NWCB.

My first thought was/is to do what i could/can in the saving of the bowser, as (As we all agree) it should not be left to go to the metal recycling centre if at all possible ! My later and present thoughts regarding the bowser's post-recovery welfare, are roughly: 1. to get it under cover. 2. to secure it. 3. to (In due course) remove wheels, restore/replace the wheels (Rusted away around valve), and replace tyres. 4. Endeavour to carefully loosen all nuts/bolts (WD40 and time needed re. the torsion bar end cover nuts [Have noticed several end cover nut studs are twisted off] ), replace the two broken suspension torsion bars, and make the bowser more presentable generally. 5. Endeavour to locate and buy bowser's missing items. Long term: time permitting maybe weld it, restore it, paint it, show it !

Sat 14th / Sun 15th inst. attended fuel bowser to put it into a best condition for transportation. Although the wheel nuts of the flat tyre wheel are loose could still not budge the rim from the hub even with the use of force: but that for now is no great problem as the bowser can roll up onto the recovery vehicle on its flat tyre (That tyre's walls are unserviceable anyway). Removed (With 38mm socket and 1" drive T-bar, and force) the ceased drawbar two pivot bolts, greased and replaced them: this so drawbar can be raised and tied-up skywards or removed, if either necessary, so to reduce the total length from 21' 6" to 15' 6 & 3/4". Emptied the front cabinet (No standing engine) and rear cabinet (No pump) of half empty oil cans and other rubbish and odd farming machinery parts. Then tied each cabinet’s doors firmly shut. The farmer arrived at this time and i paid him the agreed sum, so the deal is done and i now own a somewhat wanting fuel bowser (Standing engine, pump, 10.5" x 13" tyres, etc. needed, along with other rocking-horse teeth). Actual transport (Recovery), should follow shortly.

I think i am going to use an 'HGV with driver' due to the bowser's track width in addition to its size and probable too heavy weight but I may well contact RAFM Hendon as you suggest thanks Matt if only for interest. First though i am going to get an HGV with driver transport quotation to see in which sphere i am expense-wise. NWCB.

Have just returned (Saturday) from meeting with the farmer/bowser owner and encountering the bowser for myself. The farmer seemed that he wants for the bowser to be saved and will be helpful as far as he is able. Spent the first while at the bowser site where the bowser has reposed for a good number of years, taking a few photographs for the achieve. Then measured as accurately as possible the bowser track (Tyre outer wall to tyre outer wall). Results: 223cm (ie 87 & 3/4") (ie 7' 3 & 3/4"). A little wide for the available 7' wide trailer or a 35 cwt. beaver tail, i think. Following the above then turned to the bowser’s all important weight. The data plate is missing (The plate alongside the handbrake just offers the words 'On' and 'Off' and thereby refers of course only to the brake lever positioning) so a weight estimate has to suffice: the bowser looks and feels too heavy for less than an HGV (Which i realise has been said by other than myself, previously). Then turned to its mobility. Managed to inflate three of the tyres but the fourth was split and unserviceable. Managed to undo the flat tyre wheel's wheel nuts (A spare wheel being available) but the wheel would not budge from its hub. One flat tyre though is no great impediment of course as the bowser could be winched on to an HGV beaver tailed rescuing lorry or Hiab’ed on to an HGV flatbed rescuing lorry. Revisited the farmer/owner’s house and discussed matters. I advised i would endeavour to arrange an ‘HGV with driver’, and then contact him again. The farmer was supportive. NWCB.

Fuel Bowser purchase agreed. Now sorting transportation: a difficult task as bowser is 7' 6'' wide (Presumably that is shoulder to shoulder) and that is the maximum width allowable for a towed trailer [unless the towing vehicle is an HGV, then the towed trailer can be a maximum of 8' 6'' I believe]. Have managed to source a 7' 0'' wide trailer (Wide trailers to hire it appears are difficult to locate) which i think the bowser will go on, provided that the bowser's 'track' itself is not more than this 7' 0'' measurement: Going to see the bowser shortly to inflate the tyres if possible and to deal with any other pre-move issues etc., and while there I will take an exact measurement of the bowser's track. Will update this thread upon developments. NWCB.

That is Good News: I will make haste with the PM ! Thanks Maverick for your efforts.

Thank you ford 369 for the offer of your possible labour. There are two possible places where it could go depending on various matters (One or other will be definitely available): one is in the Milton Keynes area and the other is approximately 150/200 miles away. I will keep your labour offer in mind in the event that the M.K. option prevails. Maverick has been decent in saying that he would try to find out whether the bowser still exists: if it does i will first go down to "near Basingstoke" to see the bowser and to get a better appreciation of it's transportation vehicle requirements.

Thank you for the prompt response Ford 369 and Maverick. I am new to this site and thereby only recently noticed this Fuel Bowser rescue attempt thread. On viewing the photo's and reading the thread, i HMVF registered as i think (Provided of course that the bowser has not been scrapped) that i may be able to buy the bowser from the farmer and house it. I have the under-cover space (Just) and may be able to solve the transport problem. If it transpires that the bowser remains extant, i will endeavour to action the rescue. I fear though that by now the bowser may be long gone !

Would someone please advise if they can, regarding the outcome of the fuel bowser rescue efforts ? A concerned HMVF subscriber.