Well for starters that Haulmaster would have had a rod gearchange anyway! I had four Fodens for over 18 years with the cable gearchange and never had one with stiff cables, keep the cables lubricated and the pivots greased and they were as smooth as silk. Door’s were not the best I admit, but they could be adjusted to make them a better fit very easily. For somebody who runs a Foden you do seem to have a bit of a downer on them Dan! 
Pete.