1967 BMC Mini 9/16 diesel fork lift

[fisherdp]

Dad purchased this tractor new from Ivan J Zook Machinery in Belleville, PA. The forklift was assembled by Ivan J. Zook shop before taking possession, it was assembled this way for transporting honeybees on pallets. My dad Merle P. Fisher was a pioneer in the commercialized bee keeping industry in PA.

 

[jwal10]

Very nice, I am always drawn to the specialty pieces. An old tractor needs a period piece of machinery with it. I remember seeing those tractors, and the blue Leyland 8n clones back in the day. And the little David Browns.

I have a full line of older IHC utility tractors, before actual lowboys were made. (300, 330, 350), (then actual lowboys 404/2404 424/ 2424, 454, 2400) (300 and 404 reversed as forklifts) Much lower down than an orchard tractor. 16" rear wheels and 10" front. Filbert trees are more like a bush, multiple stems and low hanging branches. I have the equipment used in the filbert orchards here, that were used with them, back in the day, reversed tractors, drags, windrowers, nut harvesters, tote trailers, etc, unique pieces to the filbert industry. Yes filbert, not hazelnut, as they are known today. A lot was made right here in Independence Oregon by Holt Equipment, starting in the 40's using 0-12 IHC and BO JD tractors and small crawlers, JD, Oliver, Cat, Terratrac and Cletrac orchard models. Holt made a lot of attachments for Caterpillars. People see the sleek modern stuff but very seldom see the older hand built stuff, anymore, made with angle iron, chains and gears....James