Edward Beck & Son Ltd
Edward Beck Stockport
Mobile Cranes in the fleet.
Over the years Edward Beck & Son Ltd operated quite a number of cranes which were used for a variety of purposes.
From early ex ministry Thornycroft 7 ton cranes in the 1950's Edward Beck also ran Hydrocon and Coles cranes throughout the 1960's and early 1970's.
This Coles-Thornycroft Amazon 7 ton mobile crane, Reg No OMF 514, is pictured here in Colwyn Bay in 1954 not long after Edward Beck had purchased it second hand from the Ministry of Defence.
Operating the crane is James Peters while driver Joe Goddard, standing in the road, looks on.
The company purchased a number of these ex ministry mobile cranes, gave them a complete overhaul, replaced the Thornycroft petrol engine with a Gardner 5LW diesel engine and gave them an Edward Beck livery as can be seen in the photograph below.
Parked opposite Greg Street depot in 1960 is this Coles-Thornycroft Amazon 7 ton mobile crane Reg No SJA 788.
Operated by Len Etherington (pictured) this was one of a number ex ministry mobile cranes that received a a complete overhaul by Edward Beck.
As well as receiving a new livery they all had the original Thronycroft petrol engine replaced with a Gardner 5LW diesel engine while at the same time having the crane jib extended by 6 feet.
Coles 15 ton Mobile Crane Reg No TDB 936, operated by Derek Bolton, prepares to lift a pedestrian footbridge into position on the A560 Altrincham Road at Sharston Wythenshawe in March 1963.
The large building behind is the long gone Sharston Hotel which was demolished in the 1980's with Ability House, now standing in its place.
Coles Dominant 15 ton mobile crane Reg No TDB 936, is seen here in action in Manchester in 1968 while lowering a fuel storage tank into position.
Note the children viewing the scene, something unheard of today in our health and safety gone mad society which denies children the chance to experience the reality of growing up in the real world.
Hydrocon mobile crane Reg No YJA 186 is pictured here in 1968 at the premises of the Wharton Crane & Hoist Co Ltd Reddish Stockport while dismantling an overhead gantry crane.
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