The Classic Machinery Network

XS650 wrote:The smart Merc / Blaw Knox mixer does look like a demonstrator, wonder how sales went, most of the lads in pic would have been fighting the Germans not long before ! but think the consensus was their kit was a lot better.

merc.jpg

Hi Craig,
Just noticed the above post. That was one of three Merc / Blaw-Knox mixers run by a friend of mine.
They were based at Hirwaun, Aberdare. They ran out of Penderyn Quaries where I also worked for a while in the early 60s when it was run by Roads-Reconstruction of Frome, Somerset.
It was taken over by Amey Roadstone later to become ARC mid to late 60s when they brought in their own mixers.
Fred

hi Fred
Thats amazing , random pics found on the net and you know the owner !
Why did he pick what must have been a rare foreign expensive beast at the time?
Craig

XS650 wrote:hi Fred
Thats amazing , random pics found on the net and you know the owner !
Why did he pick what must have been a rare foreign expensive beast at the time?
Craig

Hi Craig,
I dont know why he chose the Mercs, they certainly were rare beasts in those days, but I do know he was more than happy with them.
We all tended to think in those days if it wasn't British made it was no good, but those Mercs proved themselves to be excelent trucks.
When he gave up the concrete he went into Express Parcel Delivery, (owner driver), doing a daily run delivering spares for plant and transport etc. to the valleys from Cardiff.
He bought a Merc van for that too when allmost everyone else swore by Transits.
Fred

Some nice pics of Brays , Whitlocks , Benfords , Taylor Hydracranes , ERF from Selwood website-

Cracking pictures Craig. The one with a mix of Bray and Whitlock particularly.

Interesting pics Craig, thank you.
There can't be many pics of the Whitlock ADT, I think its the DD95.
The navvy being loaded on the ERF is a Rapier 425, not a Priestman. I worked on those, they were pretty good in their day.
Those Taylor cranes were built on Ex.WD. Morris Quads.
Fred

Thanks Fred , forget about Rapier being a crane make , looks like he is loading the beast it over the side of the ERF low loader , that must be nerve wracking
Craig

Rapier by Ransomes at Ipswich?

Hi,
As you say Pete, "Ransomes & Rapier," Here's a couple of decent pics.of the 425.
We always loaded allmost everything over the side Craig, it was easier than jacking the trailer and knocking out the back wheels.
Fred.

1976 Mercedes 1617, thought to be one of, if not, the first 'New Generation' cabbed Mercs sold in the country. Delivered July, registered August. Originally supplied by Oldacres of Wokingham, bodywork by King and Taylor of Godalming. The chassis overhang was extended by 3 or 4 feet from new to accomodate a 24 foot body. Photo dates from 1976/7. Load is 2x County 1174 ex factory. Location unknown. Retired 1988.