Interested in other classic machinery ?

Silvera

Is anybody here interested in other classic machinery ?

For example, vintage/classic tractors, excavators, etc

There are literally hundreds (if not thousands!) of people in Ireland (and thousands worldwide) who restore vintage tractors and machinery.

There are several vintage tractor magazines available monthly, e.g www.tractor-and-machinery.com, and recently a new publication 'Classic Plant & Machinery' www.cpmmag.co.uk dedicated to excavators, draglines, etc has become available.

I have an interest in both of these because we had a vintage tractor (or two!) when I was growing up, and my father was involved in the plant hire business.
He operated draglines when he first started and HyMac machines in later years.

BrianD3

I'd have a bit of interest in most mechanical stuff - trains, planes, lorries, buses, excavators etc.

Silvera did you ever watch Salvage Squad on channel 4? Interesting programme covering a wide range of machinery. One of the programmes was about restoring an old Ruston Bucyrus dragline crane thing. What do you think of these? They still seem to be used on building sites even today - last week I saw one on a site near the nangor road in dublin, have also seen them on the Kilcock-Kinnegad motorway project.

BrianD3

camarobill

BrianD3 wrote:

I'd have a bit of interest in most mechanical stuff - trains, planes, lorries, buses, excavators etc.

Silvera did you ever watch Salvage Squad on channel 4? Interesting programme covering a wide range of machinery. One of the programmes was about restoring an old Ruston Bucyrus dragline crane thing. What do you think of these? They still seem to be used on building sites even today - last week I saw one on a site near the nangor road in dublin, have also seen them on the Kilcock-Kinnegad motorway project.

BrianD3

me to big interest in this,on the subject of draglines,my da had a few rb 22/32 draglines its a dying game now,its called progress but i dont know stradbally steamrally is a great place to see these old machinery,love those old steam engines

Silvera

Brian D3,
Unfortunetly I have only seen a few Salvage Squad episodes. I have S4C (Welsh version of Channel 4) and the show was on during the daytime
I recall one show in which they restored a tank. I really like such programmes, but there aren't enough of them on tv.

Regarding the draglines/cranes you have seen, they are most likely modern machines - as opposed to classic Ruston Bucyrus draglines - like the 10-RB, 19-RB and 22-RB which were made from the 1930's-1960's (my father drove these three models).
Ruston Bucyrus had a huge range of machines from the 10-RB right up to the 71-RB etc. Apparently they produced the most popular draglines but failed to crack the hydraulic excavator market which took over most of the draglines work from the 1960's onwards.
Classic draglines can often be seen nowadays dredging canals or being used as cranes in scrapyards.

The most well known of the hydraulic excavators would be the HyMac range which first started in Wales, in 1962.
HyMac almost ruled the Irish/UK market until the arrival of faster japanese machines - most of which can be seen on building sites and roadworks nowadays (e.g. Hyundai, Hitachi, etc).


camarobill,
I love those steam engines too !
I've been to Stradbally Steam Rally (takes place every August bankholiday weekend) twice so far - plan to go again this year.
However, I have yet to see any draglines or excavators at an Irish show ?

I read that Fingal Show is supposed to be the best such show at which to see vintage tractors, combines, steam engines, etc. at work in Ireland.
Have you been to this show ?
(I'm planning to go this year).

BrianD3

Regarding the draglines/cranes you have seen, they are most likely modern machines - as opposed to classic Ruston Bucyrus draglines - like the 10-RB, 19-RB and 22-RB which were made from the 1930's-1960's (my father drove these three models).

Nah, I think the ones I saw were classic RB machines - they were definitely draglines judging by the cables and had a sort of yellow/brown paint scheme which seems to be common on RB machines. It's only a few days ago that I saw one of them on a building site on the Nangor Road in Clondalkin.

BrianD3

Alfasudcrazy

Im interested in but not into tractors and stuff but my da bought a lovely 50's restored Nuffield tractor about 6 years ago - brought it home put it in the garage and other than starting it and letting it idle once in a while has never had it out of the garage. What a waste IMO - id have it out doing some work at least if it was mine.

camarobill

BrianD3 wrote:

Nah, I think the ones I saw were classic RB machines - they were definitely draglines judging by the cables and had a sort of yellow/brown paint scheme which seems to be common on RB machines. It's only a few days ago that I saw one of them on a building site on the Nangor Road in Clondalkin.

BrianD3

most rb draglines are converted to crains now,there isnt many people left that could drive an old rb dragline,skill has been replaced with computers draglines are only used for dredging;eg water areas,rb crains on building sites there are a few old rb still earning there keep today

camarobill

Silvera wrote:

Brian D3,
Unfortunetly I have only seen a few Salvage Squad episodes. I have S4C (Welsh version of Channel 4) and the show was on during the daytime
I recall one show in which they restored a tank. I really like such programmes, but there aren't enough of them on tv.

Regarding the draglines/cranes you have seen, they are most likely modern machines - as opposed to classic Ruston Bucyrus draglines - like the 10-RB, 19-RB and 22-RB which were made from the 1930's-1960's (my father drove these three models).
Ruston Bucyrus had a huge range of machines from the 10-RB right up to the 71-RB etc. Apparently they produced the most popular draglines but failed to crack the hydraulic excavator market which took over most of the draglines work from the 1960's onwards.
Classic draglines can often be seen nowadays dredging canals or being used as cranes in scrapyards.

The most well known of the hydraulic excavators would be the HyMac range which first started in Wales, in 1962.
HyMac almost ruled the Irish/UK market until the arrival of faster japanese machines - most of which can be seen on building sites and roadworks nowadays (e.g. Hyundai, Hitachi, etc).


camarobill,
I love those steam engines too !
I've been to Stradbally Steam Rally (takes place every August bankholiday weekend) twice so far - plan to go again this year.
However, I have yet to see any draglines or excavators at an Irish show ?

I read that Fingal Show is supposed to be the best such show at which to see vintage tractors, combines, steam engines, etc. at work in Ireland.
Have you been to this show ?
(I'm planning to go this year).

i didnt state what i meant clearly,i ment old engines,not rb s, if u can get a low loader il get a 22 for the show she has bog tracks so ull need outrigers :eek: :eek:

Silvera

My father has fond memories of his time operating draglines - he even plans to 'have a go' again on either a 19 or 22-RB this summer !


The interest around the country in old machinery is often underestimated.
One example being Bord na Mona. They have a collection of their old machinery alongside the West Offaly and Clonmacnoise Railway depot and which was recently featured in Classic Plant & Machinery magazine (4 page article. March editon).

The author of the article rightly stated that the machinery on display is unique in the world (Russia is the only other country with large peat reserves) and should be properly restored and displayed for posterity.
The collection is currently poorly maintained and displayed to the viewing public - it's not even mentioned on the railway programme, much to the author's dismay!
He states that a properly maintained collection would be a tourist attraction. (Many old machinery enthusiast organise their holidays around visiting machinery museums, exhibits, rallys, etc. There are even specially-organised old machinery world tours!)

According to the article the machinery is "apparently viewed as some sort of environmental nusiance", and many have been scrapped (!).

Another example of how officialdom in Ireland have neglected our transport heritage !!

camarobill

Silvera wrote:

My father has fond memories of his time operating draglines - he even plans to 'have a go' again on either a 19 or 22-RB this summer !


The interest around the country in old machinery is often underestimated.
One example being Bord na Mona. They have a collection of their old machinery alongside the West Offaly and Clonmacnoise Railway depot and which was recently featured in Classic Plant & Machinery magazine (4 page article. March editon).

The author of the article rightly stated that the machinery on display is unique in the world (Russia is the only other country with large peat reserves) and should be properly restored and displayed for posterity.
The collection is currently poorly maintained and displayed to the viewing public - it's not even mentioned on the railway programme, much to the author's dismay!
He states that a properly maintained collection would be a tourist attraction. (Many old machinery enthusiast organise their holidays around visiting machinery museums, exhibits, rallys, etc. There are even specially-organised old machinery world tours!)

According to the article the machinery is "apparently viewed as some sort of environmental nusiance", and many have been scrapped (!).

Another example of how officialdom in Ireland have neglected our transport heritage !!

there just waiting for the rust to do its worst pity do,but it can only be expected from these gobshtis,most off which wouldnt know anything about these and other old machinery from[days gone by]

JohnBoy

take a look at my reply to the garages thread, it's a 1968 massey 135, not exactly rare or unique, but it still works hard.

I'll hopefully be able to prise it from my auld lad for a few weeks over the summer to fix it up a bit.

Alfasudcrazy

My old man has a 1971 Massey 165 as well - he uses it now and agian but its mainly another white elephant.
I am tring to get around him to sell both tractors and buy a small double wheeled tipper truck much more usefull for brining gravel/turf etc which is all he uses the tractor for. :rolleyes:

camarobill

Alfasudcrazy wrote:

My old man has a 1971 Massey 165 as well - he uses it now and agian but its mainly another white elephant.
I am tring to get around him to sell both tractors and buy a small double wheeled tipper truck much more usefull for brining gravel/turf etc which is all he uses the tractor for. :rolleyes:

double wheeled truck wouldent be worth a siht for the bog do,and the diesel b a little bit dearer

Silvera

Alfasudcrazy wrote:

My old man has a 1971 Massey 165 as well - he uses it now and agian but its mainly another white elephant.
I am tring to get around him to sell both tractors and buy a small double wheeled tipper truck much more usefull for brining gravel/turf etc which is all he uses the tractor for. :rolleyes:

Are you sure you don't want to use the truck as well ???

Seriously though, many people (myself included) just like old tractors, and the bonus of negligable tax and insurance rates are a bonus !

MercMad

I love looking at all those type of machines but I confess i dont know ANYTHING about them ! I'm still not sure what a "dragline" is !

I read that Fingal Show is supposed to be the best such show at which to see vintage tractors, combines, steam engines, etc. at work in Ireland.
Have you been to this show ?
(I'm planning to go this year).

I've been to that show and I'm going this year with my car. there is a huge selection of tractors and trucks and general commercial vehicles but I cant say I saw any cranes there. They had a threshing competition last year with some steam vehicles too !

Alfasudcrazy

Just a few pics of the Castlebar show in March 2001 - looks like a nice day had by all



I have been always interested in steam rollers ever since our county council used to use them on the roads up to the mid 70's - was always fascinated by these strange contraptions (pics taken from this link)

http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/ejones/tony/rollers/

alastair

If you're remotely interested in steam engines, oil engines, classic commercials, old military gear, gas engines, showmans wagons, steam fair gear, etc then the Great Dorset Steam Fair is like santa arriving in the summer:
http://www.steam-fair.co.uk/

My oul fellah shows stationary engines there every year, and it's as massive a show as you'd ever desire.

Irish-trucker

howya ,

Great thread

Me and my father own stationary engines , we'll be at fingal on the 24th ,with our engines . ours date from the 30's to the early 50's
Anyone else exhibiting ???

alastair , Does your father have many engines ?

regards ,
John

alastair

Irish-trucker wrote:

alastair , Does your father have many engines ?

regards ,
John

My da used to have a large collection of stationary engines, possibly 80-100 or so, ranging from humble Lister D's up to a beast of a thing (a Ruston or a Bamford possibly) with twin five foot flywheels that he mounted on the flatbed of a 1950's amercan Buick truck. He built up his collection, mostly restored from non-runners, over years and then decided he wanted to focus on smaller engines, and hot air engines specifically, so he sold most of his collection. He has a collection of hot air engines, and a small number of rarer stationary engines, which he shows mostly in the UK.

Irish-trucker

Howya alistair ,

Your father sounds a very interesting man ! he has one amazing collection .
will you be at fingal ?

Does he happen to have any engines that need restoring for sale alastair ?

regards ,
John D

alastair

He's not showing at Fingal, but he is going up to some show in Cavan on Saturday.

Irish-trucker

Has he still got any engines for sale alistair ?

regards ,

John

alastair

Not that I know of.

Jason_G_KE30

This is one of my pastimes when I'm up at home at the weekends, this one isn't mine but identical. We live on a farm so it gets regular use My brother has a TVO version which belonged to my Grandfather, and was the first tractor they bought. At present, they only go to the local Paddy's day vintage parade, but I'm hoping to get a few more under my belt before the year's out.

Irish-trucker

alrite alistair ,if he ever has could you get in touch i need something to fill the winter evenings in with

Jason , My granda (R.I.P) had 3 vintage tractors which my dad and his 2 brother's look after now .

We have a little fergie (with a mowing bar) ,fordson major ,and a fordson super major .

We had them up at cooley in 2002 for the world record .

has your fergie got a 'underslung exhaust'?

regards ,

John

Jason_G_KE30

Hi John, sounds like a nice collection, we could nearly have one of them at our place . The TEF 20 has an upright exhaust because it's a diesel one, but the TVO has the underslung exhaust alright now. Some years ago, my dad stuck an upright exhaust on it because when ploughing with one of them you would be smothered with the fumes coming at you constantly, especially if / when it backfired . These tractors, plus all Majors, dexta's etc were at one time the backbone of the country, and they are still very practical to this day.

Silvera

Hi Guys,

Glad you like my thread!

I started it to try and gauge if there would be any interest in a website I started back in March http://classicmachinery.ipowerhosts.com.

I too have an interest in old tractors.
I've owned a Ferguson 20 TVO, David Brown 25D and DB 900D in the past - and will have another vintage tractor again when I have the space for one !

I also have a interest in old machinery - draglines, etc.
Are there any show in Ireland which have draglines, excavators, etc. on display ?

Regards,
Silvera.

camarobill

as i told u in the past,a mate of mine has,a 22rb drag line,and a 32 big ball reacker,he has about 16 to 17 bits around and most are full restored,i can also get some pictures of my dads 22rb dragline working away,in the silt ponds,i still havent seen any at the shows yet in ireland,but someone will do it in time,irish-trucker with a lowloader,ten four good buddy

Lookwhatifound

I have about six draglines around the paddocks, a selection of dorman engines, some dozers including a td18 a td9 , some ploughs with 5 foot high boards. Don't know what to do with any of it.

piston

Love all forms of vintage stuff really - cars, tractors, farm implements, trains, boats, anything really.

Have an MF 165 and a Super Dexta and also a collection of vintage/classic bicycles (Keen cyclist) ranging from 1939 - 1989. I ride all my bikes regularly and the tractors do get used too, although not all that much these days as I don't be around the family farm as much as I used to and my brother who runs it nowadays won't drive anything which doesn't have power steering.

Tzar Chasm

love old machinery to, we have a massey 275 that has recently become a classic. I have a special place in my heart for anything that's 'mechanical & clever' like a reversible horsedrawn plough I saw or the old balers, if it has a rhythm I could stare at it for hours, working out all the timings in my head

Silvera

Lookwhatifound wrote: »

I have about six draglines around the paddocks, a selection of dorman engines, some dozers including a td18 a td9 , some ploughs with 5 foot high boards. Don't know what to do with any of it.

This thread is a 'blast from the past'!:D

What make of draglines do you own? ...Ruston-Bucyrus 10-RB's, 19-RB's..?
Could you put up some pics of you collection?:)

Lookwhatifound

I think I remember my dad speaking of 22rbs would that make sense ? I hope to take some pics and post them, never done that before so hope it works. My dad stored some of the engines in a shed but the machines are out doors, although he did put an international td18 and a d9 into sheds left other dozers outside.

Silvera

Lookwhatifound wrote: »

I think I remember my dad speaking of 22rbs would that make sense ? I hope to take some pics and post them, never done that before so hope it works. My dad stored some of the engines in a shed but the machines are out doors, although he did put an international td18 and a d9 into sheds left other dozers outside.

Yes, Ruston Bucyrus produced several models over the years, the 22-RB was probably the most popular of their machins in Ireland. My father also operated a 22-RB for several years back in the 1970's. I look forward to your pics!

Lookwhatifound

I have a load of pictures on my iPad but I don't know how to upload more than one at a time, so here's one ( could anybody tell me how to upload a group of them )

101sean

Probably easier to host them on Photobucket or flickr and post IMG links, the photos will appear in the post then. Your image size is also pretty big.

I'd be pretty interested in seeing some more and I'm fairly sure that's not a Ruston Bucyrus in your picture.

I can remember seeing 10RB drag shovels and draglines on my father's sites in the 60s in the UK, they probably had some of the last and were being replaced by Hymacs and Dinkum Diggers.

The Vintage Excavator Trust at Threlkeld is worth a visit if you can find an excuse to go to the Lake District in the UK. They have all versions of RBs up to a 100RB.

http://www.threlkeldquarryandminingmuseum.co.uk/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20121956@N03/sets/72157621702130864/?page=2

Lookwhatifound

I think I have created a Flickr photo stream and posted it below, hope it works.
Anyway here's some pictures of things I found in the bushes.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/64281865@N04/

101sean

Some collection, even a tram! :eek:

Lookwhatifound

Hi 101sean I managed to create and post the Flickr account, thanks for the advice. Picked out a few that were clearer than the others, as you can see all have been abandoned quite a long time ago.

Lookwhatifound

Yep. Would you believe that is one of two that were at home, the other went to Wolverhampton ( google. Callan to Wolverhampton ). My dad also had a couple of the original west Clare railway carriages which he gave to a group who were renovating the Tralee and dingle engine, which seemingly is where the west Clare railway running gear came from ( the train I believe Percy French sang about, "are you right there Michael are you right" ).

gobnaitolunacy

Have a:
DB tvo cropmaster (nearly there restoration-wise)
MF 35 4 cyl (running but needs cosmetic attention)
Fordson Super Major Diesel (running....ish, tinwork and painting reqd)
Royal 'Oilfield' 125cc, (major wear, had a lot done, needs work)
2 x Berini motorbikes (neither running but otherwise not bad shape)
89 Ford escort petrol van (mothballed as a future classic)
Lister 'D' (not running, used be power for water pump and formerly housed in an old car body...giving the impression that the car was running!)

newmug

I'm looking for a MF 1135. Anyone know where there's one? Running if possible!

iverjohnston

Newmug, Robert fearnley in the UK is your man for classic American tractors.

try him on www.machinery.co.uk

Sound bloke, got me a cast International wheel centre from Canada. not too hard shod.