Hy-Mac anybody?

Still see a few around on farms. My father talks about the change over from 10 and 22RBs to JCBs and Hymacs, had to come up with a different way of setting out trenches. I have vague memories of seeing rope operated machines in the 60s, they still hold a fascination for me now.

You can still get Hymac parts from www.hymac-parts.co.uk

The other early machine my father was familiar with was the Whitlock Dinkum Digger, 60's rival to the JCB.

I subscribe to Classic Plant and Machinery, good read for anyone interested in this sort of thing.

There is one just up the road from me, a Power-slide model.
I though it was ready to be scrapped after it didn't move for 5+ years then last week I saw it working in a field across the road!
My bad, thats a JCB not a Hymac

Out of interest what ever happened the hy-mac company? were they taking over by another company or did they go bust?

Reason I ask is becasue my father is a qualified hy-mac fitter. But hasnt worked on them in about 30years. He's actually in the financial sector now, how much some career paths change

We have one still in working order,perkins 6354 engine in her is sweet.It takes a lot of getting used to and I dont really go near it much other than to move it on the low loader.
About 5 years ago it was lifting a big stone onto a 14ton dump trailer while digging for a slatted tank with the uncle and the stone slipped and came into the cab doing a bit of damage.Other than freeze plugs,radiator pipes and drive shafts replaced she has been grand.
Our neighbour here used to own BT's,C's and even a D before they were replaced by the UHO and the rest of the Hitachi family.I remember when the D first arrived he and most other people hated it because the cab was on the opposite side.
In recent times I've seen a few artics with sometimes 2 hymacs on board heading for a sad end at the scrapper.There are a few around but most people see them for their commercial value rather than historic value,who else would give you 3k for a 40year old machine.

The 580b at gaynors is really sweet, have dealt with them through the lads i work for and they find them spot on!

Cousins of the father use a hymac 580c around the farm…..
Guy in the road from me has a old poclain but its gone to rack and ruin.

Uncles spent their 20s working in manchester….. often hear stories of them on 22rbs etc. apparently they were a terror to get on a low loader