Roadless 4x4 Tractor Front axle

[Mark.Jarrold]

Hello, I am trying to identify the origin of this axle (see picture), the near side tube and associated half shaft has been modified by Roadless traction for fitment to thier 4x4 conversions.
I would also be interested in any spares that may be available.
Thank you for reading this hope you can help.

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Front Drive axle....Humber Armoured car....Mark 3...are the same as shown ...The ball bearing joint is called a "Tracta" joint...
Whether there are others newer...???? Don't know...

[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

[Mark.Jarrold]

Dear Richard
Many thanks for the reply, the 4wd system fitted to the Roadless 65 was fitted and part manufactured by Roadless Traction limited, Hounslow, Middlesex, England.A plate affixed to the axle states that the system was produced under licence and sites Italian patent Nrs 21228/526912-21956/510154/26287/ also British pat pending Nrs 36067/54-28060/56-28386/56.
I believe the licence to produce the system was taken from the Italian company Selene, known for other 4WD Tractor units.
We know for certain that the origins of the Axle and Diff was GM, I would like more information on the type and designation of this axle, and a workshop manual for it's settings etc. I assume in the USA or Canada there will be specialists in Military Vehicles/Surplus that may well hold spares for this unit, the problem is finding them !
Thanks again

Mark Jarrold

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Richard...
The axles shown are similar to the Humber,although the housungs are different...On the second scan it became clear that the axels shown are different from the Humber....
Thanks for the info..
Alex

[Colin]

Roadless used to make axles for a landrover conversion, hard to tell, but could the diff be an ENV type? the steering knuckle balls and typical of a landrover.

[Gmac]

Mark do you have a work shop manuel to go with the Ford Ploughmaster information ?