Geared Up

Restoration work on Buffalo 47 gearbox nears completion

Crowland Buffalo LVT Association (CBLA) chairman Daniel Abbott paid a visit to David Brown Santasalo (DBS) in Huddersfield in late February to witness tests on the World War Twoera LVT 4’s gearbox. Daniel said it had been “unbelievable” to view the gearbox working after some 74 years of being buried underground. “I’m so impressed and lost for words,” he said. “It’s incredible to think last April this Buffalo was under ground and now we are at this stage. This shouldn’t be happening, but it is, and my thanks go to everyone at David Brown Santasalo for their work in turning the gearbox around. They were under a lot of pressure as we want to get the vehicle back together for the 75th Anniversary of the Crowland Floods.”

Daniel said he had arrived at DBS’s premises in Park Road at around 9am on Friday, February 25 and had been shown the restored gearbox along with the original gears, bearings and seals. “When I first got there and had a look around, I was amazed to see that they had kept two original bearings and replaced the rest along with the seals,” he said. “All the parts and pieces taken off have been saved and they will go on display in our museum once it’s up and running.The bearings that came off were still in excellent condition, it was amazing to see the condition of everything.”

Want to read more?

This is a premium article and requires an active subscription.

Existing subscriber? Sign in now

No subscription?

Pick one of our introductory offers