Friday, June 21, 2013
(Official Start of Summer)
(Official Start of Summer)
The Buddy L Trencher
What better post to write than on the first "official" day of summer 2013. I was "venturing" through James D. Julia's fine website, when I came across the item that I'm writing about today. As you are aware if you read my blog, James D. Julia has always had excellent photography, and large-size files for myself to present. AS well, he's just initiated a 360 rotating software program for viewers to look at the item from a full-circle view. You'll have to go directly to the James D.Julia website to see this feature, but what I've done is screen-capture many different angles from this great feature.
The toy presented today is from the Buddy L company. It was manufactured in the 1920's and this one is truly exceptional for a toy form so long ago,and so large. It weight 28 pounds or 12.72 kilograms! It's size is 19" x 19" (Height x length) or .482M x .482M. There are 2 minor problems with it. The protective black cover that surrounds the small black buckets is a replacement and should be red in colour. The second minor problem that is inherent with all of these toys is wear from the gears. The gears were made form a soft metal, and over time wore away!
The reason for presenting so many photos for 1 toy is that this toy deserves it - just kidding - a bit! This toy has so many movements that I needed to present this amount in order to try and explain the movements to you.
A Few Facts:
1. There are 3 cranks to turn different operations of this toy.
1. The large black handle crank if for turning the small buckets. They "scoop" up dirt or sand and would deposit in a Buddy L truck (of course!).
2. The smaller all-yellow crank in front of the motor (I assume) changes the angle of the entire bucket assembly.
3. The black-handled crank at the front where the beige-coloured roller belt adjusts the angle. This is for a more acute or less acute bend to send the material to the truck that would be beside the trencher.
The front crank (black handle) for angling the belt.
A close-up view of the 2 rear cranks
1. Beige material assembly belt
2. those small black buckets
3. The tracks for the trencher
Notice the angled red arm and round silver roller above the decal.
That was for keeping the track tight!
The Buddy L toy engineers certainly though of everything!
The belt assembly at a slight angle
A screen-capture photo of the left side of the trencher.
Look at all of those chains to make the buckets scoop and rotate.
Another view of the trencher
Notice the brass-coloured gets at the top left.
These are in excellent condition compared with some of the others on the toy.
That rounded part at the back represents the motor for this toy.
One final image.
That small round circle under the toy is a motorized turntable. That rotates slowly and synchronizes with a camera to take exposures of the turning toy. Of course, the more expensive camera will be able to take more frames-per-second and you can then adjust the speed of the turntable.
This exceptional toy certainly deserved to be posted for the first day of summer
And of course, I have to thank Mr. James D. Julia for allowing me the use of his fine photos and descriptions of his many fine toys that have gone or will go to auction.
So to everyone,
I wish you all a healthy and happy summer,
and thanks for dropping by.
And as always have a great part of the day,
wherever you may be.
Stacey
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