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Morning all, sorry I've not posted or even been on MOM of late, life has been stupidly busy to say the least!! Anyway, a long long time ago there was a thread on good old RedSquare about which wheel horse would be on your "wanted hit list". One of them was a GT-14 which thanks to Neil, one came my way.. A great machine which has now moved to pastures new.. The other I'm sure you can guess from the title was a D-200 Nigel bought this machine from Harry with the thought of changing the engine (which had a knock according to the bloke Harry bought it from), to something a bit different.. Then Nigel made the mistake of saying something along the lines of "I expect you will end up owning the D eventually". Which got me thinking A bit of a play with the wiring (The PTO switch had been badly by-passed) and the engine had a spark, and a temporary gravity fed fuel tank sorted out the fuel side of things.. Much to Nigel and my surprise the engine fired right up and sounded good with sign of any knocking sounds! The trans is a bit noisy but that may sort it's self out with a bit of use as the Big D hadn't been used in a very long time.. A few photo's for you.. And of course a video.... I hope to get an engine running and driving vid edited today, but for now here's an intro vid..

Job finished for me. The places where I've not cut have sleepers and other objects in. I was told not to bother about them.

While at our favourite, favorite for those of you across the pond, hunting ground yesterday, Chris decided to tow one of John's caravans to a more scenic spot. It had been tucked away hidden from view for years. Chris thought it would make a nice tea and chat room for the many visitors we get to view John's rapidly decreasing piles of scrap metal and general junk. I was a bit dubious but Chris reminded me that he had years of experience towing caravans, old and new, for one of the main dealers. Reassured with this news I said go ahead and went off to attend to others matters. A few minutes later Chris came looking for me with a VERY RED face. "I'm sorry" he managed to force out of his mouth, floods of tears rolling down his cheeks, and his lips trembling. "I've had a little accident, don't know how it happened, but it could have been the rough ground, that's my excuse anyway and I'm sticking to it". I was horrified. A perfectly good caravan RUINED. " It's never happened to me before, Chris managed to mumble", before bursting into more floods of tears. At this stage I began to feel a bit sorry for him and made him ANOTHER cup of tea. After he had regained his composure and started to look a bit more cheerful, he asked if I would take a photo of him posing as if he had just killed a wild animal. You can see this photo below. It was decided that repairs could probably be made without having to claim on Chris's insurance, which was just as well as he informed me that he didn't have any. Anyway, for those of you with weak hearts, close your eye's before viewing the photo's below. Finally, if you decide to get Chris to move your caravan, make sure it is well wrapped in bubble wrap or cotton wool. You have been WARNED.

Nice addition to your collection Ian, bet the grin is a mile wide ! Sorry I missed you last Saturday when I popped in, had a chat with Nigel

Good effort Chris !, still some way to go to reach the abilities of the old Top Gear Team with Caravans though .

A nice demolition job Chris, it looks like the cooker top can be saved though

Rear lights look ok and the side windows would look good in his van. On second thoughts forget the windows. Pam would be able to see what he's got hidden in the van.

Got a little job down at a local garden centre. New owners have bought it and opened a tearoom/café. The grounds where plants etc were grow/displayed is rather overgrown. Did a deal with the owner. Cut down an overgrown area for a load of firewood. This morning set too with the C-81 and finger/sickle bar. Most of the tall growth is/was fruit tree saplings. Seemed a shame to cut them down, but the new owners want the grounds cleared up then they can decide what to do. Lost a couple of bolts that hold finger bar to gearbox so had to call it a day. Loaded tractor onto trailer then 42 bags of cut firewood. Replaced the missing bolts tonight and all is ready for the morning. I'll check bolts periodically from now one. The finger bar don't half vibrate even at low speed.

Read wot's writ and don't just look at the pictures.

Here's a couple of photos of the picturesque caravan park before i got into it with the mini digger. both of us forgot to mention there was a stray cat living in the caravan but he was evicted before the move, i think he's moved next door temporary,