As time went on the Cat 3406E powered truck became increasingly recognisable and it was often spotted on the road by enthusiasts, including your editor here who first recalls seeing it back in 2007. Even back then, a 4000XL was pretty rare.
Mike’s wife Dee, who is also a truck driver, put a “for sale” post on social media, announcing the truck was up for grabs and they were inundated with enquiries. We got in touch and quickly arranged to visit Mike and Dee to get the story, photographing the truck at their Lincolnshire home.
Mike was brought up on the family farm, and recalls being interested in machinery right from the beginning, quickly becoming fascinated with the trucks which would come and go from the farm. “When I was five years old, I drew a picture of a lorry at school and said I wanted to be a driver” he recalls.
He joined the army and trained as a driver/mechanic which enabled him to drive lots of different vehicles including the Centurion tank and Scammell Explorer. Mike spent six years in the military, being posted to a variety of locations including East Africa and Cyprus.
This story is from the November 2020 edition of Truck & Driver.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 2020 edition of Truck & Driver.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Well forked Daf
Remember, we like to cover all sorts of different trucks here at T&D – like this impressive new CF rigid complete with Moffett Mounty forklift
King of the hill
Moving heavy equipment off road calls for a truck with plenty of power and traction, which is why M&J Plant chose a mighty 6x4 FH16 750
Time Machine 2015-2019
It’s the final part of our series on the history of UK haulage. Let’s look back at those innocent times before that pesky virus turned up
Original and best
There are few trucks which have been customised to the level of the Scania 143, but let’s not forget that the standard product was pretty awesome just as it left the factory, like this rare 420
GOING ALL THE WAY
Simon Rogers got behind the wheel as soon as he was able to, and nearly 30 years later, his company is going from strength to strength, with a striking all-black, top-spec Iveco S-Way 570 the latest addition to the fleet
Abnormal loads
In the distant past, when dinosaurs roamed the planet, truck drivers were a very different breed, made from sterner stuff than us mere mortals
Range change
After a gap of 13 years, Renault trucks have reappeared in the unique colours of MacRitchie Highland Distribution. T&D takes the high road to Inverness to meet owners, Donald and Catriona MacRitchie
Cutting a dash
Freshly showered and munching a healthy egg and cress sarnie in Gloucester North services, Chris has a Foden update
Air we go!
On Saturday 29 May at 6pm, 240 drivers gathered with their trucks at South Mimms Services for a parade to raise vital money for Essex & Hertfordshire Air Ambulance
A Cutt Above
From coal to turf to fencing and loads more, there’s not much the Calcutt fleet hasn’t transported over the years
