Knockers

Richard Coutts-Smith · #1 07-05-12, 09:13

Another Coles crane conversion. Must be pretty common, they were lying around all over the place....
Liked all the room for a heavily booted clutch foot, and the familiar dash/switch gear/air cleaners of that era MV.
Perhaps Richard could elaborate on the "geared" steering.
This too has lost the use of the front diff, and is also a runner.
Rich.

Richard Coutts-Smith · #2 10-05-12, 05:17

Coming out of the woodwork now.
This Militant, now 1800 kms away from the Coles ones above , is an ex drilling-rig truck. Definatley a runner, it was used to recover a tractor crane (and part time water feature....) out of a dam only a few weeks back. Still has 6x6 capability.
Air Cleaner is a modification, but the tyre carrier appears to be original.
Bit of a worry, the rear split rim has been bolted back together wrongly, and the whole tyre/rim fitted backwards, by the previous owner.
Looking forward to a drive on the next visit.

Richard Coutts-Smith · #3 10-05-12, 05:23

Nice big cab, but bugger all room in it.
Ampmeter may just not be original...
Note that this is a different steering column to the Coles Conversion shown previously. Appreciate any suggestions as to why, I know the latter marks had different ratios, but I assume this would not affect the cloumn itself.
Rich.

Richard Farrant · #4 10-05-12, 09:00

Hi Rich,
a brief reply as I will be off to work soon. Brings back memories! The "geared" steering on the Coles chassis .... this was in fact connected to a large electric motor attached to the steering column, when operating the crane in Free-on-Wheels mode, the crane operator could drive and steer the cranne using a joystick control in the crane cab, brake control as well. There would be a big electric motor connected to the transfer box as well, the drive motor. If you have seen a 6x6 with no output flange from the transfer box for front wheel drive, then it might be a box has been changed from a 6x4 version.
Room in cab? The 11.3 AEC engine took precedence in there, gear lever hard against your left leg, real basic stuff, but they are definitely of character!

regards, Richard

Richard Farrant · #5 11-05-12, 08:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Coutts-Smith

Another Coles crane conversion. Must be pretty common, they were lying around all over the place....
Liked all the room for a heavily booted clutch foot, and the familiar dash/switch gear/air cleaners of that era MV.
Perhaps Richard could elaborate on the "geared" steering.
This too has lost the use of the front diff, and is also a runner.
Rich.

Hi Rich,
Looking at the photos here, it looks like this AEC Coles might have been in Australian military service, going by the Coles data plate having their Australian service depot details on it, and having the FV instrument panel as well. Cab roof and windows are just slightly different to those in British service too.