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'The Old Vic' Hungerford is back on Biglorryblog and has picked up on the subject of horseboxes...or as they call them in New Zealand 'Horse Floats'."Hi Brian," he says, "I liked Rod's photo of that horse float, but not all horse floats in NZ are quite like that. I was in the far north a couple of days ago, where most things are done a bit differently; I believe that is the case in Australia too." Now click through here for more....
Gary 'Two Hat's Richards (the man who looks after product promotion and management for Volvo and Mack down-under) has sent me this cover shot from Bulldog Bulletin, a fine publication from 1972..."Hi Brian, seeing the Kiwi Ford D Series still hard at work prompted me to scan this 1972 article from our Mack PR publication."
"The headboards on the livestock crates are real gems," says Gary who adds: "...and some interesting sheep hauling stats!! Rod Simmonds might be able to add to the Reeves story...Incidentally, our NZ Mack dealer has a restored F model - one of the first in the country so it may well be this truck. Murray - can you add any details on this customer or truck? Regards Gary..." Now click through here for more...
"Feeling a bit sheepish?" wonders Biglorryblog's Krafty Kiwi Rod Simmonds, who's been away for far too long! Indeed I believe those sheep are saying: "Isn't that bloke the famous truck photographer from New Zealand...?"
Anyroadup Rodders says: "I've finally got round to downloading some pics of recent travels. Attached a selection from Fielding Sheep sale. Nice variety!"
And here's three from the same stable... Now click through here for more!
Last one for today...spotted by Biglorryblog on the M6 this morning near Brum on this livestock trailer...
Nick Zea-Smith has sent me this--the very latest in Kiwi sheep-shifters..."
Hi Brian, after seeing
And from the rear with a nice little sign off too....
Cheers Rod, take a cold shower if you're too hot!
Obviously Aussie roadtrains and Canadian B-Trains are the falvour of the week and the 'Keeper of the Flame' Martin Phiuppard has weighed in on both counts including this rather ncie selection." Hi Brian, s
And you can see what Martin means..the gloaming comes on very fast but fortunately not so fast as we can't see this super four-trailer Kenworth livestock roadtrain...
Yes Martin Hayes it IS more livestock trucks on Biglorryblog ...but the good news is there's a Daf in there somewhere so don't complain---otherwise I'll post up some Foden pictures and then you'll well and truly get it in the neck!
Varrooomm...how's this for kicking up a little dust with a K104? That Rod Simmonds he loves rubbing it in...here are we poms suffering from icey weather and Arctic winds and he says: "Sweltering in another 35C day...
"A wide variety of trucks, some 10,000 ewes were for auction, second day or two day fair. Most units can take 400 ewes depending on weight.." Ah yes but how many All-Blacks can they carry eh?"
I like this picture..rather like the showdown see in a 'Fistful of dollars!" Cue music and long lingering stares while drivers chomp on cigars....sorry just drifted off there, anyway Rod continues: "Got some others from David Pope fleet, boys knew i was coming so took all the wheels off truck and trailers, polished in the heat...worth it. Got another assignment tomorrow, this will rock your socks off mate!!! Kind Regards Rod."
Nice looking Scania...and the PTL rigs have rather nice individual markings too
I originally thought Pio Pio was the local name for the fish which is either a) a Sailfish or b) a blue Marlin c) a Swordfish so I guess Pio Pio is the local name for it....and it's obviously not a Halibut (you have that with chips as Ollie Dixon knows)....
But it's obviously a place in NZ....errr DUH Bgloryblog don't you know anything? Well I know this is Monarch of the Glen and if you're all so clever, for a pie, who painted that famous picture?
OK Martin you can move to the next blog now!" And click through here for a quick way to get 'smoked' lamb...
Rod Simmonds in New Zealand has clearly been feeling a bit sheepish. He's just sent me this selection of Kiwi carriers and says: "Once a year the Ongarue district have a big sheep sale (ewes and lambs combined this year) mid January."
Rod continues: "Ongarue is deep in The King Country, livestock and forestry area-see if you can find on Google. The old town has no shops or services, long gone, but local school uses the sale day for fundraising by catering lunches and drinks. It was 30-35 degrees C so need plenty of refreshments!" Fortunately Rodders still managed to battle heat-stroke (and the refreshments) to send this great selection of classic Kiwi waggon and drag livestock carriers starting with this neat Isuzu...
"Yards hold around 15,000 head nowadays and a good day was had by all!" says Rod....not least his son Benji who features shortly. But first its British truck time.
Like this excellent late-model Foden 4000 Series...kite marque rules...
"Swede Thunder" it says on the front. Scania gets in on the act. Meanwhile, Rod goes on to comment that while everyone had a good time..."Except maybe all the many truck drivers who started well before sun up to get to all the back country farms to collect then spend rest of day after auction delivering to all parts of the
Well this Inter cabover looks pristine Rod--either hasn't done much work or driver is a stickler for cleanliness! Rod closes: "Maybe something you could use in T&D, can send full size if you want?" How about it Will?
Another Inter waggon and drag--this one's called 'Inter-Mischief II'...geddit?
Well Benjamin clearly had a good time Rod---and why not spending time with truck-mad Dad?! And for a pie what's he looking at (the truck that is)
Aforementioned Inter identifier..!
Isuzu has rather interesting looking bodywork--porthole ventilation rather than conventional slats/flaps...
Your boy has either got a sensible sun hat Rod--or he fancies joining the Foreign Legion! As for the sheep they look 'baaaard' stiff....
About time we had an Argosy in this story Rodders...and click through here for more Kiwi sheep shifters!
Back by popular demand "Rush Hour" at Tuakau Ewe Fair in New Zealand where you'll find all sorts are splendid waggon and drag livestock carriers...take a look at this pastoral scene and you might just spot the 'Best of British' peeking around the corner...
Now click through here to see a couple of tough sheep shifters!
BigLorryBlog editor Brian Weatherley is the UK jury member for the International Truck of the Year award