HECter

[wrinklearthur]

A hot lead.

I have known of the existence of this ex Hydro 86" series 1 for over 10 years, as it was then owned by a friend 'John', he was in turn was influenced by me owning at the time another '55 86".
Sadly at the time when I again felt that need to become a part of a Land Rover's dossier, I contacted John to be told that he had swapped the 86" along with a 80" for a Range Rover, so that's where the story stopped for about three years.

A phone call from 'Garth' about these two Land Rovers came without warning, "Are you interested in a couple of early Land Rovers?" He said that he must get rid of them as he didn't have time to work on them. This phone call came about just before the 'Fred' foray into Victoria, http://www.aulro.com/afvb/showthread.php?p=1786275 .
I didn't breath a word of this opportunity to anyone including SWMBO, in fear of loosing the chance to acquire a couple of historical vehicles.

After carrying a empty bag for the time I was away, I arrived home to make the phone call and was told by 'Garth' if I can get rid of them from his place then I can have them!!!! :o :arms::arms::arms:.
'Garth' added that there were four new 6.00 x 16 bar treads and a brand new replacement rear cross member for sale as well, I nearly broke down and cried. :BigCry:

[123rover50]

Well.... Good one Arthur. Go for it. Dont forget to post some pics when you get them home.

Keith

[The ho har's]

Arthur, you are the lucky one:D

Mrs hh:angel:

[wrinklearthur]

There has been slight hiccup with a missing posting, I reviewed it and then forget to submit. :oops2:

Now to tell the story of the naming of 'HECter'.

The Deal.

'Fred' dragged 'AlexH''s and my newly acquired car trailer down the Southern outlet to Grove, in anticipation of a collection of goodies.
The 86" was sitting in the ground with grass up to the skirts, 'Garth' then took me over to a spot under the tree's and there was the dismantled 80". :o
The deal being done, two trips were decided on to bring the pair to their new home. :ehigh5:

Before I set to and load the 86", I had a good look around inside and there were the tell tale signs of the Land Rover once being owned by 'the Hydro Electric Commission of Tasmania', the logo was the initials H.E.C. in white.
A name for this latest Land rover would be good as the yard at my place would be very confusing if I couldn't identify each one, then a play with words using HEC suggested the name Hector, but HECtor didn't look right so 'HECter' came to be.

Away we went with 'Fred' through all the back roads to Hobart, as 'Fred' is still prone to getting hot and with the happy face of HECter smiling at me in the review mirror.
After arriving home I looked at 'HECter', now I thought, what is stopping him from going? 'Garth' told me he had never had the 86" running.
'HECter' has a original style motor a spread bore 2 litre with a Holden carby adapted, a good fuel tank, a working fuel pump, dipped the oil and it was the cleanest oil I have ever seen in a petrol engine.

The fuel tank had 20 litres pored in, the radiator was filled up with coolant mix, a good battery was found for the job and the engine was spun over.
No start, that probably explains why this Land Rover had sat around for so long.

There was petrol, air and compression, so must be something to do with the timing I thought. So I grabbed a sparkplug wrench and a long screw driver and set to check the timing.
Pulling the plugs to find that the gaps were enormous, lucky me had a brand new set of the same value left over from another job, I put a new plug back in number one cylinder and looked for a crank handle in the shed, couldn't find one at all after looking high and low for half an hour, so in despair I went back to HECter and found one in the back!!! :clap2::arms::clap2:

Turned the motor over until I felt the number one cylinder on compression and popped the screw driver down number four spark plug hole to rock the crankshaft onto top dead centre, happy that TDC was right I retard wound the vernier adjustment onto 0° and tried the gap of the points to see how close to opening they were, the body of the distributor was around too far by about 25°, moving the distributor to where the points just sparked across their gap I locked the body off and reset the vernier adjustment back to about the 4° BTC position.
Had a look at the leads they were on 180° out as well !! ;) that sorted, I tried the starter, HECter started for the first time in maybe over ten year and after the smoke cleared he was purring like a kitten, I back him off the trailer to his new home.
.

[123rover50]

Good story Arthur.


Where are the photos??????:):):):)

Keith

[The ho har's]

Good story Arthur.


Where are the photos??????:):):):)

Keith


I have a photo of Arthur and us in Tassie:D





sorry you want other photos:p:D

Mrs hh:angel:

[Pedro_The_Swift]

my apologies for posting here--
but I clapped when it started!!!:D:D

[The ho har's]

my apologies for posting here--
but I clapped when it started!!!:D:D




Post anytime you want pedro:)

Mrs hh:angel:

[123rover50]

I have a photo of Arthur and us in Tassie:D





Mrs hh:angel:

That,l do for a start. I havnt been to Tassie.

[wrinklearthur]

Been outside fixing 'Fred' and came inside to a real racket on here, the picture magpies are clamouring for a feed of pictures.
I'll look in my bag of goodies and see if I can satisfy their voracious appetites.

[wrinklearthur]

Tried photobucket and the new version wasn't compliant, then I had fun trying to post pictures of the Queen and Phil joy riding around a paddock in Hobart, on 123rover50's thread - 1954 Royal Review 47160049, more trouble! and then along came a Damsel to rescue a Wrinklearthur in distress ( Thanks Diana ).

So here goes!

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=52805&d=1351805558


I have tried a photo of the differences in the 88" and 86" chassis'.

AAAHHHH!!!!! success !!!!

[wrinklearthur]

Now with a swelled head :MileStone:, I shall post more photo's.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=52806&d=1351806572
'Fred' and 'HECter'

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=52807&d=1351806884
'HECter' is a 86"

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=52808&d=1351807715
'Monty' is a 88"

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=52809&d=1351808087
'HECter' and 'Paul'

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=52810&d=1351809979
'Monty' and 'Fred'

[timaus13]

The Range Rover was mine until Garth purchased it. I miss it.
Fortunately I have replaced it.
PS Was Fantastic to finally meet Arthur and his friend Stuart today at Garths property.

[wrinklearthur]

I decided to see if I had the correct 86" bonnet to fit HECter, as he had a botched 80" bonnet at the moment.
I went over to the pile of spare body parts and there was two bonnets, tried one on HECter and they are for the 88". :thumbsdown::thumbsdown:

Has anyone got a tidy 86" bonnet they can afford to part with?

[wrinklearthur]

After scratching all the usual spots, which included the top of my head! :confused:
I found the stamped chassis number 57660754 for 'HECter' under the left hand hole of the radiator panel, stamped on top of the chassis rail.
The dashboard, firewall or bulkhead ( the name depends on where you rode on the school bus ) plate has the matching number. I am experiencing sheer bliss!!!

Still looking for photo's of series one Land Rovers as used by the Hydro in Tasmania, can anyone help me with that?
.

[123rover50]

I decided to see if I had the correct 86" bonnet to fit HECter, as he had a botched 80" bonnet at the moment.
I went over to the pile of spare body parts and there was two bonnets, tried one on HECter and they are for the 88". :thumbsdown::thumbsdown:

Has anyone got a tidy 86" bonnet they can afford to part with?

I have a spare here but its a bit far away.
If you cant find one a bit closer by the end of your restoration then you can have it.
Keith

[123rover50]

Deleted double post. I did not think it worked as an error notice appeared

[wrinklearthur]

I have found precious few photo's of 86" Land rovers as used by the Hydro Electric Commission in Tasmania, but there are a couple of small ones of both 80" and 86" Land rover's, in the excellent book, ' Ticklebelly tales and other stories from the people of the Hydro ' by Heather Felton ISBN 9780646477244.
I didn't know that my Mum had a copy until I mentioned that I was looking for that book, so now it is on loan at my place, thanks Mum.

My next step is to see if I can contact Heather Felton and find out if I can obtain higher resolution copies of those photo's, here's hoping .

.

[timaus13]

Hello Arthur :-)
Enjoying the write up on Hector very much.
Gota Love Mums. They R the Source. LOL
Hope to catch up soon was going to visit with Garth but he forgot to call me and Pick me up for the bulkhead dellivery, :-(
I was going to meet him in B Water and come visit.
Once again it was a pleasure meeting you and Stewart.
Looking forward to more land Rover Conversations in the near future with you.

Please post some more pics as Hectar Is progressing.

Cheers gadgets AKA Tim :-):D

[wrinklearthur]

Took grandson Fletcher around the paddock for a ride in 'HECter' and then all of a sudden 'HECter' stopped! :(:(:(

Relax everyone, 'HECter' had only run out of petrol. :D:D:D
.

[numpty]

I decided to see if I had the correct 86" bonnet to fit HECter, as he had a botched 80" bonnet at the moment.
I went over to the pile of spare body parts and there was two bonnets, tried one on HECter and they are for the 88". :thumbsdown::thumbsdown:

Has anyone got a tidy 86" bonnet they can afford to part with?

I've got one at my place too, but also a bit far away. Bit of a bugger really, as I could do with a better bonnet for leon (88"):)

[wrinklearthur]

AlexH was horrified when I dared to suggest to him that I could chop one of the 88" bonnet's down to fit HECter. :D

Does anyone know of a parts supplier that I can obtain bits for a Solex 32P carburettor from, I need a banjo union, gauze filter, fibre washers and the union bolt, as I really want to get rid of the Holden carby and get back the low rev torque characteristics that those motors are renown for when using their Solex carby's.
.

[wrinklearthur]

HECter has a new tail gate, the old one was rather tired so a bidding we went.
The new tailgate is in really good condition, no paint has been worn off the inside at all and the only damage is, one rivet broken, the rubbers need to be replaced and a bit of nearly 60 years of corrosion to be cleaned up.

.

[123rover50]

Hi Arthur
Do you still need a bonnet?
Maybe I could chuck it on Diggers truck as he goes through Gympie:D
Get it part way there.

Keith

[wrinklearthur]

Hi Keith

PM sent.

Had a look at HECter's LHS front chassis rail today, the weld has come apart for about six inches at the top of the rail over the axle, but I will be taking the mudguards off to improve their looks, so that weld can be redone then.

I am not going to pull the car down completely to a bare chassis, until everything that bolts onto it has been tidied up first, by doing it that way I shouldn't loose any of the small parts.
The 80" that came with HECter has been pulled down completely and there is a lot of misplaced nuts and bolts to be found, does anyone know who is the best supplier of BSF threaded fittings ?
.

.

[Landy Smurf]

if that was the one on ebay i think i was bidding on that as it looked pretty good

[wrinklearthur]

if that was the one on ebay i think i was bidding on that as it looked pretty good

Hi Tony

Hope you didn't mind? but it was a surprise to find out just how good an example the tail gate ( eBay Land Rover Tailgate (200846675732 ) was when it arrived.

The chap who sent it had miscalculated the cost of the postage from his place down to Tasmania, so I made sure that he received the difference and he was happy about that.
.

[wrinklearthur]

I have just come across a tidy 86" bonnet and is painted orange, so I guessing that it was off a either a ex PMG or a Tasmanian Department of Main Roads.

The bonnet I found, measures 36 1/2" front to back so it is the correct size, as the one for a 88" is exactly one inch longer at 37 1/2", when measured front to back across the centre of the spare wheel mount.

The skin of the bonnet is in good condition, but the frame has a rust hole in one of the members that runs from front to back and that will need to be replaced to maintain the strength of the bonnet, I must count the rivets to see if a 88" bonnet frame will fit.

Oh God it has happened ! I'm now a rivet counter. :eek2::eek2::eek2:

To Keith, thanks for your offer of assistance to supply the correct one it has been much appreciated.
.

[Landy Smurf]

it is ok, i think you got a bargin, i think i would have gone higher but i am not up to that stage yet. Looking forward to coming down and seeing your series ones

[wrinklearthur]

I received a message today from a reader of my add on Gumtree asking for information about early Hydro Land Rovers.
Photo's Tasmanian Hydro Land Rovers, 1949 to 1959 | Other Automotive | Gumtree Australia Hobart Region - Brighton Area (http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/brighton-area/other-automotive/photo-s-tasmanian-hydro-land-rovers-1949-to-1959/1008635818)

Here is an except of the reply I sent back.

"Thanks for your reply, I have had a couple of calls now but no photo's as such.
There are some pictures in Heather Felton's excellent book 'Ticklebelly Flats and other Hydro Stories', but they are a bit small for any detail, so I am trying to get onto the original photo's that the pictures came from.
I will be contacting a chap who was an apprentice at Butlers gorge about that time, he may have some leads to where I can find some information.
Inquiries within the Hydro drew a blank for the moment, as all their records only start about 1990 with the formation of the Hydro as it is today.
I am going into the State archives soon, as they may have received the old collection of the photographic branch of the Hydro Electric Commission.

This has been a interesting exercise in it's self, just following up on information and you never know were it may lead to. "

[wrinklearthur]

The next couple of days here in Tasmania are forecast to be high fire danger days :firedevil:, so HECter has the job of carting the fire fighting unit around. :burnrubber:
.

[Landy Smurf]

awesome you must take some photos

[wrinklearthur]

Bummer I started to back the '56 Chevy out of the way and it cut out!

Looking at what needs to be done to get that running first, I bet it's picked up some rust from the tank.

Petrol tanks and lines made from steel even when near full of fuel still make rust I'm afraid.

Back to the grindstone!

.

[wrinklearthur]

How does one get heavy parts from one end of the country to the other?
I've had some really good offers of parts I need lately and also I could have helped some others in strife, IF! that strip of water wasn't there between Tasmania and Victoria !!

I am told that there are cheap flights available, but watch out, they are only offered one way and they don't like engine blocks as hand luggage.
.

[wrinklearthur]

The master cylinder for HECter arrived today from a eBay seller in Belgium.

Minerva Serie I Landrover Serie I Hauptbremszylinder Lucas Type 19 mm 3/4" NEU | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Minerva-Serie-I-Landrover-Serie-I-Hauptbremszylinder-Lucas-Type-19-mm-3-4-NEU-/370661131838?pt=Spezielle_Werkzeuge&hash=item564d20063e&_uhb=1)

I must be careful with the thread types and sizes, making sure they match the existing fittings, change the push rods over and then the new 19.05 mm master cylinder should do whoa nicely.
.

[wrinklearthur]

I refitted the distributor cap that I had repaired back onto 'HECter', swapped over the battery, with that he fired up nicely and I drove over to the garage.

Looked at the orange bonnet that is for a 86" and decided that the 88" bonnet must come off, as tidy as it is, the 88" bonnet just didn't look right on HECter.

Then grabbed a measuring tape to see what the differences there are, on the 88" from the last row of rivets to the back edge is 1" further than the 86" and the hinge plates are also 1" longer than the 86".
Would anyone know if I chopped a inch off the 88" bonnet and swapped over the hinges ?

You bet, they would tell me it's wrong and then how to spot a 88" bonnet at fifty yards! So what is so obvious to give the game away?

Just have a look next time you are passing a pair of series ones of both wheel bases, you can spot the difference at fifty yards, those rubber pads that the wheel rests on are in the wrong spot on the orange 86" bonnet, where as the 88" pads are placed correctly.

I love tormenting people with these riddles. :twisted:
.

[123rover50]

Arthur the 80" has the pads North, South, East , West, with thicker pads East and West to make up the difference.
Could be someone has copied an 80 without the thick pads.
My 86 has diagonal equal thickness pads.

Keith

Just went down to the Sacred Site for a look. The 80 and 86 have the same length bonnet 925mm but the 80 does not have the stronger bracing the 86 and 88 do.
The early 86" 53, build 54 has North South pads like the 80". The later 86" has diagonal pads.

Another one with N,S,E,W pads had them all the same thickness but the bonnet did not have such a pronounced curve. Practically flat so all four pads took some weight.
There you go. Take your pick.

[mfc]

looking at 86 inch bonnets on lrsoc last night it looks as if the diagonal pad placement is a ckd thing .
regards mark

[wrinklearthur]

This one on Gumtree has diagonal placement.
1950`S Land Rover (4X4) Coupe SERIES 1 | Cars, Vans & Utes | Gumtree Australia Tuggeranong - Bonython (http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/bonython/cars-vans-utes/1950-s-land-rover-4x4-coupe-series-1/1014362892)
Looking at that style aircleaner it was fitted up to the end of the 1954 run, it also has a 1954 firewall and the bonnet has the same shade of paint as the rest of the series one.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

So are all the CKD diagonal placements?
If so my threat of butchery of a 88" bonnet may go unnoticed. :twisted:
.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

NSW Bush Fire Brigade sticker---
I wonder if thats the Station on the rear guard?:o

[wrinklearthur]

I attacked the drivers door and mudgard of 'HECter' with some Citristrip®, the stripper worked well with the first four layers, but the last layer of original paint didn't move and that last colour is definitely Bronze Green, so there are paint strippers that do and there are some that don't.

What was I looking for?

Any sign of the Hydro Logo that remained, well I had success of a sorts, I found that prior to having it's coat of primer ready for the second coat of paint applied, the logo had been wire brushed from the door leaving only a vague outline of what was once there.
The outline does give a good idea of the size of what was there, so something is better than nothing.

On repeating the exercise on the passenger door there wasn't any evidence of a logo to be found, although that door did look to be an original type and is the same construction as the drivers door.

I then went looking for the tyre pressure number at top of the opening of the rear drivers side wheel arch and carefully scraped away the paint layers to find that the number '20' is still visible and easily read, again when I tried in the other matching places over the other wheels, those number's had gone.
.

[mfc]

This one on Gumtree has diagonal placement.
1950`S Land Rover (4X4) Coupe SERIES 1 | Cars, Vans & Utes | Gumtree Australia Tuggeranong - Bonython (http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/bonython/cars-vans-utes/1950-s-land-rover-4x4-coupe-series-1/1014362892)
Looking at that style aircleaner it was fitted up to the end of the 1954 run, it also has a 1954 firewall and the bonnet has the same shade of paint as the rest of the series one.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=56815&stc=1&d=1361048198

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=56817&stc=1&d=1361048839

So are all the CKD diagonal placements?
If so my threat of butchery of a 88" bonnet may go unnoticed. :twisted:
.

some arnt{perhaps different bonnets ,have a peek through lrso gallery and theres none on uk cars {only looked at 54 55 yr cars } but the majority of aussie cars appear to be..probably cheeper to have the same thicknes pads lol...or posibly fitted after sale for one style on car from build the other
it is interesting though{in a sick and somewhat un wholesome way}

any idea when the side intake{pre cleaner started/stoped} mine hasnt got one and the spare one of an 88 inch has the mesh section permantly conected to the top of the housing...

[wrinklearthur]

Changed the batteries around, New N50Z for 'Daisy', 'Daisy's into 'Fred' and 'Fred''s into 'HECter'.

I have started repairs to 'HECter's battery bracket, it's to be replace with the correct one, as the old bracket is missing the aircleaner support and the bracket itself had been lengthened for a larger battery than the N70ZZ size they are meant to be fitted with.

Made a rubber pad for the battery to sit on from some insertion rubber, but the battery support plate that is a welded part of the chassis needs to be replaced as a small part of it has eroded, so then the mudguard needs to come off, for ease of doing that repair, a general clean up and paint of that part of the chassis.

The mudguard may get replaced with another due to some impact damage on it's front corner and don't worry everyone I am not going to paint it grey!

.

[wrinklearthur]

Decided to take some before photo's of 'HECter'.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=58507&stc=1&d=1364938443
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=58508&stc=1&d=1364938443
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=58509&stc=1&d=1364938443
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=58510&stc=1&d=1364938443
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=58511&stc=1&d=1364938443

The odd sized wheels on the back have as of yesterday are now replaced with two new 6.00 x 16 bar treads and the correct sized rims.
.

[123rover50]

I dont get a photo , only a red X. I click on that and get a Vbullitin message of invalid link:(

[wrinklearthur]

I dont get a photo , only a red X. I click on that and get a Vbullitin message of invalid link:(

Sorry about that, can you have a look and see if they are displayed now?

[123rover50]

Thanks Arthur. That works:)

[wrinklearthur]

I attacked the bonnet that came with 'HECter', it was off a late 80" and had extra staple's ( part number 300693 ) that were fitted on the bonnet, this was to able it to be used on 'HECter', which is a 86" and those bonnet catches are more towards the centre than what they are on the 80".

Showing the 80" bonnet
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/slow-chat/52806d1351806572-hecter-fred-hecter.jpg

Showing the 86" bonnet
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/slow-chat/58540d1364980686-hecter-hecter-door-without-logo.jpg

The correct sized bonnet had been found for 'HECter', but was missing one catch staple and a screw ( 2BA x 1/2" ) for the other side staple, so as those missing parts were surplus on the 80" bonnet I had a go at removing them.

After gouging the slots in the screw head clean and grinding a screwdriver blade to a precise fit, I tackled the first of the screws with a six point socket on the nut.
Snap!!! :oops2: the rust had too great a hold and one of these precious screw was lost forever, time then for another tactic.

I had already doused the screws to be undone with a large quantity of rust penetrate, so what to do? A pair of hammers one held under the flat on the nut and the other one which had a cross pein, I used the cross pein tapping the opposite side flat and when I tried again the nut screwed off as if it had never been stuck at all. :banana:

I made a job of removing all of the screws and the staples, leaving the 80" bonnet as it should have been originally, although with some extra holes to fill up with the TIG welder.
A bit of brushing up with the wire wheel should have those parts looking like new, but I left that job for a rainy day as there were four baskets of washing I had hung out earlier were now dry and I thought I had better get in before the dew settled.
.

[wrinklearthur]

I am getting forgetful!
Now what was I going to say?
Oh yes!

I have forgotten where I left the scissor style bonnet prop for 'HECter', had a search for it but without any luck, didn't even find anything that I was missing from before either.

I need a bonnet prop to suit a 86" and they are not very plentiful around my way at the moment.
.

[123rover50]

Mate , you sound a bit like me. I waste hours looking for things I have put down somewhere when I get distracted.
If you cant find one closer there will be one here somewhere.
Keith

[123rover50]

Had a look this morning. I have a couple spare. Do you have the bracket that bolts to the mudguard?
The scissor prop part is the same for the 86 and 88, it just mounts on the other side.
If you still want one you can have it , just PM me your address and I get it off tomorrow.
Keith

[wrinklearthur]

Thanks Keith for that offer, I will PM you directly and is there anything you need that I can return the favour with?

.

[wrinklearthur]

I can't wait to get back into doing some work on 'HECter' with the so many other things that were in the way.

I've just about completed the chassis strip down of the S2A 'Rusty Bob from Bruny Island' into a float trailer for my back yard. I was surprised at the lack of any rust inside the main chassis rails so that's given me a boot along with that project at least, the dumb irons were rotten and one of which had disintegrated completely. The old name doesn't fit anymore so the new name is now Bob-trailer for that.

Some goodies have come out of the Bob-trailer project, using the angle grinder I managed to retrieve the half spring bushes out of one side of the front of the chassis, they are still in good condition and the stand with the plate for the battery carrier to replace the holy one :angel: on 'HECter'. 9" Angle grinders are your friend while you are holding them tight, but they will turn and bite if you start to ignore them.
.

[wrinklearthur]

To move Land Rovers and other things around the yard at home, using the MF165 tractor, I use a drag chain hung off the tractors jib crane.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/12/600.jpg

The MF 12 jib crane I own is a implement made by Massey Ferguson and I have extended the use of this very handy machine by make a engine crane stand for it.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/12/601.jpg

Now, I went to mow grass around the collection and that included 'HECter', but found the drag chain is missing and I can only hope it hasn't dropped into the long grass while driving the MF165 across the paddock, I hate the idea of that chain getting caught up inside the flail mower.

I will be looking again tomorrow, if only to satisfy myself that the chain isn't hidden in that grass.

The good new is that the 9/16 BSF die and tap set has arrived in the mail and they will be used to tidy up the wheel studs and wheel nuts on the series ones.
.

[S3ute]

Arthur,

Hello from Brisbane.

Some years ago I was working with my brother-in-law running sheep in for footrot treatment. On one particularly trying day his 'prize' kelpie was proving worse than useless and in frustration he looked around for something to throw at it.

Unfortunately, he picked an adjusting spanner off a nearby seed drill and, missing the hound, managed to pelt it into the long grass in the small paddock next to the yards. A bit of a search failed to find it - so he simply crash grazed it overnight and walked over to the previously vanished tool in the morning and retrieved it.

I noticed that the kelpie was back in the cab of his truck, so it must have been a case of all forgiven.......

Got some stock?

Cheers,

Neil

[wrinklearthur]

----- A bit of a search failed to find it - so he simply crash grazed it overnight and walked over to the previously vanished tool in the morning and retrieved it.

----- Got some stock?

Hi Neil

I would, but at the moment a week old Friesian Heifer is bringing about $500 ! :(

And I am over; horses and goats.
Sheep maybe an option, but the local thieves would want them more than me.
.

[wrinklearthur]

Found on Gumtree, a set of four 6.00x16 Bartread tyres with very little wear, so jumped ( climbed stiffly ) into 'Fred' and headed off to purchase them.

They were at Southport and that's not far from the point that is the last place you can stamp your feet on the ground before Antarctica.

Arriving at Southport I inspected the four tyres, they are a find! The four identical brand tyres at half the price of one brand new bar tread. :)

Next job set for 'HECter' is, I will be getting together a set of matching rims and then have them soda blasted ready for undercoating and spraying.
.

[S3ute]

Arthur,

Hello again from Sherwood - I trust this finds you well.

I had meant to inquire earlier whether you found your missing drag chain - before the mower did anyway?

I am working on another project managed from Hobart, so hopefully might get across to Broadmarsh sooner than later.

Cheers,

Neil