The Classic Machinery Network

The Blackwood Hodge Memories blog has some brochure cover scans of Hydrocon cranes- the Swordsman, the GH45H, the Clansman, Marksman and photos of Hydrocon's belonging to Tarmac and Quinto.
link: http://blackwood-hodge.typepad.com/home/2010/02/another-one-who-jibbed-out-.html

Cranes are an essential part of the construction business. In fact, not a new product has been in use since the Roman era, when the medieval churches were constructed with the use of cranes. However, with the passage of time, there have been significant changes in the number and types of this machinery.

Good find IBH them Hydrocons wouldn't look out of place today.
There are loads of old plant pics on the site, all sorts , loads of big quarry/ coal stuff even one of Bechers scrapers

The one at Welland Steam rally

Thats a very smart ERF / Hydrocon merger in previous post !

Pic of net of an Albion / Hydrocon in 1983 , like the look of the old LAD cabs but never had to drive one!


Pictured in Isle of Man last month , seen this in 2007 so glad to see its still working .

hydrocon also made a 50 ton strut, I think only 4 were ever made, Attwoods of London had one, Pointers, babcock had 1 each the 4th 1 went abroad

The 50 ton strut jib was a Hydrocon Hampden. One came to the Isle of Man and is still here althought it has not been used for over 20 years. It was bought in by a short lived firm called manx Crane Hire and then bought by Juan Cannell Plant Hire. I used to drive it for both owners. It had an 8 wheel chassis with a Leyland 680 power plus engine. I will find a photo in my collection and post it shortly.

regards

Stephen

Four vintage cranes in this shot. On the left a Hydrocon hampden 50 tonner, then a Coles 30 ton tele, then a Coles 10 ton cantilever jib deisel electric on an AEC chassis and behind the jib of Coles grabbing crane ( for unloading coal boats) with a fold away jib for travelling.
The first three are engaged in refloating this sunken fishing boat in Ramsey Harbour, Isle of Man about 1988. The fishing boat was successfully refloated by the salvors, Laxey Towing Co Ltd who hired in the 3 cranes.

regards

Stephen

Interesting , never heard of the Hydrocon Hampden, amazing survivor , any clearer pics of it ? When I was leaving Douglas harbour last month after TT I could see vagueley the top of a strut jib poking up to the south of the harbour mouth.

The jib you would see would be our Smiths Super 10 which at present is being overhauled at our yard above the petrol storage tanks at the inner end of the Battery Pier, Douglas. Either that or if you looked inland you could possibly see the jib of the Lorain MC 540 which is normally parked on the inner harbour for lifting boats at the Marina. The Hydrocon Clansman in your photo, the Lorain and Smiths all belong to Laxey Towing Co.

regards

Stephen