Biglorryblog has long believed that there's many a true word spoken in jest. And as if to prove my point, regular BLB contributor Niels Jansen has sent me this picture and the following message: "Hello Brian, that model of a Bugatti concept logging truck you posted recently was not as daft as it looked. Enclosed is a very rare picture of a giant Butler Mark 5 logging truck in Western Canada. The idea is the same as Bugatti's, but using 4 axles and clearly a lot heavier! There's not much known about this monster or how many were built. Maybe there was just the one prototype."
Well it's certainly something I've not encountered so do any other BLB readers know anything about this? And click through here for more on the mighty Butler from Niels!
Niels continues: "The manufacturer was Butler Brothers of Victoria on Vancouver Island. It must have been in the late 50's or 60's. It was powered by a 1,000hp diesel engine and fitted with an Allison or Clark automatic power shift transmission. It could handle a 200-ton load with ease. Behind it was an 8-wheel steered trailer. The company designed on a dump train on the same chassis although I don't know if it was ever built. Look at the man on top of the load to see how big this rig really is! Hope this is of interest again to your 'spoiled' viewers...regards Niels."
Thanks Niels...and spoilt? Not a bit of it!
Comments (7)
Well done Niels. We were obviously thinking along exactly the same lines. As soon as I saw the little Bugatti I thought of the Butler Bros. rig.
The reason it was never developed according to King of the Pacific Northwest off-highway loggers Steve Drybrough was that on the hairpin bends the load used to throw the truck dangerously off balance. Was it an articulating frame Niels? That would explain the instability. In any case they were never put into production although apparently one is in preservation on the island. BTW I can only assume that Richard Stanier is on hols or we would have had a brochure by now.
Posted by Martin Phippard | January 31, 2008 1:42 PM
Posted on January 31, 2008 13:42
Hello...Regarding the Butler Bros mark-5. I remember it well..At the time I was driving a off road Hayes HDX log truck on the same road as the mark-5 ( We called it the roller skate ). The outfit I worked for was called Neil Contracting .Owned by Bill Neil (deceased)He had about 10 of thoese great Hayes Hdx..I also remember the roller skate broke down one day & blocked the mainline..The driver Ben said he didn't have enough power to make the grade he was on..After they got it out of the way they discovered that the front 12 cylinder GM diesel had broken a crank shaft & the rear engine ( the engines were aligned in series front to back) didn't have the power needed for the grade..The rear engine as you can emagine kept the front one turning & totally ruined it..Think of the cost! Also the driver had to keep the revs up to allow for proper stearing..Low revs put him in the weeds at the 2 mile call point..Take care... Stan
Posted by stan knowles | March 5, 2008 11:37 PM
Posted on March 5, 2008 23:37
Hello, I saw your comments re the Mark V built by Butler Bros back in the early 70's. I was the fabricator for that truck and spent two years building her at a cost of about $350,000.00. She was the only one and very successful in her duties. Sadly she was cut apart after about six years in service, I believe because of union issues....knocked out three trucks for her one. I have lots of pictures, the sales brochure and some 8mm film of her maiden haul......when she bent the frames on the weigh scales! May she rest in peace!
If you are interested,write to my e-mail above...thanks
Posted by Michael Jestico | May 15, 2008 6:28 PM
Posted on May 15, 2008 18:28
we have one of those trucks sitting in the back yard of our work site. no engine in it but the rest is still hanging out. big truck thats for sure must have been amasing to see it run.
Posted by Nick | July 30, 2008 2:27 AM
Posted on July 30, 2008 02:27
my father drove this truck at B.C.F.P. RENFREW DIVISION for a short while when the company tried the truck out. they called it the "SLUG"
Posted by mark | September 4, 2008 4:38 AM
Posted on September 4, 2008 04:38
I've seen few pictures of this truck. I understand there were two of them, the first being built in Saanich, the second by Madill in Nanaimo. I'm a model builder and have often thought of building a model of one of these. I've always thought they were long gone.
Nick, is there any chance of getting access to the remains of the one you speak of in your work yard for taking photos and dimensions? I'm assuming this is still on Vancouver Island, so am I.
Posted by Peter Locke | October 1, 2008 2:46 AM
Posted on October 1, 2008 02:46
I work with Nick in Powell River ,and we do have one of these old girls in our back yard .But its not much more than cab and framework and a whole lot of sentimental value left.We hauled out of goat lake for years with them {2} before parking them because unique vehicles are more of a challenge to keep running than off the shelf fat trucks.But they did everything the other trucks did and then some.
Posted by Elliot | October 13, 2008 4:37 AM
Posted on October 13, 2008 04:37