Marshall Traction Engine 76751

 
To improve the ride for both engine and crew, Committee members Paul and Mark Worbey have fitted rubber tracks to Marshall 76751. The tyres, which came off of a Case Quadtrack were cut by in mid January and were fitted at the end of the month with the help of Chris Pumfrey. The tyres went on well with a fitting time of 6 hours.
Image link, cutting up rubber tyres image link, rubber tyre ready to be fitter

The tyres were cut down from their original 30" width to give a track in one direction as the original strakes, opposed to a vee tread. The other half of the tyre (16" was need for the Marshall) is being fitted by Michael Watts to his 1902 Marshall "Punch" which has narrower wheels. Michael has chosen these tyres after the problems he has experienced with the vulcanised strakes he had fitted a few years back.
image link, clamping rubber tyre on rear traction engine wheel image link 2, clamping rubber tyre on rear traction engine wheel image link 3, clamping rubber tyre on rear traction engine wheel Image link, making finishing touches to tyre rubber fitting image link, tyre rubbers fitted to real wheels
UPDATE 27th APRIL
On Saturday 2nd April a trial run was undertaken to test the Rubber Tracks. The results were pleasing and the engine travelled well with the steering wheel remaining in one position and not bouncing all over the place!

On Friday 22nd April Mark Worbey and Chris Pumfrey roaded over to the Steam Apprentice Weekend at Old Warden and then on the Sunday roaded back to the Worbey’s at Henlow, ready for the Stotfold Mill Steam & Country Fair. This run would normally have taken over 2 hours and was completed in one hour and twenty minutes, a great improvement!

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