Complete restoration of a Howard 300 Rotovator. Can I restore it to a perfect running condition? 1969 Howard 300 Tiller Thank you to my Patrons / daggerwin
You were very lucky that the gearbox was in good order, when I restored my Howard 350 about 15 years ago the gears were all worn beyond repair so I ended up making most of the replacement parts myself, (fortunately I am an engineer and I had a fully equipped workshop) while I was at it I got rid of all the plain bushings between the gears and the shafts and converted to needle roller bearings throughout the gearbox, at the time I couldn't get any spare parts or gaskets so I had to make everything myself. I replaced all the bearings, seals and chains and eventually I got it all done, I also replaced the tyres and the tynes and converted the tynes to double row. The old Howard is still performing flawlessly to this day and leaks no oil. I also overhauled the Kohler K141 engine and replaced the piston, carb, exhaust and fuel tank. The engine runs perfect and can really do a job of work on my small holding, the last time it was used the engine started first pull with 2 year old petrol in the tank and did everything I asked of it, these are truly great machines
This is probably the best restoration video that you did so far. What I especially like about your channel is that you restore different machines that actually do come in really handy for gardening!
@@Timico1000 Ich habs mir schon mehrfah überlegt, aber ich hab dazu einfach nicht die Zeit... wenn man sowas macht, muss man immer vor Ort sein und dranbleiben. Wenn man nur hi und da mal was macht wird das nie fertig...
I had to stop watching the farming simulator channel as that game was taking over my life. its too damn good. im 45 and cant exactly say all the kids do is sit infront of computer screens. i would finish work come home and be up all night tending to my farms. no no i must not return to that game or watch others. maybe when i retire at 92 or whatever it is now. 🤣
Really very, very good work. I once had a similar tiller as a gardener's apprentice. That was in 1973 The thing worked really well. Many thanks for your excellent tutorials.
The reason I popped in to watch this was to see just what a Howard looked and sounded like when in operation. There is one just like this one that's come onto the market here in Rotorua NZ that won't go, owner has no idea why it won't go but they are asking $160 for it. It's not the price that scares me but how scares the parts are to find over here. Thank you, you have done a wonderful job on restoring your old now new motor.
In the modern age parts are often easy to find. It's the world's out of date shipping prices that kill things. I have one of these in my backyard. Last time I worked it over I ended up making all the gaskets. I found a kit in the UK but by the time I had it sent to the US the shipping was more than the gasket set. If I recall the gasket set was like $20. They wanted $35 just for shipping. For $5 I bought a roll of gasket material locally that I still have more than enough to do it again.
Probably one of the best Restoration's I have seen in a while? I like the fact that you explain what your doing as you go, in simple plain English? A nice job very well done.
good job as usual can't wait to see the next one. watching your videos has given me a bit more confidence in working on my own stuff and ive recently "restored" my old atv i use for work now it looks like new and i dont want to work with it anymore 😂 i can only imagine how satisfying it is to completely restore something piece by piece like you do.
As usual, an incredible restoration not only looking brand new, but also functioning like new. I'm amazed at the lengths you go to to rejuvenate these old machines. Very impressive and excellent work! You must be very proud of your results.
That was an excellent end to the day. Been clearing a glen in the Scottish borders all day with winter debris. Ill call you Dr Machinery restorer from now on. Very relaxing to watch and a first class restoration.
Good to see the old machine back to its former glory chewing up dirt once again. You do such such beautiful work i can't get enough of these vids. I do know that they take alot of time and effort to make and it shows very nicely done👍👍
Always enjoy your restoration videos-great job! In case people were wondering: *"A substantial amount of weeds were injured after this tiller was restored"*
I thoroughly enjoyed this restoration. I can't imagine how many hours you have into this. I especailly liked seeing the different ways you came up with removing pulleys and bushings and exahust pipe. And recreating the tags but maintaining the original serial numbers etc. was brilliant. Awesome job all around and great narration.
We used the 350’s for commercial landscaping work as the 300’s were fine for veg plots but a bit underpowered for commercial work. The Kohler engine was brilliant, given its quirky starting process and relatively easy to maintain. Like yours both suffered from the ingress of dirt/grit exacerbating wear. So we did basically what you did every two years to all on them, and still had breakdowns. 😂However, a brilliant machine and a super vid, thanks.
There is nothing more satisfying than restoring something to its original function and to do it so magnificently is just awesome. I love watching it done - only wish I had the time and resource to do it myself! Thanks for sharing with us!
I'm glad you actually use the stuff that you restore. There's nothing I hate worse than watching somebody restore something and not using it for what it was intended. That always seems like a shame to me.
Thank you for making this excellent restoration video, brings back many memories. When I was growing up we had one on the farm, when I was barely old enough I started using this wonderful machine on our farm, it was quite heavy and needed some serious strength to keep upright & from toppling over, quite a high centre of gravity! Ours had the B&S engine originally I think, but it blew up and we replaced it with a Mitsubishi engine, which threw the conn-rod I think, then the final engine was a Kohler. After many years of hard slog, I credit this machine for giving me great upper body strength. I hope it gives you great pleasure and satisfaction using it. Cheers from NZ. (PS: I am two years older than this machine)
Wow, this was a fantastic restoration, as always! Thank you for uploading the narrated version to UA-cam for us all to enjoy! Can't wait for your next project.
My father grew up in an extended family home... back when there was no such thing as assisted living or "Old Folks Homes"... He learned Gardening from his Grand Mother and he was so accomplished at it that as an adult his neighbors on either side of him broke down the fences and gave him the use of half their back yards in exchange for open access to fresh VEG.... He had one of these same rototillers
When restoring projects the quality attention to detail is spot on high quality. If I needed to rotorvator I would definitely purchase this one over anything new manufactured because the old machines mowers and garden equipment were built and made to last longer and built with quality materials. Cheers.
My dad owns a machine similar to this, it works very well at churning up ground, we also created a little attachment that makes perfect rows for potatoes.I actually have the same model as you!
There were some classic works of art that came from the UK such as the E-type Jag, the Vincent Black Shadow and now the Howard Rotavator. You did a fantastic job! Keep'em coming. And just once say carr-burr-ray-durr. ....From N.C. USA
Excellent restorations. I did a Howard 300, 12 years ago and can only envy the care you lavished on the beast. They are superb monster's on the garden patch. It was a walk down memory lane seeing the internals again. Many thanks.
That took me right back to the one I had in the eighties. It was a fearsome beast and I remember putting it into reverse and it backing me into a thorn hedge as I couldnt disengage the drive and those tines meant business ! I made a single furrow ridger for mine and it was great for potatoes. It somehow got "lost" in a house move, but I recently found the owners manual for it.
It's amazing how good the condition of the gears were considering how much dirt and grime there was in the gearbox. All in all, a terrific video. Keep them coming!
What a superb video. Your attention to detail is like nothing I've ever seen. The quality of your work and making sure everything is filmed clearly and well thought through makes your channel one of the best of its type on UA-cam. I look forward to your next restoration masterclass.
It's quite refreshing to get to watch another narrated restoration. One of my favorite bits is the bit of history you share with us while showing the restoration. I hope one day to have a small shop and be able to do some restorations myself. I've learned a lot watching your videos. Your gaming channel is a lot of fun to watch as well.
I wish I could've restored my grandfather's old Sears Craftsman tiller from the 1970s. It used a common Briggs 5 HP engine. It was yellow and white in color from what I remember. My parents used it quite often when I was a kid. You did an amazing job with this one. Rotovators/Rototillers haven't changed much in decades. Practical and simple design. Love it.
You can't buy a machine as well built as that anymore unfortunately, so your restoration work is well worth it. Very high quality of workmanship as well as camera work. Enjoyed that.
Another fantastic restoration. I have to give you credit. You certainly do have a great eye to find the Juggernaut of inventions. It's truly incredible just how robust these machines were made in the past. Thank you for taking the time to share your hard work.👏👏
The thing with these old machines they were built to serve the owner for years to come now it’s the other way around unfortunately! I find your hard work very satisfying in an odd way. Thank you 😊
Now that was probably the best Restoration video I have seen !! Just a fantastic job !! My favorite kind of video from the start to finished product !! Super job !! Keep'm coming brother !! Thanks 👍
Excellent work as always! The time and patience it takes to do a full restoration like this is immense! I always look forward to your next project. Cheers mate!
I love that this wasnt just a quick paintjob. You were very thorough. Two bits of advice, quenching steel with water can weaken metal components. Its best to use a penetrating fluid, and when you are hammering a threaded end of a shaft or bolt, leave the nut on and hammer on that instead. You wont mushroom the tip of the shaft or bolt.
There are thousands of these type rotor tiller all over spain, especially in the north where I live. The majority are powered by single cylinder lombardini diesel engines although nowadays lots are using honda petrol engines. They are eternal and well worth a good restore like you just did.
Just a comment here. Even though the cylinder block was in stellar shape, this would have been an opportunity to have done one of two things... you might have considered to have the existing block sleeved, therefor gaining more longevity to the engine, or replace the cylinder block with one that had the factory iron sleeve installed, (I have a feeling you might have one in your inventory, Ha Ha Ha). But I respect your decision in keeping the little engine pretty much "stock". That said, I have been enjoying your channel, and love your restorations. Keep it up! Very Cool. Shane
it's such a great pleasure to watch an old machine get used again.
You were very lucky that the gearbox was in good order, when I restored my Howard 350 about 15 years ago the gears were all worn beyond repair so I ended up making most of the replacement parts myself, (fortunately I am an engineer and I had a fully equipped workshop) while I was at it I got rid of all the plain bushings between the gears and the shafts and converted to needle roller bearings throughout the gearbox, at the time I couldn't get any spare parts or gaskets so I had to make everything myself. I replaced all the bearings, seals and chains and eventually I got it all done, I also replaced the tyres and the tynes and converted the tynes to double row. The old Howard is still performing flawlessly to this day and leaks no oil. I also overhauled the Kohler K141 engine and replaced the piston, carb, exhaust and fuel tank. The engine runs perfect and can really do a job of work on my small holding, the last time it was used the engine started first pull with 2 year old petrol in the tank and did everything I asked of it, these are truly great machines
This is probably the best restoration video that you did so far. What I especially like about your channel is that you restore different machines that actually do come in really handy for gardening!
I agree, amazing video, thank you
Mach doch auch mal solch ein Projekt!
@@Timico1000 Ich habs mir schon mehrfah überlegt, aber ich hab dazu einfach nicht die Zeit... wenn man sowas macht, muss man immer vor Ort sein und dranbleiben. Wenn man nur hi und da mal was macht wird das nie fertig...
@@v-g-z3689 Das stimmt, vor allem dann noch nebenbei filmen. Hab deine Videos aber auch immer gern geguckt! :)
@@Timico1000 Genau das ist es, das kommt dazu, ich habe großen Respekt vor dem Kollegen hier, wie der das schafft. Danke, das freut mich!
Need I say, you are one of the most detailed and excellent mechanics I've ever seen. I believe there is nothing you couldn't repair.
Incredible job! Your attention to detail is commendable. Can’t wait for the next restoration.
I've always wanted to hear a narrated restoration from you, awesome video
And I love the fact that he has his other channel for gaming
I had to stop watching the farming simulator channel as that game was taking over my life. its too damn good. im 45 and cant exactly say all the kids do is sit infront of computer screens. i would finish work come home and be up all night tending to my farms. no no i must not return to that game or watch others. maybe when i retire at 92 or whatever it is now. 🤣
@bigjoe4409 I was thinking "wait a minute he sounds exactly like daggerwin"
@philholland182 yup same person bro
Really very, very good work.
I once had a similar tiller as a gardener's apprentice. That was in 1973
The thing worked really well.
Many thanks for your excellent tutorials.
I love how thorough you are with the decals and paint.
The reason I popped in to watch this was to see just what a Howard looked and sounded like when in operation.
There is one just like this one that's come onto the market here in Rotorua NZ that won't go, owner has no idea why it won't go but they are asking $160 for it.
It's not the price that scares me but how scares the parts are to find over here.
Thank you, you have done a wonderful job on restoring your old now new motor.
In the modern age parts are often easy to find. It's the world's out of date shipping prices that kill things.
I have one of these in my backyard. Last time I worked it over I ended up making all the gaskets. I found a kit in the UK but by the time I had it sent to the US the shipping was more than the gasket set. If I recall the gasket set was like $20. They wanted $35 just for shipping. For $5 I bought a roll of gasket material locally that I still have more than enough to do it again.
Probably one of the best Restoration's I have seen in a while? I like the fact that you explain what your doing as you go, in simple plain English? A nice job very well done.
good job as usual can't wait to see the next one. watching your videos has given me a bit more confidence in working on my own stuff and ive recently "restored" my old atv i use for work now it looks like new and i dont want to work with it anymore 😂 i can only imagine how satisfying it is to completely restore something piece by piece like you do.
As usual, an incredible restoration not only looking brand new, but also functioning like new. I'm amazed at the lengths you go to to rejuvenate these old machines. Very impressive and excellent work! You must be very proud of your results.
Just tracking down new old stock parts and gaskets must be in a job itself... this guy really loves these machines.
That was an excellent end to the day. Been clearing a glen in the Scottish borders all day with winter debris. Ill call you Dr Machinery restorer from now on. Very relaxing to watch and a first class restoration.
The narrated videos are so much better! Thanks for a great vid!
Good to see the old machine back to its former glory chewing up dirt once again. You do such such beautiful work i can't get enough of these vids. I do know that they take alot of time and effort to make and it shows very nicely done👍👍
Always enjoy your restoration videos-great job! In case people were wondering: *"A substantial amount of weeds were injured after this tiller was restored"*
My favourite restoration channel!
I thoroughly enjoyed this restoration. I can't imagine how many hours you have into this. I especailly liked seeing the different ways you came up with removing pulleys and bushings and exahust pipe. And recreating the tags but maintaining the original serial numbers etc. was brilliant. Awesome job all around and great narration.
This makes me feel so old, I used to sell and repair these!😀
And I worked in thefactory that produced and sold hundreds of rubber vee drive belts for them. Now 82 years old.
Literally yelled with excitement when I saw the announcement for a new video!! Amazing work as always!!
Amazing attention to detail and explanation of the tools your using and diagnosing the problem. Looking forward to the next one.
We used the 350’s for commercial landscaping work as the 300’s were fine for veg plots but a bit underpowered for commercial work. The Kohler engine was brilliant, given its quirky starting process and relatively easy to maintain. Like yours both suffered from the ingress of dirt/grit exacerbating wear. So we did basically what you did every two years to all on them, and still had breakdowns. 😂However, a brilliant machine and a super vid, thanks.
There is nothing more satisfying than restoring something to its original function and to do it so magnificently is just awesome. I love watching it done - only wish I had the time and resource to do it myself! Thanks for sharing with us!
Now that is a classic machine that is in need of a lot of work and love thank you for your doing this to that classic rear tine rototiller
Found this video. Just right up my alley 😁
My rototiller is 78yrs old...
1946/ Frazer Rototiller. Works great
The best restoration complete with explanation I have ever seen. You’re the best mate .
My Dad always had Howards, they were part of my childhood. Awesome restoration, it'll be good for another 50+ years now.
Fantastic work, as always. Brilliant to see an old beast be resurrected.
What a fabulous job well done, I was an apprentice with Howard’s and remember almost all of the parts.
Happy memories. As a teenager I used one of these on my family’s smallholding. The beasts are bulletproof!
I'm glad you actually use the stuff that you restore. There's nothing I hate worse than watching somebody restore something and not using it for what it was intended. That always seems like a shame to me.
You are like "How is made"
Beautiful images, explanations, voice
Youe are more....
👍👍👍You are " HOW IS MADE THE RESTORATION"👍👍👍
Now I’m addicted to both channels now I have no free time but I am not complaining love you dagger
Glad to see you back with a new video! 🙂
Thank you for making this excellent restoration video, brings back many memories. When I was growing up we had one on the farm, when I was barely old enough I started using this wonderful machine on our farm, it was quite heavy and needed some serious strength to keep upright & from toppling over, quite a high centre of gravity! Ours had the B&S engine originally I think, but it blew up and we replaced it with a Mitsubishi engine, which threw the conn-rod I think, then the final engine was a Kohler. After many years of hard slog, I credit this machine for giving me great upper body strength. I hope it gives you great pleasure and satisfaction using it. Cheers from NZ. (PS: I am two years older than this machine)
Thanks you so much for your kind words, I am so pleased to hear that it brought back memories for you.
Wow, this was a fantastic restoration, as always! Thank you for uploading the narrated version to UA-cam for us all to enjoy! Can't wait for your next project.
Awesome restoration! As soon as I saw the uploaded video I knew it was going to be a great watch, keep up the fantastic work 😃
I’m actually now restoring a 350. This video has been so helpful!
Really enjoyed the video, gave me a smile each time West Horndon appeared, it's about 7 miles from me in Essex
My father grew up in an extended family home... back when there was no such thing as assisted living or "Old Folks Homes"... He learned Gardening from his Grand Mother and he was so accomplished at it that as an adult his neighbors on either side of him broke down the fences and gave him the use of half their back yards in exchange for open access to fresh VEG.... He had one of these same rototillers
Absolutely fantastic. Thanks for the video.
Enjoyed the well executed narration!
The narrated restoration is a fantastic format, thank you for making such a great video.
When restoring projects the quality attention to detail is spot on high quality. If I needed to rotorvator I would definitely purchase this one over anything new manufactured because the old machines mowers and garden equipment were built and made to last longer and built with quality materials.
Cheers.
That's is exactly why I love restoration videos with voice... because other wise, usually I have no clue what are you doing other there :)
My dad owns a machine similar to this, it works very well at churning up ground, we also created a little attachment that makes perfect rows for potatoes.I actually have the same model as you!
There were some classic works of art that came from the UK such as the E-type Jag, the Vincent Black Shadow and now the Howard Rotavator. You did a fantastic job! Keep'em coming. And just once say carr-burr-ray-durr. ....From N.C. USA
Excellent restorations. I did a Howard 300, 12 years ago and can only envy the care you lavished on the beast. They are superb monster's on the garden patch.
It was a walk down memory lane seeing the internals again.
Many thanks.
That took me right back to the one I had in the eighties. It was a fearsome beast and I remember putting it into reverse and it backing me into a thorn hedge as I couldnt disengage the drive and those tines meant business !
I made a single furrow ridger for mine and it was great for potatoes.
It somehow got "lost" in a house move, but I recently found the owners manual for it.
It's amazing how good the condition of the gears were considering how much dirt and grime there was in the gearbox.
All in all, a terrific video. Keep them coming!
What a superb video. Your attention to detail is like nothing I've ever seen. The quality of your work and making sure everything is filmed clearly and well thought through makes your channel one of the best of its type on UA-cam. I look forward to your next restoration masterclass.
You make this look so easy.
Thank you from NZ for an interesting video.
Superb job Sir. Outstanding results. Looks brand and runs like new. Keep em coming.
Great job, almost too clean and shiny to get all muddy again!
Really enjoyed the audio narration! I hope this will become a regular feature.
Thank you for this narration version of this, it helps me as a non mechanic understand what your working on. Blessings!
It's quite refreshing to get to watch another narrated restoration. One of my favorite bits is the bit of history you share with us while showing the restoration. I hope one day to have a small shop and be able to do some restorations myself. I've learned a lot watching your videos. Your gaming channel is a lot of fun to watch as well.
I wish I could've restored my grandfather's old Sears Craftsman tiller from the 1970s. It used a common Briggs 5 HP engine. It was yellow and white in color from what I remember. My parents used it quite often when I was a kid.
You did an amazing job with this one. Rotovators/Rototillers haven't changed much in decades. Practical and simple design. Love it.
My word that is a quality job, I noted the perfect ring when you lapped the valves in.
Excellent video. A machine made in England when we still manufactured stuff 😊
Well filmed, with a clear and concise commentary - this is a masterclass in small engine & machine restoration!
Slick rig when it's all shined up. Nice work.
I love it when you Restorat this Beautiful Rotavator, keep going that was Satisfying 💯👍🏻
You can't buy a machine as well built as that anymore unfortunately, so your restoration work is well worth it. Very high quality of workmanship as well as camera work. Enjoyed that.
Thanks 👍
First timer, you did a fantastic job restoring this garden tiller. 👏
great Job ! I like the Way you do restoration Best regards from Germany an keep up to show us those restauration Vidios 👌👍👍
Another fantastic restoration. I have to give you credit. You certainly do have a great eye to find the Juggernaut of inventions. It's truly incredible just how robust these machines were made in the past.
Thank you for taking the time to share your hard work.👏👏
Excellent work. You're a role model!
You did a great job on this 300, I wish I'd done the same with my Howard 350, but sold it before I got tempted.
Wow! That was a LOT of work. The sandblasting is sooo satisfying...
Superb restoration and video! Another piece of history saved! Very well done. 👍
The thing with these old machines they were built to serve the owner for years to come now it’s the other way around unfortunately! I find your hard work very satisfying in an odd way. Thank you 😊
Superb restoration. The narration is very useful and adds to the learning. Thumbs up and respect from the USA.
Now that was probably the best Restoration video I have seen !! Just a fantastic job !! My favorite kind of video from the start to finished product !! Super job !! Keep'm coming brother !! Thanks 👍
Fantastic restoration. I love the Narration and the demo of it working afterwards. Top job 👏
Excellent work as always! The time and patience it takes to do a full restoration like this is immense! I always look forward to your next project. Cheers mate!
You’ve taught an old dog a couple new tricks today. 😊
When ever I watch I get a weirdly satisfying feeling about your work which is totally professional I must say thank you 😊
very interesting and educational video. Thank you for showing and I hope everyone appreciates it.
You are realy profeshienal Mekanik.Great job.!!!
I love that this wasnt just a quick paintjob. You were very thorough. Two bits of advice, quenching steel with water can weaken metal components. Its best to use a penetrating fluid, and when you are hammering a threaded end of a shaft or bolt, leave the nut on and hammer on that instead. You wont mushroom the tip of the shaft or bolt.
If you add just a touch of ammonia to the ultrasonic with the dish detergent, you will be amazed by the improved action. Thanks for the great videos.
There are thousands of these type rotor tiller all over spain, especially in the north where I live. The majority are powered by single cylinder lombardini diesel engines although nowadays lots are using honda petrol engines. They are eternal and well worth a good restore like you just did.
Powder coating looked brilliant, great video looking forward to the next one
As always a fantastic project - and a super nice machine. Thank you for sharing.
ONE OF YOUR BEST VIDEOS YET, AWESOME JOB AND A VERY WELL DONE MISTER.
You have inspired me to do a bit of restoration work on my Howard bantam made around 1953, it is still all original including the Villers motor.
@15:53 HOGGIE ORIGIN STORY‽ Also, great restoration, no half measures here!
The sense of pride in a job so well done must be immense.
What a fantastic job. I used to own a Howard Gem so this video was really interesting.
This chaps attention to detail is outstanding, love your vid 😊
You did such a great job! Keep posting new videos. It’s such a treat to watch this.
I love the voiceover! These videos are so therapeutic
I love the narration over this video. Another great restoration
you are amazing. I would not try this myself as I know nothing about engines and it would probably sit in my garage for 5 years
Just a comment here. Even though the cylinder block was in stellar shape, this would have been an opportunity to have done one of two things... you might have considered to have the existing block sleeved, therefor gaining more longevity to the engine, or replace the cylinder block with one that had the factory iron sleeve installed, (I have a feeling you might have one in your inventory, Ha Ha Ha). But I respect your decision in keeping the little engine pretty much "stock".
That said, I have been enjoying your channel, and love your restorations. Keep it up! Very Cool.
Shane
So cool how in the good ole days things were made to last. No plastics. Really enjoyed this video.
A wonderful job! - Here from Brazil, I send you hugs
I really liked the narration in this, it was enjoyable to hear and educational / informative too for the layman like me :)
Wow that was a great video you put together. Great little machine you restored