Steiner/Ransomes Model 420

Update your progress on your various car projects.

Moderators: MostMint, wxo, Fred32v, Basement Paul, ttamrettus

User avatar
GMJohnny
Posts: 1228
Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2009 10:56 am
Location: Auburn Twp, Oh

Re: Steiner/Ransomes Model 420

Post by GMJohnny »

Nice!! It's good to hear that a little labor made a big difference.

GM
User avatar
wxo
Posts: 1754
Joined: Mon Jul 18, 2005 9:09 pm
Location: Raleigh, NC

Re: Steiner/Ransomes Model 420

Post by wxo »

Next up, I'm going to drain and refurb the cooling system, hydraulic fluid, and change the kinked hydraulic hose.
User avatar
wxo
Posts: 1754
Joined: Mon Jul 18, 2005 9:09 pm
Location: Raleigh, NC

Re: Steiner/Ransomes Model 420

Post by wxo »

I spent most of the day today working on Gladys. I had to remove the radiator to get to the other end of the kinked hose. It was not a trivial job. It's amazing how good the antifreeze in the cooling system looked after 18+ years of neglect. It was still clear and green.
When I was able to put a wrench on the other end of the kinked hydraulic hose, I found that it was loose. It was just a bit more than hand tight!! I took it down to a local hydraulic place and had a new one made which is 1.5 inches longer. Sixy five dollars later, the new, blue, hose looks great in it's place.
It just keeps gettin' better. :D
IMG_1043.JPG
User avatar
GMJohnny
Posts: 1228
Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2009 10:56 am
Location: Auburn Twp, Oh

Re: Steiner/Ransomes Model 420

Post by GMJohnny »

WXO...

If you keep on doing this type of work, I can get you a job at a rental store! The blue hose
looks good. Make sure that it isn't touching the bracket that is by it. If it does, the vibration
from the motor will cause the hose to wear and it will blow out there. The cool thing about
those hydraulic lines is that they can be positioned by putting a bit of torque on the hose.
Loosen up the nut that is connected to the fitting on the machine. Put a wrench on the inner
nut and move the hose to a position where it won't touch any framework, then tighten down
the fitting and it will maintain its position of not rubbing the frame.

GM
User avatar
wxo
Posts: 1754
Joined: Mon Jul 18, 2005 9:09 pm
Location: Raleigh, NC

Re: Steiner/Ransomes Model 420

Post by wxo »

GM, after I took that picture, I discovered that little positioning technique you just described. The hose is now positioned away from anything that would cause it harm.
User avatar
GMJohnny
Posts: 1228
Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2009 10:56 am
Location: Auburn Twp, Oh

Re: Steiner/Ransomes Model 420

Post by GMJohnny »

I'm glad you fixed it. I'm like the hose-Nazi at work... a hose rubbing steel is just a ticking
time bomb! Good work!

GM
User avatar
wxo
Posts: 1754
Joined: Mon Jul 18, 2005 9:09 pm
Location: Raleigh, NC

Re: Steiner/Ransomes Model 420

Post by wxo »

After replacing the hydraulic hose, it was time to change all the fluids and get the old girl back to work. When I tried to open the petcock to drain the block of antifreeze, this happened:
IMG_1057.JPG
IMG_1060.JPG
IMG_1062.JPG
It turns out that the petcock is aluminum. I guess thirty-some years in service was too much for it. After I broke off the handle, I put a socket on the hex part of the main body and broke the whole thing off. Drilling it out wasn't too bad because it was aluminum and very accessible. Bruno gave me a tip that worked very nicely to remove the outer portion left in the block. He suggested inserting a hacksaw blade and cutting slots at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock to segment the remaining aluminum ring. It worked like a charm. Tapping around with a punch dislodged the segments and out they came. The threads were serviceable so I just replace the petcock with a steel plug I had in my parts drawer.
After adding oil and hydraulic fluid, I poured in some cooling system cleaner and ran it for a while then rinsed it out a few times. I don't think the cooling system cleaner helped at all. I couldn't see any difference. Anyway, Gladys is back up and running better than ever. I have a few more things to do, but the major problems are fixed.
User avatar
Basement Paul
Posts: 3372
Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2005 9:27 pm
Location: In the dirt.

Re: Steiner/Ransomes Model 420

Post by Basement Paul »

A coat of wax, some tire shine, maybe some flames...

-BP
User avatar
wxo
Posts: 1754
Joined: Mon Jul 18, 2005 9:09 pm
Location: Raleigh, NC

Re: Steiner/Ransomes Model 420

Post by wxo »

I must admit. Flames has occurred to me.
But first, Gladys and I need a new seat. I like this OEM one because it has a drain hole at the lowest point.
They are still available at Steiner, but they are grey and cost $236.
seat.JPG
User avatar
GMJohnny
Posts: 1228
Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2009 10:56 am
Location: Auburn Twp, Oh

Re: Steiner/Ransomes Model 420

Post by GMJohnny »

I'm always amazed at how much seats cost! We go through a bunch of them at work, and they all
seem expensive. We've found that ones with plastic backs tend to last better because they don't
rust. Surprisingly, Tractor Supply Co. has a decent selection of them, and the price isn't horrible.
I'm certain that you could find a "deal" on the internet for some type of universal seat that might
save you a couple of bucks, but usually seats are in the $125 range for a decent one. We have used
vinyl paint to make yellow seats black when the color didn't match the machine and we wanted to
save $.

GM
User avatar
wxo
Posts: 1754
Joined: Mon Jul 18, 2005 9:09 pm
Location: Raleigh, NC

Re: Steiner/Ransomes Model 420

Post by wxo »

I've decided to simplify Gladys' seating arrangement by eliminating the arm rests and just going with a simple seat from Northern Tool.
It was one of the few I found with a drain hole for water and had some good reviews.
New seat.JPG
User avatar
Basement Paul
Posts: 3372
Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2005 9:27 pm
Location: In the dirt.

Re: Steiner/Ransomes Model 420

Post by Basement Paul »

User avatar
wxo
Posts: 1754
Joined: Mon Jul 18, 2005 9:09 pm
Location: Raleigh, NC

Re: Steiner/Ransomes Model 420

Post by wxo »

Add shipping costs and it comes out about the same. I'm near a Northern Tool store, so I can pick it up there.
User avatar
Basement Paul
Posts: 3372
Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2005 9:27 pm
Location: In the dirt.

Re: Steiner/Ransomes Model 420

Post by Basement Paul »

You might even be able to sit on it in the store. It's always better to see and touch before buying.

-BP
User avatar
wxo
Posts: 1754
Joined: Mon Jul 18, 2005 9:09 pm
Location: Raleigh, NC

Re: Steiner/Ransomes Model 420

Post by wxo »

Breaking news! I just thought of another upgrade. LED headlights and tail lights! Of course I'll need to upgrade to the wiring to make them work. None of the lights currently work.
New seat is slow coming. I wonder what the holdup is.
Post Reply