35desoto

Freightliner owners was/is Daimler and they used an existing Merc Benz cab when the FL series trucks were introduced in the 90's. Saved oncrash tests etc when doing a new model and extended their ability to recovery costs on new models

8.3 Cummins was an option on these FL80' s so it is a factory swap

Well done Mike. Its terrific country you are in. I use to tramp in Queen Charlotte sound many many years ago

Cant complain over the scenery Mike - bloody marvelous

Mike - Did you stand at the end of your driveway as suggested by our lovely leaders? Or listen to the dawn service from the comfort of your house? We compromised and sat on the veranda watching the sun rise and listen to the national anthems Cheers Brett

Lost our family farm to an Uncles divorce back in 85. All my Grandfathers hard work lost to some who hadn't done as many hard yards. May your nephew do well

Mike - it was a blast down there. Gotta say the highlight was being entrusted with Martin's W4 plus meeting those two likely lads and Trevor, Martin's father. From a North Islanders point of view it was refreshing to enjoy a relaxed, laid back, interactive display without all the H+S bullshit overpowering the weekend. Its a credit to the Edendale Vintage Machinery club thats their efforts are so well co-ordinated and received by the public. I trust your local Nelson A+P Show was a success. Cheers Brett PS retiring??/ My dad retired at 87.5 yrs - worked for the Railways for 70 years but thats another story in its self

Thanks Mike With the projects I have at home I will have to lived till I am 150 - then retire LOL However work keeps interfering. The next show for me after Edendale is the Franklin Machinery boys display at Karaka in March Cheers Brett

pussy cats are worldwide😁😁🤣

Geez guys Im half a world away and I get it.

Cheers Heath. My wife and I are flying into Dunedin Friday and taking a day touring down through Milton Roxborough and then to Queenstown, Lumsden and then into Gore for the night. So its up earlish to get to Edendale at a good time Saturday to see the two days though. Which tractor are you taking and the same for Martin? My mates reckon I'm a little unstable travelling from one end of NZ to the other to look at old farm machinery but this and my favourite swap meets keep me sane HAHA Brett Bombay Hills

Are there any of our Red Power members in NZ going to this years Crankup at Edendale NZ? I'm heading back for my 3rd year and just keep loving it. It's not the same layout due to road realignment but the range of farm machinery and the camadraire of all there is hard to beat. I mucked around whether to go about 5 yrs ago and regret not going sooner. Last year I was asked to help crew a steam traction engine and boy what a blast. Cheers Brett

https://www.theland.com.au/story/6496579/climate-change-doesnt-cause-fires/?cs=4951&fbclid=IwAR09eap7jR5NdvuHh9T3hZIKwnzRnP8lrIcCeViBcVFMGC5zZQGaBh2vZAQ My daughter sent me this link and its a bloody good read. Basically its saying that some of these fires were avoidable. Also the Aborigine's knew that this management approach was not the right way however their words were not heeded and now everyone is suffering accordingly. I bet this is never made public.

Sorry for the slow response. I would have to say I was disappointed and if I had read it at a book shop I would not have bought it. In saying that I am not going to get rid of it as it does have a place in explaining/outlining some of the history to IH

Enjoy