Belle mixer

[S1g 579]

I'm often on the look out for early light plant, but due to the harsh environment 

and health and safety, its survival rates seems quite low.

well today after a bit of a road trip I picked up this very early version of a Belle

cement mixer.

i don't think the engine is the original( I do have a more inkeeping one in my 

shed) and the drum although good for a mixer is still a bit battered. But I've never

seen another survivor, only original photos from the 60's.

Anyway here's some shots, hopefully will make a nice winter project for me once

my Gems are complete, and at least the colour is right!

[pmackellow 2,738]

Looks a good project Gareth, useful too !

 

[S1g 579]

1 hour ago, pmackellow said:

Looks a good project Gareth, useful too !

 

Thanks Paul. I fancied a change from always doing Howard's, plus my father was a dealer for them in the late 1970's- 1990's.

i have just purchased an original sales brochure for them off eBay, probably more rare than the mixers themselves!

[pmackellow 2,738]

Can't beat a good bit of period literature

 

[Stormin 4,458]

  I bet it won't look like that this time next year.

[S1g 579]

7 minutes ago, Stormin said:

  I bet it won't look like that this time next year.

Hopefully not. The drum though is going to prove a challenge. 

Its going to have to wait until my gems are done.

New drums of this design are obsolete so I'm going to have to 

see what can be done with my limited skills.

[S1g 579]

21 minutes ago, pmackellow said:

Can't beat a good bit of period literature

 

True, but I'm already half way through filling my second filing cabinet.

Also hard to find brochure can get expensive.

[pmackellow 2,738]

3 minutes ago, S1g said:

True, but I'm already half way through filling my second filing cabinet.

Also hard to find brochure can get expensive.

 

Tell me about it !  

 

[Darmic1 447]

It's Orange!

[S1g 579]

4 hours ago, Darmic1 said:

It's Orange!

In reality that just a coincidence, lol!

[S1g 579]

I just been having a proper look over it, this morning. I may get the engine done quite soon so I can then leave 

it running with a load of bricks and off cuts of metal in the drum to get off most of the build up of concrete from inside. Found in the past this is much easier than chiselling it off by hand.

[S1g 579]

heres the engine I will be using as a doner, although I will

probably have to use the tank and carb off the other one.

[S1g 579]

Been at a bit of a loose end whilst waiting for paint to dry on my Gem,

so have sorted out the engine, and have managed to nearly straighten

the drum. Last picture is my little helper/ hinderence.

[Stormin 4,458]

Engine looks like new.

[S1g 579]

11 hours ago, Stormin said:

Engine looks like new.

Thanks Norm. It's been so long since I've done a Briggs that I'd forgotten how cheap they are to overhaul. This one only cost about £30 all in.

[S1g 579]

Been having a busy day with the wire brush in the

grinder. Due to the rheumatism in my hands I can

only use it in short bursts. Plus with the heat today

there was smoke coming out of it at the end!

The annoying thing is it only takes seconds and a

bucket of water to remove the concrete when wet,

yet Ive hours ahead of me.

Been speaking to Titch and he reckons itll be no

problem to reproduce some decals, and ive found

a source of Belle Orange paint.

I thought i'd try emailing Belle to see if they could

give me any information about its age etc, but

typical of a lot of big companies they didn't

even bother responding after nearly a fortnight!

[S1g 579]

Heres a couple of videos of it running.

Sorry for the clanking but im trying to

clean out all the set Concrete from

inside the drum. Its hunting a little in the

videos, in order to improve the running

I was going to order a new needle and

seat plus a governor spring, unless

anyone has any other thoughts?