Cross draining team and equipment Loch Craggie, Benmore, Shin Forest
The photographs are courtesy of Donnie Stirling, Tomich, who was a ploughing tractor driver for a number of years. Photographs provide with help from Sandra Reid.
The lead tractor on the draining team complete with large mechanical winch and extra lights. The Track Marshall with registration number SMV425F must have been purchased about 1967/68 and complete with SunTrac cab. Unusually the winch gear arm has been modified to be operated from inside the cab although perhaps to free wheel the drum the lever outside would have to be accessed by opening the window and reaching back.
From memory quite a good flotation machine but heavy winch did compromise the rear stability. Not a great deal of power and the wide track gear took a fair bit of pounding.
Donnie indicates that this machine was operated by Jocky Banks from Ardgay.
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Groups: Caithness and Sutherland, Forestry Areas, Forestry in Action, Tractors Ploughs and Drainage Machines