane throttle regulator, the entire gauge cluster, any of the cylinders that aren't too clapped out to be worth rebuilding, the wheels and tires if feasible, and the ignition components you put in. maybe try to pull the hydraulic valve assembly and see if the side-shift can be backfit onto the Baby Allis.

  • @Edward1312
    @Edward1312 9 місяців тому +9

    Starting that thing and getting it to consistently run and reliably idle, definitely the hardest motor I've seen you work on. Well done as that needed a lot of patience and diagnostics and it ran for one last time at least. Shame it was dumping oil but at least you can reuse the forks.

  • @danhard8440
    @danhard8440 9 місяців тому +23

    don't forget the load center for the weight rating
    so a 2200 pound load rating at 12" center means you have 1100 at 24" and 550 at 36" and 275 at 4 foot which is about the length of the forks

  • @wesshirlaw8716
    @wesshirlaw8716 9 місяців тому +1

    Would make a great garden gnome I’m thinking

  • @douglasknight7400
    @douglasknight7400 8 місяців тому

    As an old wet clutch air cooled motorcycle guy we have always loved the diesel motor oils esp. Rotella.... (zinc!)....... That being said, I noticed you dont say "not a sponsor"..... Im just curious but if you are..... good for you being a good guy, helping many and promoting a great product.

  • @rixtrix11
    @rixtrix11 9 місяців тому +18

    Good to hear the power company is there. Hopefully the price to hook up is much less than their original price to do it all!

  • @Stevestractoradventures
    @Stevestractoradventures 9 місяців тому +12

    As you say can't win them all. Was curious how the power was comeing along. Hopefully by now all hooked up and good to go

  • @evan_kumar
    @evan_kumar 9 місяців тому +1

    OMG! Those letters look like the stickers on the garage door! But they’re not!🤩🤩🤩🤩

  • @1944chevytruck
    @1944chevytruck 9 місяців тому +2

    AWESOME STUFF!

  • @mikefavreau7658
    @mikefavreau7658 9 місяців тому +16

    I really enjoy watching your videos. Thank you for making them.

  • @tomdale1313
    @tomdale1313 9 місяців тому +15

    Matt, you have great skills and you regularly put them to use with outstanding results, might add your camera work is exceptional and deserves comment...thxs for doing what you do

  • @mrbrown3462
    @mrbrown3462 9 місяців тому

    Towmotors start life on the tarmac of airports and airfields moving planes and APU carts and luggage trains and stairs before they started mounting them on trucks. Cat bought Towmotor sometime in the 50s or 60s and mounted fork booms to them and put ROPs on them. U.S. military had thousands of Towmotors during WW2. I have 4 old military Towmotors sitting in the junkyard from WW2 they all have Willy 4 cylinders in them and all run like a top.

  • @user-di1bc6ec3d
    @user-di1bc6ec3d 9 місяців тому

    Two things. Intake valve is not seating which upsets the intake vacuum.
    Give it throttle while starting. Increases propane mixture.
    Painful to see so much cranking when not opening throttle.
    Set the valves a little loose and they will seat in faster.

  • @justinhcase830
    @justinhcase830 9 місяців тому +11

    Look at the pump on the cat and the stuff on the mass. Looked to be a really good pump to us for parts and you may be able to us and set up the side shift on the other 1