Ashcollection

Michigan 01 EU 81 being carried on a low loader on its way to 26 Command Workshops Stirling - my much younger self posing in front of the Scammell.

 

Regards - David

We have one of those trailers, to go with our RAF 20 ton Constructor.

also if any of you guys know anything about Clarke Ranger fork trucks that would be good, its another very very camera shy

vehicle.

this should be a link to the thread

http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?50780-Clark-Ranger-Forklift&highlight=clark.

cheers.

Richard

Two more pictures of 03 EU 77 on St. Kilda. Note the additional lower towing hook. The Michigan 175 was a good machine but it was generally agreed that the hook, as fitted at the factory, was far too high. At that time, unauthorised modifications were frowned upon, but most of the Michigans that I ever seen were fitted with some sort of lowered hook - usually bolted or clipped into place so that it could be removed during it's annual PRE (Periodic REME Inspection). The Michigan that I usually drove had a vertical box steel structure which was secured to the original hook

 

There seems to be an absolute absence of Military Michigan 175's on the web. The only thing I could find was a youtube clip titled "Army on Land, Sea and Air 1967"

 

Even here, there is only tantalising glimpses of the 175. At 1:57 a 175 is the last equipment to drive off the mexefloat (it was preceded by a smaller Michigan of a type I didn't recognise). The camera covers from the point where the nose drives by and cuts out when it reaches the fuel tank! At 2:38 you think that you are going to see it parked up, when a Wessex flies by, dangling a pallet and completely obscuring it - I've never seen a piece of kit that was so damned camera-shy!

 

Regards - David

I have to say the first time I reversed the 175 up to the low-loader trailer the first thing we all said was " we need to fit a lower towing hook! you could also stick the trailer tow bar straight through the radiator if you get it wrong, I wonder hoe many times that happened!

To prove military vehicles are social animals, a 75 has arrived this morning! it must have heard its name mentioned in this thread last night! 01DZ60, very complete, won't take much to get it running hopefully.

Hi ashcollection,

If I read the plate on you Michigan 175 correctly, the VRN is 03 EU 76. The attached photograph is of 03 EU 77 - logically this should have rolled off the Clarke production line straight after yours! The photograph was taken on the island of St. Kilda where it was used in support of the Royal Artillery Ranges Hebrides. This is my first try at posting a photograph, so I'll press the trigger on the post before I try adding any more!

 

Regards - David

Thanks David, love to see more pics and of any other plant.

cheers

Richard

I'm looking for a Ex Ni Saracen Special Water Dispenser, a picture appeared on a face book forum a few months back but the trail has gone cold. I've got "half of one" I'd like a whole one. so if anybody know where it is, (possibly Leicestershire way). I'd love to hear from you.

cheers, Richard

Wanted, EOD Saracen Special Water Dispenser. Cash Waiting. I know there is one out there somewhere.

Bit off topic but what about us people who buy a military vehicle pretend to justify it for work then half restore it so it is safe to use then play in the mud with it, don't take it to a show but have your mates round with a crate of beer. There must be a few of us about!

Agreed, I have not heard of any equipment being supplied directly to local authorities. In fact the only lend lease vehicles I have come across that were not directly issued to the military were the FWD CU-COEs supplied to timber companies for extraction and transport. There will no doubt be other examples of which I am unaware.

 

It is much more likely that your truck was purchased by the council post-war upon de-mob and then converted.

 

The other one which springs immediately to mind is the ex-Billy Smarts NM at the Bentley Widfowl Trust's Motor Museum in Sussex. There is a forum thread here about it: http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?38516-Billy-Smart-s-Mack-at-Bentley-Wildfowl-and-Motor-Museum

 

You should also speak to Geoff Maskell from Durham who was known as 'Mr Mack' due to the number of their trucks he has had over the years. I can PM you his contact details if you are interested and he will no doubt be able to put you in touch with other owners.

 

Regards - MG

Yes they where supplied to councils for gritting and snow ploughing after the war from surplus , i've got a couple and there area couple with the plows fitted still about.

Hello, I'm looking for a Saracen Special Water Dispenser, the NI EOD/Riot control version. A picture appeared on a face book forum a few months back and I'd like to get in touch with the owner so I can measure up the turret to make a copy for mine. the trail has gone cold though. anybody on here know anything about it?

thanks.

Richard

forget about Anna at

blejk1@interia.pl wont answer my e mails

So the consensus of opinion is there isn't a reliable supplier of Russian Vehicles or spares in the uk or eastern Europe. I've tried a few and not had any responses back either.

Going from memory. Leyland or Cummins engined, Clark transmission pretty bulletproof, rear CV joint a bit fragile. Brakes sometimes. Easy to work in a shower of what ever you were loading if not careful. Windscreen sometimes. Slow but reasonably reliable.

Yes Leyland Engine, Clark Transmission, currently no brakes, we don't have the cab and I will be careful not to to end up wearing what I'm carrying! We will give it a service and get all its key systems working properly, steam clean and a 20 yard paint job.

Lovely day out, recovering some parts for the Beast. Most of you will know where this is.

Sadly after a false start we are back in the market for a full time engineer mechanic etc. No joy has come from the numerous parties, we had one guy start then sadly change his mind. This was disappointing but understandable. SO if anyone wants a full time job away from the madding crowd working in the new Museum please get in touch.

 

first job is get the chieftain tidied up..then build the marquees and tents for the museum...although we will start that in the coming weeks.

If I didn't have my own Engineering Business and Military Vehicle collection I'd be there! I can weld, Mill, Turn, Fabricate, Drive a crane, Fork truck, digger (tracked and wheeled) I'm a good mechanic, good with hydraulic, pneumatic and electronic systems and familiar with a large number of British, American and Russian vehicles from 1/4 ton to Tanks. used to running a team and self motivated. (ok with a paint brush as well) haha bugger! my perfect job!

Good luck with your search, its a cracking sounding job, I'm sure you will find someone soon.

Thought I'd post this in the Antar Gallery as its in the middle.

I'm happy to be moaned at for being boring and critical of people who put a lot of effort into going to shows, I know how much work and preparation goes into it. But an example I saw yesterday other people may have seen it or been stuck in it. Traveling to Poole M27 to A31 where it goes to duel carriage way from 3 lanes on the hill with the bend. I'm sure many people know it, There where 2 beautiful living wagons being pulled by 2 equally lovely single cylinder tractors on their way to the Dorset steam fair. All very nice but in my mind bloody dangerous at 11am on a week day. The double then 3 lane tail back was probably 3-4 miles, luckily for me i was traveling back to London! traveling at night would be even more dangerous, to my mind if you can't travel on minor roads where we are more used to get trapped behind slow tractors and you have to travel long distances on A or M roads and can't do at lease 30mph go on a transporter! its not just the slow moving vehicles drivers life at risk. I've heard all the "people are too impatient " comments but is there anybody on here who hasn't moaned about getting stuck in a mystery Que for 30 minis on the M25 when you have to be somewhere at a specific time? I await comments;)

over the years the museum was sent a number of forklifts the biggest been the Michigan 175 DS it was used for lots of jobs around the site moving railway track panels to pushing the snow off the car park its registration number was 01 EU 60

GREAT machines

I couldn't resist getting it, I think it will look good parked next to the 'Beast'

last time I bought a crazy big piece of Plant i put it under "I might be stupid but" this probably proves it! If anybody has any pics of these in service or any information that would be appreciated, I don't want to feel I'm alone in my padded cell!:nut:

New Toy

To put some context behind it, I live in the area and know the road well, it’s a very busy and fast-ish (by Somerset standards anyway) through route for the area. I’m guessing by the description it was a contracting firm who do most of the jobs locally around the area these days.

 

The local contracting firms are I have to say a pain in the backside, they employ young (cheap!) drivers who have no road sense and drive the largest tractors and trailers available at their top speed everywhere, usually passing cars in narrow lanes and through villages without slowing. These outfits are maximum width and about 20 tons all up with trailers loaded. The firms they work for run lean businesses with very small margins so they don’t stop for anybody, time is everything to them and they don’t pull over for anything. Additionally as there are no driver’s hour’s restrictions they work around 18 hours a day in busy seasons.

 

So 20 tons of very high and wide vehicles all driven by teenagers, working far too many hours, some of who haven’t passed their car test yet (you can drive from 16 yrs old) and all of whom appear always to be talking on their mobile phones holding them to their ears permanently. I had to wait at a junction last week for 5 tractors with trailers to pass me in convoy as I guess they moved onto their next job, 4 were talking on the phone and I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve had to follow one where the driver has not checked his mirrors once and has been talking on the phone for mile after mile.

 

The local police are usually reasonably good around here and I don’t doubt they would have warned the firm a couple of times before stopping them but I can easily see how they would get annoyed by one of these on a major through route for the area holding up 50 vehicles for 3 miles and then not seeing it was an issue.

 

I don’t think any of us would allow ourselves to get into that situation as for us pulling over once in a while if its needed is just common sense and we don’t have a boss screaming at us to keep moving.

Similar issue round our way, that have tipped over 3 trailers in the last year, one at a junction of a major duel carriage way.They drive like crazy!. I'm a farmer and it gives us a bad reputation.

Another tip. Don't have your hands through the steering spokes when the engine dies. Hard lesson.

yeah Never have your hand through any steering wheel spokes on anything if you can avoid it! learnt that lesson when i was about 10 years old on a MF 135.

Haha excellent. Tricky buggers when you are trying to steer them dead - ask Deb who normally draws the short straw - she was toning up her muscles last week as it happened as we were shifting a dead un. I told her it was cheaper than a gym membership.

 

Anyway what goes around comes around, because 12DM61, which was the one that originally was destined for Leconfield has now followed me home and is sitting in the yard. I must say it is looking a bit worse for wear - since I last saw it anyway. I don't suppose that anyone has an offside engine side panel do they? it is missing a variety of other bits too but I have not had chance to have a really good look - it arrived in a bit of a hurry and we have been on with loads of other stuff (not least the 3a).

 

When I get the two of them side by side I will post a pic or two.

 

Oh and for the record - there is no longer a Mk3 in Rush Green. When I enquired where it had gone I was met with an enigmatic smile. That said I think I know where it has gone, but it isn't for me to speculate!

Haha yes! when we moved our other Antar which had the broken steering valve round I tore the muscles in my neck, it took about 2 months to heal. Good training for diving Martians when you loose accumulator pressure!

Be nice to see a picture of the pair, I didn't get the opportunity to photo mine together when we had 2, due to the steering problem.

They are breeding!!!!It seems I now have two.

oh dear, you will find that happens as soon as your turn your back!