As the HALESOWEN farm trailer reviewed in a previous article, the MASSEY-HARRIS manure spreader had numerous casting versions. This agricultural model provides with a clever mechanism allowing the wheels to drive the three axles of the spreader when the trailer moves, with a belt formed by a very small diameter spring providing the transmission. A very stunning DINKY model indeed, this sophisticated type of mechanism being more often found on the CORGI TOYS models of the period ! The springs diameter is smaller at one end and this is screwed in the other end, as a snake eating its tail.
Viewed for the first time in the october 1949 issue of the Meccano Magazine, the trailer is presented in an article of the november 1940 issue. It appears in the DINKY catalogues until 1971.
First and last appearances of the MASSEY HARRIS MANURE SPREADER 27C/321
One must notice that, unlike the 27A MASSEY-HARRIS tractor, which finished its history as MASSEY-FERGUSON, the 27C/231 manure spreader was always described as MASSEY-HARRIS. The side letterings on the trailer were always done with a tampoo print (never decals). On the right side "MASSEY- up and "HARRIS" below, on the left side "HARRIS" up and "MASSEY-" below.
Tampoo letterings on the sides of the manure spreader
Produced at the beginning in reseller cardboard boxes containing 3 units, the MASSEY-HARRIS manure spreader received then its own yellow box with both #27C and #321 and then only with the 321 catalog number on it.
Individual yellow box with both old and new catalog number
The DINKY-TOYS GB variants
There were no less than seven variants of this model during the DINKY GB production :
V1 - The first version is all made of diecast zamac, including the wheels and their tyres. It has no paint support, nor any cast catalog number cast on the base. The wheels and the big pulley are secured on a notched axle. Both pulleys are turned in aluminum.
The initial version of the manure spreader
V2 - The second version is the same as the previous one, but a hole used as support for the painting is added to the underside, causing the wordings MASSEY-HARRIS MANURE SPREADER to be modified and now cast on a protruding rectangle. Always notched axle, metal wheels and aluminium pulleys.
Second version, support hole for painting, no reference on base
V3 - The third version bears the 27C reference number cast on the base between the wheels axle and the rear of the trailer. Cast wheels, notched axle and aluminium pulleys.
Third version with 27C cast on bottom
V4 - Following the 1954 renumbering, the fourth version bears the 321 catalog number on a rectangle covering the 27C area. Always fitted with notched axle and cast wheels, the pulleys are in turned brass.
Fourth version with 321 catalog number, last one with metal wheels, brass pulleys
V5 - The fifth version is now fitted with plastic SUPERTOYS hubs with rubber tyres. Always notched axle and aluminium pulleys.
Fifth version with plastic SUPERTOYS hubs fitted on notched axle
V6 - The sixth version is same as the previous one, but the notched wheels axle is now replaced by a split steel pipe forming a radial spring. The pulleys are made of brass. Last version with lateral tampoo letterings.
The sixth version, with split steel pipe axle
V7 - The seventh and last DINKY version is identical to the previous one, but the lateral tampoo print wordings disappear. Some rare examples were fitted with red hubs.
Last version produced by DINKY GB, SUPERTOYS plastic hubs mounted on split steel pipe, no wordings on sides
The JOAL #204 model
The die is then used by the spanish JOAL company, and bears the #204 catalog number (as other DINKY models like #968 ALBION CEMENT MIXER) with several casting changes, and JOAL produced it in several colors, unlike the DINKY model that was always produced in red.
V8 - The towing ring is replaced by a hook (curiously the boxes, at the beginning all cardboard and then with a plastic sheet window, show the DINKY version with towing ring and even the cast wheels !). The pulleys are cast in zamac, unlilke the DINKY that were always turned metal. The wheels fitted are the same as on the JOAL trucks of the time.
JOAL #204 manure spreader with all-cardboard box (missing belt)
Base of Joal 204 showing the zamac pulleys (missing belt)
Detail of modified towing hook
Cardboard box wiewed on a different angle
Post initially published : Apr 12th, 2020
Version française ici.
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