JCB

Diggers, especially in the USA, are sometimes called backhoe loaders. In the UK the digger is often referred to simply by its iconic brand name, the initials JCB.

The digger was invented by Joseph Cyril Bamford in 1953. Joe Bamford (1916 - 2001) worked in engineering before serving with the RAF in WW2. After the War, Joe set up a workshop in a rented lock-up garage. Bamford's first product was a trailer. J C Bamford (Excavators) Ltd was founded in the Staffordshire town of Uttoxeter.

In 1953 the first JCB digger was produced. The farm tractor had been around since the 19th century. Bamford added a front bucket and back scoop or backhoe and the now legendary JCB was born.

It wasn't long before the JCB became a widely used machine which today is exported all over the world. Key to its success was its versatility. The JCB is ideal for construction and landscaping jobs as well as road building and mending. The seat in the JCB's cab can swivel to face the backhoe and its stabilizers when extended make the unit a very stable platform. The front scoop is especially useful for scraping, grading, lifting, loading and carrying whilst the backhoe can perform a multitude of tasks, not least of which is digging precise trenches.

The JCB is very suitable for use in urban environments where space may be restricted. It also comes in varying sizes, such as the 2CX, 3CX and 4CX JCB. For larger jobs an excavator may be more appropriate, and on smaller jobs a skid steer or loadall.

The JCB can be fitted with a variety of attachments and buckets for use in different tasks. These include the breaker, grapple and auger. A breaker is ideal for breaking up concrete and tarmac surfaces. The grapple attachment is useful for lifting and dragging. An auger fitted to a digger can be used for drilling and post hole boring. The front loader bucket of a JCB is often fitted with a clamshell or retractable section for more efficient loading of say muck, aggregates or rubble.

In 1978 JCB launched their enormously popular Loadall telescopic handler. By 1990 JCB had begun producing the Fastrac Tractor capable of the relatively fast road speed of 40mph.

When Joseph Bamford CBE died in 2001, JCB could very proudly be described as the biggest privately-held engineering company in the UK and a global brand with a truly world class reputation.

CAT

The massive US corporation Caterpillar Inc is synonymous with tracked vehicles.

The first nineteenth century steam-powered tractors were heavy and prone to getting bogged down in soft ground. As early as 1901 Alvin Lombard was granted a patent for a continuous track which he put into production on steam log haulers.

During the First World War the first tanks with continuous tracks were employed to traverse the difficult terrain.

The Caterpillar Tractor Company began in 1925 following the merger of Holt Manufacturing and Best Gas Traction. Following CAT's switch to diesel power and successful campaigns supplying the US Navy Seabees fighting construction battalions in WWII, the company emerged in the 1950's as a global force in the design and manufacture of construction vehicles.

Today Caterpillar makes an enormous range of diggers, bulldozers, loaders and excavators supplying a wide range of industries all around the world.

BRITAINS

Britains has a long heritage of producing classic farm toys and vehicles.

Though the now highly collectable Britains Home Farm range was launched by Britains Limited in 1921, the firm in fact began trading as early as 1893 under the name of its founder William Britains.

Following a shift to war production during WWII, Britains launched its first farm tractor in 1948. The Fordson Major tractor was cast in lead and available with metal or rubber tyres. In the 1950s Britains began to manufacture more plastic toys. In the 60s they began producing Massey Ferguson tractors. The original and long-held philosophy of the UK based Britains toys was to make only models and toys of vehicles made in Britain.

In 1970 Britains released their first toy JCB. The JCB tracked excavator was a typically detailed scale model made of plastic and metal parts.

In the decades that followed Britains has greatly expanded its range to become one of the preeminent toy manufacturers in the UK, celebrated by younger fans and collectors alike for its incredible range of classic farm vehicles and diggers.

BRUDER TOYS

Bruder Toys began trading in 1926 and now ranks amongst the biggest privately-owned toy makers in the world.

Paul Bruder started out making brass reeds for trumpets on a hand press. Brother Heinz joined later and today his son Paul Heinz Bruder now also works in the family business.

Today the Bruder plant employs over 350 people and is located in the small Southern German town of Burgfarnbach. Bruder use the very latest computer aided design techniques, state of the art machinery and even robotics to ensure that the whole manufacturing process is carried out in-house.

The Bruder company slogan is 'just like the real thing'. The philosophy of the company is to produce vehicles with realistic mechanical functions. Bruder believe that the realism of their toys gives more enduring play value. Bruder toys have enormous strength and playability coupled with the precise detailing and working functions you would expect to find in a scale model. The plastics used in Bruder toys are the same as those used in car manufacturing.

Many Bruder vehicles also come with a range of accessories. Reassuringly, the Pro and Roadmax Series even have their own ranges of spare parts should replacements ever be needed.

Bruder has a well-earned reputation for quality and precision making their diggers and excavators highly prized amongst collectors and kids alike.

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