My new Thwaites dumper

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Julian
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My new Thwaites dumper

Post #1 by Julian » 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.


Nick Drew
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Re: My new Thwaites dumper

Post #2 by Nick Drew » Sun May 17, 2009 8:50 pm

Hi Julian,

And firstly may I welcome you to CMN :thumbs_up:

Do you have any photos to share of you dumper :?: This may help our fellow members with your questions :thumbs_up:

Nick :D

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DaveS
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Re: My new Thwaites dumper

Post #3 by DaveS » Sun May 17, 2009 9:21 pm

Hi Julian, welcome to the CMN!

There is a bloke advertises in Clasic Plant and Machinery magazine who specialises in dumpers of all types and ages - http://johnlewisdumpers.com/aboutus.html

Hope that helps.

Dave.S.


Topic author
Julian
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Re: My new Thwaites dumper

Post #4 by Julian » Sun May 17, 2009 9:25 pm

Nick Drew wrote:Hi Julian,

And firstly may I welcome you to CMN :thumbs_up:

Do you have any photos to share of you dumper :?: This may help our fellow members with your questions :thumbs_up:

Nick :D


Hi Nick. I've no pictures, but I could take some if you think it may help. The trouble is that it is in bits, tinwork, chassis, skip, gearbox, engine and wheels etc are all strewn around the place at the moment awaiting clean up and paint. I've just discovered that I could do with a new rear hub, one wheel stud is sheared off and another has been crudely welded to the hub - not pretty looking so I'd like to remedy that if possible.

Julian.


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Re: My new Thwaites dumper

Post #5 by Julian » Fri May 22, 2009 10:13 pm

Here's a few pictures just incase anyone can help with the year. I've spoken to John Lewis, he was helpful and I plan to get some spares from him in the next week or so.

Chassis blasted and painted, almost perfect with no rust, remarkable for its age!

Image

Gearbox just before I replaced the 4 main bearings

Image

Petter PH1 (now painted up)

Image

Clutch drum

Image

Gearbox now back in

Image

Julian.


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Re: My new Thwaites dumper

Post #6 by Nick Drew » Fri May 22, 2009 10:38 pm

Great pics Julian !!

Keep us informed with your progress

Nick


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Re: My new Thwaites dumper

Post #7 by essexpete » Fri May 22, 2009 10:58 pm

Thwaites Nimbus possibly 15cwt.


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Julian
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Re: My new Thwaites dumper

Post #8 by Julian » Sat May 23, 2009 10:03 am

essexpete wrote:Thwaites Nimbus possibly 15cwt.


That's interesting. Was sold to me (via ebay) as a Thwaites Orion. The seller also gave me an illustrated parts catalog/owners manual photocopy for an Orion. I don't suppose it matters much, but would you know the differences between the Orion and Nimbus and which came first? I'm guessing that there's little difference.

I've found the remains of a sticker on the rear tin work that says ''Hewden/Stuart general hire division,'' could anyone here suggest a date?

Cheers Julian.


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Re: My new Thwaites dumper

Post #9 by spod » Sat May 23, 2009 8:36 pm

Julian excellent photos and it looks like your doing a good job there.This is a really good site with very friendly members who allways help if they can, not like some who require money to give information which is not really any use anyway. Your ?about the tyres, normally if the tyres are on the steering axle they are ribbed like the front wheels on the front of atractor.Looking at the gearbox it looks like the oil has been contaminated with water and the machine has sat for about 20yrs resulting in the gears becoming pitted by rust which may contribute to noisy running. I would guess the chain drive would date it at around late 60s era but I could be wrong. Like to see a picture when its all back together.All the best Dave :thumbs_up:


Topic author
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Re: My new Thwaites dumper

Post #10 by Julian » Sat May 23, 2009 10:43 pm

spod wrote:Julian excellent photos and it looks like your doing a good job there.This is a really good site with very friendly members who allways help if they can, not like some who require money to give information which is not really any use anyway. Your ?about the tyres, normally if the tyres are on the steering axle they are ribbed like the front wheels on the front of atractor.Looking at the gearbox it looks like the oil has been contaminated with water and the machine has sat for about 20yrs resulting in the gears becoming pitted by rust which may contribute to noisy running. I would guess the chain drive would date it at around late 60s era but I could be wrong. Like to see a picture when its all back together.All the best Dave :thumbs_up:


I really need new tyres, the steering tyres are the wrong ones and the driven ones are practically smooth and really perished in the sidewalls. I'm going to have to do a bit of inquiring to see what new ones will cost me :cry: Does anyone have ballpark figures for a 7.5 times 20 4 ply (tractor rear wheel style) and a 6.0 times 16 4 ply (tractor ribbed style)

I'm lucky with the gearbox, it was full of about a 50/50 water oil mix, having got in down the gear lever mount which was loose with one sheared nut. The gears are actually not too bad, not pristine but easily fit to go again. The trouble was with the ball races, one of which had a phenomenal amount of wear, probably about 1/4''! The balls were almost at the point of dropping out... Anyway, replacing the ball races was a simple task and I'm confident the gearbox will be fine.

Paint spraying and MIG welding the bodywork today, it's coming along well. Hopefully John Lewis, the dumper man will be able to help me with some spares and so a few more weeks should see it pretty well complete

Cheers Julian.


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