[PonchoV8]

A guy I know has one of these that looks almost the same as the piece in the picture. I've never heard of the thing before yesterday. He priced it at $700 as a non-running machine. It's an inline 6 cyl gas engined machine. It looks very heavy and appears that the hydraulic cylinders are plenty strong.

His story (which I tend to believe) is that it was running up until he shut it off and left the key on, which burned the points. Supposedly he can't find the points at auto parts places, but hasn't checked tractor supply. i'm only assuming at this point that it doesn't have a cracked block or something.

Any opinions?

[PonchoV8]

BTW, it has a Hercules 6 cyl gas engine. Are they well made?

[Keith Vrabec]

Certainly worth about the $700 as scrap with steel at $4-6 per 100 lbs....

Get a nail file and see if it goes. Also check the distributor, might be delco or autolite, and have the same points as a 50's Ford or Chev!!!

I would guess with little effort it would run, assuming the story is true and the engine isn't stuck.

KV

[PonchoV8]

Excellent. That thing probably weighs a couple of tons. Someone told me they're paying 8$ a hundred right now. I don't want to scrap it though.

[stimpy]

hercules engines were used in old army multifuel trucks and still is in business , the points were ford or chevy types , we had many machines from old military sources with there motors in them and I have to say they where like maytags hardly any work needed , I had one in a fork lift that was running for about a week without any oil in the crankcase ( the plug unscrewed and the operator who was an illegal decided not to tell anyone till it seized ) youcanget parts thru most heavy truck parts sources like wellers of grand rapids mich.

["Me"]

They were used in early Jeeps too , and a lot of other things, should not be too hard to find parts. I hate to admit it but I remember when those were still used in the gravel pits around here!

I have a Hercules in my forklift now that I think about it, its a 1955 Towmotor running on propane.

Larry

[salem1912]

Pertonix ign. system? Nice machine you could move some snow with that. 2wd or 4wd?

[455Grandville]

Originally Posted by PonchoV8

BTW, it has a Hercules 6 cyl gas engine. Are they well made?

Yea, heavy old industrial motor. Im sure you can find parts; Ive seen a few old Chris Craft boats with the Hercules motors. Probably an automotive type ignition anyway; a good NAPA guy can probably cross reference it.

[PonchoV8]

Snow? What's snow?

I think it's a Hough Payloader HE--those are two wheel drives. I think the HF is a 4 wheeler. I tried today and missed, but I hope to catch him to see it again tomorrow and snap some pics, get some information. Maybe try cranking it up.

Where it's sitting I can see that he had it moving around, clearing some brush. No actual dirt moved though.

[PonchoV8]

Here's the actual beast. It's an H-30 model with a Prestolite distributor. Looks like normal stuff to me. The points are missing, but they don't look anything special regarding setup. There may even be a Pertronics available.
He said the thing weighs about 11-12K lbs.

[PonchoV8]

Does anyone know how to identify which Hercules engine this has? On the side is cast CHROME and what looks like E100--both under the freeze plugs.

[mike nixon]

to get points you'll need the prestolite dist number doug. it shouldn't be a big deal if you find a parts store that deals in industrial equipt and is smart enough to read a book.

mike

[PonchoV8]

I called NAPA for the points. After three attempts to locate them, he came back and said he had them in stock--$14.99 and $8 for the condensor. He may have been trying to get rid of me though.

But I still want to know which engine this thing is. As long as it's not stuck, I'm going to buy it and I'm sure it'll need some work.

[455Grandville]

Originally Posted by mike nixon

to get points you'll need the prestolite dist number doug. it shouldn't be a big deal if you find a parts store that deals in industrial equipt and is smart enough to read a book.

mike

Mike, you just hit the nail right on the head. Good 'ol boy at the NAPA here checks the books and cross references them , after the lazy guy who wont get off the computer tells you "We dont carry them."
I always go to the same guy when I need parts for my old IH Loadstar.

[455Grandville]

Originally Posted by PonchoV8

Does anyone know how to identify which Hercules engine this has? On the side is cast CHROME and what looks like E100--both under the freeze plugs.

There should be an ID number plate or something stamped on the engine like Detroit Diesels have.

[stimpy]

the Id plates on the ones I worked on were on the pass side motor by the bell housing or behind the carburator .they are tin and half of the time they are missing . hough was bought out by I-H back in the 50's

[PonchoV8]

The parts guy convinced me that he knew what he was doing, and I got them.
I can see this alum looking large tag on the rear of the motor above the motor mount, but I didn't notice it or take a close up pic of it.

Is that the location you're talking about stimpy?

[mike nixon]

that's close to the locations i've seen them in before.

mike

[mike nixon]

Originally Posted by 455Grandville

Mike, you just hit the nail right on the head. Good 'ol boy at the NAPA here checks the books and cross references them , after the lazy guy who wont get off the computer tells you "We dont carry them."
I always go to the same guy when I need parts for my old IH Loadstar.

my guy's at carquest, he's been selling parts for 30 years+,to me for 20+.
it's amazing what you can find in a book if you know how to read...............

mike

[Formulabruce]

Doug, that has the add on remote oil filter. Most early models used a non detergent oil. I would check that filter and replace it and oil, and check for oil leaks. Usually the plumbing to these , when old ,caused leaks, and because they ran so well, nobody checks the oil.
Also that baby even with single curl piston can lift a couple tons ( your FB) no problem.
forks for that would be very handy!!