Petter PH and AVA Engines || Wyn Lees

Laura Bateman 1953 days ago

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Last week, I spoke with Laura from the marketing team about our vintage engine spares. We discussed my history with PH engines and my interest in them. After finding the PH operations handbook, she wanted to gather information for a blog.

I [Wyn] told her, ‘I have a story to share, so here we go’...

Back in the 60s (can you hear the violins?), I worked for Bill Langston, a former Petter field engineer, at Reliant Plant Services. I remember the fitters coming in for spare parts for Petter, Lister, and Villiers engines. The PH1 was a popular engine, as it was the upgrade from the Petter AVA1.

From a distance, the parts for both PH and AVA engines looked identical. However, they had distinctive features upon closer inspection. I could always tell the difference between the two cylinders by their cooling fins. The PH fins were slightly tapered, while the AVA fins were straight. Additionally, the PH engine had a larger bore, which was another distinguishing factor!

(PH Operations Handbook)

The balance weights fitted onto the crankshaft were plain on the PH engine and grooved on the AVA.

(PH Operations Handbook)

Numbers stamped on the fuel pump helped distinguish the two engines. The PH engine ended with 80, while the AVA engine ended with 70.

We had reconditioned pumps returned from their agents after repairs. The PH pumps had green plastic protection caps, while the AVA pumps had red ones.

I can still recall most of the part numbers from the operator's handbook even now, 50 years later!

We received reconditioned engines directly from Petter. When they arrived on the lorry, we lifted them off using chain blocks. We would unscrew the rocker box nut, then attach our modified rocker box nut with a lifting ring welded onto it. Keep in mind, the rocker box stud was only ¼” BSF, and the PH was a heavy lump! (But we never lost one!)

The Petter PH1 engine fitted with a Newage PR 40M gearbox and a Borg & Beck clutch was especially popular back in the day! You would find it on most 15 & 22 CWT dumpers!

At Reliant, the main dumpers fitted with PH engines were:

Winget 2S 15 CWT (Slater and England)
Benford
Thwaites
Liner
Barford

Other machines with PH engines included:

ACE Comet 10 cwt platform hoist
BHC Ant Queen platform hoist
3” Wickham pumps
Drilling Rigs
Saw Benches
And many more!

P.S. I [Wyn] am always looking to buy job lots of Petter PH1 spares, as well as PR 40M gearbox spares in small or large quantities.

If you need vintage spare parts for your engine, we have a wide range of genuine parts available. If you can't find the spare part you need at the link below, please call or email our sales team and leave a message for Wyn to contact you!

https://www.lsengineers.co.uk/lister-petter-villiers-engine-spare-parts.html

‘Graces Guide to British Industrial History’ offers fascinating insights into companies and products, particularly in British engineering. Please find their website link below.

https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Main_Page

Petter PH and AVA Engines || Wyn Lees

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Petter PH and AVA Engines || Wyn Lees

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