Not to do with Fodens, but seeing as half shafts have been mentioned, this seamed as good a thread as I could find.
I broke a half shaft on an Albion Chieftain about 40 odd years ago while trying to grab crawler turning up our very steep yard with a full load on while still rolling ! 
No excuse I know, but I was a bit green back then !
Anyway, getting my obligatory " you young’uns haven’t got a clue " tongue lashing from the head mechanic ( he was a great bloke by the way ) , he told me a tale. He said years before they had quite a few Thorneycrofts which broke half shafts regularly, always breaking at the diff end. He said eventually, they removed all the half shafts, put them in a lathe, and turned a bit of metal off at the hub end, so when it broke it was at the weakest point and therefore a lot less hassle to change. I have often wondered if any one else did similar modifications ?
Regards. John.
Somebody mentioned Foden and gearboxes…
