A Light Recovery Trailer from Downunder

[jack neville]

Looks like a lucky find Sam.
I’m amazed that grain would be heavy enough to bend the stub axles.
They weren’t carting wet sand in it in the off season by chance?

[Sam Scholz]

Hi Jack,

A grain grower told me that bin was more like a 15 - 18 ton bin. Add the excessive offset of the rims on an axle designed for more-or-less zero offset, then take it for a drive loaded on a bouncy farm track, and I can believe the damage it has sustained.
Fortunately, I have recently purchased a large workshop press that I am sure will be up to the task!!!
Have a nice week.
Sam.

[Tony Smith]

Maybe the weight of the Grain Bin skeleton has leveraged the wheels a little bit more to the vertical ? Or perhaps now you have warped wheel discs to go with the bent axles ?

[Sam Scholz]

Hi all,

Tony, I hope not!

I spent a bit more time cleaning up the LRC. Here are some pictures.
I gave the decks a clean and sweep.

LRT deck as found and cleaned. 10 2019.JPG


There are a pair of brackets on the timber deck which I'd bet are to locate the ramps. But what happens for the other end of the ramps?

LRT ramp hooks..JPG


Also, I think this bracket is one side of the cable roller assembly. Interestingly, there is a set of mounting holes adjacent (just visible), but under the timber deck that look like an alternative mounting position for the cable roller, though there are no holes in the timber. I have pictures of the roller mounted in either position. Any comments?

LRT remains of roller bracket 10 2019.JPG


Now a question. This bracket has me perplexed, what is it for? There are two and look like an anchor for a rope or cable.

LRT what is this bracket for 10 2019.JPG


Anyway, this trailer seems reasonably complete and in good condition.
I'm excited!
Sam.

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Sam Scholz

There are a pair of brackets on the timber deck which I'd bet are to locate the ramps. But what happens for the other end of the ramps?

Attachment 109837


Anyway, this trailer seems reasonably complete and in good condition.
I'm excited!
Sam.

It looks like the ramps were held down on the deck by a t-bolt and clamp and held forward by turnbuckles.

Yes, the trailer it revealing itself more and more.
This thread might also help: http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=19722

[Sam Scholz]

Hi Tony,

Thanks for that. I have seen Darians thread, about the 969 and LRT. Similar combination to what I am aiming at. Of note are the wheels on his LRT which look like low-loader 15" spider rims with a disc welded into them. That will get the center-of-gravity down a bit, but it sure looks under-shod.
Whereas mine, with 12.00x20 wheels is well and truly over-shod. I expect the original (I think) 10.50/11.00x18 tyres to be non-existent, except for some DUKW tyres that are a tiny 8 ply.
I suspect that the front tyres were 7.50x18, but am not sure. I expect to shod this with 7.50x18 wheels all around just because it is possible to get them, I hope.

I also watched the training film on youtube linked from, um . . , can't remember, about the cranes 7 1/2ton LRT. It briefly showed the clamp you mentioned and the chains tied down over the ramps. I have even found the stump of the tie-down bolt on mine.
I had a chuckle when watching the video as three men handled the ramps. They must have been very strong men as those ramps, the Australian ones at least, are very very heavy!

I'm still cutting up the grain bin, which is liberating lots of useful steel. But it is a slow job which has to be done as it is taking up space at a friend place.

Two other parts that have been removed from my LRT are the rear handbrake mechanism and the spare wheel carrier. Yes, I can see them in the pictures, but still lots of questions.

One more question for this post. The Cranes (=British) LRT is referred to as a 7 1/2ton, whereas the Australian one as an 8ton. Clearly, they are very different in the suspension. Does anyone have any period/official documentation to confirm that the Australian LRT is, indeed, rated at 8ton payload?

Anyway, have a nice day.

Sam.

[Richard Farrant]

Sam,
The British Cranes trailer had 10.50-13 tyres on 8 stud wheels. Looking at the front hub caps on yours, they look the same as a Blitz truck, wonder if that is what the hubs came from.

regards, Richard