The Classic Machinery Network

Can anybody tell me what make this is and where I can get specs etc for it please? Some call it Benford and some say an early Thwaites!?!

Looks like one of the early Thwaites 4wd artic steer, possibly a 2ton model with added greedy boards. Guess the date would be mid to late 70s.

It is indeed a Thwaits 4x4 artic steer dumper.
I had one of these and I think I would date it a little earlier than Pete, say late 60s/ early 70s.
They had a Petters PH2 engine and a drum clutch.
If my memory serves me right they were rated for 2.1/2 tons

This little beast is as already said a Thwaites 2 Ton dumper, this dumper could level its own load as the skip tips to full hight, they would be rated as the Best Dumper ever built with Plant Boys in their day, very simple and strong with early units fitted with the Petter AVA 2 and later units fitted with the newer PH 2 engine, this dumper has the Ph2 engine fitted the oil filter head and dirt cover on the engine top would put it around the 1970-72 year, strong bit of kit that runs all day on a drip of fuel, the clutch uses Triumph Herald brake shoes spring loaded in a brake drum, simple. tctractors

Found also this:



Here is my translation, but my english is very horrible...

Earthmoving and Earthworks-Machines (Report of BAUMA and Hannover-Messe)

The Thwaites "Alligator" with all-wheel drive, hydraulic steering and hydraulic tipping, 1200/1600 liter skip capacity, 2.5 ton capacity provides by symmetry-articulated steering in the "construction-site" often advantageous tracking. The "Alligator" is an example of a "sophisticated Dumper".

BAUMASCHINE UND BAUTECHNIK – 10th Year , Brochure 7 , July 1963

Thats great,thanks for that! It does look well built compared to a lot I`ve used. The Steering column is bent/seized,so thats one job on the list! Another is the clutch is stuck to the flywheel according to the owner,but as its a drum the shoes must be stuck to that. I think its a brilliant old thing!
Really appreciate everyones help on here-what a great forum eh!?

One was kept in our yard year ago and the manual over hydraulic steering was the worst part of the dumper.

Hard work? Or just a pain in the arse?!

I think the steering box had water damage and the bearing were iffy which made pushing the spool block heavy and imprecise. The orbitrol units were such a leap on.