scruff Posted October 19, 2013 Posted October 19, 2013 As mentioned in the scene twats thread, a good pal of mine - Steve - recently fulfilled his lifelong dream and bought a Scammell Explorer. He has literally wanted one since he was little lad and I am so chuffed for him, for various reasons it really is very very well deserved. Anyhow, today we picked it up from near Corby. When we went to see it a couple of weeks ago we got the inkling that we might come away with some extras so we decided to take my Sprinter. A pallet-crate was loaded up at 7am this morning to carry our toolboxes, oil cans and some 'just in case' spares. Untitled by sparkright, on Flickr Steve lives out in the wilderness (the fens) while I live in Rutland, so we rendezvous'd at Colsterworth services on the A1. We were joined by another mate, Lozza, fresh back from fighting bastards in Afghan and desperately trying to fight an itch for a classic truck... the day was not going to help him resist! We decided the day was suited to travel sweets. IMG_1485 by sparkright, on Flickr 40 odd mins later and we arrived. Here's the Scammell IMG_1490 by sparkright, on Flickr And here's the Brockhouse trailer Steve's also having, to convert into sleeping quarters. IMG_1488 by sparkright, on Flickr The vendor, a truck nut, kindly went through what all the levers did and showed us how to use the winch properly. IMG_1492 by sparkright, on Flickr IMG_1493 by sparkright, on Flickr Now I regularly drive steam engines, including a ploughing engine which has levers galore, but this is a different kettle of fish. IMG_1501 by sparkright, on Flickr I can't remember exactly what does what, so don't ask, the handbrake is nearest tho and the brass handle on the steering column is the hand throttle. The front axle is engaged with the lever immediately to the left of the drivers seat. The main gearbox itself I was expecting to be a bastard but it fair snicks between the cogs, not much more travel than a Mini! Obviously being able to double de-clutch is a bonus. Steering is air assisted and the wipers are air operated. It's got air brakes obvs. IMG_1502 by sparkright, on Flickr Teh winch. IMG_1506 by sparkright, on Flickr IMG_1508 by sparkright, on Flickr Under the bonnet is a Meadows diesel engine. I'm no expert but I think these are fairly rare. IMG_1510 by sparkright, on Flickr Plenty of tea on tap. IMG_1496 by sparkright, on Flickr Although Steve is a class 1 HGV driver par excellence and with miles and miles of 'shite trucking' under his belt, he hadn't driven a Explorer in anger before, so he departed for a spin round the block... IMG_1526 by sparkright, on Flickr ...while Lozza and I went for a guided tour of the yard. I'm a bit uneasy posting all the pics as it's someone's private collection but here's a couple. IMG_1512 by sparkright, on Flickr IMG_1513 by sparkright, on Flickr We had spotted this trailer on our last visit and decided to give it a home. Looks shit doesn't it? IMG_1518 by sparkright, on Flickr Well! It is, but it is also a pukka workman's trailer, ex Southern Electric and with a heavy duty towing ring and chassis so ideal for towage behind a Land Rover, tractor, steam engine etc. We junked it out and loaded it onto the Merc. IMG_1537 by sparkright, on Flickr When Steve returned we shunted the trailer out with a Land Rover and got hitched up. IMG_1528 by sparkright, on Flickr A bit of pissing about with lights and stuff and we were ready to roll. IMG_1539 by sparkright, on Flickr The trip back to the overnight stop took about an hour and a half. The Scammell cracked a steady 30mph on the flat, about 10mph less on the hills. Untitled by sparkright, on Flickr Happy new owner... IMG_1541 by sparkright, on Flickr It's now tucked up for the night in a friend's yard ready for a pub lunch tomorrow, and the final run to it's new Lincolnshire home. A great truck - sounds the bollocks, and just the ticket for a rolling resto.PS sorry for the Flickr bollox underneath the pictures. Wilko220, Lacquer Peel, overrun and 20 others 23
Wilko220 Posted October 19, 2013 Posted October 19, 2013 If your mate Steve is looking for any new friends, I'm available
Sloth in a bowl Posted October 19, 2013 Posted October 19, 2013 So when is he buying a transporter trailer and centurion tank to tow behind it?
Jim Bell Posted October 19, 2013 Posted October 19, 2013 That is one amazing machine, and a great read.Thanks for the write up fella. Maor pics and vids please.
drum Posted October 19, 2013 Posted October 19, 2013 Top wagon baggin' scruffster. Jealous as. scruff 1
Doctormop Posted October 19, 2013 Posted October 19, 2013 Brilliant write up and Brilliant purchase, as long as there are lunatics prepared to buy/collect/preserve/drive these leviathans we are all in safe hands.Collection of unusual chod comes no finer than this!!
Spiny Norman Posted October 19, 2013 Posted October 19, 2013 Fantastic! A vid with some groovy engine noises would be good too.
purplebargeken Posted October 20, 2013 Posted October 20, 2013 I love Scammels, they look just right. Excellent purchase for your mate and a great write up, thanks.
londonm Posted October 20, 2013 Posted October 20, 2013 Excellent, it'll be really useful as a mobile field headquarters when conducting a large scale armoured offensive against the enemy.
mercrocker Posted October 20, 2013 Posted October 20, 2013 Lifted my day, that did.....Look forward to more updates. Long time ago almost every large rural garage seemed to have stuff like this tucked away behind it but now even our Armed forces cannot buy British gear to pull their tanks with... tooSavvy 1
tooSavvy Posted October 20, 2013 Posted October 20, 2013 Lifted my day, that did.....Look forward to more updates. Long time ago almost every large rural garage seemed to have stuff like this tucked away behind it but now even our Armed forces cannot buy British gear to pull their tanks with... Amen.... I WVM down the A1 often and see all Army chod on trailers usually used for Demolition Cranes.... AND don't get me onto RAILWAY ROLLING STOCK.... ffs!! Network rail charge so much for access that shit loads of railway 'repair/relocate' goes down the M roads..... tooSavvy
v8 scania Posted October 20, 2013 Posted October 20, 2013 I live behind that yard it looks a bit like a scrapyard but he has got some nice looking motors in there, I must go for a chat there soon
I_am_Diesel Posted October 20, 2013 Posted October 20, 2013 WOW! I'm an ex-military vehicle mechanic and I LOVE that kind of thing. That is ACE!!!
Split_Pin Posted October 20, 2013 Posted October 20, 2013 Top collection thread there, thats a beast of a truck. Bet its a noisy bugger too!
Cavcraft Posted October 20, 2013 Posted October 20, 2013 That's brill. Is the green one with the red chassis a Highwayman? One of the best looking trucks ever made, imho.
mercrocker Posted October 20, 2013 Posted October 20, 2013 That's brill. Is the green one with the red chassis a Highwayman? One of the best looking trucks ever made, imho.Michelotti did the cab design, I believe....
overrun Posted October 20, 2013 Posted October 20, 2013 Fantastic! I love old protectors like these things. As an added bonus, I read your words in Chris Barrie's voice, in my head box. phil_lihp and scruff 2
scruff Posted October 20, 2013 Author Posted October 20, 2013 ^^LOL! Home safe and sound with no issues, we did take apart the relief valve on the compressor as it was sticking open and also adjusted the brakes before we set off. Shit what a difference!! I think it had been braking on one wheel and lightly rubbing the others.More pics and a video tomorrow, I am ker-knacked
barefoot Posted October 21, 2013 Posted October 21, 2013 SFQ Can I drive that on my ordinary car licence (old one 7.5 ton) if I don't tow anything and/or keep it under seven & a half tonnes?I'm guessing that the tractor unit doesn't weigh that much.
Volksy Posted October 21, 2013 Posted October 21, 2013 These are fantastic machines, a friend of mine has an Explorer, a constructor and a Crusader. I've been lucky enough to go in all of them. The chap is a Citroen enthusiast also, having been trained in the Paris factory and running a Citroen specialist in Leeds for many years. scruff 1
scruff Posted October 21, 2013 Author Posted October 21, 2013 Barefoot - It weighs about 8 tons and is classed by Swansea as mobile plant, I presume due to some previous employment (tho' taxed Historic). As I understand it you can drive it on a pre 97 "old" licence but I'm no expert...! barefoot 1
rml2345 Posted October 21, 2013 Posted October 21, 2013 Red and green one is a Trunker I think Cav and Michelotti did do the cab... It went on the Routeman 8 wheeler as well.That Explorer is fan-bloody-tastic and cheers very much for sharing the collection with us.Top stuff!
FredTransit Posted October 21, 2013 Posted October 21, 2013 you can only drive a tractor unit on a 7.5 ton license if the 5th wheel is removed. Driving bobtail on a 7.5 ton lisence was stopped off years ago..... barefoot 1
barefoot Posted October 21, 2013 Posted October 21, 2013 you can only drive a tractor unit on a 7.5 ton license if the 5th wheel is removed. Driving bobtail on a 7.5 ton lisence was stopped off years ago.....Thanks, what's bobtail?
scruff Posted October 21, 2013 Author Posted October 21, 2013 Bobtailing is driving a unit with no trailer. Wobbly blurry video... Cold start IMG_1548 by sparkright, on Flickr On route to the pub IMG_1551 by sparkright, on Flickr Home IMG_1558 by sparkright, on Flickr alf892 and Angrydicky 2
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