1970 Benford Dumper DropBox drive shaft

[DumperRestorer]

Hi there. Can anyone help me find a replacement drive shaft for my 1970 Benford 4WD dumper. The shaft in the picture has come from the upper part of the 4wd transmission box. It sheared off whilst I was trying to pull a tree stump out! Cant find anyone who can re-make it, so need to find a replacement. Thanks in advance for any help.

[DumperRestorer]

Further information - I believe my Dumper model is a Benford 4WD SMH 23cwt

[Jeremy Rowland]

Hi Stefan and welcome to the site there are plenty of dumper experts on here who should be able to point you in the right direction.

Jeremy

[DumperRestorer]

Thanks Jeremy - I am based in the Midlands. Any recommendations re engineering workshops that could help gratefully received

[cobbadog]

Hi Stephan and welcome. As Jeremy has said there will be someone here with the right contacts. What was the first thing that came to mind when that snapped? OUCH? or worse.
If a part is not forthcoming then a repair is the only next option by a specialist welder. Not sure if David Brown gearboxes could make one up for you as they specialise in unusual stuff but a lot bigger but they are set up for making shaft. Coast of that will be a fair bit though.

[DumperRestorer]

Thanks John - no responses to date. I hope someone can point me in the right direction to a UK engineering shop or spare parts / breakers.

[DumperRestorer]

Looking at the Benford spare parts list catalogue - I believe the part is an input shaft 800-331 / 800-332. The latter part, 800-332, I think is the correct number although it describes the output shaft. On my transmission box, the input shaft is extended to drive a drum brake unit so needs the spline at both ends.

[cobbadog]

I thought that was a supplier of Dumper parts in the UK, not like out here in the Colonies where we have to survive on scrounging parts from where ever.
Go down to a local transmission shop and ask who they would contact about it for a replacement or repair.
A good engineering shop with a bit of nous about them could clean that up drill it up the centre then build it up with weld and start machining it back to standard using a milling machine. It would be a bit weaker than original but it would still be usable under normal usage and not for being a bull dozer.

[Whitlock 505]

Hi Stefan
I've had a search of the Internet and I can't find any, there's a couple of newage transfer boxes on eBay but not sure if they are suitable, I've found a company who does make driveshafts called beard and Fitch and they say they make them for classic restorers?
Http://beardandfitch.com/drive-shafts/

[cobbadog]

Well at least you now have an option. I would make contact with the guy selling the transfer box on Fleabay and ask for the details of the box eg; the model number and see if it matches yours then I would consider buying it.
Usually by now one of the more knowledgeable members have been in here and would offer better advise than what I have, but we don't always live on Forums. Good luck and you are doing very well so far with your research and hopefully that box is suitable for you.