A few Ransomes crawlers.

[Stormin 9,981]

  Friend of mine has a collection of Ransomes crawlers. He wanted to get them out today, line them up in order of age ad take photo's. I did think he was being rather ambitious to do it in a day, but off I went to help today.

  Now my friend has been quite ill for some time, though slowly improving. So most of the tractors have not been run for some time. The plan was to drive out of the garage those that would start and tow out those that wouldn't.

  Below are a few photo's for your perusal. Don't ask to many questions, because it's doubtful I'll be able to answer them.

 

 Below is what we used to tow the non starters. Ransomes Turf Track. My friend Jonathan driving. Handy set of pallet forks on the back. VW recon engine on the pallet for a Beach Buggy.

 

Before we started moving things.

 

 

The one below is a copy of a prototype of which non exist. Built by a Scottish lad, from old photo's when he was 21. The idea was a tow tug for pulling canal barges and trailers etc in factories. The ITW stands for Industrial Tractor Wheeled. Steering wheel is connected to the brake bands and acts just like levers.

 

 

 

 

Jonathan got a bit close when reversing, taking the MG6 with him.

 

Below is number 38. The oldest known. Jonathan rebuilt it from the ground up.

 

Another ITW. This is fitted with a winch [n the back. The prongs are ground anchors.

 

MG6. This one came from France.

 

 

A little line up.

 

 

 

Various others.

 

 

 

Brace of MG6's.

 

 

Sand Skimmer. Used in water treatment plants. Yes! That is the drivers seat on top and you steer with your feet.

 

 

Front view of the auger.

 

 

This is the conveyor frame. Goes from front to back over the drivers head.

 

 

The sand would come off the elevator and drop into a dumper like this one.

 

 

Another Skimmer. I nearly demolished  a garage wall with this. Driving in, Jonathan shout, "Mind you head". My natural reaction was to stamp on the brakes. You steer by the brakes. The left on was better than the right. The Skimmer pivoted 90 degrees before I could work the throttle lever. Centrifugal clutchs on these BTW. Stopped just as it reach the wall.

 

 

 

Loading shovel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a digger Jonathan built himself. Very handy machine and has earned it's keep. Still does bits and pieces now and then.

 

 

 

 Jonathan is putting them all up for sale with the exception of the digger.

 

 

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,297]

Great pictures , your friend must have put in many hours getting those tractors in running order.

[Achto 27,565]

Thank you sharing these great photo's with us!! I've always had a fascination with crawlers and those are super cool looking machines that your friend has.

[ebinmaine 67,420]

Wicked cool stuff Norm!!!

[Stormin 9,981]

  Most of them have petrol engines, though some are diesels. Again most are started by handle, while a few are electric start. As I've already said, centrifugal clutch. and the throttle is a lever mount on one of the brake/steering levers. You can just see the lever in some of the photo's. Can make driving interesting.

[Pullstart 62,834]

Awesome stuff!  What kind of money is he looking to fetch on these?  I have never seen one up close.

[Tractorhead 9,064]

Thanks for showing us that great peaces of Technic.

 

I like to see such machines, great work of your Fried Jonathan, to save and recover that.

[peter lena 8,608]

thank you stormin !  great pictures  of fascinating  stuff,  we all share an  interest  in smaller equipment  ,  and just showing what's  around your area  only increases that view. interesting that we have an ocean and thousands of miles  between us , yet we are all drawn to older mechanical equipment. great having you on board with  your input, pete

[Stormin 9,981]

3 hours ago, pullstart said:

Awesome stuff!  What kind of money is he looking to fetch on these?  I have never seen one up close.

 

  Asking £25,000. for the lot. But NOT the digger. Bear in mind, some like number 38 and the skimmers are rare. Buyer collects or pays carriage/freight.  

  He may be persuaded to sell some individually.  

[Pullstart 62,834]

13 minutes ago, Stormin said:

 

  Asking £25,000. for the lot. But NOT the digger. Bear in mind, some like number 38 and the skimmers are rare. Buyer collects or pays carriage/freight.  

  He may be persuaded to sell some individually.  

 

That sounds like a lot, but for the entire collection I believe that sounds like a fair price for so many tools!