A Smith no.8 face shovel
Thomas Smith & Sons (Rodley) Ltd was formed in 1918, The firm originating in the Village of Rodley, Leeds in Yorkshire. The Firm were a builder of Steam Cranes for Railways and Quaries, before going on to build Diesel engined excavators and cranes, and eventually Lorry mounted Latice jib cranes.
History
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A Smith Rodley 21 ME crane on a Atkinson chassis at the Llandudno Transport Festival 2009
The Company started in 1820 when a firm of millwrights was started by Jeremiah Balmforth, David Smith, and Jeremiah Booth in the village of Rodley. The company progressed to making Stone cutting machinery & winches. By 1840 most of the equipment being made was cranes. These being of various capacities from 1/2 ton to 10 ton, hand operated machines. They built there first steam crane in 1860. By 1861 David Smiths Son Thomas had taken control. The company was run as a partnership with his sons till he died in 1902, with the sons incorporating the company in 1918, as Thomas Smith & sons (Rodley) Ltd.
Early Developments
- 1887 Build 1st excavator, of a steam crane fited with a shovel attachment.
- 1894 Build an Electric crane.
- 1887-1893 Contract to supply 5 & 10 ton cranes to Manchester ship canal builders "Thomas A Walker.
- 1900 Build a trencher machine designed by Jubb from Manchester. Built on a 3 Ton Steam crane.
....
- 1978 taken over by the NEI group
Model Range
- Smith 1/3 yd.
- Smith 1/2 Yd.
- Smith No.8
- Smith No.10
- Smith No.12
- Smith No.14
- Smith No.21
- Smith No.26
- Smith no.28
- Smith No.40
- Smith E4000 Excavator
- Smith C4050 crane
- Smith C4060 crane
- Smith Eurocrane 35C
See also
References / sources
- Classic Plant & Machinery Magazine
- Cranes - An Illustrated History of, pub by Ian Allan
External links
- Interesting Dutch Fan site - note - In Dutch, (but some good pictures)