BigLorryBlog

Biglorryblog has a new recruit to his beloved anorak army. So welcome to Jerry Burley, MD of BMS Minerals in Uganda. jeyy has e-mailed me these pictures and to say: "Unless you have at least 18 months to spare and a fairly long fuse before 'internal sense of humour detonation' occurs, don't attempt to buy two new cranes from the US and transport them to Uganda's new oilfields, near the border with the Congo in Central Africa. Trust me, I have the well-worn T-shirt............

Not only is there now a two-year global wait on quality crane supply from time of order to time of delivery, add to that two months on the deck of a ship and a month of inland travel along some of the worlds least desirable roads and rift valley descents before you (hopefully) get your new toys into theatre. And every metre travelled seems to cause grief!

Jerry continues: "These shots show us preparing to unload the first unit off a Daf 95 Cat 3 heavy haulage unit, pulling a very tired Nicolas six-row break neck ballast trailer. The ERF single drive with assist axle seen behind is carrying the luffing jib, the counter weight and the spare wheel."

Next, says Jerry, "Some shy and retiring gentlemen supervise preparation of the ex-US Marine Corps Oshkosh M911 and M747 Abrams tank recovery unit in Kampala, ready to meet its new bed partner, the R890E, on its arrival. More of these excellent extreme haulage units are on order from the US. Whilst the horse is invariably, and the trailer always, too big for civvy use in the real world, in the depths of Africa the strength, simplicity and capability of these units is beyond value. The over-width doesn't seem to cause too much offence either!" OK Jerry which one of those fine fellows is you then?

Meanwhile, Jerry goes on to say: "This second M747 trailer is prepared for painting and other works ready to meet the civilian Cat 3 Scania 520 heavy haul unit ready to carry the second crane around - the fifth wheel had to be raised 10" over standard position via a heavy steel chassis extension to keep the 747 trailer bed level."

"After sharing a private moment, the Oshkosh and crane finally consume their marriage near Lake Albert in western Uganda! The mountains you can see behind are the Blue Mountains, across the lake in war-torn Eastern Congo (formerly Zaire under the 'avuncular' control of then President Mobutu).

Jerry continues: "Here's another shot of the 890 on the Nicolas after 1000kms and 23 exhausting and drama-filled days of haul from Mombasa, here arriving in the capital Kampala. No less then nine separate breakdowns, mostly tyres, climbs of up to 10,000 feet in the Eldoret highlands and through central Kenya and the backwash from the recent civil unrest in Kenya (the unit had heavily armed guards accompanying it the whole way) conspired to make for slow progress. And its still not at the final destination!" Note the old SK Powerliner Merc in the background too says BLB.

"This shot shows  the second RT arriving in Kampala," says jerry, adding, "On a home made quad-axle semi-low bed with interlink, pulled by an ancient Mack double-drive Pictured below). Still 250kms to go before unloading." And for more of this fascinating journey (and pictures) click through here now!