Aha, so you were a bit like the persuaders (Roger Moore and Danny Curtiss) when it comes to cars? LOL
Yes Ron you were very close with moviestars!
Herewith a rare HP-lorry…pay attention to the headlamps
ERF-Continental:
John West:
At the same time, there was a pipeline being built and there were many yellow Dafs pulling pipes for a Dutch company, who were known in Turkey as Al Haq or Haq - I can’t remember which.John.
Morning John…I think it was/is the Dutch company “A. Hak” from Tricht (region Utrecht) who are worldknown for their activities.
In KSA they had a joint venture with Al Rashid, forming Al Rashid - Hak. The yellow DAFs turned into red since long.See link (it starts at about 2.20mins) with regard to Middle East.
a-hakleidingbouw.nl/english/company-movies
Have fun!
Thanks for that AJ. Of course it was A.Hak - and as they say in the video, they try and employ locals wherever possible, hence our Turkish driver friend!
The memory is imperfect after 40 years and it may well be that the Dafs were red even then. The video in my mind plays it in yellow, but a sort of orangey red was a standard daf colour and maybe I’ve transposed them?
Thanks for the link, memories of Saudi there too, good stuff.
John.
ronhawk:
On the subject of cars ? I must to tell you that my Wife & I !! Used to drive round Khobar in a white custom built Corvette Stingray red leather interior air con with a hint of RR radiator Crome front the Managers at GCC could Not believe it , this car was later written off on the Damman road just where the road was branching into a duel carriageway towards Khobar JW will know the spot ? Nothing to do with me ! I found it a bit loose at the tail end , Ron. A/J I was close when I said film Star ,
I don’t remember ever seeing the Corvette Ron. When my first wife came out for a couple of weeks in about 1979, Peter Best lent me his Cadillac. It was really not very suitable for Saudi roads, the suspension was too soft and it often hit the bottom of the shockers rather hard!
We stayed at a couple of hotels, since I was living in the hut with the lads at the time. It was April and they hadn’t filled the pool at the Algosaibi - also, the hot water had gone off and they didn’t seem to be in a hurry to fix it. At something extortionate, I can’t remember, but say £80 a night, we moved up to the Ramada, near the airport.
Lynda was blonde, pretty and buxom. It took me a couple of days to figure out why we seemed to have so many calls to the room, where no one was there when I picked up. She had been round the pool in her bikini. Naive? Yes, we were!
I remember filling up with diesel at one of the garages in Dammam, then turned on to the Riyadh highway, at about 10pm one night, I had a digger or a crane on, not suitable for a flatbed, as usual. I crawled under the bridges over the new dual carriageway, stopping and getting out, and even climbing up the equipment to see whether it would go. The headroom was inches above. I made it with that one though!
John
Seeing as you lot are on about headlights (the motor vehicle kind !!) have a look at these lying going to rot the chrome was almost perfect !!!
I digress from KSA for a moment■■? Austin Sheerline by the way
@Ron…and indeed we should proceed leaving (automotive) headlamps or we ‘end’ on page 3 of the newspapers:-)
Are there any documents or pictures of your time with GCC?
Have a nice day, hopefully without rain or is autumn starting?
ERF-Continental:
Another ex-■■■■■■■ employee over here!@Ron…did you (and/or previously Jerry) keep a logbook on the fleet? I assume you
had cards to registrate major repairs, mileage and also life-cycle?If you have (somewhere) it would be nice to view or even to generate a listing on
the entire fleet. Or a major step to write history, TA and other company’sDid CF (Consolidated Freightways with its founder James Leland of Freightliner-trucks)
had any operations in SA?Have a nice evening…I guess a ride on your motorbike in the count(r)y?
A picture of inventor and his product, also founder of Consolidated Freightways!
@John and others…Snijder from Zaandam, 10 miles North of Amsterdam, did operate
six Terberg 8x8 pipe-carriers which did a hell of a job in North Africa and Middle East.
Vehicle was 18m long and could carry 24m pipes. See attached picture
, A.-J all my photos of the latter part of my working life in the eastern province where unfortunately lost ,the records of maintenance and repair at Trans Arabia JD had , the work was hands on ,mainly due to heavy loads testing the trucks and trailers over there limit , as is well documented,the ■■■■■■■ engines rairly gave trouble ,they coped with the terrain and heat due to our lads skill ,one trailer had its axle beem nearly cut I half , it came in from Damman with 40 ton pay load with 3 wheels due to the wheel bearings failing, I chained the solid beem up to the chassis and blocks,and i then welded this “V” I used a box of rods filling this V filed to made a perfect finish for the bearings ,and this went back into service ,K B will remember this job right outside the Villa door ,the transmission took its toll, from the the hubs to the fly wheel ,the tyres only the best stood up to the heat Michalin stood out under heavy work ,Trans Arabia , together with Tief mountain and beyond was the ultimate test to the mechanics and drivers , I must praise all of our lads who paved the way for others to follow , Ron
Backsplice the austin ? Dip switch on the floor , brake peddle rubber still good , amazing Crome Looks a home for funnel spiders ? Wish it was in my back yard !!! Ron Ps A-J. Thanks for the smile 's Ron
ronhawk:
, A.-J all my photos of the latter part of my working life in the eastern province where unfortunately lost ,the records of maintenance and repair at Trans Arabia JD had , the work was hands on ,mainly due to heavy loads testing the trucks and trailers over there limit , as is well documented,the ■■■■■■■ engines rairly gave trouble ,they coped with the terrain and heat due to our lads skill ,one trailer had its axle beem nearly cut I half , it came in from Damman with 40 ton pay load with 3 wheels due to the wheel bearings failing, I chained the solid beem up to the chassis and blocks,and i then welded this “V” I used a box of sticks filling this V filed to made a perfect finish for the bearings ,and this went back into service ,K B will remember this job right outside the Villa door ,the transmission took its toll, from the the hubs to the fly wheel ,the tyres only the best stood up to the heat Michalin stood out under heavy work ,Trans Arabia , together with Tief mountain and beyond was the ultimate test to the mechanics and drivers , I must praise all of our lads who paved the way for others to follow , ps I loved it Ron
Hi Ron
I like your PS
The experience certainly has shaped my life and would not have swapped the experience - I must say the on my return from holidays after the first day clearing up the left over issues whilst away I would drive home up the old airport road wondering why I was in this ■■■■ hole!! My wife Carhie was there for 5 years and had her issues but days the same that it was an experience not to be forgotten.
I remember the heavy welding job - if I remember you were in your element - yes we were running heavy weights and the ■■■■■■■ stood up well especially the 14litre Aldo the 220 in the old pre A series pulled some weight locally - the 2 main issues as I remember were - water pumps and piston liner failure due to electrolysis - the electric charge in the oxygen bubbles in the cooling system earthing from the block to the piston liner - JD used to lift them and quater turn for further life!!
Tyres - Binzagr was the agent for Dunlop but we never received any pressure to use - we used Bridgestone and Toyo - we were plagued with testing for these 2 companies with loads of free tyres!! I used to have some real meaningful conversations with the owner of the Brisgestone local agent about the Muslim religion - very interesting and unprintable!!! Michalin were too soft - I have tested loads of tyres on UK fleets on trailers and tractor units - the only time Mich came out top was on the steer axles on ERF C series- the last serious test was on double deck trailers for the Pets at Home fleet using 4 makes of tyres a Mich were last with Goodyear and Bridgestone pretty even.
I am ready the new book by Dave Bowers - Beyond the Bosphorus - quite interesting but is has a picture of the fitter we had from Telford - Doug Fry known as the Telford burner - if it couldn’t be fixed burn it off!! He went on holiday to the Far East and disappeared !!
Keep them coming
Ken Broster
ronhawk:
, A.-J all my photos of the latter part of my working life in the eastern province where unfortunately lost ,the records of maintenance and repair at Trans Arabia JD had , the work was hands on ,mainly due to heavy loads testing the trucks and trailers over there limit , as is well documented,the ■■■■■■■ engines rairly gave trouble ,they coped with the terrain and heat due to our lads skill ,one trailer had its axle beem nearly cut I half , it came in from Damman with 40 ton pay load with 3 wheels due to the wheel bearings failing, I chained the solid beem up to the chassis and blocks,and i then welded this “V” I used a box of rods filling this V filed to made a perfect finish for the bearings ,and this went back into service ,K B will remember this job right outside the Villa door ,the transmission took its toll, from the the hubs to the fly wheel ,the tyres only the best stood up to the heat Michalin stood out under heavy work ,Trans Arabia , together with Tief mountain and beyond was the ultimate test to the mechanics and drivers , I must praise all of our lads who paved the way for others to follow , Ron
No harm done Ron that there are no other pictures or documents on that part of your M/E-career! Who is JD by the way?
Have a TOP-weekend and longing for headlamps is permitted! 
ERF-Continental:
ronhawk:
, A.-J all my photos of the latter part of my working life in the eastern province where unfortunately lost ,the records of maintenance and repair at Trans Arabia JD had , the work was hands on ,mainly due to heavy loads testing the trucks and trailers over there limit , as is well documented,the ■■■■■■■ engines rairly gave trouble ,they coped with the terrain and heat due to our lads skill ,one trailer had its axle beem nearly cut I half , it came in from Damman with 40 ton pay load with 3 wheels due to the wheel bearings failing, I chained the solid beem up to the chassis and blocks,and i then welded this “V” I used a box of rods filling this V filed to made a perfect finish for the bearings ,and this went back into service ,K B will remember this job right outside the Villa door ,the transmission took its toll, from the the hubs to the fly wheel ,the tyres only the best stood up to the heat Michalin stood out under heavy work ,Trans Arabia , together with Tief mountain and beyond was the ultimate test to the mechanics and drivers , I must praise all of our lads who paved the way for others to follow , RonNo harm done Ron that there are no other pictures or documents on that part of your M/E-career! Who is JD by the way?
Have a TOP-weekend and longing for headlamps is permitted!
John Davies?
In defence of the ■■■■■■■ engine I know that no liners where tuned during my 2-1/2 years with T/A , JD had left while I was still there ,if it ain’t broke don’t mend it !! It would have not been worth the effort just to remove the liners for inspection !!! And another fact our ■■■■■■■ had not covered any where near 400,000 miles "Are you trying to wind me up " or I you just after Browny points KB ,!!! the servicing on all our fleet ,the water filter was change along with oil and filter the ■■■■■■■ where not in trouble Ron
ronhawk:
In defence of the ■■■■■■■ engine I know that no liners where tuned during my 2-1/2 years with T/A , JD had left while I was still there ,if it ain’t broke don’t mend it !! It would have not been worth the effort just to remove the liners for inspection !!! And another fact our ■■■■■■■ had not covered any where near 400,000 miles "Are you trying to wind me up " or I you just after Browny points KB ,!!! the servicing on all our fleet ,the water filter was change along with oil and filter the ■■■■■■■ where not in trouble Ron
Ron
Chill. Where have I mention 400,000miles. Have not a clue what they did overall.
I now changing water pumps every spring at one point was a must in the early days - and I remember again in the early days having a new one made/cast in the engineering souk in Mecca Road - it lasted about 3 days!! I got on a plane and came to Aldridge to take suites case full of them back - bloody heavy - what we had not realised is that GCC the ■■■■■■■ agent in Saudi probably had them in there stores.
Interestingly over the 50 plus years in the industry I have purchased and used most makes of vehicles inc Leyland Octopus etc Scammel, Guy Big J, loads of ERF models and Foden - the best :
20 @ Scania 113 on a Boots contract working 24/7 in Scotland - 1.6 mill km without the heads off over 5 years
Daf 2800. Real workhorses with v little trouble and low msintainence costs
24 @ Daf 85 working 24/7 with Double Deckers 800,000 miles over 5years - downside bad Daf Agent
Best overall for reliability and dealership service and Backup Volvo F12/13
Be good and keep cool
Ken b
A nice example (and calculation) on overhaul in this advertisement. The company “■■■■■■■ Sales & Service, Inc”
distributed reconditioned parts as well as engines and spares, so different company-style than we are used to.
Ken Davis Industries was established by a rich businessman from Texas, however forced to volunteer bankruptcy
in 1985. Advertisement comes from Fleet Owner august 1982
We should track and trace JD with the maintenance-files!
KB , your reputation goes before you , you don’t have to lie about things that just never happened was is the point, we all made the best of the tools we had and certainly and we all tried our best to be truthful about ,T/A The small haulage firm S Jones of Aldridge that grew into one of the biggest-haulers in the Midlands ,using a variety of trucks And always supporting the home market , and finally choosing the ERF which ultimately gained success and reliability with the ■■■■■■■ engine , and then there adventure in the KSA , I was proud to be part off ,and with all the lads we to keep this local firm in good shape abroad, working with them for 14years prier to this . I had a reputation to keep up ,your CV you wrote it ■■? Ron
Well said Ron…I am proud of you and you also should be on WHAT you (all) achieved then! Managers though…
Have a nice summer-evening! A-J
ERF-Continental:
A nice example (and calculation) on overhaul in this advertisement. The company “■■■■■■■ Sales & Service, Inc”
distributed reconditioned parts as well as engines and spares, so different company-style than we are used to.
Ken Davis Industries was established by a rich businessman from Texas, however forced to volunteer bankruptcy
in 1985. Advertisement comes from Fleet Owner august 1982We should track and trace JD with the maintenance-files!
What if we skip plan 2 in the scheme? Same price though…for plan 1 and plan 3…
ronhawk:
KB , your reputation goes before you , you don’t have to lie about things that just never happened was is the point, we all made the best of the tools we had and certainly and we all tried our best to be truthful about ,T/A The small haulage firm S Jones of Aldridge that grew into one of the biggest-haulers in the Midlands ,using a variety of trucks And always supporting the home market , and finally choosing the ERF which ultimately gained success and reliability with the ■■■■■■■ engine , and then there adventure in the KSA , I was proud to be part off ,and with all the lads we to keep this local firm in good shape abroad, working with them for 14years prier to this . I had a reputation to keep up ,your CV you wrote it ■■? Ron
Ron
Do not understand what you are on about - nobody is critiseing you - certainly not me - don’t forget you were not at TA at the beginning and a lot happened whilst we were getting going and getting the business going. you and me need yo meet
Ken
Chaps! In the flat print of email / blogging technology it is so easy to miss the nuances in sensitive communication : it is far too easy to perceive attack where none is intended.
Should any 40-year-old personal issues arise it would be better to conduct them quietly behind the scenes by PM rather than making it public property.
Meanwhile, I enjoy and treasure the contributions of both of you (Ken and Ron): your combined experience has enriched this thread immeasurably. Please don’t fall out when the going has been so good!
Warmest regards, Robert