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First new D10 in UK

Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 1:17 am
by Rolyd8k
W & M Thompson Ltd purchased there own quarry at Co-Durham in 1975 and unable to blast the rock,they had to rely on ripping the hard dolomite,they purchased a Komatsu 355 but the rock proved to hard for it and it needed replacing with a larger and more powerful one,in 1977 they began to look at a Komatsu 455 which at the time was the largest on the market,but in the autumn of 1977 Caterpillar announced that a new track type tractor would shortly be going into production at 90 tons and 700hp called the D10,after visiting the USA and seeing the machine working in uranium mines in Wyoming and mexico they knew it was the right machine for the job.
RB

Re: First new D10 in UK

Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 5:05 pm
by SRB
Thompsons still run a D11N, which along with the D11R of Stokeys are the only 2 in the UK.

A couple of pics handed down of Stokeys first D10

SB

Re: First new D10 in UK

Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 5:47 pm
by nick lamb
I think the D10 of Thompsons was the one RJ Levack of Blantyre Scotland bought.Stuart may be able to confirm that as Finnings would know of all the 84W series D10s with single stacks.Theres not many.I am sure its the one I had a short stint pushing scrapers with as the word on the ground at the time was that Levack had bought it from a quarry in the North East of England.It did have a nasty habit of melting one of its turbos sometimes.It would send huge plumes of black smoke up into the sky and along with the 637s and D9Hs all contributing to the smoke it would almost darken the site!!!

Re: First new D10 in UK

Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 1:21 pm
by Mike d550
I had the good fortune of watching the Thompsons D10 when i was a kid in the summer holidays and also the D11N they bought. (See photos on other link).

Are there many older D10's working in the UK? I only know of the Beecher D10N and would like to get some photos of these machines. (preferably near the north east)

Regards

Mike d550 8-)

Re: First new D10 in UK

Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 1:54 pm
by martyn williams
Hello Mike,there is one working about 20 miles from where I live.This photo was taken of it working last year.Could not get a closer picture as I had my leg in plaster and was on crutches at the time. :cry:
Regards
Martyn

Re: First new D10 in UK

Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 5:46 pm
by Mike d550
B100 where abouts in South Wales is that D10 working? is it easy to get photos of this machine with a long lens? I am planning a ride down to Wales in the summer to sample to stunning twisties and scenery, i will be putting a thread on this site soon as i will be wanting to get some photos of large cat machines while i am down there.

Cheers

Mike d550 8-)

Re: First new D10 in UK

Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 7:36 pm
by martyn williams
Its working next to K J Services yard Rhymney.I will be organizing a trip to this yard in the near future.Lots of big machines to see around here.There is a reclamation job starting up in the area very soon. Cuddy are the contractors.I took a few pictures of a job around here a few years back.Lost some photo's which included a D9 R nearly on its side on the verge of falling 200 foot down the mountainside.We had five Terex scrapers,D8K, D9R about 7, 360 excavators,a Cat compactor and 16 ADT's most owned by C Blackwell on that site working.Will scan the photos I took that remain.
Martyn

Re: First new D10 in UK

Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 11:00 pm
by Mike d550
Cheers for that info b100, i will have a look for Rhymney on the map, i have lots of D8/D9/D11 photos but have not D10's in my collection, when i know when i am planning to venture down i will post a thread and info given will be much appreciated.

Regards

Mike d550 8-)

Re: First new D10 in UK

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 12:41 pm
by Gavin84w
Is there a better tractor than this model D10, no way!!!

Re: First new D10 in UK

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 9:32 pm
by jcbjohn
not sure but pretty certain THOMPSONS have sold there D11N now, think it because they could not get an extension at there BISHOP MIDDLEHAM quarry. It did a bit hire work in cumbria and on the A74. it was also in there tip at SPRINGWELL and last time i saw it it was working just by the tyne bridge maybe around 4yr ago. like i say sure its gone but could be mistaken :?