N.O.S.

It might be down to the front axle weight - the Bedford is very light at the front compared to other trucks (and I guess the Leyland DAF) If the front wheels stay on top of the ground the truck usually keeps going, if they start to sink in the trouble really starts.

Methinks the trailer in this sale: http://www.milweb.net/webvert/76940 may possibly one of these: I've not come across another one. There's a photo in Tugs Of War of one behind a Constructor I think.

Are you sure it is a Leyland compressor? Not maybe a standard Clayton Dewandre? If a bought-in unit Leyland would have given it, and all components, their own Leyland part numbers. Just as a Cummins 6B is a Leyland xxx. Might help in tracking parts down. Try Bernie Smith, from Northamptonshire, sells on ebay but I can't recall his trading name at the moment.

This is the Muckleborough one:

What is special about the Odyssey batteries? Not heard of them before. They look to be conventional construction, but probably super-high quality hence dependability and extra cost.

We've left them unused on big 10 -12 litre engines (24V systems) for maybe 3 - 4 months, with maybe only 1 - 4 hours working in between, and they are fine (conventional batteries did not last so long without requiring a top-up charge). But after several years of this they do eventually lose their edge. Others I've had on regular (say 40% of time) trickle charge for 6 - 12 months or more seem to eventually lose their ability to retain charge, so I guess they do eventually sulphate up. One red top which died I let the dealer have back to look at, and when he did an autopsy it was well sulphated. He advised not storing on a cold concrete floor even when charging, and giving then some work to do to regularly in order to clean the plates of sulphate. Make no mistake this is battery abuse of the highest order - I'm merely suggesting that Optimas are liable to eventually succumb just like any other battery if abused for too long. Having said that I believe I would be replacing traditional batteries more frequently under the same conditions. The benefit of Optima seems to be a slightly faster flow of energy, resulting in higher cranking speed - meaning an engine starts quicker and the battery uses much less energy than if cranking for longer periods. Meaning also that you don't need so many ampere hours capacity. Plus you can carry a coupe of red tops for considerable distance with ease compared to the larger conventional batteries they are capable of replacing. Typical example: replacing two heavy conventional quality batteries with two red tops (you could fit 6 red tops in the same space) on an elderly 12 litre Cummins 220NH and the engine starts quicker - cranking time being reduced by around 1/3 to 1/2 depending on ambient temperature. Conventional batteries work just fine - so there has to be a reason to justify the extra cost of Optimas. In applications where you need to remove batteries regularly or start reluctant / infrequently used engines they are simply brilliant. With frequent removal / refitting using clamp type terminals the posts suffered wear - a few even coming loose, so we converted to these terminals for heavy equipment:

:thumbsup: They do like to be used though, just like other batteries. I've lost several red and yellows recently due to lack of use - the sulphate eventually gets them. I'm very disappointed with these so-called intelligent chargers - they aren't much brighter than me…... A very wise old chap advised me to connect up a low wattage light bulb to give them something to do whilst waiting - I'm going to rig up a mutli bulb board in the battery charging bay to try this soon.

This is worth a quick read, HB: http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/can-i-use-oxy-acet-setup-for-oxy-propane.43942/ Interesting that brazing seems to be possible (welding definitely out). Propane good for heating and cutting - note different cutting nozzles required (little cost to change). Not sure about the huge heating nozzles. For the cost of hose and regulator I would definitely change them, especially if your gear is getting on a bit.

I got the magnifying glass out and they look like standard 5 stud, 5 cut-out Budd wheels, Degs.

Mystery solved. Thanks guys! If this pontoon truck was supposed to have served in Korea, it suggests that vehicles from the Korean War were sent into Europe under the Marshall Plan? The Marshall Plan supposedly ended something like a year before the end if the Korean war.

No problem Gordon. Be interesting to see what they come up with. It is a welded centre plate, not riveted, and thicker than the riveted Budd dish. Tony

A CCKW pontoon truck was in the Cheffins Vintage Auction today. It was on dual rears, and had one odd rim. Is this a post-war rim? The truck had apparently seen service after WW2 in Korea - English data plates so no indication it had been in French service. I've not seen a rim like this before.

NIAE: I'm sure the Albion was in the auction of Silsoe machines upon its closure - there were some very interesting tractors etc so there would have been a lot of interest from collectors. Must have been a write-up in the vintage tractor press.

I'm certain they are a purpose-built version of the improvised one below: I remember there being one of the smaller type with side/back rail in the shed at home in the 1960s, so reckon 40's or 50's.

And a Bank Holiday weekend to boot. That will make for enjoyable long-distance motoring to get to either of the viewing days…...

Mike, the figure I recall as 75, with 30 remaining in storage at Breda at the time of our visit? It was these last trucks which I believe were cut up after Mr. DeGroot's death. They used to run adverts in Wheels & tracks, one of which showed long lines of trucks awaiting buyers. John - on the occasion of our visit we were very much kids in a candy store, but for the owner it was even better - he was the kid with the candy store!!

National Institute of Agricultural Engineering (NIAE) had one at Silsoe in the 1980s - used for drawbar pull testing of tractors. It was in nice condition having been regularly stabled. Hopefully it will have survived.

Just stumbled upon this description of No.2 Metal & Produce Recovery Depot, Eaglescliffe, Co.Durham: http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/history/yourmemories/10189914.print/ Note the unsuccessful 1990s effort to recover the crated Merlin engines and motorcycles……..

Thank you Tim for posting these. My favourite is the last one - a 'flock' of vintage planes captured in mid-flight.

Here's one getting a lift from a crane at Newport Docks, loading November 1956 for Suez. Those hub flanges are being put to good use! Photo (for educational purposes only please) credited to Associated British Ports.

Aha - mixer drive (remember they used to have a pump mounted way out at the front of the engine?). Apart from gearbox side ptos being a bit restricted on power output, a direct drive pump was always preferred for these constant demand applications. These photos should explain it: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ISM-M11-CUMMINS-REPTO-FLYWHEEL-HOUSING-3896355-3896387-MIXER-PTO-DRIVE-NEW-T-O-/381201166073 Google Cummins flywheel pto for more info. Note this particular one is for a M11 Cummins - I have no idea if they do a similar kit for the C Series (the parts might even be compatible between the two ranges). Is your engine M11 or C Series? If you plan to bin the pto housing and flywheel let me know - might be interested. Parts can always be had direct from Cummins e.g. at Wellingborough but breakers yards are often a good source.

Understandable - did you reply MARS? :-D

Ah, so it is a cross-reference with HMRC. Thanks very much for clarifying that, Brooky! Tony :sweat:

I have a couple of old trucks that I am pretty certain will have no marker on any database, shared or not. This is where I lose the plot - how can I then register a vehicle for which I have a chassis number but for which no records or database survives, i.e. no marker? Or have I totally misinterpreted your post? :blush:

Thank you Nick for that most helpful link, I should be able to sleep a bit better from now on!!! :thumbsup: Tony