Big Lorry

[Carl Wilson]

Whilst having some soup for lunch today this beast went past my kitchen side window, on a low loader.

Both my wife and I agreed the driver must have taken a wrong turn. I went outside to see if I could offer directions, and found the low loader complete with the REME recovery vehicle parked up outside a house further down my street.

Turns out the owner lives about 8 doors up from me. He and his wife and young son had just returned from a rally in Scone. The front part of the low loader has been converted to a living van with all mod cons. I had a very interesting chat with the owner who normally stables the vehicle and the low loader in a garage in Elgin.

I have a soft spot for these machines. In the mid 80s I was an apprentice in an HGV repair workshop belonging to BRS Northern. We had one of these as a recovery vehicle.

 

[Parm]

A serious bit of kit

 

[Carl Wilson]

You are not wrong. I believe it is a Scammell Explorer 6x6. I made the owner aware of my machining and welding activities. I'm hoping to have a few more interesting conversations with him over the coming months.

 

[Carl Wilson]

I really like the REME crest. The lighting bolt for electricity and a tethered horse for mechanical power, both over the globe.

 

[8ob]

I have a modern version of that, a 6x6 Iveco project that will get finished one day before I die

 

[Carl Wilson]

Nice machine. Is that a Hiab on the back?

 

[Dieselman 63]

The wheels on these always remind me of Dinky toys wheels. I would like to own an Alvis Stalwart one day, even better would be a swimming version with the crane.

 

[8ob]

The wheels on these always remind me of Dinky toys wheels. I would like to own an Alvis Stalwart one day, even better would be a swimming version with the crane.

Guess what

Nice machine. Is that a Hiab on the back?

Carl I fitted a big atlas crane and a 20ton hydraulic winch with spades up its chuff for backing up to river trees and pulling them out of the water, really do need to find the time to finish this. Got a V8 deutz engine in there.

 

[colnerov]

A serious bit of kit

Hi, Yes and very seriously capable off road.

Has it been converted to diesel or has it still got the Meadows petrol engine in it?

Colin

 

[maz0]

What a beast! Love the Scammels. Don't think I could get away with having one until the series 2 project is finished, or should I say started!

 

[Dieselman 63]

Guess what



Carl I fitted a big atlas crane and a 20ton hydraulic winch with spades up its chuff for backing up to river trees and pulling them out of the water, really do need to find the time to finish this. Got a V8 deutz engine in there.

Well I know they all swam originally, but a lot have the gear inoperable or removed

 

[Migmac]

My old boss had one with a winch on the back for forestry work. Apparently once a track had deep ruts on it. He and his mate would be at opposite ends of the track waiting for it to arrive. Jump on stop it, unload/load it and send it back. No driver in the cab!

 

[winchman]

I would love one. A couple of years ago I was offered a Bedford RL, mixed feelings, glad I didn't buy it but also wish I had.

 

[Ton-up]

My mate had a Leyland Martian, now that was a machine!

 

[Tinbasherdan]

My mate had a Leyland Martian, now that was a machine!

Wrecker or the artillery tractor which looks like the worlds biggest crew cab pickup? I was trying to buy one that was for sale in Somerset but when I told the guy how old I was (18) he refused to sell it me as apparently I’d never be able to master driving it......

The wheels on these always remind me of Dinky toys wheels. I would like to own an Alvis Stalwart one day, even better would be a swimming version with the crane.

Aye, and when you’re driving them on tarmac the standard practice is to either drive up the verge every so often or bounce a kerb to lift a wheel and relieve the transmission windup!


The explorers are a real tool, I know a few lads with them, none with the gallons per mile meadows petrol though!!

And @8ob will you stop teasing me with that iveco, I’d love one

 

[Carl Wilson]

Nice gear on the Iveco. I've always liked Alvis Stalwarts too. I couldn't believe it finding my one of my near neighbours had the Scammell.

 

[Shedendman]

Brings back memories,some good,some not so good

 

[zzr1200]

Many years ago there used to be a firm on the A127 at Rayleigh, who had an Antar with a crane boom and Essex Motorway Recovery from Hainault had a Scammel Contractor fitted with a Holmes 750.

 

[8ob]

Brings back memories,some good,some not so good

Here is a picture of the Stalwart, parked it up under a tree about a year ago and its looking very sad . Mk two with all the swim gear, I need to get it out of there

 

[Carl Wilson]

Fantastic Alvis Stalwart. I don't know if the Scammell Explorer above was petrol or diesel.