Trusty stead

[ghost-rider]

Hi all a have a trusty tractor with a Norton engine and the governor is missing any idea where I could get one ? Thanks ghost rider

[trusty220]

The Steed had at least two different governors fitted; the earlier Mk2 Steed had an air vane governor and the later Mk2’s had a mechanical one fitted which drove off the magneto drive. Most have been removed over the years because they never really worked very well in the first place and you are better off adjusting the engine revs by hand with the hand throttle.

If you are determined to re-fit one to your Steed you will find that they are not available anywhere and you will have to make it from scratch. As a comparison, the Norton Big Four engine fitted to the two wheeled Trusty never had a governor throughout it’s production run and it was perfectly use-able.

The only information that I have is in the Trusty Steed Owner’s Manual which has a parts listing included. This shows the air vane type governor but it is very complicated with many small parts- you would have to size it up from the drawing. I will post a scan of the relevant page, but you can pick these books up from online auction sites every so often. There was one specialist publisher who reproduced the booklet as well- try Japonica Press if you need a copy.

[ghost-rider]

thank you thats what i have done with a return spring mine is the vain type it is a 4 wheel trusty its all restored will post some photos if i can find out how to do it lol thank you ghost rider

[trusty220]

Photo’s of the parts listing for you. If you let me know the serial number I can tell you where and when it was sold.

By the way- I’ve just seen another posting of yours and you describe the engine as a Norton 16H. Tractors (London) Ltd. had a very good working relationship with Nortons and always used the Big Four in various types, so please don’t try ordering 16H parts for it because they won’t fit! Similarly, the Big Four engine fitted to the 2-wheel tractor was a special build from Nortons and intended from the outset to be an industrial unit- the head was cast iron and the vanes went from side-to-side, it was fitted with a Wico A magneto, had a square valve chest cover and a parallel crankshaft, so if you find one please be aware that not all of the parts will transfer over. The Big Four fitted to the Steed was a motorcycle engine with aluminium head, vanes running front-to-back, a BTH magneto, oval valve chest cover and tapered crankshaft; they were probably war surplus stock that the army were selling off cheaply.

I hope that helps. Happy New Year!
Geoff

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[ghost-rider]

thank you its a ally head with ovel valve chest i dont have a serial number for
it as i took the plate off when i was restoreing it put in safe place and cant find it lol roughly what year would you no thanks for help

[trusty220]

I may be able to trace it from the engine number and let you know what the correct serial should be. It does sound like you have the correct engine for it at least.

[ghost-rider]

Thank you I will get number at the weekend when at the workshop will post some photos as well Thank you ghost rider

[ghost-rider]

1 have found two numbers 82/113 and m92 if this helps

[trusty220]

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you but I’m not in the best of health at present. I blame the weather!

I’ve looked through the company records but whilst they kept an accurate listing (in most cases) for the serial numbers, the engine numbers seem to be a bit hit-and-miss; some tractors have the engine numbers listed whilst others don’t. You’ve guessed it, I can’t find your engine number I’m afraid.

Do you have any other information about the tractor, such as date of purchase, dealer it came from, area it was working in, etc.? You never know, something may just fit into place however insignificant you may think it is.

[ghost-rider]

Hope you feel better soon. I will have a look for more numbers.the guy I got it from has passed away so not going to get much luck that end jj

[trusty220]

Don’t rule that one out- the previous owner may have contacted me to put it on the Trusty Register, so if you could let me know his name I may be able to trace it back like that.

[ghost-rider]

the daughter has given me this NTS287 does this tally up with anything please

[trusty220]

This does tally with an accurate serial number, but does it sound like your machine?

NTSB287 was sold from the factory on 16th February, 1953 to the Norwegian importer Maskin A/S Expedit. It was supplied with pneumatic wheels as well as a half track conversion and should have ended up in Norway. The serial number would suggest that it had the air vane governor fitted rather than the later mechanical one and it may even have had a steel engine cover (bonnet) if it was being exported to such a cold country.

So far nobody has managed to find a Steed with a half track conversion, so it would be great news if yours was fitted with one.

[ghost-rider]

It was a air vain governor no bonnet or half track on it his daughter said he was stationed in Norway so could of brought it back could this be the machine what do you think? She has no more info as she was only littleat time

[trusty220]

The fact that he had a link to Norway would suggest that it may be a possibility; he may have bought it from the Norwegian owner and had it shipped back. Is there any chance of some photo’s? If you could take some around the back end there may be some bracketry that is only for the half track and that would narrow it down considerably.

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