hydraulic drive

[jonnyp]

I am thinking of fitting hydraulic drive to our wooden butty with the prop in the rudder.Any tips or advice would be very welcome.

Thankyou jonny.

[Speedwheel]

I would have thought that these days if you are fitting a complete new system, a diesel electric type systems might be better (or at least a consideration).

[Tam & Di]

I am thinking of fitting hydraulic drive to our wooden butty with the prop in the rudder.Any tips or advice would be very welcome.

Thankyou jonny.

 

 

There's certainly nothing wrong with the idea. We did exactly that for a guy with a 70' x 14' steel lighter in the 80s. It had about 12" of concrete in the bottom as he was having it done as a floating puppet theatre for use on the London canals and the river Thames, so weighed some 80 tonnes. We powered it with a BMC 2.2 mounted across in the very stern using standard Volvo hydraulic parts. It is still operating with no serious problems since we did the work. As the thrust from the propellor is directed exactly where needed rather than having to be deflected by the rudder blade it means the craft is very ewasy to steer, even in reverse.

[ditchcrawler]

There's certainly nothing wrong with the idea. We did exactly that for a guy with a 70' x 14' steel lighter in the 80s. It had about 12" of concrete in the bottom as he was having it done as a floating puppet theatre for use on the London canals and the river Thames, so weighed some 80 tonnes. We powered it with a BMC 2.2 mounted across in the very stern using standard Volvo hydraulic parts. It is still operating with no serious problems since we did the work. As the thrust from the propellor is directed exactly where needed rather than having to be deflected by the rudder blade it means the craft is very ewasy to steer, even in reverse.

Harnser has a Hydraulic drive, but I take it you will mount yours in the rudder. WFB have one for sale.

[nb Innisfree]

I've always fancied a hyd drive instead of the rudder, cut the rudder off and fix a hydraulic motor on the rudder post, maybe with the motor trailing the prop, can't see why that shouldn't work, if the rudder post can lift off or swing up then even better for access to the prop and motor.

[koukouvagia]

 

Not only is it possible it's perfectly feasible. We were one of the first to fit an hydraulic drive to the ellum of a butty and it's now a well tried method.

You'll need a steel ellum and a good hydraulic system. ARS diesels supplied the motor and WFBCo made the ellum and fitted

it. We've got a 1.8 BMC driving it which sits in an accoustically shielded box in the hold.

I should add it goes like the clappers and turns on the proverbial sixpence.

 

PM me if you'd like to see the boat or if you'd like more details.

Edited May 15, 2011 by koukouvagia

[jonnyp]

 

Not only is it possible it's perfectly feasible. We were one of the first to fit an hydraulic drive to the ellum of a butty and it's now a well tried method.

You'll need a steel ellum and a good hydraulic system. ARS diesels supplied the motor and WFBCo made the ellum and fitted

it. We've got a 1.8 BMC driving it which sits in an accoustically shielded box in the hold.

I should add it goes like the clappers and turns on the proverbial sixpence.

 

PM me if you'd like to see the boat or if you'd like more details.

 

Thanks for replying, we would love to see the boat and chat about the set up whenever is convenient.We are at Winkwell and are free over the coming weekend. Cheers jonny

[nb Innisfree]

 

Not only is it possible it's perfectly feasible. We were one of the first to fit an hydraulic drive to the ellum of a butty and it's now a well tried method.

You'll need a steel ellum and a good hydraulic system. ARS diesels supplied the motor and WFBCo made the ellum and fitted

it. We've got a 1.8 BMC driving it which sits in an accoustically shielded box in the hold.

I should add it goes like the clappers and turns on the proverbial sixpence.

 

PM me if you'd like to see the boat or if you'd like more details.

 

Are you able to access the prop to clear it i.e. is the rudder removable or able to pivot up?

[koukouvagia]

Are you able to access the prop to clear it i.e. is the rudder removable or able to pivot up?

No need for this. With the tiller hard over to one side I can lean over Andre hook off

any debris. Not that it ever seems to pick up much. I think the ring helps.