Ruston Proctor 40909.
24th, April, 2012.
This 8 n.h.p compound engine with inclined valves was exported to Australia on 31st March, 1911. It is now owned by Jill Brookes of Dardanup Heritage Park, Western Australia. Hunslett Steam Co, England, fitted a new back head, throat plate, fire box, smoke box and other associated parts. The work was done to a very high standard. However some serious dimensional errors were made when they made the new large spur gear for the compensating gear, even though they had the old gears for patterns.The overall gear diameter was too large by about 8mm and the internal diameter was about 8mm too small and would not fit the compensating gear hub. To get over the error in the excess overall diameter we have had to drop the rear axle to allow the spur gear to fit the corresponding gear on the second countershaft. The internal diameter has had to be milled out to fit the hub. This has held up the restoration and incurred a lot of extra expense. However we are making slow, but steady progress.
There may be two other working traction engines in Western Australia, one is the 8nhp Marshall that is also at The Park. So knowledge and help on these things is very sparse around here.
Bob Main. Restoration Co-Ordinator. Dardanup. W.A.
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24th April 2012, 12:14 AM
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