utt61

Alan, brilliant stuff, many thanks! Keep 'em coming. Roger

Is there any chance of obtaining a better scan of the photo of the crane? Cranes are very much my 'thing' (I am restoring one not dissimilar to the one in the photo) and I would like to try to identify the one shown positively. The military cranes - and there were quite a few - are not at all easy to track and put histories together for, and any new photo is of great interest. It is highly likely that this is Army crane number 63014 (later named "Frobisher"), one of four 35-ton cranes built by Ransomes & Rapier of Ipswich in 1937. Supplied to Shoeburyness in April 1938, it was converted from steam to diesel power (reputedly a rather botched conversion) in 1975 and sold/scrapped c.1986.

From http://www.transportsfriend.org/road/licence/group_2.html "A tractor unit being used without a semi-trailer attached can be driven by a driver who holds a category C entitlement, a C plus E licence is only required when actually pulling a trailer."

The only relevant info I can find online (DVLA or Direct.Gov sites) on this subject all defines cat C thus:- Category - Description C - Vehicles over 3,500 kg, with a trailer up to 750 kg C+E - As category C but with a trailer over 750 kg I cannot find any mention of artic tractor units being excluded from this with two exceptions:- 1) Guidance leaflet INF29 "Minimum Test Vehicles" (which stipulates the minimum test vehicles which may be used by driving test candidates) states that you must turn up for a Cat C driving test in "A rigid vehicle (not a tractive unit of an articulated vehicle) weighing at least 10 tonnes MAM and at least 7 metres in length, capable of 80kph". Since it is unlikely that this leaflet would tell you not to attend for a Cat C test in a vehicle which you cannot legally drive on a Cat C licence (such advice being unnecessary) I suggest that this implies that 'the authorities' accept that you can drive such a vehicle on Cat C once you have passed the test. 2) An exception in INF52 "Special Licencing Arrangements for Drivers of Large Vehicles" which states that the holder of a full Cat B licence can drive "articulated goods vehicles not exceeding 3.05 tonnes unladen weight". This is interesting (to my mind at least) because there is no mention of the "+E" supplement for trailers over 750Kg. Whether this is because it is for some reason not possible to exceed 750Kg trailer weight and remain under 3050Kg unladen combined weight, or whether this is simply and oversight or error, is not clear. It doesn't afffect Cat C holders anyway. So, it is my belief that although you cannot turn up for a Cat C test in a trailer-less artic tractor, you can drive one once you have passed the test. Usual disclaimers apply however, and if you are stopped while so doing you will have to argue your own case!

Can this really be right? A cat C vehicle is defined as one over 7.5 tons MAM which is not towing a trailer over 750kg, not, as far as I know, one that is not capable of towing a trailer. Applying the same logic, you would presumably need a C+E licence to drive a rigid over 7.5 tons if it was fitted with a coupling for a drawbar trailer even if no trailer was coupled, and for that matter a B+E licence to drive a Landrover if the vehicle was fitted with a towing hitch and thus capable of towing a trailer, even if no trailer was attached. I have heard of several instances of VOSA and/or Police personnel being mistaken in roadside judgements, which is hardly surprising in view of the complexity of current road transport laws. I wonder if this is such a case. I cannot find (with a quick search) anything on the DVLA or yougov websites about this. If anyone can provide a link please do so!

The purpose of the steel discs on the wheels of some mobile cranes is to limit the compression of the tyre under load (and also I guess to minimise the risk of capsize in the event of a tyre failure). These were never fitted to Fairies, but were fairly common on Coles cranes and similar. My Fairy is one of the originals, built by the British Hoist and Crane Company of Compton, Newbury, in 1961. It is the type with the jib fixed to a pivot just behind the cab and two large hydraulic rams just in front of the windscreen which not only raise the jib but also, when extended independently, allow for 45 degrees of slew. The benefit of this compared to a 360 slew is that 1) it was far cheaper to build (no slewing ring etc) and 2) it is in theory impossible to slew far enough sideways to turn the crane over. BH&CC was eventually taken over by Jones Cranes and the original type of Iron Fairy was superseded by a fully-slewing "Jones Iron Fairy" in a variety of sizes. The originals remained very popular and even to this day are quite sought-after by hire companies and machinery movers (they are deal for use in confined spaces). They are (if properly maintained) fully road legal, although with a top speed of about 20mph, no suspension at all, and tyre pressures of 115psi, you really don't want to go far in one. They can of course travel with the full rated load (upt o 6.5 tons) on the hook as well. All in al a very handy piece of kit. There is a Wynn's one, identical to mine, in the background of a photo in post #21 on the Wynn's thread on this excellent forum. I have attached a couple of photos of my Fairy working on a recent construction job. In these photos the jib is fully extended (23') and in the second pic it is at full right slew. Fully raised on full extension the max height of the hook is about 24'. Thanks both for the welcome and for the interest in the Fairy, by the way. Roger.

Another newly joined member.. I am a civy engineer currently working for the MoD. I have a long-standing interest in MVs of all types although i don't own any at the moment - the nearest thing to an MV I currently own is a 1961 ex-MoS (RoF) Iron Fairy 6 mobile crane, which is in regular use. I have a particular interest in Matadors and Unipowers (especially the Hannibal and Forester types). One day I will own one! Cheers, Roger (Dorset)