How many British trucks still operating in the UK ??

[hot metal]

Saw an ERF hauling in north London yesterday, ( not belonging to a fairground or circus) .So it got me wondering who`s still operating these fine but now aging rigs.

[Mr. Jimmy]

I see a Roadtrain sometimes in the northwest, I think it might be Galbraiths transport - I'm aware of a few other Leyland of the same era chugging around.

[hot metal]

The only other I saw in the last year was another ERF tooling along north on the M6 near Wigan, making a great sound though. Think it was a 98 or 99 model year

[Truckosaurus]

All the old ERFs and Fodens seem to be running around southern Africa (I assume exported as used vehicles rather than having been there from birth).

[caelite]

Pretty sure a good 1/3rd or so of aggregate in Scotland is still moved around in Foden tippers.

[100SRV]

JCB have a fair fleet of ERF's.

[berlintaxi]

Turners of Hoole run a rigid ERF on a daily basis, still looks like new.

[Its Just Adz]

Redgate waste disposal in Manchester have a lot of nice looking Fidel's.

[Jimmy Recard]

I’d count most Daf as British really, despite the badge

[and31]

Quite often I see a Scammell (s26?) eight wheel tipper with the Leyland roadtrain/T45 style cab.its E or F reg and looks in bloody good condition.
I usually see it three or four times a week in Herts/Beds.

[Lucas CAV]

and31 said:

Quite often I see a Scammell (s26?) eight wheel tipper with the Leyland roadtrain/T45 style cab.its E or F reg and looks in bloody good condition.
I usually see it three or four times a week in Herts/Beds.

That's Rob -- you will not find a cleaner or more well-looked after tipper -
The one that he currently uses was totally rebuilt by him including the fitting of a very tidy cab from a refueller

[Its Just Adz]

Lucas CAV said:

That's Rob -- you will not find a cleaner or more well-looked after tipper -
The one that he currently uses was totally rebuilt by him including the fitting of a very tidy cab from a refueller

Would love to see some pics.
My friend's dad had a Scamell tipper when we were kids and I fondly remember it.

[hot metal]

Why do these operators run these old trucks ? In an industry where efficency is king they must be anything but. Just must be a fondness for the old Brit rigs, can`t see any other reason other than as marketing tools

Saw another ERF tractor on the m6 just last week, looked great.

Edited by hot metal on Tuesday 9th October 21:41

[caelite]

hot metal said:

Why do these operators run these old trucks ? In an industry where efficency is king they must be anything but. Just must be a fondness for the old Brit rigs, can`t see any other reason other than as marketing tools

Saw another ERF tractor on the m6 just last week, looked great.

Edited by hot metal on Tuesday 9th October 21:41

For the most part, they are much more robustly built. A Foden running a simple old American motor, and a simple old Eaton manual box, when exposed to rough environments tend to have far less 'little things' to go wrong in them. Also, contrary to marketing/PR, we really haven't made any major leaps in real life efficiency in the last 10-15 years, yes there have been gains made, but emissions regulations have focused most development into making burns cleaner, rather than more efficient, meaning whilst they may only be a ~10% mileage gain, there are 90% less harmful emissions out of the exhaust. However for rural, or soft road hauliers, this really doesn't matter.

There will be many hauliers, particularly with expertise in house to perform engine overhauls on their older rigs, who will keep running them until the powers at be force them to stop, in which case the old trucks will be shipped off to Africa, where they will be abused until the end of time (they absolutely love our old 8x4 tippers/flatbeds over their).

[smifffymoto]

I loved driving British as you had to drive them rather than just steer them.
I drove a Foden 8 wheeler with a 300 Cat,an 8 over 4 Eaton box and a bloody great big rear mounted Atlas crane.It also had double diff locks and cross locks so would pull out off most sticky situations.

[and31]

Lucas CAV said:

That's Rob -- you will not find a cleaner or more well-looked after tipper -
The one that he currently uses was totally rebuilt by him including the fitting of a very tidy cab from a refueller

I must try and have a chat with him,but every time I see him he’s going in the opposite direction!!

[and31]

A very good friend of mine owns this lovely old Bedford TK-it’s unfortunately not used commercially any longer,just for pleasure/shows,but it is taken out in all weathers all year round.
It’s been upgraded with a larger Bedford 466 cubic inch engine,overdrive 5 speed box and two speed axle giving it ten gears.its goes extremely well and great fun to drive!!

[KelWedge]

This was picking up this morning in our very damp Suffolk yard, so this ERF is still earning its keep.

[Lucas CAV]

and31 said:

A very good friend of mine owns this lovely old Bedford TK-it’s unfortunately not used commercially any longer,just for pleasure/shows,but it is taken out in all weathers all year round.
It’s been upgraded with a larger Bedford 466 cubic inch engine,overdrive 5 speed box and two speed axle giving it ten gears.its goes extremely well and great fun to drive!!

A TK is a lovely thing to drive unless you are over about 5 ft 8 when you'll get neckache!

[OldGermanHeaps]

Just need to look on any showmans yard to see old british trucks still being put to useful work.