1956 Ford T 800 Big Job Lowboy Power Shovel

[leafsprings]

Inspiration for the build was the old Aurora kit and a period Ford ad for a '56 T 800. Resin AITM '56 with modified fenders on a donor frame. There is a 534  under the hood mated to a 10 speed Roadranger, Ertl Paystar Budd wheels on tractor, resin Budd wheels on lowboy trailer converted to 2 axles.  AMT did plan at one time to do a power shovel, but never happened, luckily there is a Bantam C 35 diecast in 1/25 scale to fill the void for the load.

Edited January 8, 2023 by leafsprings

[Jim B]

Really well done.

[TarheelRick]

Very nice old rig.  Really liked those old fat-fendered Fords and Macks from that era.

[Gary Chastain]

Very cool build. 

[Bills72sj]

Very unique rig. You may want to add some chains to the load as some of the D-rings on the trailer are already pointing up. (defying gravity)

[leafsprings]

I agree, trailer was an older glue bomb with some missing parts. Will look for some more hooks, great idea for getting the right gap.

 

Edited January 11, 2023 by leafsprings

[ChrisR]

Awesome!

[GLMFAA1]

Great combination. nice model. Maybe some heavy haulers could tell use, would you transport this with the shovel facing backwards?

greg

 

[Zippi]

Now that looks pretty kewl.  I like the old stuff.

[Warren D]

Nice looking rig but you better lower that boom, it's a bridge and power line grabber!  LOL!!!

[Dutzie]

Awesome build! Looks great. 

[Joe Nunes]

A really good looking build. Some chains and a lowered boom would add to the effect. You might want to go for a scale boom height of 13' from the ground or lower if you can get it.  There was a reason we had our auto transportation loads checked via those hanging chains before we left the yard; same idea would apply to any oversized load to avoid taking lines down or getting stuck under a bridge. You don't want that to happen!  ???

Joe

[Ace-Garageguy]

I've loved heavy old trucks and equipment since I was a little kid (when these were new trucks  ).

Very fine and inspirational work...and my inner 5-year-old agrees enthusiastically.  

[happy grumpy]

Awesome combo, we don't see much of these. Thanks for sharing.

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Great looking set up! I like it!!! Nice work!!

[The Brush]

This is a good looking truck, day cabs & machinery work well together. Well done.

[leafsprings]

On 1/9/2023 at 7:46 AM, Joe Nunes said:

You might want to go for a scale boom height of 13' from the ground or lower if you can get it.  

Great point! The Bantam shovel boom is supposed to lower thru the key hole. The load measures approx. 8" high, which translates into approx. 17' in 1:1. Your right, way too high!  This photo shows a much safer transporting position.

Edited January 14, 2023 by leafsprings

[leafsprings]

Underneath shot. Research shows the 534's were actually installed in '56 and '57 prototype test models before the official introduction in '58.

Edited January 14, 2023 by leafsprings

[J.B. Customs]

Pretty Awesome Build I Like ? 

[KevinCarroll]

>>>AMT did plan at one time to do a power shovel, but never happened.......

I do recall the AMT shovel that they proposed back in the later-70s (?). If I remember correctly it was a cable-operated backhoe. My hazy recollection was a 'coming soon' announcement in one of the modeling magazines, well before the dawning of the interweb. They showed only a blacked-out drawing, little detail, but clearly a tracked excavator. I'm still anxiously awaiting it.  ?

A beautiful model! 

[slusher]

Looks fantastic!

[leafsprings]

On 1/14/2023 at 11:57 AM, KevinCarroll said:

>>>AMT did plan at one time to do a power shovel, but never happened.......

I do recall the AMT shovel that they proposed back in the later-70s (?). If I remember correctly it was a cable-operated backhoe. My hazy recollection was a 'coming soon' announcement in one of the modeling magazines, well before the dawning of the interweb. They showed only a blacked-out drawing, little detail, but clearly a tracked excavator. I'm still anxiously awaiting it.  ?

A beautiful model! 

Is this the one you are referring to? Casey posted this ghost kit a couple of years ago. 

[KevinCarroll]

Wow, Tommy, thanks for that - I was starting to doubt myself! For sure it was a cable-operated and tracked backhoe and clearly we are talking about the same still-born AMT model here. But in my mind's eye I kinda remember a blacked-out silhouette in one of the many model mags of the time. Very cool, a shame it was never released, but secondarily makes for a great modeling story. Thanks again.

Kevin

  

[leafsprings]

Added a headache rack, winch, air lines and more cargo clamps on trailer for a more functional unit. Still working on trying to lower the boom height?

 

Edited February 25, 2023 by leafsprings

[Dutzie]

Very nice! They tuck looks great.