On arrival at their yard near Maybole in Ayrshire, I get the same rush of excitement I first felt aged about three, watching excavators and trucks on the new-build housing estate where we lived. A life-long fascination with mechanical equipment was forged there and then, and Paterson’s yard is full of it. Tractors, 360s, JCBs, tracked dumpers… everything.
Most notably there’s a pair of sparkling V8 Scanias parked in the yard being loaded, plus a wonderful work-worn 164 eight-wheeler. Not only that but there’s a brand new showroom which is home to a stunning 164 T-cab and an S650. Having been severely curtailed with our photoshoots and general T&D shenanigans this year, it’s all a bit of a sensory overload.
“You’re here early,” says boss John Paterson, “we’ve not got the trucks out the showroom yet!” Recently fuelled up for the day with coffee and two rolls and sausage with tattie scones from the wee shop at Minishant, that’s not a problem as there’s plenty of stuff for us to get on with shooting.
John started off working as an Agricultural Engineer for local firm William Kerr of Ayr, before starting off on his own doing repairs on plant, and progressing to hiring out his own machines. He’s recently bought back the very first excavator he owned, a Japanese Sumitomo with the intention of restoring it. The excavator, and lots of other notable vehicles detailing the history of the company are airbrushed on their most recent truck, a Scania S580.
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
Cutting a dash
Freshly showered and munching a healthy egg and cress sarnie in Gloucester North services, Chris has a Foden update
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
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
