They’ve got the chequerplating over the wings on the newer trucks, so that can be changed if it gets damaged. The bodies are repainted during MOT preparations and they do shotblast them every few years if needed; The W reg in earlier pics was done last year when work was quiet and I think some of the Alphas have been done aswell. Has Beaverboy read this? Youe old chap says you’ve signed up?!
Formerly M369 CLR. It was sold to TT Concrete Products at Gill Mill and had its’ steel tipper removed and this concrete batcher fitted. It was never used on the road by them, just as a dumper for filling pre-cast moulds. It’s now at Pavestone at Burford Road quarry, Brize Norton (formerly Bekstone) although not in use.
Here’s another view
Hi Muckaway,
Im enjoying the pics, Smiths have always operated a tidy fleet.
Im attaching a few pics taken in the yard a couple of years ago and I will dig out a few more soon.
Be good to see some of the older stuff when you get a chance.
Cheers
Mark
That 03 reg 6 wheeler was my uncles last wagon before he retired. Dad had the first new gen Alpha (artic unit) Uncle Allan had the first new gen Alpha 6 and I had the next 6wheeler (some might say family favouritism!) 
You certainly keep it in the family mate.
So give me a quick Foden run down please.
How many 4000 series are still in service?
and are all of the First Generation Alphas on the Y plate still in service?
Cheers
Mark
roadcommander2:
You certainly keep it in the family mate.So give me a quick Foden run down please.
How many 4000 series are still in service? 2x 6 wheelers V772 GBY (10l Cat 340) and W844 ULN (10l ■■■■■■■ Celect 340)
V772s’ still driven by the original driver, Jim Tarry and W844’s a yard spare although they’re next in line for withdrawal. There’s a S reg tractor unit parked in the yard with Cat 14l 455 engine thats a workshop shunter and 8 wheeler V771 GBY ( set aside for restoration)
There’s a second hand 3000 series used by the earthmoving/static plant workshop as a hiab/welders lorryand are all of the First Generation Alphas on the Y plate still in service?
They’re all still working, 1x artic and 2x 8 wheelers
Cheers
Mark
The Banbury artics waiting to tip at Gill Mill Quarry
Foggy morning waiting to tip at Smiths’ concrete, Cassington Plant
These two are the most recent sell-offs
Working for Interserve on the M40/A34 works
Nice pics Muckaway-like that 4000 series 8 wheeler,not too many about now.Will Daf’s be the order of the day at Smiths in future?
Muckaway:
No doubt “ole phill” was on his 20th load of the day !! . . . havent got time to stop and talk . . got to get on 
There are 2 Daf 6wheelers on order, due end of year I think. I’m not sure what they’re buying after that. Recent demos have been Hino (trim was falling to bits, and I slaughtered a one with an old 4000 8wheeler just before it was sold), Merc Axor (mixed comments, I like them), Iveco (very average I heard), Scania (ok but basic model IS BASIC), and a Renault Premium Lander (mixed comments). The MANs been a good truck but only carries just over 19ton. I like the Volvo FE7s but I’m in a minority- it’s a great urban truck and handles like a van. The 2 new Dafs are coming with auto boxes so that should be interesting…
Im enjoying the pics and info mate.
Be interesting to see what the long term buying policy will be.
Presumably they are not to keen on the Volvo FM either as they have only taken the one.
Here is a pic of another ERF run by Smiths.
I borrowed it from Biglorry Blog, Im sure Brian wont mind.
See if you can get up in the office and find a few more earlier pics!!
Cheers
Mark
If our router hadn’t packed up last week the cash would have paid for a scanner/printer and I would have put some pics on from driver Len Jackmans’ collection including a pre '63 Mickey Mouse 4 wheeler. Smiths like the FM it’s been a good truck but I think there’s been issues since the FE7s arrived; the 6 wheelers have had their diffs changed as the originals struggled a bit on the get go. I drove one before and one after and I prefer them as they were, now you’ve got the revs past the green zone when driving above 50mph. Even at that they’re on the line. The FMs a bit on the heavy side even with the alloy body (with a liner fitted) it wont carry 20 tonnes where the Foden with the same body carries 20.5 (just).
The old A40 at Barnard Gate is a popular place for Smith spotting, at least between 11am to 12.30!
Hi Nathan,
Ivor Duggan & Sons put a new Mercedes Axor eight wheeler on the road a couple of months back and are very pleased with it. The Merc replaced a Foden Alpha with a 400 Cat,which they ran for ten years and the driver who drove both says there is very little difference powerwise and is pleased with the Merc.
Cheers Dave.
