Barbers Shop MAN

Posted on November 27, 2012 by truckbloguk

As many of you will know, this was my 2nd truck in the BJS empire and if i’m honest I think it was also my favourite. Don’t get me wrong I loved the airbrushed Mercedes Atego I had, but with the little MAN 8.163 I did so much work and spent far more time away in it than the Atego (nights away), so I think that’s what made the bond stronger. The other thing I liked about the MAN was that I customised gently and very gradually. and really made her my own, whether you like the style or not, i’m not to fussed, it would appear that certain things didn’t go unnoticed by all.

After the a while hard working trucks tend to loose there new look and shine, especially bodywork built by a bunch of blind hedgehogs in a bag. So it got to a point that the rear bumper was fairly rusty as the very thin paint had be eaten by the road salt and weather. It so happened that the factory paint on the prop shaft had gone the same way, so one weekend me and my Dad thought enough was enough and I reached for the sander, primer and tape. The rear bumper was a no brainer I thought i’d try the chevron look, please see above. But what to do with the prop shaft?? Well I thought i’d do something a little different…a barbers pole if you will. So as I drove along it would spiral down to the back…….I cannot tell you how hard it was to get the masking tape to stay evenly apart as I wound it round the pole (oo er Vicar!). If I remember correctly it was even nearly all the way down apart from one little 6 inch stretch.

Back in the day I could list on both hands the number of people who commented and noticed on the barbers pole, so these days I just see it as a bit of fun and also what made the truck individually mine, but today I had a comment on the blog that made it all come flooding back and made it seem all worth while.

Comment Author: Matthew Morris
Company: www.morristransport.co.uk
Comment: “I was always a fan of your 7.5 tonners, especially the MAN L2000. I remember it having an interesting “stripey” prop shaft! We still own a P reg L2000 with the 224 hp engine. Still a pleasure to drive and sounds awesome with a straight through drag pipe!”

You see I did have a fan! If I’d started a BJS fan club, I think it’s fair to say Matt could probably have been member 001. How I wish I could have my own Tonka Toy again, but times change as does the haulage industry. Perhaps one day. Any way in the mean time i’ll leave you with a photo of the smart back end I ended up with. The chevroned rear bumper didn’t last as the paint soon rusted up again. About the same time the cheap nasty rear door handles had virtually fallen off. The truck was sent to the best body builder in the country, Colliers Truck Builders, and new rear doors, new ally shiny handles and poles and I also got Colliers to rub the bumper back to the metal and paint it back in chassis grey. Boring but smart. The barbers pole stayed.

Scania in The Guiness Book of Records

Posted on November 18, 2012 by truckbloguk

Ok so this is one of those lazy blogs for me as its straight from Scania’s press release. Why?? Because its just to hard to put all the info into my own words!!

The world’s tallest concrete pump, mounted on a 7-axle Scania V8-truck, put Scania in the Guinness Book of Records. The pump, unveiled by Chinese concrete machinery manufacturer Zoomlion, is 101 metres long and has a 7-section boom, the last 4 sections being made of carbon fibre.

In recent years, the giants of the world concrete pump industry have outdone each other, time and time again, on the way to the magical 100-metre threshold. When Scania was commissioned to specify and build a truck chassis for the huge superstructure needed, everything had to be kept strictly secret.

“Zoomlion asked us to build a chassis for the tallest mobile pump in the world and the first one over 100 metres, but also asked us to keep it a secret, as they wanted to release the news on Zoomlion’s 20th anniversary. Therefore, we have kept a low profile even internally about this exceptional vehicle,” explains Daniel Henriksson, Sales Engineer for construction vehicles at Scania.

To cope with the weight of the 7-section boom, a 7-axle chassis was required. This was built at one of Scania’s chassi lines in Sweden and complemented by Laxå Special Vehicles, with their long tradition of building custom cabs and chassis for Scania. The 15.5-metre chassis, with a 620 hp V8-engine, is probably the longest ever built by Scania. Altogether this very special vehicle is 18.5 metres long. An exceptional feature is the fact that the pump structure is mounted on a “normal” truck chassis, not on a special vehicle, which means that it complies with the maximum dimensions and footprints imposed for road transport.

The complicated superstructure was developed by Zoomlion and Italian construction equipment maker Cifa.

Its Not All Grim Ooop North

Posted on November 13, 2012 by truckbloguk

Surely piloting a big Cummins powered Leyland Roadtrain can’t be a grim job?? Can it?? One of the UK’s last home grown truck talents. I love the big old Leylands, but there doesn’t seem to be many about now even on the show circuit, although I think I might be right in saying BH Cecil from Gloucestershire have one in restoration. The British Bulldog above was driven by top international heavy haulage pilot Stephen “Geordie” Pattison before his days of big red Scania’s. I have to say that Horns Transport from Tyneside is a new one on me, but some of you will no doubt remember them.

Geordie gave me the following info on his days at Horns Transport, apparently his 4th job but also the firm that gave him the long distance driving bug. Any hoo, Why-aye-Man and all that, here’s what you need to know about these few photos and Horns Transport, literally straight from the horse mouth;

“The orange anchors we loaded in Walker & took em 2 Peterhead.
The sheeted loads was 4m Caberboard at Cowie 4 Northsheilds.”

“It was run by Harry Horn & his sister Mavis. 6 artics & 6 rigids, 3 of which were tautliners, 2 rigid hiabs, 2 flat rigids and 1 fitter Terry! It was just Harry & Mavis runnin the trucks, Caroline was the secretary & that was it. We were quite well paid, all the trucks livery was hand painted & we were 28t gross in them days no limiters! The yard was at Wellington Road, Dunston. They were coal merchants originally, but when I was there (94-99) we mainly did waist paper 2 Purfleet, rubber 2 various places and steel castings from Charlie Taylors in Southsheilds (where I had me accident!). 2 London & 1 Scotch trip a week! Oh and their mam & dad started the business”.

“3 of us were classed as hurry up men (asap anytime anywhere) UK work only & mainly rope & sheet which is were I learned 2 do it (Handy for current HC Wilson work – TB) By the way there was a guy who worked there called George Horn, no relation, but he still drives at 74 & also his 2 brothers !! When we did wastepaper 2 Purfleet, if we ran on Sunday, u could never get passed the weighbridge at Sawtry on the A1, as it was always open & pulled every North East truck!! No phones in them days, u would find a payphone when emty and ring in. If no reload we’d wait by phone till they rang back. No fuel cards either we had 2 do whatever trip we had on the tank which was normally about 400ltr & that C reg I had had a belly tank on 200ltr maybe.”

A lovely little snippet into the ways of the North East, although to be honest it sounds to me the way all firms used to be. Those were days of hard graft and long days to make the next load. Also slightly less regulated must have helped! 😉 If you have anything to add about Horns Transport or you want to share some thing on the blog, just email me; ben@truckblog.co.uk

Scania 141 – HVF 520V

Posted on November 11, 2012 by truckbloguk

Back in August I reported on a Scania 141 cab I had delivered to Canacraft in Suffolk, if you missed it you can search for it on the blog by typing “Wrecked to Riches” and hitting enter. The idea is that Howard at Canacraft is going to put HVF 520V back to its original spec of a 4×2 tractor unit rather than a 4×2 recovery chassis. I have a fair history for this particular truck, but not through any effort of my own. As many of you know I have been lucky enough to be given album after ablum of 70’s and 80’s truck photos taken by David Scarff. HVF 520V is a truck that has spent a lot of time in and around East Anglia, having had a long career at MRCT (the chicken people!) and also a career before MRCT at local haulier DA Garnham. I have managed to find from the thousands of photos in the Scarff collection this right gem of HVF 520V in full MRCT colours at Scania in Stowmarket, I did think there was one of here heading down Jubilee Way into Douvres but its only a 111 not a mighty V8.

Any way having put up “Wrecked to Riches” up on the blog, as seems to be the way, I received an email…..This time a fascinating email full of info from an ex driver of said Scania 141. Now to me this makes the blog all worth while (although these days I don’t do the blog half as much as I’d like to!), I put stuff up on here purely what interests me and now and again what might interest some of you. What I love is the romance of trucking (as GW will testify!), I like the life story of a truck and these days a trucks history/pedigree can even increase its value on the 2nd hand market. So to find pics of this truck in its original guise, to seeing it in its current sorry state, to then hopefully seeing it in a few months time, back to a tidy decent truck, makes it all worth while. The only thing that can add to the icing on any cake is a few extra sprinkles, in this case an email from ex driver Gilbert McClusky. Mr McClusky said the following on his email;

“I have just seen the picture of HVF520V in its current sorry state!! and I’m glad that somebody has rescued it for restoration. I worked at MRCT for about 10years from the early eighties to the early 90’s and if you google “HVF520V” you will find a couple of pictures I took on the Thetford road near Garboldisham in about 1983. I also have a couple of others kicking about. The unit was originally new to DA Garnham and Sons of Diss and came to MRCT second hand. After being resprayed It was driven originally by Denis Carlton then Timmy Riches and finally by Melvin Farrow up to being converted to a recovery truck by Mick.. Garnham??? (Sorry surname forgotten) at the MRCT workshops in Stuston Road Diss, in about 1991 or 2. As a 4×2 unit it was a phenomenal machine compared to the 111’s that all the other lads were slugging around in. A lot is obviously written about the Scania V8 and how good they were / are. As far as I can recall we didn’t touch that engine in the 10 years I was there, and I doubt very much it was touched as a recovery truck!. As with most 140’s and 141’s The only weak spot when in the hands of “fleet drivers” were the gearbox range changes and especially half shafts which could break very easily if not treated with respect. The cab had 4 resprays from being in Garnhams colours when new then the cream and red in about 1982 ( As per my photo) Then it had a further respray into white and red in about 1987 – 1988, finally being done for the last time in the blue and white as you have in about 1992 or 3.”

So good to hear all this info directly from the horses mouth. All ex drivers are welcome to email me, ben@truckblog.co.uk , and tell me your stories, knowledge and what ever else. Photos to accompany any info is perfect then at least we can relate to what kinda trucks your talking about. Hopefully I’ll soon have some photos of HVF 520V restored and ready for another owner. Just to finish off, Mr McClusky mentioned all other MRCT drivers were “slugging around in” Scania 111’s, so to anyone who’s in the slugging gang, I found a photo of sister truck HVF 521V, which was in fact a Scania 111.

Hey What’s your Number…

Posted on November 6, 2012 by truckbloguk

Yes ok it’s another Scania but this one needs a bit more input from you. This dear old girl has been relegated to the corner of some ones yard these days but what secrets does she hold from her past. Was she once an international motorway pounder? Was she the pride of an English fleet when she was the newest in the yard? If any of you have any information about said wagon please leave your comments below.

What’s the reg number? My guess is D853 PKK or possibly PXK. The letter behind the greenery does seem to replicate the K at the end, does it not Mr Watson?! As I’m sure you know most truck regs come in batches from particular dealers…….I’ve just searched tinternet and it can’t be “XK” as it didn’t exist. On that style of number plate the last 2 letters of the 3 denoted the area code. If the reg is “KK” that is the code for Maidstone or “KX” is the code to Luton. As its a “D” reg she was new in 1986. This gives you a few clues, so see what you can come up with. Hopefully a few more pics if the old girl at the end of the week.

Tell Me More, Tell Me More

Posted on November 3, 2012 by truckbloguk

I am told this was a cancelled order from Gilders, now owned by an Owner Driver from the West Country who goes by the name of Loopey!

It looks like an R560 tag axle Scania with a rather custard yellow paint job. You can’t say that this is a modest quiet owner driver motor with a paint job like that. Certainly one way to make yourself stand out from the crowd. Extra bars and lights, air horns and even a blind spot camera mounted on the aftermarket visor.

Now all you need to do is tell me a bit more about the wagon, what other gadget and customised but and pieces does she have?? Leave your comments or send me an email with you on the road spots perhaps?! My email is; ben@truckblog.co.uk

Hella of a Bright Idea

Posted on October 28, 2012 by truckbloguk

Doing the blog (when I can these days!) I make contact with all types of people, but in general they are all related in some way to trucks and trucking….apart from the President of Bakino Fasso who, as it goes he wants me to email him so he can donate $17,500,000 to the blog, all I’ve got to do is give him my details!! I digress. In this instance I heard from Phil Robinson, Business Development Manager for Hella Ltd in Central England no less. The current fashion in trucks seems to be the addition of at least 4 spotlights to the front end. Now it must kill the truck manufacturers to see that years of research for their trucks aerodynamics is just cast aside in favour of some spotlights, which in turn must make the likes of Phil Robinson, rub his hands together! As regular blog star, Steve Marsh, once said “I rate Hella lights. I Had 2 Hella Spots on my old truck and the only problem in 6 years was a relay. Now on my 3rd set of non-Hella spots in 7 years on the current wagon!” I think that says it all.

Hella have now made their own Phone App to help you get some idea what your truck may look like with the addition of some spots. Here is the official Hella blurb;

“The HELLA ADDLIGHT APP is a simulation and presentation application for your
Smartphone and Tablet. Playfully and interactively experience your vehicle
equipped with HELLA’s auxiliary lights in a 360-degree view that is true to
detail. Functions;
Digital Headlight Assembly
Use the application’s navigation feature to select and interactively install the
auxiliary lights on either pre-adjusted passenger cars, commercial vehicles or
on a vehicle you have photographed. Choose specific auxiliary lights from our
model series. The customised position light and the colour fidelity of the LED,
halogen and xenon headlights, when they are switched on, virtually recreate
reality. The integration of social networks including an e-mail feature makes it possible to share your individual combination of vehicle and auxiliary lights with
friends.
360-Degree Product View
The 360-degree view features 3-dimensional views of our products. In addition to
comprehensive technical data and product drawings, users also have the option of simulating the lighting conditions for LED, xenon and halogen lights on a
stretch of road using an innovative illumination comparison.
Detailed information about a specific product range is available in the on-line
HELLA LightShow Catalogue.”

Basically you can upload a photo of your truck to the App, then you can select top or bottom bar, then you get to try all the spotlights in the Hella catalogue until you find the ones you like. You can also choose from 2 or 4 spots on your bar and you can even turn the lights on or off. It’s a good way to get an idea of what you like and what the truck looks like before you spend the best part of £1000 on a bar and spots.

The picture below is a new Merc thats been done with the App, as you can see it does look pretty life like. Download it and have a bit of fun with it. You can click on the following links to download;

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hella.adlight
Apple Store: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/addlight/id544244877?mt=8

Hello On-line Catalogue: http://www.hella.com/toc/en/18FEC9C111BA75B2B15E0C95D9B260DB.srv?view=VIndexFramesetJsp

Peak Truck Show 2012 by James Cartwright

Posted on October 18, 2012 by truckbloguk

Once again I will hand you over to top guest writer and photographer, Mr James Cartwright. If you want to see the rest of Jimbo’s photos from the show, click HERE;

All that was needed after finishing work on the Friday evening was a dry and hold up free run up to the Peaktruck show held at the Uttoxeter racecourse. At a steady 50mph the 143 had no problems covering the distance in under 4 hrs. Even with the late arrival I was still able to get on to the site and park up for the evening, luckily the boys from McGawn Bros had kept me a space on the tarmac and with the bar still open a double result.

A bright start to the Saturday did much to improve the hangover which I always seem to wake up with when I come here! Saturday morning was taken up with giving the old Scania a clean and polish, you think I would’ve learnt to bring something smaller than a 8×4. Still not quite as much work as the trucks entered into the combination class, credit must go these guys. One of the best was the V-reg FH Volvo of MJS from Stoke on Trent along with its powder tanker.

The Peak shows are always very well supported by the local fleets from names such as Shirley’s, Mike Ponsonby and Stan Robinson. The Peak Truck Show was this year celebrating it’s 10th anniversary over the years shows have been held at a number of places, Belfast was a regular venue along with Carlisle and Penrith this helps to explain why Roy Gill and Sarah Mcgregor have always attracted many trucks from all over the country. Both Roy and Sarah used to run and show trucks one of the most well known was the Queen of Hearts (You must have a picture of this somewhere Ben can find mine think they are in the loft – I can’t find it!!) so with him being one of the judges you know you better have thing done right. You always are made to feel like old friends when you turn up no matter what time of day or night you finally manage to get there Sarah or Roy are always there to greet you this for me is what the truck shows are all about meeting friends new and old.

The weather both days was lovely and sunny which makes a change as we normally have to take cover from the rain at least once during the weekend here, moving the show to later in the year definitely helped with this. The truck of the show went to the T-cab of Bartletts which as the pictures show was as clean out side as it was in with its fully upholstered cab along with painted dash. From fully custom work to the restored 141 with tandem axle trailer you decide what looks the best. One of the nicest trucks for me was the Scania 560 of Dutch owner driver Peter van der Eijk as with most European trucks typically understated but still had plenty of detail.

The Saturday night is another sociable gathering with entertainment in the bar this year with a rock band in full swing. The CF DAF of Massey Feeds was looking spot on sitting next to the big cabbed Toplines and XF’s. There was a strong Scottish contingent with the R-cab from Laurelbank Nurseries, Gordon Steel and John Templeton’s Avatar. One of the furthest travelled must have been Brian McLennan of Peterhead with his brand new Scania. Judging takes place over both days, so there was plenty of cleaning still to be done with the results being given out on the Sunday afternoon.

The Mc Gawn Bros did well this year by taking top spot in a Best Fleet and combination classes to name just a few.

The 105 DAF from Smith of Bury did well in the traditional livery class who says red and green should never be seen! I even got a highly commended in the company owned class for the 143.

A final thanks must go to Sarah and Roy for organising another top show hopefully there will be plenty over the next few years.

Broadly Speaking its a Crane

Posted on October 15, 2012 by truckbloguk

We need your help on this please bloggers. Spotted enjoying the peaceful surroundings of the Norfolk Broads, this old girl is now lifting few boats in and out of the water at Potter Heigham, Norfolk. Top blog spotter and these days blog reporter James Cartwright was busy enjoying a weekend away with the Mrs. Natrually photos of the local tourist spots soon make way for some top spotting! The only thing being neither of us have any clue what this is. Is it a truck with a crane or is it just a crane truck…..well I know what I mean! Is it an old Coles or Grove crane with a road cab?? Who knows, I clearly don’t have a clue what i’m on about this evening. It has a slight hint of a Foden cab although I know its not and James says Mrs Cartwright couldn’t find any type of plate! 😉 All suggestions greatly appreciated, leave your comments below or email me; ben@truckblog.co.uk

Coming Soon – LEV 701V

Posted on October 11, 2012 by truckbloguk

Here’s another old girl that has been saved from the scrap heap. This sleeper cabbed 4×2 Scania 111 has been nicely restored and when completed will be for sale, yes that right it will be for sale. This truck is LEV 701V, which was at one point part of the Brain Haulage fleet. Its been striped back to the chassis and the interior has been re-skinned and upholstered. I have to say that even in this condition it was beginning to look rather nice.

Just a plain red and white livery will adorn the truck, with the engine being painted in that Scania engine green. She will be a nice tidy motor when done and in my opinion will be good enough for shows as it is. Although the man in charge says its just having a “basic” job done! I have no idea what the price will be but if you are interested I can put you in touch but seriously no time wasters, if you haven’t the funds for such a purchase please leave it to those who can. More photos to come as and when she is complete and ready to roll. Have you got any photos of her in her Brain Haulage colors or any other colors?? Email me; ben@truckblog.co.uk

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