Roy Larkin at Historic Roadways has e-mailed Biglorryblog to say: "Nice Kenworth Gin Pole truck. Here's a couple of better Scammells from the mid-30's though! 'Gin Poles' were used to load either over the side or back. Think of an early Hiab. Best wishes Roy"
Now click through here for a close-up!
Thanks for that Roy---the Gin Pole arrangement reminds me of the kind of swing-out, jib-loading crane used on cargo ships. My only remaining question is where on earth did the name come from? Finally do check out Roy's wwebsite. It's well worth a visit.
i was half-expecting this truck to have fallen over in the click-through!
Thanks for the great illustration gents. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words...
I think the current type of gin trucks can only load from the back. There are some good photos in the Leader book but someone has borrowed my copy.
Not exactly the same thing. The Kenworth oilfield truck with gin poles is not a self-loader. The poles pivot on the tail end of the bed, and reach out behind the truck. This makes the oilfield (winch) truck a mobile crane with a non-extendable boom. The oilfield winch truck is the same thing, but without the gin poles.