My new Thwaites dumper
Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 8:42 pm
Hello all, first post, found this message board while looking for parts.
I've just aquired a Thwaites Orion dumper, (not articulated but I can't seem to find a suitable section for it ) it's my first experience with classic plant, though I've some of the regular stuff like tractors etc.
Anyway, I've stripped it and blasted the chassis and painted it with JCB old yellow, (looks nice, is this right?) the gearbox is chain driven and has a clutch like a brake drum. The gearbox made horrid noises but after stripping it I found the cogs to be pretty good, it just needed 4 new bearings. I've removed the guards from the Petter PH1 engine and started cleaning it but have found the governor lever to be very loose in the housing.
I wonder if anyone could help with a few questions:
Any idea how old it might be, I can't find any obvious chassis numbers, but someone said the chain drive makes it pretty old?
Is there any good suppliers (mail order would be a bonus) for new bits for the PH1 engine - governor bits especially?
Should the rear tyres be ribbed like a tractor front tyre, or should they be like vehicle off-road tread pattern?
Thanks Julian.
I've just aquired a Thwaites Orion dumper, (not articulated but I can't seem to find a suitable section for it ) it's my first experience with classic plant, though I've some of the regular stuff like tractors etc.
Anyway, I've stripped it and blasted the chassis and painted it with JCB old yellow, (looks nice, is this right?) the gearbox is chain driven and has a clutch like a brake drum. The gearbox made horrid noises but after stripping it I found the cogs to be pretty good, it just needed 4 new bearings. I've removed the guards from the Petter PH1 engine and started cleaning it but have found the governor lever to be very loose in the housing.
I wonder if anyone could help with a few questions:
Any idea how old it might be, I can't find any obvious chassis numbers, but someone said the chain drive makes it pretty old?
Is there any good suppliers (mail order would be a bonus) for new bits for the PH1 engine - governor bits especially?
Should the rear tyres be ribbed like a tractor front tyre, or should they be like vehicle off-road tread pattern?
Thanks Julian.