Challenger 33 tractor and twin furrow plough – Morayshire?
The image is from a collection of slides and photographs ‘rescued from the skip’ and handed to Forestry Memories. Generally very little information with or about them and for details we will have to rely on readers’ memories or geographical knowledge.
The large Fowler Challenger is seen here pulling a twin furrow plough to complete plough dry heath forestry areas. Initial experience indicated that this was a very successful way to get Sitka spruce trees established growing very quickly on heathery sites. However after about year ten the growth slowed down and the spruce often went into check only to be rescued by fertiliser application.
The registration of this machine is YYR991H and FC number appears to read as FC 26 – 3403 – 70 indicating that it was the 3403rd machine/vehicle purchased in 1970. Can the location and driver be named?
The PDF shows closer views of the plough and the results of the complete ploughing of the podzolic heather covered heath land. It is doing a remarkable good job with full coverage of the heather. The plough beam does not appear to have been modified much or strengthened to take the two tine plough heads, each fixed on offset brackets. The hydraulic rams have been doubled up to lift the additional weight.
Can anyone name the banksman?
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Groups: Forestry in Action, Mystery and unknown, Northeast Scotland , Tractors Ploughs and Drainage Machines