Hydra Digger Loadall 65. *What a gem*

[cph ltd]

I don't usually post much on here but I thought I would share this story/find with you all. I heard about this old man having a hydra digger stored in a shed and after months of searching I finally tracked him down. I went to see him one evening to enquire about the machine, he told me that he had one, he bought it new in 1960 and has had it ever since and still used it from time to time. He took me round to his shed to let me see it and there she was, complete with cab and 3 buckets. So I was thinking to myself, how am I gonna get this man to part with this machine. We discussed the possibility of him selling it, I explained that I was a collector and it would be re-built as new but he point blankly said no. 8 months and alot of phone calls later I finally persuaded him to part with it. I called round to lift it and he had it all sitting ready for me. This guy is in his early 80's. He drove it up onto my lo-loader himself and said this was the first time he ever put it on a loader, in fact nobody else had ever drove this digger only him. Here is a picture of it.

[Neversweat]

What a great find Doesn't look like any restoration is needed Looks good in its " working clothes "

Steve

[jcb4cx]

What a great find Doesn't look like any restoration is needed Looks good in its " working clothes "

Steve

i agree i think it looks great in its original condition

[Jeremy Rowland]

Wow you'd be hard pushed to find a better example very nice indeed.

Jeremy

[widget]

WOW

[Steelfab]

if you can let me know the serial number I should be able to track down the original sales records for it. It looks in great condition what a lucky find.

[Neversweat]

More pics if you can as well

Steve

[topkit]

Wow what agreat find, i don't think i would restore that it would be better laft in original condition. A few years back a friend in Northern Ireland sent me several pictures of a JCB 4C that was stored under cover in a barn and in original condition. I wonder if that one still exists.

[Martyn Henley]

Great find Richard

Only thing that seems to be missing is the dipper ram cover

[cph ltd]

I know what you's are saying about leave as original as I like to see them in their working clothes as well but the problem with these A Frame machines, there was lots of nooks and crannies for water and muck to lie and it just ate its way through the metal plus they were a bit on the light side which ended up in (that should be strong enough!) botched welding jobs with lumps of flat plates stuck everywhere!
About the 4C, I happen to be in the middle of restoring one at the moment that was rescued here in Northern Ireland. I'll try and post some pics and yes Martin, missing the dipper ram cover but I have new ones made up for whenever I need them.