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Many Power Needs Met By Cheshin Operator

29th May 1942, Page 24
29th May 1942
Page 24
Page 25
Page 24, 29th May 1942 — Many Power Needs Met By Cheshin Operator
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Transport, Road Construeaon and Land Cultivation

Figure Prominently Amongst the Varied Operations of an Old-established Cheshire Firm of Hauliers

WHEN the late Mr. Samuel Jackson set up as threshingmachine proprietor in 1884 he started a business that was to provide mechanical traction for many purposes. Many northern operators will recognize that it was from this beginning that there developed the Wistaston (Crewe) firm of Messrs. Samuel Jackson and Sons, the partners in which are now Messrs. J. T, S., and H. H. Jackson.

Their current activities include road constructional work and transport

contracting, as well as ploughing, cultivating and draining in agriculture.' In earlier years the firm was responsible for .much of the development of pas-, senger transport In mid-Cheshire, but' in this direction they sold out to the Crosville organization something like eight years ago.

'From the time that the late Mr. •;'

Jackson purchased a traction engine from Mr. E. Foden on August 28, 1884, the firm has been a consistent

Foden customer, making extensive use in earlier years of steam wagons of this make. Messrs. Jackson claim the distinction of having influenced Fode,ns Ltd., to enter the oil-engined-vehicle market.

In 1931, at a time when the Foden works were not producing that type.

this operator insisted upon an' oil engined machine. As a result, the first Foden oiler was delivered in July of

that year, a Gardner five-cylindered engine being used as the power unit.

This vehicle has now completed about 500,090 miles, and records show that it is still doing its 20 m.p.g.

To return to the founder of the business, work was commenced immediately the traction engine was received, remuneration for threshing then being at the rate Of 28s. per day,

which compares with 12s. for similar work at the present time, The .work of agricultural contracting has proved a consistent asset and eight sets of threshing tackle are now employed. Steam ploughing engines were put into operation some 36 years ago, commencing with dredging work and providing particularly good ploughing and cultivating services during the 1914-18 war. During that war period two sets of ploughing tackle with Fowler engines were run. Since that time the engines have reverted to dredging duties.

The firm's experiences in steam ploughing have proved of particular value in the present war when difficulties were encountered in rolling landing grounds. As a result of these earlier ploughing efforts it was decided that the best plan would be for motive power to be provided by two stationary engines, one on each side of the ground, which could be used to haul an 8-ton roller between them. For the purpose, Messrs. Jackson constructed a special 7-ft. roller with ballast boxes and, by this means, fear of bogging in difficult places has been eliminated. Such outfits have worked over a wide area during the past two years, not only rolling but also dredging and uprooting trees.

Farmers Seek Firm's Help For the work of ploughing, cultivating and certain drainage tasks, motor tractors were adopted about seven years ago and there are now three Masiey-Harris 25-40 h.p. machines which are kept in constant use during the busy season. Many farmers in midCheshire rely upon the Jackson organization for ploughing, cultivating, sowing, harrowing, and other farming operations.

Although one entry in the books records a haulage transaction as early as 1898, it was not until 1904 that this section of the business started in earnest. Steam traction engines and trailers constituted the rolling stock at that time. One of the first jobs was for the Cheshire, Shropshire and North Wales Farmers' Supply Association, and this organization continues to be among the firm's customers to-day.

From traction engines the fleet progressed another step forward to the use of steam wagons.

In •the early 'twenties Foden steamers and 12t.A.F. .Leyland petrol

lorries were the mainstay of the busi ness. The fleet was kept fully abreast of modern developments and, as noted earlier, the first Foden oiler was purchased. At present, the fleet consists of three Fodens, two Dennis Lancets, a 30-cwt. Dennis, a Bedford, a Leyland Hippo (with a Gardner oil engine) and a Bedford van equipped for service purposes.

At the outbreak of war two modern vehicles were immediately impressed.

Then, as sub-district manager for the Crewe area, Mr. S. Jackson allotted a further machine for hire and later on this, too, was requisitioned. Mr. Jackson has taken a lead in offering two of the current vehicles for the chartered fleet.

Road Works Undertaken Messrs. Jackson and Sons operate a regular service from Crewe to Liverpool, Manchester and the Midlands, a total of betwhen 200,000 and 250,000 miles being covered annually by their vehicles.

In the early part of this century highway construction and maintenance was commenced, this developing into a substantial department which, lately, has done valuable work on Government sites up and down the country. The first steam roller was purchased in 1903, and the firm now possesses a fleet of 36, including 2, 3, 6, 8, 10 and 12ton types, together with attendant living vans, scarifiers and other equipment required in connection with these activities. Among the rollers are two oilengined machines (one a Fowler with a Gardner engine, the other of Marshall manufacture) and three petrol footpath units (one of Barford and Perkins make, the others of Messrs. Jacksons' own manufacture, incorporating Morris engines).

In normal times,, highway work is performed on a large scale for Cheshire County Council, which may hire as many as 20 rollers at a time. Similar contracts are carried out for various urban councils in the vicinity of the firm's headquarters.

On the passenger side, 40 or more years ago, the late Mr. Samuel Jackson was head of a company that operated steam buses on the Nan twich-CreweSandbach routes. Messrs. Jackson and Sons took up direct passenger-vehicle operation in the 'twenties, working over the same route and running seven vehicles under the fleet name of " Malbank "; they al.so ran excursions and tours. Crossleys were favoured for this phase of operations. However, as already mentioned, the passenger undertaking was sold out to Crosville Motor Services Ltd. a matter of several years ago.

Having regard to their multifarious activities, it is not surprising to discover that the .firm has exceptionally well-equipped workshops, where practically all the requirements of the agricultural, constructional and transpot fleets can be met. In fact, many spares can be made that the average contractor would have to purchase from outside sources.

Notable equipment in the workshops includes extra heavy rolls for bending steel in readiness for re-plating road roller wheels, whilst there are also facilities for re-metalling bearings, for electric and oxy-acetylene welding, and for all ordinary maintenance work. Engineering plant is available, but for certain specialist work it is generally found preferable to call upon the assistance of outside concerns. Altogether', the firm might reasonably be described as exponents of mechanical traction in all its branches. Their efforts certainly meet many of the power needs of the extensive district covered by their operations. '


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