Modifying Robin Engine for Greater Slope Use?

pequeajim · Mar 6, 2005

This is a question for all of you as well as Jack from Robin?

There has been discussion about the rating of the Robin engine for use up to 20-25 degree slopes. After this, there is a possibility of starving the engine of oil?

Correct me if I am wrong here, but the explaination is because of the location of the pickup for the oil? If the engine is tilted too far away from this, then it could draw air instead of the oil?

Again, excuse the dumb sounding comments, but if this IS the case, what would be the correct solution? I guess you couldn't use multiple pickups for the oil as at any point, one of them will be drawing air?

These are all questions, not opinions. I know with my giant scale gasoline airplanes, we use a clunk system, (a weighted clunk on some tubing) No matter which way the tank is turned, gravity pulls the clunk and the fuel to the same spot so that you do not draw air.

I'm not suggestiong this for our tractors, but am wondering how this limitation is solved on others?

BobRip · Mar 6, 2005

At least some chain saws (maybe all for all I know) use the same approach.

Bob Rip

JerryG · Mar 6, 2005

I don't know if you can still get them or not, but you use to be able to get a swing pickup for race car oil pans. You might look into how they were made.

BobRip · Mar 6, 2005

Does the hydraulic transmission have a similar slope limitation?

Bob Rip

Bob999 · Mar 6, 2005

<font color="red"> Does the hydraulic transmission have a similar slope limitation?
</font>

In theory there is a limitation--clearly at 90 degrees some of the lines coming from the hydraulic tank would be uncovered. But in practice I think the engine is the limiting factor because of the geometry of the hydraulic tank combined with its overall size/volume.

A couple of other factors--the gas engines have (I think) crankcase capacities of about 2 quarts. The Deutz Diesels have crankcase capacities of 6 or more quarts--it is easier to design a deep sump with less suseptability to slope with larger oil volumes. Similarly, the larger tractors have much larger hydraulic oil volumes

MossRoad · Mar 7, 2005

Here's a link to a good discussion we had about this last April... lots O' laughs! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

BobRip · Mar 7, 2005

Put a light on the existing oil pressure switch. At least you will know when to back off if you loose pressure.

Bob Rip

Phils · Mar 8, 2005

Good idea Bob!

For an even better indication, wire that light through a relay so that it comes "on" when you lose pressure. Just adding it in parallel with the existing circuit would mean the light would be on all the time and go "off" when oil pressure dropped. When I'm 'tractoring' I'll be more likely to notice a normally off light that just came "on" vs. a normally lit light that now isn't.

Phil

pequeajim · Mar 8, 2005

Yep, nice idea. The information would be a good guide when i am coming down the 20+ degree slope in the back of my yard.

BobRip · Mar 8, 2005

Wiring the light in series with the switch (which is not connected to anything except the engine block on the ground side) and with the other side of the light connected to 12 volts will turn the light on when oil pressure is low. I also paralleled a sonalert (noise maker) in parallel with the light. When you turn the key on and before you start the engine the light and sonalert come on and you fully test the circuit. Once the engine starts both go off. Some time at idle the light will flicker. This is a standard oil pressure switch just like in a lot of cars.

Bob Rip