Mariusz Kościński, Biglorryblog's man in Poland who's just back from a trip to New Zealand during which he took some great shots of 'stem trucks'---those long beasts which carry complete trunks rather than sawn up logs---tells me: "Brian, hope you're not bored with stem trucks yet [as if I could be Mariusz?] because here's some more on the subject."
Marusz says: "I thought that front view of a stem truck, althought impressive, doesn't show it's real size. So here are some photos made more from a side of a truck and as well as some photos of the rear overhang of some of the loads..."And yes Biglorryblog is impressed by that overhang....just watch out for the cyclists when you're turning!
Or following cars Now wonder the roads take a bit of a hammering with these tips of the trunks bouncing up and down on them...sort of beats as it sweeps as it cleans...
Meanwhile Marisuz tells me: "I managed to get a ride in a Kenworth T904 tri-drive and even made some videos of it. Will let you know once I'll make a decent clip out of them..." Great stuf Mariusz a video clip of these beasts would be great on BLB. Now click through here to se just how LOOOOOOOOOOOONG these timber trucks are...
See what I mean....I think this is a little bit longer than 16.5m don't you think? I can't see any roadside or lamp-posts can you?
Or caravans or in fact any other road users for that matter...
And one for luck...note all these tractors are 6x3 "Tri-drives".....
They are 8x6 tri drives, I think.
Superb photos Mariusz! Good idea to take some shots from the rear end too. Those pictures really show off the ridiculous overhang! And I'm delighted you managed a ride in one of the stem trucks. I wouldn't want you to think I was having all the fun in the Pacific!
Yes, they are 8x6 wheeldrive. 6x4 trucks were used on stems before the tri-drives were introduced. Here and here you can see how an early stem trucks looked like. Novadays in different part of New Zealand J.B Logging uses 6x4 T904 Kenworths on stems but they're not as big as the ones working around Kaingaroa Timberlands...
Here and here you can see how looging there looked before the stem trucks...
Serious timber trucks these.I wonder who was the first manufacturer to build a tri drive truck? Atkinson did a 10 x 6 here in the early 70's but maybe they werent the first.
Hi guys that last pik of that stem truck belongs to R.F.H(Rotorua Forest Haulage)Its a T904 which was the 2nd 904 in the country it was double shifted by myself and my mentor Charlie hayward just a bit of trivia 4 you thanks excellent piks.
Jim, is Charlie Hayward a grey-haired, short guy with moustache and wearing glasses? If that's him send my regards to him. He gave me a ride in that Kenworth and explained a lot of things about off-highway logging in NZ. Top bloke...