ploughman

Our RE ADR Heavy Plant vehicles on a RAF Station in Germany used to be, fully serviced, If Petrol this was drained, Diesel was filled, the machine bagged up in a very big rubber bag, placed on axle stands, batteries removed, all sharp edges padded, bag sealed and dehumidifier switched on. These machines were often left untouched for up to 7 years and started again on replacing the batteries with no great difficulty.

Lower right. Do we have a nudist?

We used to use Saracens on RAF bases. During the 90's the main bases along the east coast from London to Inverness had TA Royal Engineer ADR Squadrons attached to them. (ADR - Airfield Damage Repair) These units were paid for by the RAF but remained as Army personnel and equipment. We had, as part of their vehicle allocation, Armoured recce vehicles in many cases Saracens but later replaced by Sultans I think. The distinguishing feature of these Saracens etc was the removal of the top hatch with an armoured perspex cupola. This earned them the nickname of Popemobiles. The cupola was required for post air attack airfield survey enabling the Recce officer to survey the airfield for bomb craters or scabs while remaining buttoned up against anything nasty. An example of what he would be looking for can be seen on Google Earth at RAF North Luffenham in Rutland just to the South East of Rutland Water, take a close look at the main runway. One disadvantage of the modification was the removal of an escape route meaning you only had the back door to get out of if the front sustained damage. The rest of us in our Diggers, Tippers and Graders etc, did not get any such modifications to our vehicles.

I assume that the previous owner was actually a "House Mover" in that they actually physically moved buildings? A fair bit of power, load capacity and ability to take some abuse would be essential in that game.

Thanks again for replies. Photos taken prior to starting attempts as evidenced by lack of Radiator and disconnected hoses. New stop cable has been installed but will forward comments to Rod.

The engine is mounted about 6ft in the air behind the LH Ladder At the rear of the crane upperworks This is the offending lump. As to prewarming the engine to get it started by lighting a fire. No need for that at all. If you check out the inside wall of the shed it is lined with spray foam that cost us £25K In winter fairly warm and toasty even with the main doors open. In summer its a sauna especially when working on top of the crane.

Thanks for all the replies. Rod who is trying to get the thing started after I gave him the challenge, is fairly experienced in the Tractor / Farm equipment world and I am sure he has done all the obvious things. I am just trying to assist with some thought provoking suggestions that may be obvious when you remember them. Fuel has been drained, Tank cleaned out, Fuel lines blown through, Air filters renewed. When he returns from holiday the Fuel pump and Injectors will be off and sent for service / overhaul.

I know it comes as second nature to most on here but I just want to check that we not missing something. We have a Diesel engined (Ford) Coles crane that we are trying to get back into operation after about 4 years laid up inside a shed. The engine refuses to start after numerous attempts and checking through the fuel and air systems. Does anyone have an idiot proof checklist they could post up? The crane was driven into the shed and shut down and no engine work over the last 4 years.

Big Meccano set

Still available.

Still available.

Good looking job there. When is it going to get dirty, moving muck as it should? Was the precis any use?

Or rather not spotted today. Fri 26th around midday something big, with multi engines flew over Pickering at a low altitude. Not a Hercules and not a jet. I was at the wrong end of a 45m shed to be able to get out and see it. It was going either East - West or West - East. Any ideas?

Some start without the wheels. Especially after use as a henhut. Looks like you had a good couple of days though.

Is it the built in BBQ?

So I take it all remnants of the Chattenden and Upnor light railway have also disappeared? Last time I was at Lodge Hill in the 80s some tracks were still visible in the ground. As to the training areas I remember taking Graders and Buckets down the lane past the Pub at Upnor to get to the field. Last time I was there was in 1986 for Project Star when a lot of reservists were recalled for training updates. In other words a weeks piss up.

Nice to see photos of other bits of Green Kit.

If it is of interest, I have a copy of a precis for the V/ Onions Scraper 4/6. Issued by the Plant Roads and Airfields school at RSME Chattenden around 1978. Runs to 7 page A4. I may be able to scan and mail if you want.

1 x 81mm shell box for sale. Offers.

2 x Fire pump trailer generators for sale. Ex Rowntree Fire brigade in York. 240v and 115v outlets (but by 3 pin standard socket may not be original fitting) Offers.

Is a D4 big enough? I also spent many hours sat on a D6 at the Ponderosa towing one round the field. Any idea what Cube size it is? I think that there were 2 sizes in service 8 Cu yds was one but cannot remember if the other was bigger or smaller.

When we put our heavy plant through the RAF Bruggen paint bay for IRR painting, we stripped off all the old paint with Nitromors. That included the Dozers, Tippers and Michigan Bucket loaders. I hate to think how many barrels of the stuff we went through.

Found this link elsewhere. Seems that Landies just like to curl up and die in out of the way places. http://www.overland.co.za/Land_Rover/Death_Row/

Turning it around. What do the French or American vehicle hirers do when they come here? Do they need a code?

Wonder if it's Airportable? As a complete rig that is.