561 and 961 Blaw Knox Bulldozer (1946-64)

Subsequent to the discussion on no. 885 Bulldozer 'Blaw Knox' in the French Commercial Vehicles section, I can show some pictures which I made many years ago already, not only illustrating the strengthening bar added later to the back of the Blaw Knox Bulldozer, but also the changed position of the driver's operating handles, the base of which was mounted on top of the casting previously and below it on the later (for example yellow) models. Kind regards, Jan

Hello Jan This an interesting topic, the changed position of the driver's operating handles, the base of which was mounted on top of the casting previously and below it on the later (for example yellow) models to quote from your Post. But this is not a new discussion! Actually, the late Peter Golden opened a similar topic, and he wrote the following on 2 November 2010: Here is a picture of the levers on the two: 640 215 There is a spigot on the left foot of the driver, I think in the early models the lever assembly is connected to the foot. I say so because the headless driver is loose on the blue tractor and when he moves the levers moves too. I will know more when I disassemble these for restoration. Here is a picture of the seat assembly: 564 635 I am taking the liberty of including Peters pictures with this Post.. Perhaps Peters Topic should be incorporated into both the 561/961 and 563/963 Topics. By the way, this is my first attempt at text-image-text-image, so hopefully when I Save it will all come out OK! Kind regards Bruce (150) 20160629/951/1219

Bruce---Great to find that old thread, and better yet to include it; and your mix of text and images came out fine! Best regards, Terry

Hi Bruce and Terry, thanks for the comments. I thought it would not be a misfit to have these images repeated in this previously empty/non-existing thread. The discussion is even older , from April 2008: www.talkmodeltoys.com/discus/messages/27...2332.html?1280915378 Kind regards, Jan

Greetings Terry and Jan The location of the driver's operating handles, if the image below can be relied, must have been relocated from above the floor-plate to underneath much earlier than thought. The tracks appear to be those of which the 561 was originally shod that lasted a lot longer than the later tracks - better quality ingredients in the rubber itself. The Blaw Knox is listed in a forthcoming auction to be conducted by Rye Auction Galleries that will be conducted by The Saleroom tomorrow, 1 July 2016 in Rye, Kent. I have uploaded the image through the old/usual manner, hopefully to enlarge the image. Kind regards Bruce (150) 20160630/952/2106

That is a chronological surprise, Bruce! My red 561 happens to have come in the same box (see below), admittedly with the green tracks. This may be of help for dating: stamp at the lid's short side: km5.9; tested by M 28 label inside; underneath the box in pencil: 10/8. Kind regards, Jan

Greetings Jan As you said, it is a 'chronological' surprise! I too have a 561 in a similar box as yours. Unfortunately, the box has no price, but more importantly, no Quality Inspection Stamp, although I presume it would have had a date sometime in the vicinity of your 561.: 713 800 And it too has the thelocation of the driver's operating handles above the floor-plate 900 663 Peter Golden also wrote about the spigot on the driver's left foot, and the following image clearly shows this. 800 738 Well, I wonder if the box being auctioned tomorrow has an inspection stamp, and hopefully, someone within the DTCA who reads this Forum will either contact the auctioneer and enquire, or preferably, bid and win this lot, and answer our query!! Kind regards Bruce (150)20160630/953/2356

Concerning replacing tracks on the 561 Bulldozer, you might be interested at taking a look at the 'French Commercial Vehicles', No 885, where I explain how I succeeded fitting new tracks with virtually no damage to the model.By the way, when buying new tracks, just make sure they have the underside rib needed to guide them over the wheels! I didn't and the dozer's performances are therefore greatly hampered...