In June, the MJCQ held the "Bundaberg Swim-in", hosted by Alan Walker and extended family at their property on the Burnett River at Bundaberg in Southern Queensland, Australia. This three day event is an inhouse gathering for club members, families and friends aimed at just playing with our toys. If you won't get it dirty, then this is not an event for you!
Being only 40 kms from home, I can afford to take my unrestored Kenworth M1A1 Heavy Wrecker to play with. A long while back, the questions were asked about what we could do with the big machine as a stunt of sorts. Could we use the 20 ton rear winch to cable a jeep across a gully, as seen in some WW2 photos? Alan was keen to give it a good attempt, and the more we looked at it, the more do-able it seemed. Weeks before the event, we selected and cleared a suitable site. Selection included access, width and depth, and availability of suitable anchors, i.e. big trees in the right places.
Equipment was borrowed, made, collected, an 'A' frame (DUKW jib frame) modified to take the 3/4" cable, many chains, straps, pulleys, ropes, shackles, and so forth assembled.
Two weeks early, I transported the Kenworth to the property and put it in place.
Alan made several brackets and the trolley to run on the cable to hang a jeep from. It was modified 4WD winch pulleys and a spreader bar as long as a jeep.
On the saturday, it was rainy and miserable. Many willing helpers dug the rear ground anchors in, onto a half buried rail sleeper.
To be continued. . . .
Sam.
