by Nick Drew | Fri 01 Jul 2016
Internationals and a Welsh icon at rest at Mason Bros (Blog Re-Visited)
As I was in Wales this time last week I thought it would be a good opportunity to look back at a blog I did following my last trip over the Severn Bridge, as we make a return to Mason Bros yard in Pembrokeshire to take a look at some of their classic items of plant, some of which have been restored to their former glory.
First machine to catch my eye nestling towards the back of the yard was this International TD-8 complete with Sterling hydraulic scraper box, a fine example of both tractor and scraper. I didn’t manage to find a date on this machine as it was raining pretty heavily on the morning of my visit sadly. There was also another TD-8 dozer parked alongside.
Sitting just behind the TD-8 was a larger dozer from the International stable, the TD-15C. When it was introduced in 1972 the TD-15C was International’s direct competitor for Caterpillars famous D6C model. Weighing in at around 38,000lbs the machine was powered by a DT-466 engine, which offered 140hp. This model remained in the International line up until 1984, when the construction equipment side of the business was sold to Dresser. This model number still exists today in the guise of Dressta the Polish manufacturer who are now owned by LiuGong.
No visit to Wales would be complete without spotting a Hymac, and to my delight right down at the end of the yard was a fine but un-restored example of the company’s famous 580C models. Wales is the spiritual home of the Hymac, with its once busy, but now long gone factory once being located at Rhymney, in South East Wales.
The 580C was without doubt Hymac’s best-selling machine with 5600 being produced from 1970 to 1981. I started out my 360 degree operating career on these machines when I worked for Wimpey Plant & Transport and as such I have always had a lot of affection for the old girls. It never ceases to amaze me just how many of these old machines are still out there doing a day’s work for farmers and private owners to this day!
All in all a great way to finish off my visit to Mason Bros.