Castle cement have now finalised the date for this year's working weekend, which is always a highlight in the Chapter 2 event calander.

The weekend has been moved forwards by 3 weeks to the 23rd & 24th June, in order to avoid the peak holiday period for the quarry staff.

Chapter 2 members have kindly been invited by Castle Cement to bring along their equipment for the weekend. Unfortunately the earlier date, will clash with another vintage show in Suffolk, which will cause a problem for some of our regular exhibitors. I have also been advised that in addition to the earth moving demonstration area an adjacent area will be available for ploughing \ agricultural displays, although I am aware that in earlier years some damage has been sustained to ploughs by rocks in the topsoil.

If any member would like to bring along a tractor to the event, please contact me so that I can co-ordinate the arrangements with Castle Cement.

Members may have heard via that Castle Cements European parent company, have struck an exclusive deal with Komatsu, so supply all of the quarrying equipment to 3 of their quarries including Ketton.

All of the Cat's (992G / 992D / 777's / 775's / 385 / 375) currently supplied by Merriman Plant will be replaced by a fleet of new Komatsu's as of 1st March. The new order for Ketton comprises 12 machines:
2Nr WA900 Wheel Loaders
2Nr PC800 Excavators
3Nr 100t Dumptrucks
3Nr 60t Dumptrucks
1Nr 20t Rubber Duck (UK terminology for wheeled excavator)
1Nr Dozer (D6 Size)

Castle Cement will be retaining their own 16G Grader, 988B Wheel Loader & 245D Excavator for general duties around the quarry.

I'm aiming to have my D6 9U & No 60 Box making it's premiere at the show and possibily my 951 will be loading John Burbidge's Aveling Barford Dumptruck (transportation costs permiting), we may also have a D8 2U and towed ripper in action from another local member.

David can I have the first spin in the D6 - 60 outfit to make sure it puffs and blows O.K. if you need any schooling on the banger I am your man ,I must say the Ketton weekend is a top time , they realy put on a great show with a first class effort, from the toilets up, they even had sweets with the Ketton logo ,First class.
tctractors.

Some snaps from 2005

HI dave good news about ketton weekend,i will be looking forward to that.not sure about T.C piloting your new toy thats a full machine he may not be able to handle it!

Karl,
That did cross my mind, but if we just let TC use only one steering lever as he is used too, then it should be OK?

David

I spoke to Russell Saywell last night, he is planning to bring a newly restored977H to the show, it was parked outside his workshop last June undergoing engine repairs at his open weekend.

Dont worry David , I think I could manage that old banger of yours with one arm tied behind my back , what would be great , is if Spocket brought his D9 or 631b up to Ketton then we might be king of the "CASTLE" so as to speak, come on Karl I will help towards the transport , as long as you dont sneak on board some of Martyns back to front tracked monsters,
tctractors,

PS, I have left David Moggerage staring into a totaly stripped out bare D8 frame, the engine ,g/box ,steering /cross-shaft,track frames and both f/drives are scatterd around the yard on pallets,with all the bolts in 2 buckets.

May be I could sneek up a little 22 RB dragline I have got my eye on.At least you could drive a 1/2 tractor at Ketton with one hand tied behind your back because thats all you would need, one hand. YOU could use the other hand for some thing else hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaah

Hey T.C. what model D8 have you and dave got stripped down?why did you need to disasemble so far ,i thought you said it was just the donkey engine playing up! cheers.

Hello Karl,bugger all on the telly and crappy weather again.Did you see the RD6 in Tractor.Looks a great workhorse.Did you see the picture of Toddy and his bailer?
Home all day tomorrow, repairing wind damage