Hi Coadman, I don't know anything about Alice Chalmers fork lifts, but you don't seem to be getting any answers from any experts! The unit you discribe in the drive shaft sounds like a "transmission brake" normally used as a parking brake, allthough you describe the emergency brake linkage is connected into it. I guess it is either a drum brake with shoes or maybe a disc brake. So get in there and check it out. I think you will find overheating damage due to the machine being driven with the brake applied. Hope this helps. Let me know how you get on. Good luck Dave