Deuceman Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 Did anyone else set eyes on this tidy looking civi GMC at the GDSF? Nice to see it as I know that many of the GMC's that stayed in the UK post war ended up on lime spreading duties and I think that probably did for many of them. If anyone knows of the vehicle I'd be interested to know if it is a retro fit restoration or an original post war lime spreader that has been restored? As it was painted up in the colours of a Blandford Company I presume it was probably local? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyFowler Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 (edited) The programme says its a locally based vehicle which saw use as a lime spreader post war ! The owner is listed as its signwritten ! :-D Their address and phone number are on here ! http://www.1stdirectory.com/Companies/97673_N_D_Young_Transport.htm Edited September 5, 2008 by AndyFowler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.O.S. Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 If you can find it Deuceman, there was a thread featuring post war jimmy uses, I put up a catalogue picture from the manufacturer of the spreader - Kenwall of South Wales. It would not surprise me if this truck still spreads for a living - I too would appreciate any info. There certainly was another in Wiltshire which was in use very recently (again, I think someone posted a pic of this somewhere). I'm certain this would be a post war conversion as opposed to a recent builds restoration. I went looking for one which was ofered to me in Norfolk 20 years ago (to use!!!) - apparently it went to the Bristol area and was supposed to have been turned back to wartime spec. Jeepers it was bad - chassis cracked and patched up everywhere, not to mention corrsion from spreading salt fertiliser. Immediately post war a GMC chassis cab with zero miles and frosted block could be had for £150. Not surprising they were popular for lime spreading. I had an old Kenwall body (finally used as a gravel feed hopper) until 2 years ago, had thoughts of making one up but that's as far as it went. Some operators put Chev diffs in (faster and stronger) - weak points were clutch, gearbox/transfer box prop and rear bogie trunion bar. Oh dear, you're yawning already.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 Neil I know this truck. It has quite a history and was based at Shillingstone, - not far from me. It worked out of the lime kilns and was given to Youngs on the condition that it was left as a lime spreader as it had always been. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.O.S. Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 Neil I know this truck. It has quite a history and was based at Shillingstone, - not far from me. It worked out of the lime kilns and was given to Youngs on the condition that it was left as a lime spreader as it had always been. Jack - ITIR that Shillingstone quarry was sold about 6 years ago, the new owners inherited several ex MVs in the quarry including one or more Bedford QL spreaders. Ring any bells? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snapper Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 Oh dear, you're yawning already.... Rubbish. It's bloody brilliant. More please.:-D Deuceman. I'd love a copy of that snap for the HMVF book project.:yay: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 Jack - ITIR that Shillingstone quarry was sold about 6 years ago, the new owners inherited several ex MVs in the quarry including one or more Bedford QL spreaders. Ring any bells? Spot on Tony and the GMC came from there. I bought a load of billhooks once from an auction and in the botom of box was sign from Shillingstone quary that most of been pre war - I had it framed and gave it to my father for Christmas as the folks lived at Shillingstone. I seem to remember that the GMC was hut away in a narn and left until it was given to the Youngs - a fine move in my view. Tony - the Youngs are very nice people and I can make the introduction if you so wish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.O.S. Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 the Youngs are very nice people and I can make the introduction if you so wish. Brilliant - will be in touch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enigma Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 After the war the Netherlands was looted. To get the rebuilding done contracters got GMC's. A brickworks which used to be 1/2 mile from where I live used them also. Some transport companys restored GMC's recently to civvy specs and colors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
les freathy Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Local Kent tanker operator Alan Lock ran back in the early 1950s a lime spreading business titled Carbolim and operated a GMC 6x6 seen here with the standard cargo body and spreader mounted on the back and later changed to a custom built design body Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
les freathy Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 They even rigged up a Studebaker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.O.S. Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Thanks for those pictures, Les! First evidence of a soft cab on spreading duty. Note the mandatory tow chain, a feature of most if not all gmc spreaders!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 I've seen MK used as spreaders, does anyone know if any TMs have been used? There was also a MK spray unit at one time up around Doncaster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.O.S. Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 anyone know if any TMs have been used? They came out too late, Tony. Truck spreaders had pretty much all finished by then I would think. Too heavy for that job anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Suppose so, a lot of firms now use 'Agricultural' tractors to tow machinery low loaders about, gets round the HGV rules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Degsy Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 They came out too late, Tony. Truck spreaders had pretty much all finished by then I would think. Too heavy for that job anyway. And totally useless off road,unlike all previous Bedfords. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.O.S. Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 They even rigged up a Studebaker Note that she is a 6x4, not so good in the sticky stuff. Pretty sure all 6x6 went to Australia??? And maybe Iran? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 And totally useless off road,unlike all previous Bedfords. Still have a soft spot for the old Bedfords. Especially the TK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.O.S. Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 And totally useless off road,unlike all previous Bedfords. Yes, but I did think of sticking wide x 24" Michelin XM27s on one, now that might have been ok, axles were tough enough to take them. But so much weight on front axle.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Degsy Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Suppose so, a lot of firms now use 'Agricultural' tractors to tow machinery low loaders about, gets round the HGV rules. This has been tightened up on,strictly speaking you need an operators licence, run on white diesel etc. etc.it also brings you into C&U Regs. A lot of people have been stopped, rather than prosecutions they had visits to their premises and the gypsys warning. We have looked into this very closely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 Thanks Degsey, it is a complete mickey take of the agricultural rules. Trouble is things are so complex now whatever you do right by one set of rules, your wrong by another. :confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.O.S. Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 Might as well group these in here (the crash pic was lost in the crash :-D) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stavros Posted December 14, 2023 Share Posted December 14, 2023 On 9/12/2008 at 9:15 PM, Degsy said: And totally useless off road,unlike all previous Bedfords. Disagree with your comment Degsy, the QL, RL, and the M-type Bedfords were very much up to the job back in the day. Mind not much competition around at the time apart from the odd Thames trader with a Boughton 4-wheel drive conversion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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