"HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY" to my Albion chassis No. 361A

[lynx42]

“HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY."

I almost missed this very important occasion, the 100th birthday of my 1916 Albion A10 chassis number 361A.

IMG_4908ag.jpg

Well actually I had missed it as it was to be delivered in the middle of February 1916 so I waited to the last day, the 29th February 2016 just to be sure as I do not know the exact date of delivery.

Attached are copies of the original build sheet which I obtained from the Albion Archives in Biggar Scotland in 2009 which have the date the chassis was laid down as the 6th December 1915 for delivery the middle of February 1916.

IMG_4886a.jpg IMG_4889a.jpg

This is what I first saw way back in 1971 at the rear of A.W.Smith & Sons P/L Leongatha Vic. Aust. There was a large ship’s winch behind the driver’s seat for winching logs in the bush. This winch was driven from the final chain drive pinions on each side after the truck had been driven to the work site and the chains linked up to the winch. Bert Smith the owner wanted to keep the winch so that had to be removed first.

img058.jpg img061.jpg

The chassis had a 3” sag in it between the front and back axles so the chassis had to be completely stripped down and straightened. This was achieved with the assistance of a track breaking press for bulldozers.

More to come,
Regards Rick.