August 2009 Archives

Last one for tonight guys. My back's killing me, Mrs BLB is in bed with flu (not swine variety although the Doctor said: 'Of course it could be glandular fever... Err thanks for that Doc) Anyway I clearly missed the recent Brockway reunion bash in Cortland New York, one time birthplace of all Brockways. But thankfully Martin Phippard's mate, owner-driver Doug McKenzie out of Midland Toronto CANADA (Martin will have his little joke with BLB - jeez one mistake and I live with it the rest of my life!) didn't - and I'm grateful to both of them for setting this up... (And for Martin's usual in-depth knowledge and explanation of the brand) I only knew it ended up at one time with Mack - which explains the use of the Mack cab I guess. Anyroadup sit back and enjoy the renuion...

Meanwhile Martin adds: "There will be 'pies a'plenty' for those correctly identifying model numbers, 'though that ain't easy with Brockway in my opinion." Well have ago with this one anyway.

Obviously plenty of TLC around to keep these old timers looking immaculate. Now click through here for a shed-load more!

Dizzy-T has sent me this delightful shot of his Daf LF (and the equally delightful blonde on the side) and says: "I've just joined Bigkorryblog and am sending you this photo of my present truck. It's a mobile display unit fitted out with Novellini's shower screens, steam unit and a wet floor system. Unfortunatley it's being stripped out at the end of September as we only had it for 3 years. So far I have done just over 65.000 miles, and have driven to North Eastern Italy (our head office) via the Monte Blanc Tunnel & returning home along the Med and then straight up through France to Dunkirk, I have also been to Northern Ireland, Inverness, and Northern Scotland and most of the rest of England and Wales. It's an 06-reg Daf LF, with a 24ft body plus a day/sleeper cab.The sides aren't painted but are covered with sticky-backed vinyl." And if you want to know what's on the other side of Dizzy-T's truck click through here...

"You live and you learn!" so says Martin Phippard who adds. "For example I had no idea that gas and/or oil exploration took place in the Eastern regions of the USA. Yet here we have Energy Contractors LLC serving 'the North Eastern USA and the Appalachian Basin' with their rather tasty KW, Peterbilts and Navistars. Apparently the company has depots in West Virginia, Tennessee and Pennsylvania and while the trucks aren't quite as big or as heavy-duty as their Western counterparts, they are pretty impressive nonetheless. So thanks to Matthew Burns and www.energycontractorsllc.com for the pictures. Regards, Martin."

Impressive indeed---but why do they always go for big bonneted rigids with enormous wheelbases? What's the history behind the 8x4 oil-field truck I wonder.? And while youre figuring that out click through here for more of Energy Contractors immaculate big rigs! 

Alex Vincent is back on Biglorryboog and says: "Hi Brian,these photos are from the weekend's trip with Hamish Bruce, Bob & Alan Mehrtens. We went to the annual Special Rigs for Special Kids event in Dunedin. Cheers Alex." And where DO you keep finding these 400 Series Seddon Atkinsons Alex?!  Clearly the 'Standard Vanguard' of the trucking world down-under...!

Filling up the Leyland at Alama....

Chinese six anyone? Mike Houghton's cracking Leyland Beaver--and click through here for loads more from Alex!

Mike Davies from Waterlooville has sent me this photo and says: "Whilst the Oz theme and Rotinoff story rumble on,and a great story it is to, On a visit to Alice some time ago I saw the Rotinoffs prior to renovation. During their era Brit trucks ruled the roost in Oz,you could say Oz was built by British trucks but like so many other things we took our eye off the ball and were overtaken by better products from elsewhere.While down memory lane the Rotinoffs where parked next to a Foden fitted with a Gardner 8-cylinder engine and during it's day was considered to be purpose built for Oz (see photo). Does anyone know what has happened to that? Mike." So can any of Biglorryblog's beloved Aussie anoraks oblige us?

Hello it's 'rush-hour' down amongst the roadtrains! 'Dozerman' RayJay has sent me these shots and says: "G'day old buddie, Finally got all the stuff to mesh and ship you over some pics to back up my 'diggin Oz outta debt' phrase! Note the mix of tractors are mostly C Kenworth and out of a fleet of 32 two Macks ISC Cummin @650 hp and 18-speed Roadrangers into Susu planet tri rears, The trailer's are mostly Smith side tippers four-axle note the ten foot stance on the trailers."

"The Cat 922c is topping out a Mack before setting off to a 24 km flat ish haul to the train loader, tare around 150-tonnes as a triple and gross 350-ttonnes which gives the whole deal a good work out even on the empty retrun trip. Seven trips make a full day for these fella's top speed around 85km/h..."

Sil van Wanrooij (or as we know him on Biglorryblog 'Silvester from Holland'!) has kindly sent me this most unusual shot of an FTF tractor and he explains: "Hello Brian, this is one of four phtotos of this FTF on the wesite of  www.janvanwees.nl  Jan is a former Mammoet/Van Seumeren employee, with his own museum and an enormous site about special transport." And BLB definitely recommands you visits Jan's site it's really well put together and you can see more of this FTF for a start! Now click through here to find out all about it and how Jan drove it....

RayJay--aka 'The Dozerman' has kindly sent in a pie quiz for us and says: "From deepest darkest Drongo county the ozzie pie Quiz .. so amongst all this treasure what are the gruesome twosome??? Clue one is Mother's birthday pressie yeea gads and the other is rust shaped like scrap."

"And in the far off Great scott an Atki no less framed by the raised boom of a long since dead MF 300"  Now that's what I call a yard RayJay....

 
"Hello," says Kenny Blair from Truck Plant Services in Paisley. "I have been looking at the blog regarding Unipower S24 in 'Ghosts of  Scottish Truckfest' and have attached two photos of one of the Unipowers mentioned by Bob Tuck.The pictures were taken in March 2009  Both Unipowers are currently owned by ourselves at Paisley. Cheers Kenny." Thanks for the photos KB and long may they run!  

I am sure many BLB readers will be delighted to know where they are and what they're doing...

Ryan Casey has very kindly alerted me to some terrific YouTube videos on Cadzow Heavy Haulage including this one that features some Golden Oldie pictures--and for an (aviation) pie what's the plane that's beeing carried by one of the Cadzow trucks? Now click through here for one more...

Picture by Pat DeMoss

It seems we've finally nailed this one down as Gill confirms its an M426 International Harvester and has forwarded this shot by Pat DeMoss to me. I trust Pat won't mind us using his photo  to prove the point. "Brian," says Gil, my additional searches revealed that this tractor was manufactured no later than 1945. I served in 1950-1951-1952. Gil." And Biglorryblog's thanks to all who answered the call tom identify Gil's mystery truck -- if you said IH you were right!

"G'day Brian," says AtkiPete Lynch in that chirpy devil-may-care down-under way he has. "A mixed bag here, Scania cabover and superdog is the easy way to move the dirt. And there's a gumboot Scania for good measure too."

Ahhh...but click through here for a CRACKING cabover Kennie and the lorry Vic learned to drive on...probably

Following yesterday's post on truck stamps Martin P's mate Pete Connock has kindly supplied these Canadian examples from the early 1990s to Biglorryblog---I'm no philatelist but when they put the complete set togrther on a special envelope isn't this what they call a 'first-day cover?

Either way Martin says: "Brian, you' recognise the White Streamliner in Labatt's livery and the Hayes logger is the well known Hayes HDX sold to McMillan Bloedel in 1975. It was the last Hayes logger to be built and has been driven ever since by our good friend Steve Drybrough on Vancouver Island." And thanks to Pete for thinking of BLB--all contributions gratefully received! And why hasn't the Royal Mail isued any truck stamps..or has it? Click through for one more...

"Good Morning Brian" says 'The Keeper of the Flame' Martin Phippard who has kindly sent this stuff to me (again) after I carelessly deleted it first time around..DOH! Anyroadup he adds: "It's been a while since we've seen any oilfield trucks so I thought that BLB readers might like to see these outfits operated by Yemen Truck Oil, a member of the Arabian Group of Companies. Apparently they include in their fleet vehicles from the stables of MAN, Merc, Kenworth and MOL. Have a nice day! Martin."

Certainly a funny looking one which I take to be the MOL. Now click through here for one more...

And here,relaxing in the shade is something of a rare bear...Dozerman in Oz has sent it to me and says: "Here's one of new buddie Gary's resin-cabbed FR700 ST Mack getting the love and attention." Resin-cabbed? That's a new one on Biglorryblog, anyway dozerman continues: "It's quite a collectable dog with an early Resin cab (note the ears top of cab and resin doors)."

"Started life' 73, I think as a 237 six-speed light-weight. Now, as the astute will note, housing a Maxidyne 285 coolie@ 320hp and 10-direct single rail ..nice old dog complete and nice long legs... The last driver was a 70 year-old lady when her son got too sick to run it pulling dunnder tanks and could be it will cop a pressure tanker real soon ..fingers crossed..Good luck with your dog Gary. " Great stuff DM and who can tell me a bit more about resin cab bulldogs? Was it just an Aussie spec or US as well? Now click through here for DM's own restoration project--one for AtkiPete!

Road Rat in Canada has answered the call from Biglorryblog and with pcitures of what used to be thre World's Biggest Dump Truck - the mighty Terex Titan. Anyway he says "Hi Brian, just saw the Stobart photo and thought 'Damm, that photographer must be good!' Yes, I'm still here, but in a very hot 115 in Lodi, California."

"Here are some pictures of a 'small' tipper which I believe used to work the local mine in Sparwood, British Columbia before being presented to the nearby town. Oh, and before I forget. The website www.road-rat.co.uk will cease as of 13 September, as I cannot transfer it to a .CA until I have permanent residency status, and I can't afford to keep it running!

Keith. And here's my new e-mail address revellclan@shaw.ca." Now click through here to read all about the monster mover... And more pictures.

If you've been reading today's posts you'll have probably noticed that once again Biglorryblog has drifted off into that evolutionary backwater known as gas turbine trucks and that today I discovered a new one---the GMC Astro Turbine Truck---but couldn't find pictures. Well thanks to the non-official GMT trucks website run by GMTman I've found these---which look to be publicity/PR/engineering shots from the 1970s featuring at least one GMC Astro Turbine truck (I don't know if there were more than one). Does anyone know anything about these guys or the truck they're standing in front of?

I'm assuming this is a line-up of engineering vehicles (the gas turbine is second from the left) but again if anyone knows anything about the truck and/or photoshoot above I'm all ears. And on that subject, according to the bottom of GMTman's website "all scanned or reproduced graphics or material contained on the (unofficial) GMT Blog are taken from publicly available sources provdied by GM to promote their trucks. They are offered on the GMT Blog gratis to all users." So I guess that includes BLB and thanks to GMTman for such a generous approach to sharing material.

And as if to prove it here's the badge--although the enormous exhaust is also a bit of a give-away too! Anyroadup having started the ball rolling on gas trubine trucks why stop now?

Here's an early publicity picture of Ford's 'Big Red' 600hp gas turbine experimental truck and trailer combination whcih was used in Coast-to-Coast trials from 1964.

Meanwhile here's an ad for the fantastic Chevrolet Turbo Titan III from the wonderful http://www.adclassix.com/ site too... A rare colour shot from 1966 Now click through here for yet more turbine tusslers...and if you know of any more gas turbine trucks let me know!

I've been trying to find some pictures of GMC's Astro Gas Turbine truck but so far haven't managed to find any. However, trolling through the excellent 'GM Next' history website on http://wiki.gmnext.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page I stumbled on this great shot of a 1960 GMC Model DF7000 Tractor (the image is courtesy of D.E. Meyer) otherwise known as the Crackerbox---and I seem to recall posting a story on a Canadian Crackerbox via Martin Phippard a short while ago.Ring any bells?

Meanwhile. here's what I assume is a 'normal' GMC Astro (the picture is courtesy of the GM archive) and is a 1969 DH9500 model. However, the only thing I can find out about the gas turbine version on the GMNext wiwki is that between 1970 -1975 "GMC tested Detroit Diesel gas turbine engines in Astros but did not release them for production because initial and fuel costs were higher than for diesel engines." And that's as far as I've got. However, I did find some shots on this website  http://gmtblog.blogspot.com/2006/10/how-to-build-astro-95-gas-turbine.html  which is from an enthusiast and as far as I can tell is actually about how to build a model kit of one. It seems AMT made one...but I'll see if I can borrow the shots from his site. In the meantime, if anyone has any shots of the gas turbine Astro please send to me at biglorryblog@googlemail.com as usual I'm happy to credit the owner/photographer..Now click through here for one more classic Jimmy...  

Dafs...big mixers..bicycles? It coud only be one place. "Greetings from The Netherlands Biglorryblog" says Henk Jan Aukema (most people call me HJ)  "...and you may have to sometimes excuse my terrible English." Well you're doing fine so far HJ!

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HJ continues: "I've been a truck driver for about 8-9 years now, but for the last 4 I've also been taking photos of trucks---not just of my own but others too. Even though I've had a new truck for a couple of weeks now the most interesting one I have photo of is my last truck--pictured above. It's a DAF CF75 which first hit the road in February 2002. Nothing unusual there I hear you say but according to a few of the mechanics at the DAF dealer this was a test-prototype truck from the factory in Eindhoven."...now click through here to find out more from HJ...

I owe Rufus in Oz an apology as I've been sitting on this for a while. Anyway he tells me: "Hi Brian, here's a pic off the restored Rotinoff at the museum in Alice, taken last month.And it's displayed with one of its original Freighter self tracking trailers."
 
Rufo continues: "Also just arrived at the museum in July is the chassis/cab of one of the locally famous Shell [Aussie Atki] roadtrains from 1969-78. It's powered by a Cummins NTC335 with an unusual twin compressor set up, RTO1213 Roadranger box and still has its original Kirkstall Omega diffs geared to 6.59:1 which gave a top speed around 40mph! " Now click through here to read all about it--and what it looked like when it was running...

Hardly a day passes without someone posting a comment on Biglorryblog "Can you please send me a list iof Eddie Stobart truck names?" or "How can I get the name of my daughter, grandmother, pet aardvark (female of course) on the front of an Eddie Stobart truck?" With great patience I reply: "Sorry I do not have a list of ES truck names. The only way to get it is to join the Eddie Stobart fan club at http://www.clubstobart.co.uk/ "

So if you don't know by now please enjoy BLB but go direct to Club Stobart to get all your questions answered...do we have a deal? Meanwhile click through here for a really old Stobbie.... 

As you'd expect from 'The Boss' nothing stops his beloved Maggie from delivering the goods---and he's been through dungeon, fire and sword recently to bring us this story on Biglorryblog..."Blog Meister," he says, "Greetings to all. Money's a bit tight this weekend but never mind. Why not join me on a journey to Athens and see the sights? Well that's a lie,the damned place was in the process of burning to the ground,and stop sending me texts telling me the Greek police are looking for a British lorry driver who flicks fag butts out the window...it wasn't me! But not a totally wasted journey,battling through the smoke and flames like myself was this Greek Longline wearing Bulgarian plates and I followed him into Athens." Now click through ere for the full 50 cent tour with the old curmudgeon...

Now that's what I call 'posting' a real message. Biglorryblog learns that in marking its bicentenary, the Australian postal service has issued no less than 10 stamps (all designed by Lynette Traynor of the Australia Post Design Studio) which show how the postal service downunder has changed in the last 200 years. And guess what? There's even one with one of Australia Post's B-Bouble on it. You know, it strikes me that Volvos have featured on more than one stamp----this one was issued in Hong Kong.

 
Now click through here to read more about Australia Post and how to get hold of one of those cracking Volvo stamps.....

I thought it was a while since we featured anything on the mighty Mercedes Zetros, the 4x4 and 6x6 truck launched at last year's IAA Hanover Show (was it really that long ago?) Anyway I found these pictures of the 6x6 in action. and as if to remind my Biglorryblog faithful the Zetros is based primarily on the standard production four-wheel drive Axor/Actros series (specially modified for off-road use, of course) but with it's own bonneted and normal control layout. I've a feeling that it's powered by Merc's 7-litre 330hp straight-six engine....

According to Merc..."The Zetros is designed to meet the most demanding of missions, whether it be disaster relief or military and peace-keeping operations.  It's available in both a three-axle version (Zetros 2733 A 6x6) and a two-axle version (Zetros 1833 A 4x4) depending on your needs, with the first offering a payloads from 7 to 10 tons and the second two-axle model offering payloads of 4 to 6 tons." Now click through here for more...

Well 'almost' the last one for today because it's time I reminded Biglorryblog readers of the great websites for followers of Pacific and Hayes trucks run by Scott McKenzie and you can fidn them by clicking on these links http://www.pacifictruckclub.org/   Scott has regular truck of the month pictures for both marques as well as a great collection of shots featuring his own photographs (like the one above) as well as many Pacific and Hayes enthusiasts..well worth a visit. And here's the Hayes site link www.hayestruckclub.org  

Last one for tonight and it's for all those Kenworth T470 operators who've been looking for a bit more, how shall I say ity Ooomph in their mixer or dumper. Well the good news is that you can now get a T470 the its 9-litre Cummins ISL engine rated at 365hp and 1,250 lbft of torque. Up until now the highest rating on the T470's ISL six-pot was 'just' 345hp and 1,150 lb-ft of torque. So now you'll not be left behind at the lights when it's time to get a move on and to remind you the T470 is ideal for snowplow, dump, mixer, winch, refuse, and other heavy front-axle vocational and municipal applications. And as Biglorryblog regulars will already know it's now also available with an extended day cab...talk about spoiling you.

Hello...what's going on here then? Sil van Wanrooij has kindly sent me these images showing as rather neat peice of reversing of a extra-long low loader in Holland. Sil says they taken by Marjan Varekamp ("Who took them on my request") so credits all round from Biglorryblog...

Sil explains: "The truck was 5-axle Volvo tractor with a 4-axle low loader carrying a 60-tonne screw piling machine. The problem was that he had to back down a  2-line dike to a typical Dutch farmhouse. When you watch this in reality you see what a magnificent machine this combination really is!" Biglorryblog is not about argue...and click through here for more...

"Greetings Brian," says Gyles Carpenter."Following the Syd Bishop theme of the moment, here is Syd's Diamond T wrecker, laid up in their yard for 15 years, until recently bought by Tony Graves - the first time with sun on her back for a while.Regards Gyles." I love ther legend on the door... 'Heavy WRECKING division' Never mind 'wtach it come down' this would PULL it down! Thanks Gyles.

John Henderson, Biglorryblog's 'Man North 'o' the Border' is stuggling with a broken modem at present! However, he's managed to get this through to me and says: "Saw you mention Syd Bishop and it reminded me of an article in an old Foden news and herte's a scan of the front cover, I hope you can do something with it.  I'll follow up on that issue's  'Watch it come down' magazine article when I'm back on line proper.Cheers, John." Well this is a good start JH...I reckon the Syd Bishop thread will run for a bit longer!

Here's something that should keep Martin Phippard happy! Regular Biglorryblog readers may recall my blog on the 90-tonne 'One More Pile' twin-trailer concept logging truck being trialled by the Swedish Timber industry. local timber haulers and Volvo to name but three participants in the project. Well thanks to regular BLB follower Bert De Vuyst I can add a bit more to the story. Photos are by Anna Franck/Skogforsk by the way.

"The One More Pile" concept is a way of reducing CO2 emissions for every stack of timber carried - naturally the more you can get on one truck the lower the emissions-per-tonne carried. However,the Swedish timber industry body is trialling a variety of different configurations including these two which premiered recently at the Mittia Fair. The outfits included in the project can carry between 17-30% more timber than a conventional 24m long Swedish timber truck, based on a 6x4 rigid, pulling a two-axle converter dolly attached to a tandem axle trailer. That adds up to 60-tonnes gross weight and a 40-tonne payload. However, as you can see from Anna's photo the first outfit has an 8x4 prime mover, again with a converter dolly and what looks like a tri-axle trailer behind it (those two blokes are in the way!). This has a 47-tonne payload and is used to collect the timber from the forest (note the crane) and take it to the transfer point. The rig above is what I'd call a B-Double (or B-Train if you must!) and will be used to carry 52-tonnes of timber from the transfer point to other industrial sites. Both have a gross weight of 74 tonnes. Now click through here to see the grand-daddy of them all!

"Home Sweet Home" reads the caption to this series of pictures kindly sent to Biglorryblog by Dennis Child, general manager at ROTRAN Multi-Axle - those specialist heavy haulage funsters in South Africa. And from the shots and the caption supplied I am assuming Dennis has a new toy to add to his already impressive box! Fabulous Western Star 8x6!

Certainly looks the business but then Dennis never does things by half measure. Now click through here for more...

Once again Biglorryblog is deeply indebted to Brian 'Mr Foden' Lomas who, having seen my comments on Syd Bishop Demolition (who was a big Foden operator and whose trucks sported the legend 'Watch it come down!') has leapt into action and sent me some shots of Syd's finest. Brian adds: "Syd would be proud of you!" Well it's all down to your photo archives Brian! Now click through here for one more...

Bad news time guys... The fat lady hasn't even cleared her throat. Yes the worldwide recession in truck sales is still being keenly felt not least by manufacturers. Volvo has just announced that deliveries in July were on a continued low level and the total deliveries were down by 65% compared with the year-earlier period. What's more the deliveries to the company's European markets fell by 72% while in North America they were down by 65%. And don't let anyone tell you it's any better for the rest... Now click through here for the full picture for Volvo. NB these figures are for Volvo only and not the total Volvo Group which obviously includes Renault and Mack, Nissan Diesel and Eicher its Indian operation. For the entire group deliveries fell by 54%. Not much better...

And you thought Charlie Russell's Scania was a cracker...? Well just take a look at this beauty too. I am grateful to Fred Everiss for sending me these shots of a cracking restoration. Fred says: "Hi Biglorryblog, please find some details of my Scania LB111 4x2 Dutch spec AIR SUSPENSION (oh yes she's on AIR) direct from the factory and Scania say its one of the first..."

Fred continues: "Scania fitted it to the last 1 Series to trial it before fitting to the 2 Series, so the last 1 had it and the first 2 Series didn't. As you can see from the first owner [see overr] he needed it, I am the 3rd owner."

Now click through here for more and the complete history of this magnificent motor...

Blimey - get out the way of this baby... There's no mistaking what this does! It rather reminds me of the Fodens that used to run with London-based deomlition contractor and tipper operator Syd Bishop whose trucks had the following legend' acros the front: Watch it come down' with Syd Bishop!' Ahhh happy days. But Biglorrybog digresses. I'm actually here to tell you that this picture accompanies the news from young James Keeler that Scottish demolition specialist Reigart Contracts has taken delivery of a new Andover step frame trailer which will be used to transport the company's heavy plant across Scotland. And if you click through here you can read all about it - and see a rather nice 'artistic' shot of it too...

"Morning/Evening," says Biglorryblog's kraft kiwi Rod Simmonds. "Some Kenworth Kroozers from recent travels. First is K104G B-train , next is a T404 quad and lastly a new K108 Aerodyne FatBoy 2.8 metre Mainfreight contractor." And click through here for the last two especially the Fatboy!

 
Philippe Ollivier in France has very kindly sent me this shot of a SOMUA rigid truck following on the recent postings of the French truck--so clearly they did more than build dumpers and artics. Not a bad looking truck either. So haven taken care of the SOMUA question who can tell me something about UNIC? And maybe supply some pictures too? Yes I know..it's always questions, questions, questioons on Biglorryblog! 

In case you've been saying to yourself 'How come that Biglorryblog hasn't got any pictures of classic 80s and 90s motors...well take a look at these from Allan Carruthers. Starting off with 'Way out West' an immaculate Iveco EuroStar 520hp V8 twin turbo (I guess that would be the 18-litre Nick?) with an Eaton Town Spiltter box?

Now how about a Daf 3300 Space Cab, complete with 16-speed ZF Ecosplit syncho stirrer? (My favourite manual except when it was cold---then the jump from low to high-range could be a bit of a 'shove'!) Meanwhile, I have saved the best till last--click through here to see for yourself....

Les Greer is back with more golden oldies from New Zealand and says: "Hi There, this is the little truck behind the Albion that appeared earlier on Biglorryblog. A typical Bedford S. Note the typical Kiwi station settings (its Taneatua) from the early 60s!" Looks a bit wild west to me Les!

les coninues: "This Leyland Comet was snapped at the same time as the Bedford---i.e. 1962 These grey trucks were owned by the NZ Railway  business Road Services (my employers at the time) They were mostly a passenger business (with over 700 buses at one time) but ran various trucking services." now click through here for one more from Les..

Oi! Careful! You'll have someone's eye out with that (extra-long three-stage folding H-boom with a low lying crosshead for recovering coaches and buses)! What you need to do is stow it away neatly...

First by laying it flat..yes that's it...

There now, all tcuked away neat and tidy and click through here to find out all about HCR Recovery's latest recovery truck... The story is well worth reading!

I love you guys. When you get your teeth into something you really go for it, as witnessed by the Rotinoff saga! Anyroadup Ed Burrows has again e-mailed me on the subject with this and says: "Brian, how could I possibly deprive the BLBlogeroo community of a scan of Rotinoff Viscount sales literature! The Vestey story is interesting too. To find out my you could always click on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vestey_Group. No mention there of course of the Viscount livestock trains, but if your Mum bought beef from a Dewhurst Butchers' shop in the '60s, who knows, you might have eaten a pie made with stewing steak carried on the hoof half way across Oz by a Rotinoff Viscount. Ahh! Those pies of yours. Truckin' history in every bite! Best regards, Ed. PS: could you ask Pete Murray if he has high res scans of the two Viscount pics? I'd love 'em for my archives." What do you reckon Peter? Ed's e-mail is admin.uniquest@btconnect.com and perhaps you two could do some swapsees? Now click through here for more...

Thanks to www.roadtransport.com I note that there's a rather splendid 'here's mud in your eye' all-action video featuring the new uprated Ford ranger pick-up getting into all sorts of messy stuff. Only where are the terrible twins of roadtransport TV Julian and Ian? We should be told!

Biglorryblog's sliding tray provider of choice Cam McFadyen has sent me these pix of Aussie old-timers and my apologies to him for keeping them tucked up in the old inbox. "Hi Brian, a couple of pics from the Historic Commercial Vehicle Association of Queensland`s show at Cleveland. A few of us met up  at Capalaba and headed down there yesterday.The weather is number 1,29 celsious,and it`s still winter.Could be a hot summer coming.Anyway they had a great turn out.More to come,see ya,Cam."

Looks like it was a fun-run alright... Now click through here for more!

Hello... What's that pulling out of the layby in full view of the weather webcam at Ahvenkoski (or as you might also know it Loviisaan)? Yes it's time to return to the wonderful world of Finnish weather webcams and 'spot that truck' Only on Biglorrblog!

Oooh... Errr... Looks like someone's been a bit free and easy with a chain-saw on this poor innocent Metrcedes Atego. Who would do such a thing wonders Biglorryblog? It's pure unadulterated vandalism if you ask me! Now click through here to see what it's all about...

In case you find things a bit quiet on Biglorryblog today it's because yours truly is spending the day out with this the recently-lanched Royal Mail Safety Concept Vehicle - an artic with more safety kit on it than you can shake a risk assessment form at with no less than 55 (count 'em) safety-related items on the Daf CF85.410 and Cartwright double-deck trailer rig. So don't be surprised - I'll make up for it tomorrow!

As the Duke of Wellington said: I don't know what they'll do to the enemy but by God they frighten me..." I thought it about time that Biglorryblog featured one of the wonderful waggons from Oshkosh, the specialist truck maker in the US so behold here's the TerraMax. I have no idea what it does except that it's described as an unmanned ground vehicle... And that it comes with all sorts of hi-tech cemera goodies on the front. So if you can tell me kkmore I'm all ears... Oh yes, can I have one too. Ideal for chasing next door's tomcat off the lawn..

Smile you're on candid camera... Now click through here to find out how you can download some awesome Oshkosh truck desktop wallpaper images!

Despite noting in the latest edition of Motor Transport that one UK operator was slightly less-then-ecstatic with the fuel-saving performance of their latest ECO-start Sprinters, clearly there are plenty of operators in Germany who reckon that Merc's auto engine shut-down system is the dog's wotnots especially higher up the weight range. How else to explain the fact that more than 2,600 Atego middleweight trucks with the automatic engine start/stop system were sold in the first half of 2009 alone? And here's one Biglorryblog spotted earlier. For the record that amounts to a sales increase of some 1,500 units or 130% compared to the total recorded in ALL of 2008. And why do they like ECO-Start? Well because with it you can reduce your average fuel consumption by up to 3%..nothing to be sniffed at. Now click through here for more...including a description of how it works.

Peter Murray has obviously been following the Rotinoff thread as he says: "Hello Brian, two Rotinoff Viscounts were brought to Australia in late 1957, by a Lord Vestey of the homeland. Vestey had been a large cattle producer and meatworks owner in Australia since around 1910ish. As road transport was taking over from the traditional 'drover' (walking cattle to market) as the means of moving large numbers of cattle to market - from remote outback properties, Vestey purchased his own ex-WW2 Diamond T and a road train... Soon after he decided to upgrade and in competition to the famous B Model Macks and other British breeds - he had Rotinoff build him 2 road train capable trucks." Now click through here for more...

I know Aussies are an informal bunch of blokes but surely that's taking the uniform of a fire-fighter just a bit too far? Anyroadup: "G'day Brian" says AtkIPete Lynch in Oz who tells me that he's now got unlimited access to the kitchin table for model making. But in the meantime he's sent me these pictures and says: "A few photos for our HCVC club trip to Broadford at the weekend. Ken Whitworth had his beautifully restored ACCO dual cab fire engine out for the first time."

Pete continues: "...And we spotted another old Inter in need of a cut and polish at Kilmore. It had R190 badges on the cab but the front end seemed to tell a different story." Now click through here for more... And especially for a 'Long Repair' for Jerry B.

And who's this handsome chap standing poudly in front of an er...in front of an er...yes what IS he standing in front of? Well of course it's Biglorryblog's Gil Wortsmann who says: "Brian, it's been so long ago that I do not remember if the code for these vehicles was DUWK or DUKW. These photos were taken off the west coast of France, close to La Rochelle and Rochefort (1952) and in Greenland (1951)."

Gil continues: "In 1951 we were in North Star Bay, Thule, Greenland, having to have 45 ships unloaded for the construction of an air force base, about 500 miles from the North Pole. Our ships circled way out at sea waiting for the ice to break in May. When the ice started to come back again in Sept, 45 ships pulled out immediately. We were written up in the Oct. 1951 issue of Life magazine. I have an old beatup copy." Now click through here for more...

Now this is more like it! Mean, moddy, magnficent ngihtime shots of a big Kaywhoppa cabover in New Zealand. It comes courtesy of Alex Vincent who has sent me a whole shed-load of shots from a recent road trip he did in NZ with the aofrementioned 'Black Gladiator'. So click hrough here for it now! 

Ron Johl is on a heavy hitter roll! He's sent me these superb shots (again from the Dorset Steam Fair) and says: "Hello Brian , the penultimate batch of pics featuring the 'Heavy Brigade' at Dorset starting with Mike Fincher's EX -RAF 1961  R/Royce 300HP Thornycroft Antar."

Great shot..now here's a challenge. Who has got any shots of an RAF Queen Mary trailer with a plane on it..? And click through here for the latest Euro-6 truck to break cover!

The minute I said that Foden's Swiss export drive hadn't been a roaring sucess (or words to that effect) I just KNEW I was going to get some flak. And so I did... Anyroadup just to keep everyone hapy here's a shot of one of the Fodens bought by the aforementioned and much-commented upon Swiss operator Friderici. But guys... Let's get real here if Foden was the truck everyone says it was it would still be building them..and UK operators would still be buying them. Only they aren't and you aren't. Sad but true...

One for your "How to take truck pictures" file' says Rodders in NZ... Nice FH sheep shifter...

Quick as a flash Richard 'The Brochure King' Stanier has responded to this morning's blog on SOMUA the mystery truck and says: "Hi Brian, nice to see a real live SOMUA on the blog! The Societe Anonyme au Capital were a venerable French truck builder whose interests combined with Latil, and Renault Commercials to form the Saviem Group in the mid-50's. They also produced a nice line in heavy dumpers as in the attached brochure scan. Cheers! Rich." Is there anything TBK hasn't got in his archives? (And that's NOT a challenge!)

"G'day Brian," says AtkiPete Lynch who appears to be covered with glue at the moment..." Ashley's photos of his Peterbilt model inspired me to get stuck into this Atkinson model I am building. This odd collection of bits; a Chevy Titan 90 kit that is going to get a major chassis extension, two more axles from the poor old Diamond Reo and the Resin RP cab, should end up looking something like the real thing. Seems that all I am need now is skill, patience and a few more stubbies of 'Modellers Special Draught'. Cheers Pete." Just dont' dirnk the Humbrol enamel Pete! And click through here to see what it should all look like when it's finished...

That unrepentant website wanderer Martin' Keeper of the Flame' Phippard has fired this Teutonic Titan over to me and says: "Good Morning Brian, having heard that the Dutch outfit Westdijk BV have recently taken delivery of a new MAN TGX 680 8x4 heavy haulage tractor I thought I should pay their website a visit. And what a pleasure that was/is! Westdijk has a really superb picture gallery depicting all kinds of heavy hauls and showing off their DAF, MAN and Volvo tractor units along with their chunky Goldhofer modular trailers. So I thought I should share the bounty with BLB and its band of supporters. And with all due thanks and of course appropriate acknowledgment to Westdijk and to BLB I shall bid you 'adieu' Martin."

And if you've been wondering 'How on earth are they going to get a beam that long around a corner/' here's how...  with their very own neat rear streer dolly...now click through here for more...

"Hi Brian," says Alex Vincent. "I live in Timaru New Zealand. Here are some
picture for Biglorryblog from the recent Timaru Truck Show. Cheers Alex." And welcome mate---thanks for the great shots especially of this 'two-snail' Atki 400. Something special for Pete Lynch and Chris G! The legend on the front says: No Rest'...I wonder what that can mean?

Local snowplough team got in on the act too...but what's behind the big blade eh?

Bob Mehrten's Detroit-powered Bedford that's what. now click through here for a whole shed-load more from Alex..

Now here's somethign I've not seen before...a Somua? It's all down to the kindness of Joost in the Netherlands who sent me this terrific link via the biglorryblog@googlemail.com box and says: ""Hi Brian, last weekend there was a meeting of the DAF Oltimer Truck Club in the Netherlands. There are pictures of  the trucks are on the site [and I can confirm they are well worth looking at-BLB] :

http://picasaweb.google.nl/daftruck.nl/ReunieDAFClub2009FamVerdelTeNeede#slideshow/5370252977442717986

Joost continues: "What's interesting for you is that there are 2 pictures of Willeme trucks stored with a lot of other trucks. Also there is a picture of  a truck from the brand Somua. Maybe interesting for the BigLorryBlog?" You btecha Joost and who can tell me any more about Somua? Meanwhile Joost adds: "This link comes from  the website http://www.daftruck.nl/ but that site is only in dutch. The pictures are taken by Gerard van den Brink, the webmaster@daftruck.nl of the site. Regards, Joost." Thanks and I trust Gerard won't object to me using the above picture to promote great photos work!

Last one for tonight---a couple of aerodynamic antiquities...so what are they? And could the above machine be driven around a corner?!

Put a trailer behind it and you'd have a very aerodynamic artic! Now click through here for an odd-ball three-wheeler...  

Fancy a Chinese truck? If there's still anyone out there who doubts where the next challenge to Western heavy truck makers is going to come from I suggest they read the latest edition of NZ Trucking in which you'll find an excellent report on the Shanghai Auto Show by Biglorryblog regular Niels Jansen. Having read the article myself (a copy was e-mailed to me by Gary Richards in Oz--how's that for 'global communications'?) I asked Niels if I could put a couple of his shots up on BLB and Niels being the kind generous guy he is sent me a whole shedload of shots, some of which were also taken by Karl-Heinz Wenzel. So sit back and enjoy the best of Chinese trucks! Who knows, you might be driving one...one day.  The one above is the very smart CAMC H08 high-roof 6x4 tractor. I really like the styling on this which Niels tells me features styling from Bertone--and if you're thinking 'Looks a bit like a Scania' then if I recall correctly Bertone also put some design input into the 4 Series Scania. I reckon it looks very attractive. What do you think?

This is the Sinotruk HOWO A7 6x2 which is a joint venture between CNHTC and Volvo which is based upon an FH cab. Interestingly enough the 10 and 12-litre engines are based on old Steyr designs. Now click through here for more....

Now here's a bit of a lark on Biglorryblog. Rummaging through my box of trivia I stumbled upon this drawing by Daf's then-design guru (he's now in charge of truck design at Merc) Bertrand Janssen---father of the Super Space Cab. It's a rather radical design treatment of a Daf CF - complete with one wheel lifted off the ground during some high-speed cornering! Anyroadup click through here for something more recent from him...

OK clever clogs...what's this? Typical 90s artic interior but who made it? AMoreover, what's so special about it..? And if you give up already (and if you have then you're not much of an anorak) you'll find the answer by clicking through here....

Biglorryblog's 'Good Man in Africa' Jerry Burley has stumbled across this gem and says: "B, I was looking on the web last night for a drawing of another big ex-mil truck, and bumped into this site owned by artist Oliver Cook, and bless my soul there was a Martian. And dozens of other line drawings of military and other kit for sale (plus he does commissions), much of which you have blogged on of late. Have a look - www.armyart.net. There's something for everyone. Regards, Jerry." And here's one in return JB. And what does my anorak army make of this fine piece of penmanship?

Now here's someone who really knows what they're doing... And how. It's by Mark Finney of 'Rust & Relics' fame whose work was showcased in Truck & Driver back in 2008. The 58-year old former car and truck designer with Ford is a superb draughtsman and to see more of his outstanding work his website is worth visiting although I confess I'm having difficulty tracking it down so if anyone has the link please add it to a comment and fire it over to Biglorryblog too sweet ta! And whether you like old trucks, buses, cars or plane you'll find plenty to drool over...

Gary Richards has sent me therse pictures fropm Oz and says: "Hi Brian, the Philippines has their Jeepneys, the US has their 'large cars' but Japan puts a whole new meaning to blinged up trucks... So I thought the attached Japanese 'dekotora' (decoration trucks) pics and following colourfully named link might be of interest for the culturally enlightened BLB army team. Gary.

http://www.pinktentacle.com/2006/11/dekotora-photo-galleries/

Thanks Gary - the whole concept kicked off, if I recall correctly, out of a kids TV show in japan about a crime-fighting truck..or some such story. Perhaps someone out there can provide the definitive tale. I know we did a big feature on them in truck & Driver when I was editor back in 2007. Now click through here for more and other Dekotora web-sites.

Now here's an interesting thought. Should you find yourself tootling past the filling station at the Skandiahamnen port in Gothenburg and thinking 'Where can I get some of that lovely biodiesel?' Well the answer is right in front of you... Because according to Volvo Logistics the first fuel station in western Sweden selling ACP Diesel Bio30 is now opening at the self-same Skandiahamnen port, which just so happens to be close to Volvo's various truck plants and its trans-shipment terminal in Arendal. And it's all the result of a joint venture between IKEA, H&M, DHL, Preem and Volvo Logistics. Now click through here for more...

Vic Hungerford's mate and veteran tanker man Les Greer is back on Biglorryblog with a cracking old-timer shot (in colour yet) and says: "Hi There, I was going through the old photos for Vic Hungerford and found this old Albion - Ron Smith. Taken in 1962 at the rail head at Taneatua in NZ Regards Les Greer." And what's the little truck in the background?

"Hi Brian," says Ed Burrows, "Delighted to oblige with a brochure (which I've had since the late '50s) on Rotinoff Atlantic and Super Atlantics. You could have a lot more, but it would cost you more pies than Melton Mowbray's entire annual output! Wonderful photos. Not totally convinced about the tyres on Mr. Weedon's though. Ahh, Rotinoff... If only the market had had an appetite for more than 35. If Rotinoff had been American instead on a down at heel Brit, where would KW and the like be today? Ed."

Now click throug here for more...

Meanwhile, on the subject of Rotinoff, Jerry Burley has got involved and says: "B, I noted your bit on Rotinoff's. This unit (a Super, rated at a reasonable 330 tons rather than the "frankly pathetic" 140 tons of the standard unit) is ex-Swiss Army (so hasn't been to too many wars in the last 50 years!) is up for sale on Milweb for a cool UKP80k, with a modest trailer and Centurion tank thrown in for free to help block up your housing estate car park. Which is roughly enough to buy Swindon at the moment I would guess. Nice rig and would be a helluva talking point in your vehicle collection but what size of house and garden do you need to keep one of these in, and driving it, even under STGO, in UK......? Mmmm. I bet I could cause a proper "Only in England" moment with this lot!" He also adds that there's a whole shed load of stuf on Rotinoff on Wikipedia.

Phil Sampson has come back to me after last night's post on Scania roadtrains in Oz and has reminded me that as part of the aforementioned Scania rock & roll UK journo World Tour in '94 whilst the rest of the group pushed off to Taiwan after four days in Oz I stayed put and they arranged for me to have a day and a night in Kalgoorlie before heading to Perth and a plane for home. I was met at Kalgoorlie airport (and that's a bit of an overstatement) by the local Scania sales guy - nice bloke though for the life of me I can't remember his name, but that's him above - perhaps someone can fill in the gap if you recognise him under the Akubra and shades... Anyroadup here's a shot of him I took in Kal and click through here to find out what it's all about...

Cam McFadyen (Biglorryblog's favourite Aussie tilt tray man) has e-mailed me this Swedish curiosity from downunder and says: "Hi Brian, I thought I`d send you this one seeing as you like to put pics of the old Gumboot`s up every now and again! I was getting some tyres on a customer's truck and this was also waiting.The owner tells me it`s 150-tonne rated, has had an 18-speed Roadranger fitted [that should keep The Old Vic happy!] and the paint job hasn`t been touched. It was obviously repainted when new. See ya, Cam." Classic waggon mate.

"And here's one I did earlier" says BLB---from the super Scania image bank, a 1984 Aussie Scania T cab V8 roadtrain shot by Ingemar Eriksson....and click through here for one more!

It seems the word on the value of fitting smaller 'trainer wheels' to a 6x2 tractor is spreading far and wide. Which probably explains why Cheshire-based NWF Agriculture has had them fitted on its latest Volvo FH three-axle artic. And why go for the smaller mid-lift pusher axle? Well for a start packaging of chassis components is much easier (especially on a tipper or tanker with hydraulic or blower kit). Then there's the fact that you get maximum flexibility by still be able to run at 44-tonnes whilst still avoiding drive axle overloads. But the real bonus is the fact that you get a decent reduction in tare weight too....and that goes straight to your bottom line. Indeed, Carl Jones, NWF's traffic manager tells Biglorryblog: "We specified the Esteppe push axle as it allows us to gain a 350 kgs weight save giving us a maximum possible payload." However, there's more good news as you can see if you click through here...

Smart looking rig too---and they haven't tried to hide the smaller wheels with a side valance either---I always think that defeats the object of the whole weight-saving exercise don't you?

Biglorryblog's day....up early this morning to head over to Dunstable to do a Truckers' Test with the Renault Premium. Accompanied by Renault's Colin Hope we bimble up the road to Toddington services where we find plenty of positive comments from our panel of professional drivers who are taking a break at the services. However, just before we depart the Renault compound Colin spots that someone's only been and gone and taken the P out of my lovely truck...!!!!!! (And click through here to see how they did it..).

Ron Johl has been as good as his word. "Hello Brian", he says, "...a few more pics from the Dorset fair 08 , Dave Weedon's 1956 R/Royce powered Atlantic hauling the ex- Pickfords Crane trailer built in 1950 to carry loads of up to 200-tons. This was the world's first hydraulic trailer capable of carrying such a load ,empty it weighs around 85-tons ,good old British engineering at its best! More information on the Rotinoffs here on this weblink http://tractors.wikia.com/wiki/Rotinoff . And yes , more to follow.All the best , Ron."

 
Well one good turn deserves another Ron---I shot this at the 2008 Truckfest. I knowe nothing about it--maybe somebody else does? And does 'The Brochure King' have anything on Rotinoffs perhaps? Now click through here for the rest of Ron's photos--some absolute crackers in the set!

Last one for tonight blog fans...and once again it's all down to Don at the wonderful Adclassix site who has graciously allowed me to feature the odd image or two from the world's best retro site for old and new truck, van,pickup  and 4x4 and also car ads----and don't take my word for it go and see for yourself using this handy BLB webblink www.adclassix.com/truckindex.htm 

Anyroadup here are a few more from the adclassix collection. Frankly I can't get enough of them and you can buy the original ads from the site as well...And I didn't even kn ow Studebaker made pick-up trucks either...did you? And how about 'job-rated Dodge Trucks? now click through here for one more..

Word reaches Biglorryblog that leading UK food retailer, Iceland, has taken delivery of not one but 29 Renault Premium 450.18, 4x2 tractor units - no mean deal as they're the first Renaults to join the company's 310-strong fleet. The Euro-5 trucks are all fitted with the Optidriver+ gearbox so easy-peasy for the drivers too. Now click through here for more... And not a word about Kerry 'What'shername' from me either...

Biglorryblog is grateful to Shuttlespanker who recently tipped me off with as to his ongoing makeover of the Super-sized Daf XF95.530 originally created by Richard Rollinson but which, since earlier this year, has been under the proud ownership of Shuttlespanker. And what a fabulous job of renovation he's done so far---the outside looks immaculate and work on finishing off the inside is gathering pace too (click through for an interior picture...) My thanks go also to Rikki Chequer at TrucknetUK who provided me with the link to the appropriate forum page (DUH...I couldn't remember how to do it but got there in the end ) where these pictures can be found (and others too). And you can get to TruckNetUK via this link. http://www.roadtransport.com/StaticPages/drivers.htm

What I particularly like about the exterior paint job is that it's nice and restrained--and not one of those bonkers OTT coverall airbrushed jobs you see at the truck shows...if you know what I mean.  Don't get me wrong I do like them---but I reckon in this case less is more. And it perfectly matches its new name...'Big Blue'. What's more you wouldn't know it was stretched cab unless you knew what you were looking for.  But in case you need reminding just how much bigger 'Big Blue' is compared to a regular XF95 Space Cab----here's a earlier shot of it nose-to-nose with a 'regular' Scania Topline!

Now do you see what I mean...? We're talking Scania Longline/Volvo FH16 Globetrotter XXL territory here!

Ron Johl has sent me these terrific shots and says: "Hello Brian, it's almost that time of the year for the fair at Dorset (2nd to the 6th of September) where admirers of steam and diesel will congregate in their masses to see these fine machines showing their prowess in the play-pen."

"So just to whet your appetites here from last year is John Attlee's Scammell Contractor kicking up the dust near the top of the pen with some 70-tons in tow. More to follow. All the best, Ron." And click through here for one more...

"Also the weight is over 4 tons with some trucks loaded with some extra weight at back. Nowdays it's everything that's not needed is stripped out and the trucks are lightened for minimum weight. Now click through here for more words and pix on the Baltic banger races!

Regular Biglorryblog readers will already recognise this as the recently-lanched Royal Mail Safety Concept Vehicle - an artic with more safety kit on it than you can shake a risk assessment form at with no less than 55 (count 'em) safety-related items on the Daf CF85.410 and Cartwright double-deck trailer rig.

Amongst them is this ground level susie connecting system (similar to the original MAVIS concept) and decent steps to get into the back of the Cartwright double decker...

Well word now reaches that Biglorryblog that it's just won  the EuroTra Safety and Innovation Award, handed out every year in collaboration with Volvo Trucks, (And BLB reckons that the fact that it's gone to a vehicle that's not pulled by a Volvo shows some real style on behalf of the Swedish truck maker). Meanwhile, the EuroTra (European Transport Training Association) selects the company that has made the greatest efforts to increase traffic safety and to improve the driver's working environment--and this year that company is Royal Mail Network. So congrats all around and click through here for more...

And speaking of Peterbilt don't forget the company is celebrating it's 70th anniversary and you can read a neat company history on the website http://www.peterbilt.com/index3.aspx there's also a couple of nice historic pictures too including this one...

And for a pie what's the model and year? (And maybe they've got some instructions for Ashley on how to build one too...?)

HELP!!! This man clearly needs a large tube of glue, lots of Humbrol paint - and some advice on how to build a Peterbilt. Ashley 'The Malteaser' Lovering has sent me these two photos - he's obviously been to the model shop. Only it looks so much easier until you open the box... Don't you think? Ashley says: "I might need Andrew Cooper to sort this one out..." Well if anyone can the man who brought us 'Project Peterbilt' can!

And remember Ash, place tab B into slot A, apply glue to tab A taking care not to place any glue on part C... Got that?

And here's one I made earlier...

"Hi Brian, I saw this beast on Delhi International Airport. It's a Rosenbauer airport crash tender. From now India will get little a bit more fast! Regards Abhishek Bargode."

And click through for one more...

Clearly Macks are flavour of the blog at the moment....and Ron Johl has added his two pennorth with this picture and comment: "Hello Brian , having a look through my old pics i found these two old timer's first one is a Mack NM 6x6 ('A tiny of' lol) and a Karrier.
There was no problem in finding details on the Mack but found nothing about the Karrier.
The pics were taken at Stockwood park Luton , May 1994. The combat "N Series" were the first military 6x6 trucks by Mack. The NM-1 (87 built) appeared in early 1940, followed by the NM-2 (107 built) and NM-3 (104 built) all with enclosed hard cabs. The NM-5 through NM-8 did away with the metal cab, replacing it with the military soft canvas top. There was no NM-4 produced. The arched front bumper -- to clear a pintle hook -- first appeared with the NM-3. Approximately 10,000 of these trucks were produced in total The engine for the Mack NM 6x6 trucks was the 6 cyl. 707 cid Mack EY, that developed 159hp@2100 rpm and provided 530lb-ft of torque@1000rmp. The transmission was the 5-speed Mack TR36 and the transfer case the 2-speed Timken-Detroit T77. The truck had a net weight of 22,659 lbs., could carry almost 10 tons (never mind the 6 ton rating) and could tow 30,000 lbs. such as field artillery or ammunition trailers. A Gar Wood capstan winch was mounted behind the cab. The cargo body was steel for the NM-1 through NM-3, then wood. All the best , Ron. he then asks me: "PS. When did Commercial Motor stop using Bison hill to do their road tests?" Search me mate anyroadup click through here for the mystery military truck

How's that for a neat bit of parking (and pedalling too...) Thanks to Gary Richards in Oz I can exclusively reveal onm Buiglorryblog Volvio's new Euro-15 tractor. "Brian,thought you might like to see a bit of Aussie Volvo trucking, involving a well known Volvo fleet and the creative ways of our local Volvo dealer.. As the title suggests, our Volvo dealer may have just created the super low exhaust emissions truck of the future...! There is some bugs to sort out - the driver is not that fond of pedalling and they are still working on the GCW rating but it is surely a green solution !! But seriously, the Volvo pedal truck, painted in the fleet's livery, was a nice touch to celebrate the delivery of several FH660's to the fleet, and the tidy FE rigid fridge unit... Regards, Gary." And click through for the life-size reefer!

"Blog Meister," says 'The Boss' "What every truck driver deserves, I would be happy with it. The Boss." And praise indeed from the old curmudgeon though I wonder what truck he's have on his headstone... A Kenworth? Anyroadup here's a nice close up of the stone mason's handiwork...

Could that be a Merc?

Seafood nuggets anyone? Pete Jones spotted this mobile advert for Whitby Seafoods based on an AIXAM MEGA Multitruck Diesel, seen at Pickering Steam Rally this year... Rather cute don't you think?

Gary Richards is definitely on a roll with his 'Chinese sixes' as you can see. "Hi Brian," he says, "while you have the guys pondering about Chinese Six tractors, Chinese trucking is full of twin steer/single drive rigids, especially gated flatbeds. I have picked a few to show the choice of makes and bodies - tip trucks included. Of course, the 6x2 tractor pictured above and below (the HOWO) may look a little familiar to some Volvo FL10/12 owners, sans the second steer... Of course!" And the reason is because it has the old FL cab!

And here's one of those 6x2 rigids Gary mentioned--now click through here for more...

And I'm still waiting for the exlanation of how the Chinese six made it to the UK!

Biglorryblog welcomes back newly-joined BLB anorak Abhishek Bargode who sends me these shots of this unusuial looking artic and says: "Hi Brian, yesterday my cousin spotted this tractor with ordinary trailer I think it`s a Tata Novus. Warm regards." So what does anyone else think?

Interesting looking rig too - I wonder what it looks like under all the dummy panels? Now click through here for one more...

'Keeper of the Flame' Martin Phippard has been trawling through the internet...for Nolans Transport in Oz after seeing some images from Gary R. "Hello Brian," he says. "In keeping with the distinctly Antipodean theme on BLB of late I thought I would supplement Gary's pictures of the Nolan's model with some images of their bigger trucks."

"And in deference to Gary, they're mainly Volvos although I have managed to sneak in one Kenworth! Thanks to Nolan's gallery for the pix by the way. And there are more at www.nolanstransport.com.au best regards, Martin."

Well we'll start with the Swedes (and lettuces) before we click through onto the rivals (I am sure Gary can stand a bit of competition--those Aussies thrive on it!)

Chris Gardner has sent me these shots and says: "Now, I'd responded this evening to the challenge to name all of the Atkis in Gyles' post, and I mentioned the history of a couple of the motors.  Here are a photos of the machines in question, in case you can use them." And his first one is what looks like a converted 6x2..or did the factory make tag axle tractors?

And why did they make a split front bumper like that? Now click through here for one more...

Wondering how I might further illustrate Pete Lynch's comment about trucks and level crossings I went on to youTube..and guess what? There are quite afew clips on there! Including this one... I don't know who took it but I'm happy to credit it. Looks like a remote CCTV to me. Now click through me for one more.

Thanks to the excellent product image gallery at http://www.macktrucks.com/ Mack Trucks I can bring you a 'name that Bulldog' morning quiz..so get cracking . What models are they? The first one should shot you becoming set in your ways...

And you'd be talking trash if you know what this one is...

Can you see clearly with this one? And click through here for one more...

Here's another ancient tanker tale from Vic Hungerford in New Zealand who says: "Hi Brian, here's one for AtkiPete and Chris G. I have just received from Les Greer another old Mobil NZ photo; this one would have been taken about 1970. This 6x4 Atkinson was supplied new with this NZ-built Taylor Hull cab as Atkinson NZ, like Atkinson Australia, had long given up on the notion that the Preston cabs could be made to last on our roads. I think that 'purposeful' would describe it rather than 'handsome', and the colour, Mobil Beige, and lack of signwriting did nothing to enhance its looks either. This tanker was used for delivering heavy fuel oil and the lack of signwriting was so that it could be used for deliveries to both Mobil and Atlantic customers. Mobil even got a dispensation from putting the normally compulsory company name on the door. Cheers, Vic."

"G'day Brian," says AtkiPete with road safety and level crossing firmly on his mind... "We've had some dreadful accidents in Australia in recent years involving trucks at level crossings and authorities are always quick to blame the truck driver. However, many of the crossings are poorly laid out but this one near Warrigal seems to get it all wrong, especially if you are driving a heavy vehicle. No boom gates and not enough room between the rail and give way sign to stop in a large vehicle without fouling the crossing.  The steep jump up means it will be difficult to get started and scrape marks on the pavement suggest low trailers and school buses are bottoming out. Regards Pete."

Interesting post too. How about in the UK? Does anyone out there have a particularly 'unfavourite' level crossing in Britain they have to traverse with a truck? From my own experience the one on the A259 into Rye looks to be is quite a handful especially for a low loader driver unfamiliar with it. So what's your experience driving trucks over UK level crossings - unmanned or otherwise?

It's nice to know Biglorryblog isn't going completely senile...Ronald Pearce has kindly e-mailed me to say: "I could not agree more with your comments about the Iveco Strallis. When Christian Salvesen (who I drive for---now Norbert---purchased some of the big cab 430s and 480s it was with a faint heart that we gave up our DAFs. How wrong can you be? I've been driving this Iveco for over 4 years , it is double shifted , and it is still a joy to drive and live in..." Now click through here for more of Ron's comments and what he's driving now....

Admit it... You've been missing those madcap tales of mechanical mayhem from Biglorryblog's 'Good Man in Africa'. Well chin-up old sausage, 'cos Jerry Burley is back with more unlikely stories of japes and scrapes from 'The Dark Continent'... And he says: "BLB, we are slowly recovering from another OB moment. You may remember he banished himself from the continent recently, following a small incident across a main road with a stuck CAT D400 artic dumper. Well, shudderingly, I can advise you that he's back. 'Smoke and mirrors' they say. A way to put a twist on an otherwise uncontroversial act, designed to deceive the mind. Well, OB broke the mirror before he could use it (by hitting a low-flying marabou stork, which seemed to survive the experience) but certainly made up for its loss with extra smoke... As you can see above..and will learn all about in a short while."

"More of that just now as we don our green wellies, grow our beards and take a walk on the wild side. Rather than show you yet more pix of animal/vehicle interactions, it's only right and proper we share with you some accurate and pertinent road warning signs to help avoid potential carnage with said fauna. This particular one above is very useful as it can be used in both northern and southern hemispheres, thus reducing the number of signs needed to be held in stock. Clever stuff." Now click through here for more of Smokey Jerry's tale...

It's funny how perceptions linger on long after things have changed. Take Iveco for instance. I reckon (and I suspect I'm still in a majority) that the Stralis is a much under-rated tractor. Though not so under-rated---for at last year's Truckfest Peterborough the Stralis Active Space won Truck & Driver's 'Drivers' Choice award when judged by a team of pro drivers against the likes of the Volvo FH, Scania Topline, Daf XF105, Mercedes Actros Megaspace and Renault Magnum (which also drew praise from the judges). Yet try and get a driver in the cab of a Stralis and you get all sorts of old-fashioned and out-of-date comments. 

I recently spoke to a large fleet operator down my way (Kent) who runs Merc tractors and who had just taken delivery of a new Stralis. "What does the driver think of it I asked him..? "He loves it came the reply." Go figure. And as a domestic trunker I reckon the 450hp Cursor 10 engined, narrow-high-roof cabbed Active Time Stralis (see here in my brief video walk around) is also a serious fleet contender. How serious you'll have to wait until the roadtest comes out on Thursday 27th August...

"Hello retiring one," says that cheeky Kiwi Rod Simmonds. But I forgive him as he's sent Biglorryblog phtos of his favourite US cabover--the wonderful Freightliner Argosy...

"Some pics in-between the rain today," adds Rodders, "Nightswapper aka Ian Rountree is driving this beast at the moment, and is loving every minute of it. (used to drive an Iveco so no wonder!)"

"Rambo's Memphis Express works line haul throughout NZ, usually hauling baled straw or hay, spuds or onions and FMCG. The customised Freightliner Argosy has Detroit Diesel 550 through 18-speed Roadranger to keep it on the boil."

Now click through here for more and the return of young Benjamin Simmonds on BLB!And for a quick Sunday Pie which 70s UK band (since enjoying something of a comeback I hear) had a hit with 'All the way from Memphis'?

Pies all-round lads! Well done to all Biglorryblog readers who identified the Atkinson Omega in last night's pie quiz (I didn't know that was but you guys certainly did---while AtkiPete threw in the designation number too!... naturally). And also 'respeck' to Dave and Richard for spotting the Dennis Paravan. The collective knowledge of my beloved anorak army is AWESOME! And of course 'the Brochure King' has even provided a Paravan ad! Check out the comments from Richard and Dave for its history... And would a Paravan driver be called a paralytic, or a paraglider, or a paranoid?

And for all you twig transporters here's a golden oldie from TBK too... And click through here for one more...

Behold...from the dim and dusty attic of Biglorryblog's massive picture files (well actually they're old Commercial Motor photos kindly 'digitised' by David Riley at Chris Hodge Trucks) So for a pie what are they--I'm looking for the year, model and engine etc...?

And where was this show?

What was this called..? Now click through here for a REAL monster....

Alex Saville in Scotland has sent me these pictures and says: "Brian, I met Denis Haxton in a lay-by on the Kinross-shire/ Fife border and as you do (Well, I do!) we had a wee blether. Denis was driving a Scania T series for Strathmore Plant."

Alex continues: "He told me he had previously drove another Scania and sent me the photos of what he described as his pride & joy! Although on Dutch plates, he drove this for a Fife operator on distance work. I'm sure Denis would be pleased to see his Scania on BLB." And so he shall Alex... One Topline T-cab to go!

It's crazy cutaway time on Biglorryblog! And here's a little selection from the dusty archives for you to identify....so what's that muystery van above for starters...

This should be a little easier to identify...now click through here for more!

The 'Old Vic' is well and truly back home with his feet under the table (or on top of the pedals of his beloved Inter)... But he's found time sto send me this snap and says: "Hi Brian, here's a rather interesting photo that I have just had sent to me by Les Greer. It is of the entire Mobil fleet in 1961 and maybe some of the anoraks could have a stab at identifying them. Apart from the Bedfords, all of these trucks were still in service when I started with Mobil in 1965. You will notice that some of the tankers are branded as Atlantic. " And click through here to find out why...

Now here's a story of dedication above and beyond the call of duty and early starts in a Peterbilt (and it's my last one for today too so make the most of it!) Andrew Cooper e-mails me to say that "I couldn't help but noticing the mention on the blog of an on going 'wind farm move' from Swansea Docks - so after getting up at an outrageously early hour, I set off this morning (in the dark) with my Peterbilt for a closer look. My contact told me that the first convoy leaves the docks at 6 a.m. and just after that whilst standing on the chequer plate of my Pete I managed to take these rather blurry snaps. " And click through here for them!

"Hi Brian," writes the 'Keeper of the Flame' Martin Phippard, " I thought it was about time I sent you a couple of images of Western Stars knowing of your affection for these big old beasts. This one is a heavy-duty wrecker  based on a Western Star 4900SA and featuring twin steer axles plus a pusher. Power is provided by a 550 CAT driving through an Eaton transmission. The outfit works in Michigan State and is owned by Madison Motors of Redford, MI." Now click through here for another...and news of an unusual Peterbilt for 'The Boss'....

What's big, strangely attractive, has a large 'A' on the front and keeps Chris G and Pete Lynch amused for hours on end...yes it's Atki time on Biglorryblog thanks to BLB regular Gyles Carpenter who says: "I thought the Atki fans might like a taster from the recent Trans-Pennine run." Mmmm...what do you think dear reader?

And for more Atkinsons click through here (as if you could resist?)

Pity the poor snapper who had to come back with a decent image in this weather..but Bgloryblog reckons he managed it alright. And the shot commemorates the fact that in July 1999 national equipment hire company A-Plant took delivery of its first Isuzu---and a decade later it's now added its 150th Isuzu, as the marque has become the mainstay of the company's 7.5 tonne fleet. Not only that, but back in 1999, A-Plant ran 500 vehicles--and today its fleet numbers over 1100. Not bad going in anyone's book for Isuzu or A-Plant.....

Thanks to Abhishek Bargode I can announce that the first Mercedes Actros fire engine has arrived in India..and here it is exclusively on Biglorryblog...first on the back of a Tata artic! 

And now on the back of what looks like an old Merc Powerliner--or is this a Tata too? Now click through here for one more..

"Now, there are Caterpillar nuts---and some even more extreme admirers" Dave Webster tells Biglorryblog....and how right he is. This is fantastic bit of fretwork (sorry handiwork) featureing a linked pair of big Cat dozers. And not being an expert on the subject  take it the second one is to provide extra oomph to the one with the blade up front?  No doubt my beloved anorak army can provide more details...

Anyroadup as if by some strange turn of fate...and talking of 'wooden wonders'....I have also been sent this Mack Model F in wood from Gary Richards who says: "It's a must-have for thatvery select group of F model owners." Now click through here for more pictures of both including some astonishing detail on the Cat. (And for a pie what aeroplane was called the wooden wonder--and if you're really clever what was the German WWII equivalent? Eh?)

Biglorryblog can proudly reveal the latest hi-tech (and highly-impressive) developments in HGV artic braking systems from the other side of the pond---and here are the exclusive pictures to prove it. Yes the new 'Stoponadime' patented artic braking system is only months from being introduced on production chassis. Stoponadime development engineer Clyde Ankle tells BLB: "Its sure works real fine and dandy..only we've got ourselves a bit of a problem with the trailer taking a mite longer to come to a complete rest....but we're figurin' it out!" Now click through here for more....

Behold the original Chinese-six! It's another picture sent to me by Gary Richards---look carefully and you can see the fifth wheel tucked away right at the very end just ahead of the drive axle. And why is it placed there? Well click through here to see it with a trailer and for a full explanation of Chinese weights and dimensions from one Gary's mates in China.

Word reaches Biglorryblog (via Gary Richards in Oz) that the Chinese like to use the 'full carrying capacity' of their commercial vehicles...especially when they're run by Chinese scaffolders! And when they're not running long..they're running tall!

And here's one in a Chinese downpour....now click through here for more...

You might well be wondering what this bloke is looking up at...and Biglorryblog can tell you. It's the massive boom of the wonderful Putzmeister 70Z concrete pump which is the biggest in the world and it needs a thumping great Kenworth five-axle tractor to haul it too! And thanks to Tony Pain at Daf Trucks here's a link to the Putzmeister website where you can see it in action. Prepare to be impressed...Biglorryblog was! And click through for more details.

http://www.putzmeister.com/about/video_library/index.cfm?v=5

Last one for tonight and it's a real doozie. Gary Richards sent me this (I'm assuming it was sent on to him by a colleague)...Anyroadup he says: "Guess you might have seen this destructive testing....the barrier maker would be happy with that outcome!" Naturally he then suggests that the outcome might have been different with a Mack truck but it's probably wishful thinking on his part...Meanwhile, I don't know who to credit for the video clip although I trust they won't mind me sharing it. It appears quite a few times on YouTube. If you know who did take it I'll happily credit them...or remove it if it causes a problem. According to Gary's e-mail it was sent by someone who works for the Army Corp of Engineers and shows the effectiveness (and how) of a concrete barrier in stopping a truck.

Iveco's 'Nick of the Santon' has sent me this shot of yours truly and Mr Cholmondley-Warner merrily wending our way up to MIRA on the A5 for the start of the Commercial Motor roadtest of the Stralis 450 AT tractor (and that's our CM/SDC/Hill Hire test trailer on the back) "For the anorak army to prove you really can drive and are on the road...." says Nick...

 
Tight turning into the MIRA fuelling area by the control tower we hear a loud clunk from behind the cab. Oh oh....something's fouled the front of the trailer....but what? Lead-up ramps? Side deflector ? Landing legs? None of the above--in fact the nearside corner of the trailer had clipped the JPS fuel meter (used to determine the fuel used on each of our test route stages - which is then cross-matched with the final tank-top-to-tank-top figure) fitted by Mr C-W  behind the cab and up until that point (and that particular tight turn) it had easily cleared the front bulkhead! Still no harm done and Nick and Mr C-W quickly opened the sliding fifth-wheel up a notch and all was well--and we still had a nice tight cab gap too. Funny how it only touched on that particular turn...and nowhere else. Anyroadup click through here for more....

John Pugh has sent me this gem and says: "Hello Brian, I came across this DAF recovery truck in the Stagecoach bus depot in Hastings today, and thought it might be of interest to fellow readers. I don't know anything of its history, other than I think that Stagecoach inherited it when it took over Hastings & District Transport Ltd in the early 1990s. Presumably it started life as something else (an artic maybe?). I'm not even sure if its registration is the original one. In house recovery vehicles seem quite rare in bus companies these days. The Stagecoach East Kent depots use an outside contractor for recovery/towing work, but somehow Hastings depot has managed to hold on to this one. John."

So does anyone know anything about this 2500 asks Biglorryblog?

How's this for a change asks Biglorryblog? After shed-loads of Scanias and Volvos working in the woods it'sd about time I showed a Renault and what better than the Premium Lander 450 6x4 you see above which has been bought by Scottish timber haulage company, PA Laing, through Renault Trucks distributor, Border Trucks. I'm told it's an important conquest deal for Renault and Border as it's the first Renault to join the company's 11-strong mixed fleet of Volvo, DAF and Mercedes and it replaces a (sob, gasp) Foden! I understand it will be used to pull a timber crane trailer on a long term haulage contract with leading sawmilling company, BSW Timber, Carlisle. The Renault Premium Lander will haul pole length timber up to 40ft long from Forestry Commission forests in the Borders to the BSW sawmill in Carlisle, undertaking three loads a day. Now click through here for more..and a cracking photo of the Lander.

"Hi BLB" says Paul Cronin, "I really enjoy the website and having found this article about Russian military trucks I had to share it with you, there are some great pictures of 10x10, 12x12 and even 24x24 trucks, there is even a video of some of them in action. It looks like they were basing their designs on Thunderbirds, which they probably thought was a documentary. Regards Paul." And that link Paul refers to in his e-mail to Biglorryblog is here http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/03/russian-ballistic-missile-carriers.html The YouTube clip on the dark roasted blend website is certainly well worth watching. The truck above looks like an MZKT...although I am sure Vladimir Chekuta can tells me the full story..now click through here for more...

For the record it was shot by Tom inside a disused warehouse in Scotland when the weather turned nasty.... net result for all to see. Now click on that  link to see it working!

Another winner from Biglorryblog....

Heads up Biglorryblog anorak army! I shall be away roadtesting a new Iveco Stralis over the next three days----not this one but one not far off, an Active Time 450hp Cursor 10 twin-steer...so I'll be a bit busy until Thursday night. However, hopefully Clutchslip and Will Shiers can keep things ticking over. Meanwhile, I shall endeavour to post up the odd shot from the road as I go around CM's Scottish test route...... and may even do a quick video walkaround so stay tuned!