Send for the Bill
Truck & Driver|June 2020
With over 40 years on the road, Billy Ford has seen huge changes in the transport industry and he’s adapted his business to suit
Dougie Rankine
Send for the Bill

Billy was 17 years old when he went to work with his Dad Ron, who was an owner-driver specialising in livestock.

He had a Leyland Super Comet rigid, and worked across a number of farms and markets all within 50 miles of his home base.

“He only ever had the old Class 3 licence,” recalls Billy, “although he was eligible for Class 1 automatically on grandfather rights, but he never needed it, so never bothered.”

It was a different time; there were livestock markets running six days a week, and so many small businesses. It was possible to stay close to home. Billy got his HGV licence aged 21 and his first truck was a Bedford TK, “There must be hundreds of hauliers who started off with one of those” he smiles, “Dad would only ever buy British – he’d never look at anything else.”

A Leyland Bison six-wheeler followed, along with A-frame drawbar trailers. “Not these things you see nowadays with the three axles in the middle – they’re easy – the old set up had the steering front axle, that would sort out the men from the boys.

‘Even with all the experience in the world, you’d go to a place one day and back it in there first time, next day you’d be there for half an hour” Billy says with a smile. “Have you ever tried reversing one?” Thankfully not!

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June 2020-Ausgabe von Truck & Driver.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der June 2020-Ausgabe von Truck & Driver.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS TRUCK & DRIVERAlle anzeigen
Well forked Daf
Truck & Driver

Well forked Daf

Remember, we like to cover all sorts of different trucks here at T&D – like this impressive new CF rigid complete with Moffett Mounty forklift

time-read
9 Minuten  |
August 2021
King of the hill
Truck & Driver

King of the hill

Moving heavy equipment off road calls for a truck with plenty of power and traction, which is why M&J Plant chose a mighty 6x4 FH16 750

time-read
9 Minuten  |
August 2021
Time Machine 2015-2019
Truck & Driver

Time Machine 2015-2019

It’s the final part of our series on the history of UK haulage. Let’s look back at those innocent times before that pesky virus turned up

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
August 2021
Original and best
Truck & Driver

Original and best

There are few trucks which have been customised to the level of the Scania 143, but let’s not forget that the standard product was pretty awesome just as it left the factory, like this rare 420

time-read
7 Minuten  |
August 2021
GOING ALL THE WAY
Truck & Driver

GOING ALL THE WAY

Simon Rogers got behind the wheel as soon as he was able to, and nearly 30 years later, his company is going from strength to strength, with a striking all-black, top-spec Iveco S-Way 570 the latest addition to the fleet

time-read
7 Minuten  |
August 2021
Abnormal loads
Truck & Driver

Abnormal loads

In the distant past, when dinosaurs roamed the planet, truck drivers were a very different breed, made from sterner stuff than us mere mortals

time-read
3 Minuten  |
August 2021
Range change
Truck & Driver

Range change

After a gap of 13 years, Renault trucks have reappeared in the unique colours of MacRitchie Highland Distribution. T&D takes the high road to Inverness to meet owners, Donald and Catriona MacRitchie

time-read
9 Minuten  |
August 2021
Cutting a dash
Truck & Driver

Cutting a dash

Freshly showered and munching a healthy egg and cress sarnie in Gloucester North services, Chris has a Foden update

time-read
3 Minuten  |
August 2021
Air we go!
Truck & Driver

Air we go!

On Saturday 29 May at 6pm, 240 drivers gathered with their trucks at South Mimms Services for a parade to raise vital money for Essex & Hertfordshire Air Ambulance

time-read
1 min  |
August 2021
A Cutt Above
Truck & Driver

A Cutt Above

From coal to turf to fencing and loads more, there’s not much the Calcutt fleet hasn’t transported over the years

time-read
7 Minuten  |
August 2021