Jimmy Munro and double rear axle lorry
Photograph is courtesy of Margaret Murray, daughter of Jimmy Munro who is seen with his machine. There is no information with this photograph and year is a guess.
Previous information from Billy Mackay recorded on this website provides the following information ‘Jimmy started work with the Timber Supply Department during the war years, and at the end of the war transferred to the FC. He initially started as a Driver Mechanic at Blackstand on the Black Isle, arriving there at the same time as a Bert Skinner.’
The lorry looks a bit like ex-army and even headlights and side mirror appear to have been afterthoughts. Can anyone name the type of lorry and the year model? Registration number is KYW83.
The tractor and plough on the back of the lorry (Registration Number LYM 496) is again of historical interest as it is a step in the progress of development of the mounted tine plough. Note the head of the plough behind the lorry headboard resting on what could be large blocks of wood. There is a great deal of engineering modifications on the International tractor (TD9?) and it took a little while to follow the reason. The Bucyrus Erie swan neck lifting arms would normally be pointing forward to lift the dozer blade but they have ingeniously been fitted in a reverse position and the hydraulic rams (hidden from view) fixed somewhere on the added framework. The swan neck arms seen here lift a transverse beam at the rear of the tractor pivoting on arms fitted on a point in the centre of the track frame. The plough head and its short beam are then fitted to the large transverse beam giving it lifting and depth control.
I wonder who came up with this design and what were the advantages over the rope lift on a tower design used previously. Suspect good depth control and avoiding problems with rope breakages.
Can anyone name the location and the year – looks a bit like the geology and land of Ferness or Farigaig areas?
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Groups: Forestry Areas, Forestry in Action, Other Vehicles and Machines, Tractors Ploughs and Drainage Machines