A Fond Farewell to H.C. Wilson Transport

Posted on April 1, 2012 by truckbloguk

I’m back! I know I haven’t been on here much in the last week but that is mainly due to the news that it has been my last week at H.C. Wilson Transport. I have been offered a new job and a new challenge, a little closer to home. It will soon become clear who I will be working for from tomorrow. Until then i just wanted to say a huge thank you to all at Wilson’s and especially to GW and SW for everything they have done for me in the last 4 years I have been there. I just wanted to leave a small photographic tribute to a professional company that clearly have the ability to change with the times and keep the wheel of international abnormal transport turning.

Yesterday (Saturday) was my last morning. We had a busy week last week and I had a trainee to look after, so as I was working the Saturday, it made sense to save the desk clearing exercise for the weekend rather than try and do it on a busy Friday afternoon. I had one last wander round the yard and took some pics as my fond farewell (careful i’m getting a dry throat!). I’m not going to say to much more, but I will say one more last big Thank You to all at Wilsons. I’m sure we’ll meet again some sunny day………

You have to agree the big red Scania’s are quite photogenic. I have avoided putting to much Wilson stuff on the blog as it would be very easy to flood the blog with stuff about the company I am working for. From now on I can freely put on here what I like without worrying about doing to much Wilson! In fact my lovely wife has suggested that we do a “Wilson Wednesday”, so for any of you Wilson drivers or spotters, if you want to text me or email me your weekly Wilson photos, we can do a regular “Wilson Wednesday” feature. My email is; ben@truckblog.co.uk

As a final farewell, as one last request and as an ode to the happyiest, constantly cheery, always tanned, cake loving, driver you’d be lucky enough to meet, Mr Geoff Tarbun, I’ll end with his DAF, WIL 2219.

Lets Play Who’s That Owner Driver….

Posted on March 14, 2012 by truckbloguk

After my recent uneventful trip to Douvres I only saw a few British trucks coming home on a Saturday morning. Two of the trucks were what looked like Owner Driver or small hauliers, most likely O/D’s I think. Both were driving DAF Super Space Cabs of different vintages. Do any of you know who they are? Have you seen them before? Put your answers on a post card or better still leave me a comment or even better than that email ; ben@truckblog.co.uk any help would be much appreciated. I’d like to congratulate both of these dying breed with a truckblog sticker to thank them for keeping the legendary British Owner Drivers reputation alive!!

Cotton Picked DAF

Posted on March 11, 2012 by truckbloguk

This very very tidy DAF CF made a visit to H.C. Wilsons yard a couple of weeks back. I wanted to share it with you as it rather caught my eye as being a specialist bit of kit, hand picked for its daily tasks. These daily tasks usually involve deliveries of machinery to small sites and farms, so the 3 steering axles have made the drivers job a whole lot easier than his old single steer vehicle. The truck belongs to Cotton Transport of Derbyshire and the driver was only to happy for me to take a photo of his new steed. The truck is a DAF CF with the big 480hp engine. Fitted with a big crane behind the cab, chassis lockers, and beaver tail and flat top hydraulic rear ramps. Cotton clearly know what they are doing when it comes to getting spec right. All that is left to come is the addition of a new drag trailer, which might even have been delivered by now, other than that keep your eyes peeled, its worth a look.

Exit Douvres….

Posted on March 4, 2012 by truckbloguk

….It seems all the Brits finally have! Having friends in high places can be handy some times. A last minute call and I was off to Dover and Calais on Saturday morning (yesterday). The purpose of the trip?? not sure really just a bit of a boys day out and also a free P&O Ferries ticket helped. Saturday mornings aren’t great for truck spotting on either side of the channel, unless you are a lover Eastern European trucks, not a lot else really. A few Greeks (one above), a Portuguese version of Steve Marsh, a Mallorcan Volvo and some very disheveled Seafrance boats! Also not to mention that All 4 Trucks must have had half the fleet of an ex Hungarian State owned company, who now run yellow and blue trucks instead of green and yellow! There must have been 100 of them if not more.

Once back in Dover there were only a handful (and no more) of British trucks arriving back on the lunchtime boats. So few in fact I will put them all on here. The best part of the spotting was the new exit lane from the Port for those heading for the M20. It comes out from the Port towards the round about, but just before it bears left round the back of the BP garage and under Jubilee Way, then out to join the road towards the M20 through Dover. The main idea being that it means all traffic exiting the port can keep moving and not have to get caught waiting at the roundabout. But it means that you can stand next to the new concrete wall next to the slip road and get a great view as the trucks are accelerating out of the Port. If you know the area you can probably picture what i’m talking about. Pity they haven’t built a windbreak from the channel wind though!!

First up is this red DAF, pulling a plain blue curtainsider. Looks quite like an owner driver to me, do you know who’s it is?? Email me, ben@truckblog.co.uk or leave a comment below. It’s relatively new as it’s got a Mont Blanc Euro 5 sticker in the windscreen.

Next is Sims Worldwide Logistics from Manchester. A fair trek home on a Saturday afternoon, but i’m sure the Merc will make it a comfortable ride for the driver.

A Brinor subbie, with a trailer that should be next of the refurb list! More curtain patches than a curtain shop, very loose back doors and wheels with more rust than bag of rusty nails! Anyone know about the MAN and the subbie??

This DAF looks like another well travelled owner driver. But could be a tricky one to work out; RHD, Dutch plates and UK – Swiss written on the trailer. Wheel trims, trailer toolbox, spare wheel carrier and bumper mudflap, well loved by the looks of it. Actually it has that classic long distance owner driver feel……in my opinion any way!

A very corporate but smart Interdean silver Mercedes drawbar. A light blue Scania horsebox? Yep your right, Parkers it is. Not one of the customised ones, but none the less, i’m sure it works just as hard. Note the additional lashing rings under the front bumper. Are these because its a horsebox or because the front grill has spotlights fitted?? Leave your thoughts below.

Saw a couple of PTM International trucks throughout the day, but I only snapped this one. Does any one else get the feeling that DAF’s are the UK international hauliers truck of choice???

Finally under the rear outdoor deck on the Pride of Britain, was this well know Scottish haulier, Scotlee. The big ScotsMAN sitting quietly in front of the ever humming fridge unit.

So that was my spotting day out. Thoroughly enjoyable and I have found some good spots to get some snaps, but I can’t help but feel that i’m at least 20 years to late!!

DAF (mini) Super Space Cab

Posted on February 25, 2012 by truckbloguk

A few months back when I was looking about for little lorry’s, I came across this little big cabbed DAF LF. The 1st truck I bought was the predecessor of the LF a 45. Although I always bang on about the MAN TGL, I do like DAF’s version of a little big truck. The only problem with the DAF is that they don’t do their own big cab, you can select a sleeper cab, but it’s a good old fashioned standard height cab and a single bunk. Where as the Germans have perfected the mini space cab, with big bunks, high roofs and enough room to stand up in and put your trousers on in the morning. In fact both German options share their space cabs with bigger tractor units. I have often wondered why DAF haven’t given a factory built big space cab option for the LF range. After all they have excelled with the XF Super Space Cab and you would have thought that they would be keen to produce a mini version. Instead if you want a Super Space Cabbed LF you have to have a Hatcher high roof conversion. The Hatcher Components website in all honesty is beginning to be very dated and isn’t all that great at telling you what you want to know. I think I am right in saying that they do 2 high roof extensions for the LF DAF. A Sky Cab like the one in the picture above, or a Semi Sky Cab which isn’t quite as tall, obviously.

Any way this little DAF was for sale with my friend Mick at Moody International, but as usual I missed the boat and this little beauty had already been sold. I think the truck was originally part of the David G Davies fleet from Glossop, but it is now part of the Frank Hudson clan from Bishop Auckland. The truck as it is in the picture above, is how it was when it left the David G Davies fleet, but since joining the customised fleet of Frank Hudson Transport it has had a few tweaks and now looks like this……

Just as smart if not smarter. You have to agree that is a smart looking truck and I bet, no I guarantee it works just as hard, does just just as many miles and more than likely makes more of a profit than its big brother, the DAF XF105. So why don’t DAF make thier own big little lorry?? My guess is that they aim the LF at the day cab and odd night out market and leave the long distance mini trucking to the likes of the Mercedes Atego High Roof Sleeper Cab and the MAN TGL LX. I would like to urge DAF that their must be a market for a factory built high roof sleeper version of the LF otherwise, why would Hatcher bother making the conversion??

Any-hoo something to ponder on. I’ll leave you with a couple more pics of this DAF LF Sky Cab. The pics are courtesy of one of it’s current pilots, Lewis Blakey at Frank Hudson (o the marvels of Facebook!). Note the front and rear Kelsa light bars.

Kersey Freight Friday – It’s Back!!

Posted on January 27, 2012 by truckbloguk

Finally I hear you cry! Those big white DAF’s of Hadleigh, Suffolk based Kersey Freight are back on the blog, 4 months and 11 days after it’s first appearance. A lovely snow filled trip to Italy and back, provides a lovely back drop for photos and Kersey driver Geraint (Taffy) Richards, has taken a few crackers. I’ve been banging on to my good friend DC at Kersey Freight to send me more photos as his (and JM’s!) trucks go further and further from their Suffolk countryside base. Although Paris is a regular destination, the trucks are covering more and more ground, often finding themselves heading into deepest Germany and over the Alps into Italy. I was tempted to write this blog myself after getting the info from DC today, but his description is great, so I think I’ll use his words.

“We loaded a full load of Water Based Emulsion to be kept at +5’C ex Northampton to Caleppio Di Settala, Italy. Taffy took the easy road into Milan on the Ralpin piggy back train from Frieburg to Novara!!! Although due to being on the waiting list, Taffy had to wait 24 hours until finally getting the 11 hour train ride through Switzerland to its final destination in Novara.”

“Once off the train he proceeded to Milan to offload the paint and reload from one of our clients 5kms away from the tip. Once loaded in Milan with no return trains available he decided to head for Mont Blanc Tunnel and parked at Aosta. Saturday morning was ready to move but the Blanc was closed for 3 hours due to risk of avalanche. After finally getting the order to move, Taffy started the climb to the snowy Mont Blanc!!”

“On his decent he stopped near Chamonix (Check the spelling) and took a couple of nice pictures for you! Then Taffy made his way into France and rested in Troyes that evening.”

“Sure you will sex it up a bit” – Opps! that bit was meant for me, sorry DC!! Any way that is a great come back, lets just hope its not so long before the next episode of Kersey Freight Friday hits the blog. Not sure there will be quite as much snow on the next trip, but even so the Alps always make for good photos so keep them coming Kersey drivers and subbies. Email me; ben@truckblog.co.uk . Thanks to driver of K18 KFL Geraint Richards, for the photos.

DAF XT is Born – NOT Photoshopped

Posted on January 18, 2012 by truckbloguk

We’ve all seen the photo-shopped versions of a bonneted DAF, mostly the white one pulling a fridge trailer. In all honesty it doesn’t look to silly, for a few days I think it did get people wondering whether it was real or not. But now Dutch transport company A. Jansen BV, who are clearly huge fan’s of their natively built DAF trucks, have produced a real life bonneted DAF and have named it the DAF XT. I’m sure over the next few months this truck will make it to your regular truck magazine. On Jansen’s own website, there is this small explanation in the News section;

“Recently, A. Jansen B.V. on the occasion of its 40 anniversary presented a new car: the XT. This special model in cooperation with DAF dealer de Burgh in Eindhoven developed and produced. The XT, such as this implementation in the market will go (FTT XF type 105.460), is the successor of the legendary NAT models of DAF. The two new DAF XT’s battery from the end of February 2012 will abandon the fleet of A. Jansen B.V. and so also appeared on the Dutch roads.”

You can work out from the slightly dodgy translation, that there are now 2 of these real life DAF XT’s. The trucks have been produced to celebrate Jansen BV’s 40th Anniversary, just imagine what could happen when they reach the big 50!! Keep your eye’s peeled on the press, as I say i’m sure it will be making a lot or appearances. What’s your first impression? Is it like mine; The grill is too chunky, then email me; ben@truckblog.co.uk or you can leave a comment, or these day’s you can even get me on Twitter, @truckbloguk amazing stuff! Not sure who’s photo’s these are but if you let me know I can credit you. I would also like to say a big thank you to Graham Wilson for informing me of the DAF’s existence.

R.F. Interport Movements

Posted on January 10, 2012 by truckbloguk

Not a name i’m too familiar with i’m sorry to say. I have heard the name before but that’s about as far it goes. So this is where you come in. I have had a right good spring clean in the depths of the truckblog email inbox and I came across an email I flagged a while ago. The email was from a truckblog regular, Peter Metcalfe. In his email he informed me that he was involved with R.F. Interport Movements in the 1970’s. Peter’s email read as follows;

“I was involved with a company in the 70’s, based in Astley on the Outskirts of Manchester . The company was called “R.F.INTERPORT MOVEMENTS” whose main traffic was to the Middle East. They had a program made about them on the tractor units they where using on Tomorrows World (BBC) about all the cab fittings made in the cab i.e shower, cooker, sink. We also had a driver in prison for over 18 months for an aaccident he was involved in. So we would get drivers passing him to drop food off to him, as he was left alone. Do not get me wrong everybody seems to crave on the top firms and do not look Into the full running troubles drivers used to get into.The stories I could tell and write on your blog that would put a lot of drivers off driving. But I am sorry I have no pictures of the trucks.”

So that’s your home work bloggers, tell me more, search your archives, find the photo’s and get emailing them over to me, so we can enjoy them on here and also perhaps a few photo’s will encourage Peter Metcalfe to share a few stories of the good old days. I was emailed the photo I have used but I don’t know anything about it, aprt from it’s a DAF with a very nice spread axle tilt, the Middle East truckers trailer of choice! Get emailing; ben@truckblog.co.uk

New Ozzie Mini Artic is Nearly Ready

Posted on November 24, 2011 by truckbloguk

Remember a little while back I introduced you too a new mate of mine from Australia, Julian Baker. He runs a mini artic around Australia delivering cars under the wing of Ceva Logistics. He currently has a new UD tractor unit in the making. Once again I will leave you in his capable hands, so sit back open a stubbie, chuck another shrimp on the barbie and enjoy reading what Julian has to say;

The new one is a UD too but is quite interesting. In conjunction with the manufacture we have transplanted a 15 inch diff and housing to replace the 13 inch original. The hubs and drums are interchangeable. The project has been delayed and delayed due to sourcing appropriate ratios ex Japan, as the 15 inch was normally on 22.5 inch wheels in Australia, not 17.5. This truck has 4.111 ratio with 0.78 overdrive 6 speed. Also the local senior UD management and Japanese engineering staff had been stalling approval for a few years. I have a friend who heads up UD engineering for Australia/New Zealand. We share a passion for the small, high horsepower tow vehicle but he has struggled to get traction on this project until recently. This type of vehicle sits conveniently in a GVM range that doesn’t require a speed limiter and doesn’t require a log book/work diary (driving hours) when without a trailer. Combined with the low clearance, high manouverability, low loading height and relatively high payload with high GCM we reckon the variant can be a real money making proposition. This little fella is the first UD to be painted Ceva Burgundy on the line too.

The stronger diff will complement the already upgraded gearbox, tail shaft, universals, clutch and engine in the new model. The end result is the higher GCM with a higher torque engine. The new truck will also have far greater redundancy in the driveline. The old MK265 has done a wonderful job, but as it is approaching 1 million kms, all major components have been replaced at least once. I generally sit around 20 tonne but have gone to Melbourne-Perth, Brisbane-Melbourne and numerous Melbourne-Adelaide/Sydneys a tonne or two over. Like the rest of the world we have a love of the SUV and unnecessarily large cars in Australia. Although still far more modest than the Yanks.

It is a little bit of a shame the modified truck isn’t the new, new model with a completely new cab and engine. As Volvo have owned UD for a few years the development of a new medium range took place. The new engine is 280 hp (vs 260) and 883nm (vs 794), still on 235/75 17.5 rubber. GVM is up to 11 tonne and GCM with the big diff will be 23 tonne. I know these numbers aren’t enormous compared to a TGL, LF45 or the 12 tonne Atego sold in Germany with the big rear axle, but Jap trucks are the norm down here. They have sufficient cooling capacity and Jap trucks always deliver what they promise. It’s sort of like ‘under promise, over deliver’.

Anyway, I’m still thrilled my big axle idea has been implemented. The little buggar is going to cost me a fortune as I’ve got a bit carried away with the accessories, but it’s coming along nicely. Things left to do are the bull bar and driving lights (very similar to the old truck), Ceva livery (I’m thinking of putting a big UD logo on the back window too, and maybe my football teams logo:-)), rectangular alloy fuel tanks with matching separate third hydraulic tank, the Alcoas off the old truck with a polish, chrome axle end trims on the drive, nut covers, water tank, tool box, proper drive tyres and leather upholstery. The tanks are 560mm wide x 510mm high, they should really finish the little banger off. They will send me broke alone!! I am a huge fan of the mini prime-mover, this will be my third. Chassis height and tare weight with my trailer are unique. My total tare weight is comparable to the Ceva 6 car trailers my mates tow alone. Therefore my fuel consumption is 0.4-0.7 kms per litre better. It doesn’t sound much, but can be over $100/day if running highway kms. The other blokes are pulling their 6-9 tonne prime-movers for no extra income. Purchase price, and maintenance are slightly less, but these little trucks are a five year proposition towing trailers, not 8 like they old one is.

Of course comfort and cabin room are not comparable in any way to European trucks. I have flirted with buying a MAN for 10 years but LEs then TGLs are like rocking horse droppings here. DAF LF45s don’t cool and Ivecos are terribly unreliable in Aussie conditions. Benz don’t bring Ategos to Australia running on 17.5 inch rims, and the chassis height of the 19.5 inch trucks is pretty high. Avia have been introduced recently but a 4.5 litre engine is reason enough not to consider them. Probably the main reason I haven’t taken the MAN plunge though is the odd stud pattern on the wheels. My current setup runs the same Alcoa 17.5 x 6.75 rims throughout. Even the 8 stud used by DAF and AVIA could be replicated here, but the MAN pattern would be custom custom.

I have recently come back to Melbourne from almost two years fly-in/fly-out in Tasmania. The little truck didn’t come home once. It was my home during the week. In Australia we have an ADR (Australian Design Rule) which grants the bunk in a truck to be a ‘registered sleeping compartment’. The little bunk in the MK has had this accreditation since this cabin was introduced in the mid 90s and until recently was the only narrow Jap cab to be approved. The Isuzu narrow extended cab now complies. You do not have this cab in the UK I believe. Isuzu UK either sell the narrow cab with no bunk, or the wide cab with a bunk. Anyway, I have wrap around curtains and my passenger seat folds flat so I sleep well. An extra foot of bunk and a foot more head room would be very well received though. And more storage space!!! New truck will be two seater with proper consol vs three seater with shallow consol in the back of the middle seat.

MODEL OF SCOTTISH INNOVATION!

Posted on October 19, 2011 by truckbloguk

Expert marketing and details by Jim Newsome; Derbyshire based promotional model vehicle specialists, Search Impex, are pleased to announce the release of a 1:50 scale DAF XF105 Super Space (6×2) tractor unit and 3 axle, refrigerated (Carrier) trailer with side underrun bars, customised in the classy livery of Scottish operator John Mackirdy Haulage.

As winners of the Transport News “Scotland’s Most Innovative Haulier of the Year 2011” Reward, the Company decided to mark its success with the issue of a certificated, Limited Edition run of model trucks. The models have been produced exclusively for Search Impex by WSI Collectibles and are a certificated, Limited Edition (105 pieces). The DAF XF105 Super Space is the latest addition to the Mackirdy fleet which also embraces Volvo, MAN & ERF trucks, together with a variety of trailers, including fridges, chill liners, curtains, flats, tankers and tippers.

Based on the Isle of Bute, the origins of John Mackirdy Haulage can be traced back a staggering 140 years of continuous family ownership. Born in 1835, founder, John Mackirdy’s first real foray into transport involved the use of horses and carts to shift construction materials following the family’s decision to move out of milling and into building. Word spread about the new “carting firm” and additional work soon came in the form of requests to collect goods and supplies from the ferry berthing point in Rothesay for distribution and delivery around the island. Four generations of the Mackirdys later and with the business still being family owned and run, a Mackirdy Haulage model ought surely to feature in many an enthusiast’s collection!

Models, available from Search Impex, are priced at £137 each (including UK delivery & VAT). For details of availability of this and other models, collectors can visit the Search Impex website at www.search-impex.co.uk or call them on 01332 873555.

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