Ploughing tractors bogged at Lochans near Lairg
Photographs taken by Charlie MacNeil, Achany but courtesy of Frank Thom show a debogging sequence at Lairg. These are a few additional photographs to the sequence on Forestry Memories picture numbers 151 – 161.
This view is of the site in which the first tractor had been recovered and is now sitting on some digger mats and is anchored back to two tractors out of view to the left. The Smalley digger driven by Rossie Ross is helping to either lay more timber matting or bring in some equipment. Angus Ross (Mechanic) is picking something out of the bucket and Sandy Allison (Foreman mechanic) is stepping down to help him with Frank Thom (Head Forester) and Len Newman (Tractor driver – blue suit) looking on.
The top corner of the bogged tractor cab can just be seen with sludge pump working to keep the water level down. A fire hose has been fitted to the engine air intake and a temporary fuel tank was fitted. Crucially the winch rope from the tractor on the mats has been fitted to the front anchor point on the bogged D4.
The PDF shows a view of the wider ploughing site with two tractors bogged (one down out of sight) Rossie digging drains to take the water away and another D4 tractor heading out across the ploughing to act as one of the anchors.
The second image is of the deeply bogged tractor with engine started being hauled and driving out of the peat onto some timber mats and the third image is a repeat of the exalted Angus Ross driving in the peat and water covered cab as the machine finally makes the surface after around 4 days of work and preparation.
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Groups: Caithness and Sutherland, Forestry Areas, Forestry in Action, Tractors Ploughs and Drainage Machines