County crawler with loader

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topkit
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County crawler with loader

Post #1 by topkit » Wed Apr 27, 2016 6:37 pm

Just found this on Ebay item number 141956853065 over in Edenbridge Kent, County Crawler, i have never seen one fitted with a front loader, Would make a nice project.


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Re: County crawler with loader

Post #2 by hair bear » Thu Apr 28, 2016 12:10 am

I could well be wrong but I seem to think there was only one prototype built. I'm sure it shows up in the County Tractors dvd being evaluated against a Drott. If it isn't the only one, I would reckon it's still super rare - a moist moment for any County collector!
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Re: County crawler with loader

Post #3 by FOWLER MAN » Thu Apr 28, 2016 8:49 am

Hi All,
That's a Bray BL25 loader.
Based on the County crawler they were made from 1956 into the early 60s. A friend of mine had one which I got to drive for a few hours in about 1959/60 when we did a brake overhaul on it.
It was the first crawler loader I had driven and I was quite impressed, but it turned out to be no match for the reliability of the Drott, Allis and Cats of the day.

Fred
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Re: County crawler with loader

Post #4 by topkit » Thu Apr 28, 2016 7:59 pm

Thanks Rob & Fred very interesting, the machine is only about 4 miles from me, they actually contacted me to see if i wanted to buy there hymac 270 that they have sproutinfg brambles that is also up for sale.


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Re: County crawler with loader

Post #5 by JimInOz » Thu Apr 28, 2016 11:28 pm

NIce one! Never heard of a loader version.
If I lived that close,I'd be having a good look at it..armed with camera.

Fred,thanks for the picture.Good looking outfit back in the day.She looks good with the triple-grouser track plates & cabin.

Jim

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Re: County crawler with loader

Post #6 by FOWLER MAN » Fri Apr 29, 2016 10:40 am

Hello again,
This Bray loader was advertised for sale a year or two ago, the asking price then was £6,000 so that's now come down 30%.
I commented then that restoration would have to be a labour of love as without looking any further the tracks are well stretched, both crowd rams are missing and the rest doesn't look very promising either.
I don't think it will be economically viable.
If you go to page 17 in my thread " The Way we Were" there are some pics. of these Bray BL25 loaders at work and of some based on a Fowler Challenger too.
Fred


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Re: County crawler with loader

Post #7 by JimInOz » Sat Apr 30, 2016 3:26 am

It would definitely be a labour of love (& money),but the thought of going to tractor shows & knowing you had a one-off would appeal,I expect.
I guess track gear would be tough to find ,& steering clutches too.
However,It would be a shame to see the machine rust away more than it already has.


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Re: County crawler with loader

Post #8 by hair bear » Sun Feb 26, 2017 11:23 pm

If a LandRover doesn't leak oil, it's run out.

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Re: County crawler with loader

Post #9 by XS650 » Mon Feb 27, 2017 6:35 pm

Having a laugh at that price isn't he , saw a County Crawler in good working condition go for similar price recently.
OK loaders thin on ground but so are the people who want them.

Craig
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Re: County crawler with loader

Post #10 by modelman093 » Tue Feb 28, 2017 12:43 am

topkit wrote:Just found this on Ebay item number 141956853065 over in Edenbridge Kent, County Crawler, i have never seen one fitted with a front loader, Would make a nice project.


Not having much luck with that ebay number?
141956853065


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