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Old Girls Rusting in Peace (Part Three)

We have been inundated with messages asking for more on this topic, this comes as no real surprise to me, as there is still a lot of passion out there for the old kit from simpler times, with no electrics and expensive technology to go wrong. Time’s move on of course, but its still nice to look back and reminisce.

First up in this last batch we see two British built classics. The crane/dragline I believe is a Priestman Lion.

And is this second photo we see another famous British brand which is still going strong today and one of the leaders in manufacturing of site dumpers Thwaites. The model is a 5-tonne Alldrive Giant. This rear tip model was launched in 1974 and continued in the range until the early 1980’s when it was replaced by the larger 8-tonne Goliath.

Another British dumptruck manufacturer was Haulamatic and one of a number of models at rest in this machinery graveyard is an A420 4x4 model. Produced from 1981 till 1990 this machine was powered by 157kw (210hp) six-cylinder engine and carried an 18.2 tonne payload. Haulamatic was to later merge with another dumptruck manufacturer, Heathfield of Newton Abbott in Devon but this arrangement didn’t last long and the rights to the business were purchased by South African manufacturer Bell, signalling the end of yet another British firm.

In this shot we see one of JCB’s early 805B Powerslide models, judging by the rust markings around the cab she had gone up in flames at some point in the past. I personally drove one of the later models of this machine for a Southampton based contractor which I had from new around 1983/84, unfortunately she too caught fire one morning while I was in the canteen eating breakfast. In those days it was common place to leave the machine ticking over while we had our break especially during the cold winter months, I remember it like it was yesterday, one of the lads came running in saying, “Nick, Nick, your machines on fire!” thinking it was a wind up I laughed, but a quick glance out the window and I had it confirmed, that she was roaring! A heart-breaking sight to see first-hand.  

Here is another photo of one of the quite rare John Deere JD860 elevating motor scrapers that we featured in part one of this series.

In this shot a mystery visitor to this machinery graveyard has his photo taken sat in the seat of what looks like a Michigan 180 wheeled dozer. 

Finally, here’s another example of a classic site dumper from Thwaites. This dumper would probably be a so called 3-tonne Alldrive model of which I worked on many during my early days in plant with Wimpey’s in Southampton when I was yard boy, steam cleaner, paint sprayer, fitter and all-round general dogsbody! Although described as a 3-tonner these Petter PJ3 powered machines sported a huge skip, more in common with a modern day 6-tonner, they were certainly well liked on Wimpey’s back in my day and very simple to work on.

We hope you enjoyed these old rusting relics and if you have any similar photos please share them with me for a possible feature here on the Digger Man Blog.