The Classic Machinery Network

picture of wyatts 657 at china clay pits at lee moor Devon we where driving it up to cockermouth north lake district it took us 3 days it should have gone the week before when
we took four 631Bs up but it broke down. ben had the rear engines taken out of his 657s
because we had a lot of trouble with electrics gear shift the micro switchs and wiring where faulty and back engine would be in different gear to front.
when we use to drive scrapers to glenfarg or kinross from snetterton it was at least 3 days getting they we use to drive about hour then rest machine an hour to let tyres and transmission cool on twin engine scrapers we would pull out rear half shafts .going over forth road bridge they would close road and make us go over one at a time in centre of bridge even with 627s.
they was few bypasses when I first drove them on road but by late seventy's most tows where bypassed but we use to go though the centre of Newcastle Berwich and Edinburgh

Bob,

Did you ever run in to Tom Welch when you were there?
My Uncle used to drive a 621 scraper for him on Lee Moor back in the late '60s - early 70's

Great picture Bob, that's a long way to go with a machine like that, is that an Austin Maxi parked alongside ?

Richard I didn't drive on site at lee moor but I use to tramp scrapers on the road when they had to shift them so I didn't know the local drivers.I was working on local jobs or fitting in yard
Yes its a maxi heap of cr@p it broke down in yorkshire on whey back from cockermouth and
was transported back to snetterton. I have also tramped ts14 on the road for blackwells from liddlington ( now lotus test track) to manchester airport and french datchet reservoir to claydon not to many rest breaks on these to trips.
Bob

Good story Bob.Post some more if get chance.
Thanks.

We roaded Sprockets 631B to a rally in 2002, a 15 mile round trip.Some of the ACMOC members may have seen my photo's.Will have to scan those photo's
Picture shows the 631 at work last year.
Martyn

Just found these two pis while looking for something else!

i had to pull on the side when i met this 657 in Eltisley village before the by-pass
and no escort,the good old days

and no escort,the good old days

What you mean no escort Roly .. there is a Escort estate in your first picture

Martyn

Martyn Henley wrote:

and no escort,the good old days

What you mean no escort Roly .. there is a Escort estate in your first picture

Martyn

Yes Martyn,and a Morris Oxford at the rear