PAUL GEE's PHOTO COLLECTION (Part 1)

The Foden/Rolls road test was interesting, we didn’t have any fitted with the RR 265 until the Haulmasters came out. Two points I picked up on; “The top line of warning lights was obscured by the steering wheel” but the steering column and wheel were adjustable for rake so maybe the tester didn’t realise? Also; “The difficult change from direct 1’st to low 3rd” was actually one of the quickest changes in the box and the way we always used the box, much better than going from 2nd direct to 4th low which was Fodens recommended change.

One of our vintage club members had a spell on a Haulmaster slurry tanker for the water board but was previously driving a Commer Maxiload for another company. Anyway he thumbed a lift with a Derbyshire Stone Foden just before he changed jobs and watched the driver using the box. The driver told him to jump across and have a go but ignore the gearchange instructions printed on the cab window but use it as a 12 speed and he managed ok. When he started the new job the manager arranged for Fodens test driver to come and give him tuition, not being aware of his previous drive! Anyway they set off and did about twenty miles and the test driver commented that he hadn’t seen the eight speed box used like that and admitted that it was better for making progress than the way Fodens advised! :laughing:

Pete.