Matador/aec, militant

[stoxs]

sounds to me like the old machinery was the best at the time but time moves on ,

 

If you compare these to todays equipment they wouldn`t stand a chance.

Also the driver could get out at the end of the day with sanity and hearing!

[Dean Lofthouse]

Just so those who dont know soon do This was my baby for 5 years.

 

Log-ologist, look at the last vehicle in my photo above

[Dean Lofthouse]

Just so those who dont know soon do This was my baby for 5 years.

 

Closer shot of another.

[Log-ologist]

I did notice the RL Dean. Note the lack of observation hatch in my old roof. It was civilian 4x4 probably electric co or nat grid as the inside was grey. They worked well,over rough ground as the chassis was designed to twist to improve axle articulation.

[wills-mill]

There's a lovely Bedford near me......

 

It started out as a civilian cement mixer lorry (so the PTO gear was already fitted). The guys that still own it bought it at 2 years old, shortened the chassis, made up a lovely light jib and forged all of the C hooks and ring dogs themselves. He told me some great stories about some of their jobs- loads of Elm through the 70's especially.

 

I'll try to get some photos. W

 

 

EDIT: I think the beauty of the old Brit kit is that it was designed and built for seriously large mature broadleaf trees and timber. The modern forestry contractors kit is designed around younger softwoods, and are much quicker, more efficient, ergonomic and easier to get around in- but they've not really got the grunt for big one off jobs.

Edited December 15, 2008 by wills-mill

[Ed Batchelor]

Here's my Matador, and a picture not unloading timber, but another matador...might be 70yrs old but still starts first turn of the button!

 

 

[Leyburn Lad]

Here's my Matador, and a picture not unloading timber, but another matador...might be 70yrs old but still starts first turn of the button!

 

 

 

will post some photos in the next few weeks of matador on the mill we grew up on plus some other old dogs of machinery, just retreived a load of old family photos:thumbup1: