Rerubber wheels?

ww2steel · #1 24-01-05, 02:23

Now, I know that a machine shop where I used to live could rerubber various forklift and other solid tires- anyone found a way to do the carriers' wheels?

Thanks,
Mike

Snowtractor · #2 24-01-05, 05:56

Nigel Watson had his carrier wheel retired in Scotland , perhaps when he has a moment he can tell you the process, it was quite straight forward.
Sean

Maurice Donckers · #3 24-01-05, 07:46

Should be possible , because they also rerubber Sherman wheels for the harbour of Antwerp trailers (fitted with Sherman wheels )
But they complain that they don`t last very long compared to the original ones .
But Carrier wheels are still available N.O.S , some even with FMCon it , and the rubber stamped with a firestone F .

Nigel Watson · #4 27-01-05, 11:33

I had my carrier front wheels (sorry my carrier track adjusting wheels!) re rubbered two and a bit years ago and to date they are as new. I took them to a company that did conveyor belt and agricultural wheel work in a place called Lochgelly (you wouldn't choose to be there after dark that's for sure!).

Anyway fantastic job. All they did was burn off the old rubber put the wheel on a lathe burn or vulcanise rubber onto the wheel. Then they ask you for the profile, punch a few buttons and the wheel whizzes round whilst a sharp pointie thingie peels off the excess rubber. Voila! Eet vas dun.

The rubber was put on the wheel in various thicknesses I think, not as a solid strip. I think the cost was something like £30 per wheel. I was intending to take orders and give them a job lot so as to get it cheaper for everyone over here, but haven't done that yet!

There you go hope it helps, and if you guys across the big loch want to send me your wheels my address is: Nigel Watson, D..!!!

Bob Carriere · #5 27-01-05, 20:24

Similar suppliers must exist in the good old USA.....

I attended an antique truck show in Maine some years ago... the major attractions were old Mack trucks..... from the 20s, 30s etc.

They had a multitude of repro companies selling Open C cabs... refurbished dual chain drive system.....some were used until the early fifties instead of differentials...... and they had various suppliers who would reline those huge cast iron wheels with new solid rubber tires...... some must have been cast in a mold has they had replicated the raised letterring on the tire's side walls. They had sample wheels for hand carts.... foundry carts and truck wheels...... some truck wheels where at least 36 inches tall..... 5 to 6 inch wide.... and I would not try to lift one.....

Who from the MLU is located in the new England states...??

Bob C.