David Brown Santasalo upgrades Sonnerdale Richardson gearbox from the 1960s!

The team in Perth worked around the clock to repair and overhaul a 55 year old Sonnerdale Richardson speed reducer gearbox to enable it to be put back in service at a busy aluminium smelter.

Although the gearbox required new internals, including bearings and seals, the team was pleased to find the original case was in a restorable condition. Following shot-blasting, split line and reboring of the housing, the housing was then primed and finish painted with the heritage Sonnerdale Richardson branding restored to its original specification and its former glory.

Our customer was extremely happy that the gear case could be reused, as it provided a faster and more cost-effective solution to buying a new replacement gearbox. As Sonnerdale Richardson is a David Brown Santasalo heritage brand, the team in Perth had access to all of the original drawings (some dating as far back as the 1950s!), which made the upgrade a much speedier process.

The gearbox is now back in service at the smelter, with another 55 years ahead of it!