Topic: I need to disable a rotovator

[RenishawPhil]

Can someone tell me how i can disable a rotovator which would give someone no chance of being able to use it without the piece being put back(and not being obvious).

The rotovator is an old model which hasnt been made in many years,

Sorry if this seems like an odd question!

[Melbourne12]

They mostly have very simple engines, including the carb and electrics, so there are few clever tricks that would be simple to rectify.  My suggestion would be to use an old trick of replacing the spark plug with a dud.  You can create a dud spark plug very easily by closing the gap entirely, or, more difficult to detect but easy to remove if spotted, putting a soft lead pencil mark from the cap down the insulator to the nut.  Both will short out the spark and the motor won't start.

[Kleftiwallah]

Or an old trick I used to do (if I wanted to be nasty),  draw a pencil line down the ceramic of a spark plug   Sneaky Sneaky !      Cheers,     Tony.

[Obelixx]

My OH has done this three times to ours by simply putting in the wrong fuel mix.  It does mean you might need a new motor though.  We've had two and chappy in th evillage has retired so it has stayed bust.  He digs manually now.

[RenishawPhil]

Or an old trick I used to do (if I wanted to be nasty),  draw a pencil line down the ceramic of a spark plug   Sneaky Sneaky !      Cheers,     Tony.

What did that do?

[Digeroo]

Are we allowed to ask why you want to disable a rotavator?

[RenishawPhil]

Are we allowed to ask why you want to disable a rotavator?

I would rather not say.

[Kleftiwallah]

The pencil line (carbon)  earths the electric charge down through the pencil line on the outside of the ceramic and robs the charge from the spark plug. 

The best bit is that most likely the person removing the plug to check the gap will wipe off the pencil mark, refit the plug and away it goes with no idea what caused the initial reluctance to start.   ::)  ::) ::) ::).  .  Cheers,    Tony.

[RenishawPhil]

It's a howard if that helps anyone

[RenishawPhil]

Maybe I could do something to.the gear box or drive shaft?. It has to be something I could take out then fix later

[Obelixx]

Wouldn't changing the gap on the spark plug do it?  If it's a bit too wode it won't spark properly but won't be obvious to the eye, though maybe easy for a mechanic.

[RenishawPhil]

Wouldn't changing the gap on the spark plug do it?  If it's a bit too wode it won't spark properly but won't be obvious to the eye, though maybe easy for a mechanic.

Sounds like a Good idea!.ill give it a whizz and see if it works:)

[Aden Roller]

Are we allowed to ask why you want to disable a rotavator?

I would rather not say.

It's not my business but I do hope it's your Howard.  ???

[RenishawPhil]

Are we allowed to ask why you want to disable a rotavator?

I would rather not say.

It's not my business but I do hope it's your Howard.  ???

Sorry I really should have explained. I need somewhere to store it.  Someone on the allotment has offered to do this. I am going to be away for about 5 months.  Whilst u trust him I would rather make sure.  I don't have any other option.  And yes it most certainly mine:)

[hippydave]

put it in gear and disconnect the gear lever, unless they know how to use an howard they wont be able to wheel it out and they are very heavy to carry also you can remove the bottom of the carb and it will unstartable you could also remove the coil. I chain mine through the corner post of the shed aswell.

[steve76]

Don't fully understand this one ???
  But if someone was good enough to look after my rotovator for 5 months while i was away i certainly would not mind them using it ???
If you really don't want them to use it and you are going about it the sly way by not making it obvious why just not find some where else or even rent  a self storage locker for 5 months????

Sorry if i come across grumpy but it all sounds bit strange to me ::)

[RenishawPhil]

Don't fully understand this one ???
  But if someone was good enough to look after my rotovator for 5 months while i was away i certainly would not mind them using it ???
If you really don't want them to use it and you are going about it the sly way by not making it obvious why just not find some where else or even rent  a self storage locker for 5 months????

Sorry if i come across grumpy but it all sounds bit strange to me ::)

Steve not a case of minding someone using it.  But its worth over £400. So just being careful.

[steve76]

could you not say to the chap that he's welcome to use it while your away but takes full responsibility for any damage done??
I to have a very expensive rotovator  and don't mind people using it on the understanding that any damage done is fixed by them so far so good for me (touch wood)

[Aden Roller]

could you not say to the chap that he's welcome to use it while your away but takes full responsibility for any damage done??
I to have a very expensive rotovator  and don't mind people using it on the understanding that any damage done is fixed by them so far so good for me (touch wood)

I can see what you mean but I sympathise with notts_phil. An old Howard machine is not so easy to get repaired as it is hard to find anyone who could do it and parts are very scarce.

Maybe just explaining to the chap who is to look after it would be the best option?

[cornykev]

Strange indeed.   ??? :-\