Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Calum · Joined: 07 Feb 2011 Posts: 100 Location: Midgley, W Yorks

Well I've got a new toy to play with at work... we've bought an Iron Fairy as our new premises has an outdoor storage yard out back which is only accessible by road, and not through the workshop itself. A small crane that can carry load is ideal for this purpose, and since we restore steam locos what better than another antique to run about!
My boss said I had a new pet to look after because (and I quote) I "like messing with vintage ****!" Laughing

Too right I do!

I'll get some pics when I get round to working on it - it was delivered last week when I was away and is sat in the workshop untouched as yet... it's not yet road registered but it looks to be an ex-MOD item (I think the RAF used ones like ours) so I am unsure of age but I guess mid-late 60s based on the fittings on the vehicle, and the engine (which I am pretty sure is from a Fordson Major). Looking forward to having a play... though it'll probably mean my boss' buses end up at work too and I start working on those as well... Rolling Eyes

I think it once looked like this:

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22446 Location: UK

That looks like a fun thing to have a go at driving Smile

RJ
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Rootes75 · Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2016 7:57 pm Post subject:

I recall seeing army service ones when I was younger. They do look like good fun.
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Calum · Joined: 07 Feb 2011 Posts: 100 Location: Midgley, W Yorks

Haven't had much to do with it but have had it running and sorted out a few electrical gremlins... somebody has tried to fill the rocker cover with gravel, so I managed to get rid of most of that but I'm going to have to get the sump off and give it a right good flush through. Runs nicely - it's a Fordson Major diesel lump, and I found a date from the coachbuilders who made the cab of 1963, which sounds about right. All the hydraulics worked, albeit with a few leaky hoses, but it's just had all its hoses replaced by the hydraulics place down the road, and a new rope is on its way too (don't think either hoses or rope had ever been changed..) It's very nice to use - you can actually be really delicate with it. I need to make sure all the load sensors etc function as they should and the overload siren too so that we can get it inspected and on the lifting equipment insurance thingy.

Overall I'm very impressed - as with everything of this age, British and industrial the cab is made mainly from rust and air but the chassis and mechanical components are spot on! Under those big heavy running boards it all looks like new so I should be able to fettle it to a pretty reliable state once I get chance to spend some proper time on it!

D4B · Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 2083 Location: Hampshire UK

Nice one Calum, I am looking forward to some pics of the actual crane Cool

Calum · Joined: 07 Feb 2011 Posts: 100 Location: Midgley, W Yorks

Hard work on a phone... here are couple from when it was first delivered. Not that it looks much different...

D4B · Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 2083 Location: Hampshire UK

Excellent, looks in very good order, great project Cool

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4756 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi
Can anyone remember the name of the similar sized rear wheel steer cranes which I have seen driving round?
They are a sort of triangular shape, narrow at the rear and wide at the front (jib end) with close coupled rear wheels.

I thought they were called Iron Fairies.
_________________
Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6312 Location: Derby

...and you get to rebuild steam engines as well! - you lucky sod! Smile

47Jag · Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2016 11:37 am Post subject:

Penman,

Would it be Hyster cranes you are thinking of? I think that's what was used when I was an apprentice and it was replaced by an Iron Fairy.

Art

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4756 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi 47
Looking at google pics of Hysters it wasn't them,
The ones I'm thinking of were proper road going cranes with thhe driver at the fron(wide end) with the jib sticking over the cab.
_________________
Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

Mog · Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 661 Location: Sydney

Coles cranes ?

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4756 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi
I have just been to Blunsden Station on the Swindon and Cricklade Railway and they have a Ransomes and Rapier crane which fits the triangular pattern which I described with rear steer and a fixed jib position.
_________________
Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

Peter_L · Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2016 7:05 pm Post subject:

Something like this ?

http://www.pegnsean.net/~railwayseries/kevin.htm

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4756 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi
Yes, obviously the ones I remember were road legal and had an enclosed cab whereas this is a yard crane.

_________________
Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10