To continue, Newton Chambers went on to produce a range of machines under the NCK banner till 1958 when they joined Ransomes & Rapier. The deal was secured through an exchange of shares and NCK Rapier was formed.
R&R continued to produce the Walking Draglines but cranes and excavators were discontinued in favour of the NCK range. In the 1960s I worked on a R&R 462 1.1/2 yard face shovel in a local quarry and on a 205, several 305s, a 405 and a 605 with the Cardiff Plant Group.
It was 1963 before Kohering, who had an eye to the walking dragline business, took a financial interest in NCK Rapier with a 40% stake , again secured by exchange of shares.
No walking dragline ever carried the NCK or Kohering name, nor, as far as I know, did Kohering have any influence on the design.
Dragline production ceased in 1965.
In 1972 all production ceased at the NC works at sheffield and was transfered to the R&R works at Ipswich.
To sattisfy demand production of the "Walkers" resumed in 1976 and the W2000 still only carried the Rapier name.
The business finaly closed in 1987. In 1988 Bucurus Erie bought the rights to the walking dragline designs.
Below is the W1800 opperators view of 40 yard bucket, all about the W1800 in next post.
Fred
