Roadless 4x4 Tractor Front axle

[Richard Farrant]

Alex and Mark,
The drive joints are not Tracta joints as they do not have balls and therefore are not the same as the Humber Mk3, I think the name is Rzeppa (spelling may not be correct). This axle is for a conversion of the Ford 5000 tractor into what Roadless marketed as a Ploughmaster. I cannot think that it would be fitted to any other sort of vehicle as it has the centre pivot and no provision for road springs if it were in a vehicle. The Diff is off set as far as possible to enable the drive shaft to be positioned alonside the engine and gearbox. As for spares, best try a tractor forum or any dealers. If you are in the UK, try Robert Wraight Ltd. at Bethersden, Ashford in Kent. They specialise in old Ford tractors and may well be able to assist.

Mark, just found an old booklet (1967) describing Roadless, they started making 4WD tractors under licence from Selene S.A.S. of Turin, Italy and the Roadless front wheel drive unit is (was) made from parts either produced by, or contracted to, Roadless. Hope this explains the origins.

Richard