Jack Innes Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 10 ft long, 4 1/2 ft wide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nz2 Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 It does appear to be based on a Loyd carrier, converted to a farm tractor. The track gear does look similar. The Loyd Company made a number of these after the war, using parts available. Originally these had the Ford flat head V 8 engine and proved somewhat expensive to operate with a thirsty fuel need. Latter models used a Turner V4 diesel engine. Those in NZ have a more traditional style of body shape like that of most crawlers. Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Grundy Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 The red thing is not a Loyd Carrier and never was one.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rnixartillery Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Compared to most a very practical conversion of a Universal Carrier ! Rob.....................rnixartillery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pzkpfw-e Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Definately a Universal Carrier convertion. There's similar ones based on the T16. Strickland converted some for Australia. http://www.oldcmp.net/strickland_1.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nz2 Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 Looking at the title to this tread it refers to the size of this, at 10 foot long by 4 1/2 feet wide. That's a lot smaller than a Loyd carrier.(given as 13' 7" long x 6' 9 1/2 "wide) Then again the tractor versions were built as a tractor so any modification would be in the building of hulls of the required size. Shortening the width of the rear drive would be the major alteration. Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Innes Posted September 20, 2012 Author Share Posted September 20, 2012 Here are some more pictures. This was a MkI Universal Carrier. It has had 24" removed from the width & 32" removed from the length. The steering is controlled by 3 levers all connected mechanically to the original pieces. The outer levers work the brakes & the center lever works the track warping action. The shifter has been modified as you can see in the pictures. It seems to work but is trickey in sorting out the forward gears since it lacks the gate it once had. Other than the hitch, the 1/8" plate used for the engine cover & front shield & the levers, it is made up of entirely carrier parts. The machine has been stored, untouched, in a highway trailer for 30 + years & it has taken about 20 of those to buy it from its now 85 year old creator. I picked it up last Friday & with a distributor overhaul, carb. cleaning & total wiring replacement I was driving it on Sunday. The brakes are beginning to free up & will get better with use but as it is it is very impressive to drive. With so much weight removed it really is responsive to the throttle. It was originally built to use in a maple sugar bush to haul wood & the sap collecting equipment. In its original form, throwing tracks was common, in this form it never had track trouble & could negotiate the trails through the forest much easier. (Please note I am still looking for something much bigger & green.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fesm_ndt Posted September 20, 2012 Share Posted September 20, 2012 (Please note I am still looking for something much bigger & green.) So going to make a wider hull :-D:cool2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davidwood Posted September 20, 2012 Share Posted September 20, 2012 Just a suggestion could it be ex fire service, saw a picture a couple of years ago in a local newspapers weekly historical photo magazine that showed a similar set up being tested by Northumberland Fire Brigade in early 50s in a snow drift, idea was an off road rescue vehicle, suppose early idea of the scottrack and Supacat,based on a Bren carrier but with similar bodywork Cheers Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nz2 Posted September 20, 2012 Share Posted September 20, 2012 Thanks Jack for the additional information on this machines history.Is there a makers plate on it, giving any data? Looking through your photos it would appear to be a riveted hull originally. I assume it is a Canadian made Lloyd example. The use of rivets is interesting as those made here in New Zealand were of welded construction, and the riveted ones were of UK origin and built in particular by Thornycroft. Do you know what the construction nature of the Canadian carriers were? The use of the vehicle in harvesting maple syrup is in itself a great story line following on the latter use of military vehicles. So often a lost era as so many consider such items do not fit in with military history and others consider them not to fit into vintage machinery shows. A great machine and good to see your persistence has paid off in gaining ownership. Doug :nut: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Innes Posted September 20, 2012 Author Share Posted September 20, 2012 Doug, This was indeed built from a Canadian Ford Mk. I Universal Carrier. It was shop built & is the only one produced. The builder was in the gravel & crushed stone business all of his life & was very adept at welding & fabricating heavy machinery. As with all Canadian built carriers the hull was originally rivetted; the modifications were welded. I share the view that such machines deserve to be preserved to show the use made of some military equipment after WWII. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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