Help Identifying Thwaites Alldrive Dumper

[AndrewinCornwall]

Hello All
New member here, my first ever dumper bought for a self build and long term project
It is an Thwaites alldrive which was described as a 4000 2 ton dumper, But following my research I am not so sure
It has a Ford 4 cylinder engine which makes me think its a larger model
other features Salisbury axles
forward and reverse lever and separate gearstick to select gears - I think there are 4

It needs a bit of work
Engine starts on the key now I have replaced the positive battery to starter cable which was properly corroded and smoking
The clutch slave cylinder needs bleeding from the nipple on a regular basis to keep the pedal firm.
On bleeding the nipple air bubbles appear , eventually after a minute fluid runs without air bubbles and pedal goes hard
I am thinking that there must be a leak in one of the clutch cylinders , and whilst I have got used to bleeding the slave cylinder I would really like to do a permanent fix and also restore to former glory as its a beast of a machine and I love it!
I have googled for a cylinder repair kit, but keep coming up with brake cylinder , no one seems to sell clutch cylinder kits
hydraulic tank has had some dodgy repair with silicone which as you can imagine was not that effective. I have patched it up with some fibre matting and epoxy mastic, which seems to be holding, but eventually I think it will need a new tank or draining and welding in new steel

So any help in identifying the model and also where I might get spare parts
Thanks for any help /suggestions
Andrew

[essexpete]

Have you a photo. Is it all wheel steer or articulated steering?

[essexpete]

Had a quick Google and I did not realise the Ford industrial was used in the 4/5 tonne dumper. I was thinking of a larger magine.
I am not sure of the model.
AFAIK the 4000 was 2 ton, 6000 2.5 ton and the 7000 a 3 ton model. They were generally powered with engines between 18 and 30bhp. The Ford puts it into a different league.

[essexpete]

Thwaites I/D
Too long ago to remember!

Thwaites I/D

[Jeremy Rowland]

Hi Andrew and welcome sure you will get lots of help and advice; Pete has already pointed you in the right direction.

Jeremy

[XS650]

I remember these 4 forward and 4 reverse shuttle box Thwaites dumpers coming on Wimpeys sites new about 1980.
I don't think they sold them for long, maybe going too fast in reverse led to damage - externally and internally !
Craig

[essexpete]

They must have been a beast with nearly 60bhp on a four tonner. One old leaflet lists a 5sp box and a top speed of nearly 20mph.

[XS650]

The GTI of dumpers , remember a young civil engineer I was working with having a 'blast' on one and being most impressed !
I will see if I have a brochue in the 'box'.
Craig

[AndrewinCornwall]

Thanks all for your welcome, and replies
Thanks Pete thats the one
there were not many dumpers for sale at the time(not what I wanted to pay anyway) and it was in the west country

I must admit I bought it unseen after speaking to the previous owner, the photos in his advert did not have any scale to them, ie a person standing next to it, and I assumed it would be smaller ( it was described as a 4000 2 ton )
A friend picked it up for me on his trailer ,I was quite excited but working away and phoned my son to ask what it was like - his reply
Dad its very big!

Anyway I have got it now and its already shifted tons, and doesnt half shift, mind you I have nothing really to compare it too
I have found David Cornwallis website for spares so will give them a ring and see if they can advise on the clutch cylinder repair/replacement
Thanks again
Andrew

[essexpete]

With that engine it would wipe the floor with one of the 2 or 3 ton machines of that era.
The most lively Thwaites I have had was a 3 tonner with a Deutz 3 cyl air cooled. That would out pull a slightly later model with a small Perkins 4 cyl.