Aveling Barford Motor Roller - identify gearbox?

[thesmiths88]

Hi folks. I've recently come into ownership of an Aveling Barford motor roller, very similar to the one pictured in the scrapyard in the 'Fordson Powered Roller' post a few weeks ago.

It's a PV, 8-tonne model, built for the Ministry of Supply in 1944 as part of the war effort. From what I understand reading the '100 years of road rollers' book, published by Aveling Barford (1965), it would have originally come fitted with "A ford V8 engine & gearbox". I'm guessing something similar to the Ford Pilots, flathead V8.

Sadly it no longer has the original engine, and like the one pictured in the Fordson thread, has been re-engined. Mine now also has a Fordson tractor diesel engine.

My real problem however lies with the gearbox, which is not selecting 1st or reverse properly, making a grinding noise and not engaging fully. It jumps out of gear and cannot be fully held in with the gearstick, although some semblance of movement can be made as the gears catch then release. It doesn't feel like a broken tooth. I'm getting full travel on the gear linkage. The other two gears are fine. (total 3 forward, 1 reverse)

The gearbox in mine is the same as the one pictured in the scrapyard on the other thread, which leads me to believe it is possibly the original gearbox.

Does anyone recognise exactly what the gearbox might be, who it is manufactured by, or where I might go to obtain a diagram or spare parts for it? Does anyone recognise the gearbox symptoms or can tell me where to start looking? I'm guessing it's very similar to an old dumper gearbox in it's design.

Identification stamped on the gearbox reads:
ET6 7006
IF2

I'm hoping that the pictures are going to appear below....

Thanks in advance, folks!


URL of the original image: http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq245/thesmiths888/PICT0691.jpg

URL of the original image: http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq245/thesmiths888/PICT0693.jpg

[Jeremy Rowland]

Hi Mike,

Just having a quick look at your gearbox picture, it looks to me like the top of the gearbox with the gearstick on it is secured by four bolts.
I would remove these and carefully lift the top of the casing off, mind that the selector springs don't jump out.
Once this is removed you will be able to see obvious signs of wear such as broken selector springs, worn selector shafts or forks, or worn gear teeth.
That would be my initial investigation.

Jeremy

[thesmiths88]

Cheers. I guess that IS the place to start ... I'm mechanically minded and do all my own repairs ... however gearboxes give me the willies! I just have this horrible feeling something's going to ping off or drop into the 'box.

I suppose a 3-speed, probably non-syncro box is going to be one of the simpler ones to 'cut my teeth' on, as it were. Was just hoping someone might recognise it or know where to find a diagram which would give me a bit more confidence ....

[Julian]

My real problem however lies with the gearbox, which is not selecting 1st or reverse properly, making a grinding noise and not engaging fully. It jumps out of gear and cannot be fully held in with the gearstick, although some semblance of movement can be made as the gears catch then release. It doesn't feel like a broken tooth. I'm getting full travel on the gear linkage. The other two gears are fine. (total 3 forward, 1 reverse)

The gearbox in mine is the same as the one pictured in the scrapyard on the other thread, which leads me to believe it is possibly the original gearbox.

Does anyone recognise exactly what the gearbox might be, who it is manufactured by, or where I might go to obtain a diagram or spare parts for it? Does anyone recognise the gearbox symptoms or can tell me where to start looking? I'm guessing it's very similar to an old dumper gearbox in it's design.

]

Hi, I've just rebuilt the gearbox in my old Thwaites dumper. The damage to mine was caused purely by water getting down into the oil and buggering the shaft bearings, the gears survived OK. If you pull it to bits you'll find the bearings have numbers on them which any good bearing factor can cross reference. 4 new beefy bearings are not that cheap though

You could always have a word with John Lewis Dumpers, I think he has a Fordson/Aveling roller and is a font of knowledge.

Julian.

[thesmiths88]

Thanks for the lead - assuming it's the company in Bromyard? I'll give him a call in the morning.

I'm hoping that the fault will be obvious when I delve inside ....

[thesmiths88]

Spent about 6 hours on the internet looking at pictures of old gearboxes, and I've finally identified it as something out of a Ford Thames truck.

Right ... taken the plunge and dropped the 'box out of the roller, surprisingly easy, think it took less than an hour and I didn't use a crane. Took it into the workshop, poured out the water (!) and the damage is indeed obvious.

Even better, in my research I've found a specialist for these early Fords who possibly has gears in stock ... am hoping for a result here. The box looks very simple and there's no syncro to worry about.

Pics attached for your amusement, the 3 bold arrowes on the drawing represent the main damage. I'll let you know how I get on!

[Neversweat]

Thats just what you want - nice and simple -
Show us how you get on
Steve

[thesmiths88]

Has anyone got any feel for how much rounding-over to expect on the leading edge of gears in a crash box? The rest of the gears are all exhibiting wear on the leading edge, is this normal?

[martyn williams]

I would check selector and bearings.The gears look a bit worn.For info on your machine.
Contact Bill Dickins at the RRA.He is the motor roller expert.
Martyn

[thesmiths88]

Cheers. I joined the RRA recently - very helpful folk

Would you bother rebuilding or would you grab a 2nd hand one on the offchance it might be better?