Sambron forklift

[Scruffywelder]

Thinking of buying an old Sambron AM252 forklift. Anyone know anything about them?

What engine did they use in them? Were they based on tractor components or their own parts?

 

[Lincs Lass]

Description
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Model ID
Shared by beatle18v on Jan 17, 2012
Manufacturer (Make)	Sambron
Model Name	AM 252
Year	1979
Category	Forklift truck / Rough-terrain forklift truck
Fuel Type	Diesel
Gearbox	Manual gearbox
Lifting Capacity	2500 kg
Weight 4600 KG. 3 cylinder Perkins Diesel. Runs and works very well. Complete lighting and can be driven on the road. The shovel is an original associated in top condition. With the shovel, for example, high load or high hopper tanks are easily accessible. I set the truck in order.

 

[MF-ANDY]

Perkins ad3.152 engine mated to a massey reverse shuttle transmission and possibly a 165 back axle. Obviously all fitted backwards in the chassis

 

[Scruffywelder]

Thanks guys!

This is all sounding very good to me

I was worried it would be a nightmare to get bits for if something went wrong

 

[essexpete]

Perkins ad3.152 engine mated to a massey reverse shuttle transmission and possibly a 165 back axle. Obviously all fitted backwards in the chassis

This is the one. They were very handy around the yard but a bit nasty on the road. I think anything that might be a dedicated Sambron part could be difficult to source?

 

[trebornella]

We sold several and from memory anything that wasn't sourced from MF was probably supplied by other manufacturers. Sambron probably made the chassis, but im sure most other parts, spool valves, hydraulic rams, mast etc were generic and could be sourced elsewhere. Pretty certain that a decent engineering workshop could make most thing if needed. As already mentioned they were alright in a yard, but I wouldn't want to take a long road trip on one.

 

[Sharpy]

Perkins ad3.152 engine mated to a massey reverse shuttle transmission and possibly a 165 back axle. Obviously all fitted backwards in the chassis

So basically a MF20? I've got a 30e and it's ridiculous what it will do.

 

[essexpete]

https://www.solhem9.se/Broschyrbank_2016/Entreprenad/Sambron_2225232.pdf

Looks like the shuttle bit was Sambron.

 

[Devil's advocate]

Would love to see one restored.

In the late 70's they really were the thing. RTFL seemed to be so many firms producing them. Just 10 years later the telescopic handler reduced their numbers.

As we had David Browns at home, A Bosnser forklift was the dream.

 

[Scruffywelder]

I've bought it!

It's no oil painting but fundamentally nowt wrong with it.

Just have to get some transport organised and get it home!

 

[Scruffywelder]

Bit of a delay getting it collected (my dad died unexpectedly ) but had it home for a couple of weeks now...

 

[Scruffywelder]

It's got a bit of an issue with the timing (starts fine but running a bit rough and blowing dieselly white smoke) that I'll sort out in due course. I may need to ask a couple of questions on here as my dads Perkins manual doesn't seem to cover this exact engine (it's probably older than the Sambron!)
In the meantime, I think it's a bit short of hydraulic oil.

This wee knurled thing seems to be the only dipstick I can find on the axle so I'm guessing it'll be the one I want? Anyone know where the filler plug is? Again just a guess but is it just normal tractor back end oil?

 

[Scruffywelder]

And yes, the wiring is a bit of a dogs breakfast!

 

[Sharpy]

Could the heater plug be leaking?

 

[Scruffywelder]

Could the heater plug be leaking?

Good point... hadn't thought of that and easy enough to check

I know the pump and injectors have been replaced by the previous owner which is what makes me doubt the timing

 

[Sharpy]

Good point... hadn't thought of that and easy enough to check

I know the pump and injectors have been replaced by the previous owner which is what makes me doubt the timing

Maybe they were replaced to try to sort a faulty heater plug!

 

[deany]

Bit of a delay getting it collected (my dad died unexpectedly ) but had it home for a couple of weeks now...

View attachment 1165166View attachment 1165167

Hi, I have the same forklift, do you know whwere the hydraulic filter is located please? Great machine by the way!

 

[deany]

Bit of a delay getting it collected (my dad died unexpectedly ) but had it home for a couple of weeks now...

View attachment 1165166View attachment 1165167

Hi, I have the same forklift, do you know whwere the hydraulic filter is located please? Great machine by the way!

 

[Rangie]

This wee knurled thing seems to be the only dipstick I can find on the axle so I'm guessing it'll be the one I want? Anyone know where the filler plug is? Again just a guess but is it just normal tractor back end oil?

@deany

Yes that's the dipstick
The filler is just the conventional Massey style filler cap on the gearbox top cover under your seat. Theres a fair bit of oil in there mind!
Universal 10-30 or 15-30, the whole lot runs on it.

Filters/strainers kind of depend on the age of the machine and the whims of Sambron

Earlier machines use the Massey piston pump in the bottom of the back end for powering the steering with an Auxiliary Pump for powering the Mast/Services. The filters are suction types in the bottom of the back end.
Later machines use a hydraulic pump driven off the engine crank for the Mast, some layouts used in-line filters, some used a strainer in the back end. Power steering was either off the piston pump in the back end, an engine mounted style like the MF100/200 series or latterly from a demand circuit on the main hydraulic pump.

Just have a hunt about, you'll find them

PS, nice to see the Quickfit on a forklift, they were usually just on the telehandlers!