Ferret Turrets

[Chris Preston]

Good Afternoon Everyone,

Would anyone know the weight of a Daimler Ferret Mk 2/3 turret (with the upper hull plate the turret and it's turret ring sit on)?

We're thinking of unbolting the plate that the turret and it's turret ring sit on and removing it from the hull to give us more light and head-room to work on the interior while resolve some issues. Before we remove it, I'd like to know the weight we're dealing with.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Chris Preston,
Victoria, BC

[Robin Craig]

Chris,

To remove the turret is a grand way of gaining more access and air while working on a Ferret.

Also, remove the side bin and the spare wheel to increase access. Best way with those two is a wide plank and a trolley jack and a 3 people. One inside to pull the release handle and the other two outside to manipulate the jack and the bin or wheel.

The spare wheel is a heavy one and it can get away from you if you are not careful.

Having an inside and an outside person works well on Ferret tasks, small body goes inside

The turret is around 1/2 ton plus a smidge. I would advise against thinking of a shop engine crane as you wont have enough height or capacity. Get a set of chain falls and do it under something that will bear the weight adequately.

The turret base plate is usually found to have been set in place with a very gooey mastic / tar sealant. When you go to lift it will seem as if you still have bolts in place. Take a couple of long stout pry bars and work under an edge and it will come off ok.

I have some picture over on HMVF of us working inside. here is a link to one part of what we were doing http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread...t-Pack-removal

I would suggest joining HMVF as there are more people over there who will offer sage advice, fewer people with Ferret experience over here.

There is I understand an active Ferret Facebook group but I don't do social insincerity groups yet

We have two at work and I own two myself.

What else do you want to know?

R

[Robin Craig]

I just re read your post.

You do not remove the turret from its mounts, you remove the turret and the base plate complete with its roller mounts.

Be clear on that. It is the easiest way, it is about 17 bolts from memory.

Robin

[Chris Preston]

Hi Robin,

Thanks for the advice - my original thought was as per your second post - remove the turret complete with the base-plate. I checked the HMVF site as you suggested, and saw a number of different weights for the turret, including one for approximately 570 lbs, which seems reasonable. I have access to an overhead gantry, so once the bolts are removed, turret removal should be relatively easy (I hope !!).

Do you know what the sealant is that's between the turret base plate and the hull flange it sits on?

Cheers,

Chris Preston,
Victoria, BC,
Canada

[Robin Craig]

I think we should chat by phone . . .

R