Search results for ""Fox Chapel Publishers International""

Did you know that the Bourbonnais Donkey drinks 4 gallons of water a day? Discover interesting facts about 24 breeds, including their appearance, history and breeding, and uses in agriculture and tourism. From the critically endangered Abyssinian, to the speedy Onager who can run at 40 MPH over a 15-mile stretch, this fascinating guide will turn both young and old into a donkey and mule enthusiast. Donkeys really aren't stubborn; they just have a strong instinct for self-preservation! Adults and kids alike will enjoy learning about the many characteristics of these gentle and docile animals.

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Scotland's only native heavy horse, the Clydesdale has been exported all over the world. He is recognised as having influenced heavy horse use across the globe. For Love of the Clydesdale Horse is a photographic celebration of all that makes this breed unique. This gentle ambassador with his huge feet, kind nature and willingness to work with and for the human race, turns heads wherever he goes. He is loved by those who see him and his good looks, kind eye and ease around people make even the smallest child want to hug him, despite his great size. For Love of the Clydesdale Horse includes 125 full colour photographs showing the Clydesdale at work, rest, ridden and in the public eye. This book will be of interest to the dedicated Clydesdale follower, breeder and enthusiast as well as to equestrian and general readers.

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The Farming Joke Book brings together around 500 jokes, amusing stories, and anecdotes about farmers, farm animals, and life on the farm in general. So, whether one has been farming for 'donkey's years' or is new to it, and whether these farming two-liners make the reader laugh, cry, or just groan out loud, there will definitely be something in this collection that will tickle anyone's farming funny bones. Divided into 16 categories, and with 32 specially commissioned illustrations by Rory Walker, this pocket sized book will provide hours of enjoyment and is the perfect tool for the farmer wanting to entertain friends, family, and colleagues, no matter his or her age. [Subject: Humor, Agriculture]

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Farm Office Handbook is a practical reference source for anyone involved in farm administration. It offers comprehensive guidance on farm office basics, from equipment to 'doing it online'; setting up accounting systems; computerising a manual accounting system; year-end procedures complete with a check list; management reporting and budgeting with useful templates.The chapters on VAT and payroll and statutory and assurance records have been thoroughly revised in this second edition to incorporate all the extensive changes made since the first edition was published in 2012. Additionally all the website addresses for legislative updates, contacts and online resources for rural businesses have been updated. It is an invaluable resource for someone tackling farm paperwork for the first time and for experienced staff seeking to improve their skills.From the foreword: "It is a useful addition to any farm office as it gives a complete overview of what is expected from the administration of a farm from managing accounts to dealing with office logistics." - Sir Jim Paice Patron of IAgSA and Minister of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 2010 - 2012

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The latest book in the Know Your - series is dedicated to man's best friend, the dog. The 45 breeds selected by Jack Byard for his latest book are chosen to represent some of the most popular and well known dogs that you will see out and about around you. Each breed had a full page photograph accompanied by a concise but informative text. Jack explains the colour, pattern and size of the breed, their history, temperament, and place in today's society.

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Goats are a diverse range of beautiful (and sometimes rare) animals. Billy or nanny goats are the source of many a children's story. Goats were taken into the human fold over 10,000 years ago. From some of these animals, we obtain the fiber to create exquisite mohair and cashmere clothing. Others provide (extremely healthy) meat and milk; the latter being frequently turned into mouth-watering cheeses. Extremely intelligent and curious, they are also experts at escaping from 'secure' fields. And, they can make excellent pets. Along with photographs, this book offers information on some 37 breeds of goats from all around the world, including size and weight, hair type, and history.

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In the UK between 1957 and 1964 Massey Ferguson manufactured some 380,000 MF35s, the most popular mediumsized farm tractors of the period. Many have remained in work and they are a restorer's favourite machine. Chris Jaworski's book, based on his heavily illustrated articles for Tractor & Machinery magazine, is a step-by-step manual on servicing and repairing these machines. This book goes back to the basics. The range and quality of his photographs are also far higher than those of the originals from sixty years ago. The main headings of the book are: buying and safety; weekly checks; operator maintenance; engines; cooling systems; fuel systems; transmissions; rear axle and PTO; brakes; hydraulics; steering and front axle; electrics; bodywork. For owners involved in servicing, repairs or restoration this crystal-clear guide will help them enjoy getting the work done efficiently.

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The Middle East has always been one of the most challenging destinations for lorry drivers. In the 1970s and 80s, many drivers may not have even heard of the destinations they were sent to before heading out eastwards. Along the way they endured extreme weather conditions, bureaucratic nightmares, and the physical trials of keeping themselves and their trucks operational over many thousands of miles of poorly maintained and dangerous roads. Their adventures have become legendary within the trucking world.In this book Dave Bowers tells with humour and insight the amazing stories of people driving to Middle East destinations, battling against all the odds to deliver their loads. The inspiration comes from his own experience through those routes and in particular on one adventurous journey homewards from Tehran in 1975, when he happened to be stranded in Iran, with no cash to speak of and spending many nights sleeping in abandoned trailers along the way. Dave travelled homewards after he was given lifts in trucks returning to Europe. These were driven by drivers who had many tales to tell, and this book was motivated by the need to keep these fascinating stories alive.Illustrated with photographs of the drivers and vehicles taken at the time, Beyond the Bosphorus records what it was like for ordinary HGV drivers to get involved in something so dramatically different from their everyday working lives in the UK. It will be of interest to lorry drivers, general vehicle enthusiasts and also those with a historical and social interest in the Middle East alike.

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In Volume One of The Nuffield Tractor Story, author Tony Clare took the story up to 1967, the era of the powerful 10/60 model. Now, in Volume Two, he continues with the inception, design and development of the Mini tractor. Tony shows the final development of the Nuffield mid-range tractors, the 4-65 and the 3-45, and their further evolution into the first of the re-badged Leyland Tractors, the 384 and the 344 models. With detailed research and fine photographs - many previously unpublished - this book goes on to cover the roller-coaster background story that was to unfold around this key part of the British tractor industry. The book deals with the later difficulties of the British Motor Corporation and the government-initiated merger with Leyland Vehicles to form the British Leyland group. Further development of the tractor range was to continue with the introduction of the '98' series engines, the introduction of safety cabs and the development of the 'Synchro' gearbox. Additional technical changes took place with the introduction of the 'Harvest Gold' range until the decision was made by British Leyland to dispose of the tractor business, one of the first privatisations by Margaret Thatcher's government in 1982. The influence of the poor national industrial situation and its affect on investment and the development of the tractor range are also dealt with in detail, as is the aftermath of the sale to a private purchaser who was to absorb the nationalised Leyland tractor range.

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The Vodka-Cola Cowboy describes life trucking in what is possibly the harshest environment, in the world - Russia. Between 1990 and 1995 British owner driver Mick Twemlow worked to transport goods to, from and within Russia and the wider Soviet Union. Living in Moscow with his future wife, Elena and their daughter, Margarita, who was born there, in 1992, Mick learned the language and fully immersed himself in Russian society, giving him an insider's view of this time of massive upheaval in the Soviet Union. The book vividly illustrates the conditions that British truck drivers encountered, such as the atrocious winter weather in a wild and unforgiving landscape, police harassment and the dangers that came with the dissolution of the USSR. Mick was the only British truck driver, in Moscow, throughout the whole of the anti-Gorbachev coup, of 1991 and so the book offers a unique perspective, of that historical event. The incidents described in the book range from the humorous, to the serious, to the potentially life threatening. This book will primarily be of interest to truck drivers, and those with an interest in road transport and the haulage industry, in general.Russia is still an unknown quantity, all around the globe, with regards to people's understanding of it and its people and so The Vodka-Cola Cowboy will also be of interest to anyone who has a fascination with the country, particularly during this tumultuous time in the region's socio-political history.

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The Nordic Tractor traces the history of tractor production in Sweden and Finland. The story goes back over 200 years to the 19th century when the industrial revolution was sweeping across Britain, and Sweden wanted to establish their own manufacturing powerhouses. This was an exciting and fast moving time for engineering and this book traces the ups, downs and eventual demise of some of the first manufacturers working to serve the particular needs of the agricultural and forestry industries in this densely forested and mountainous region. It then looks in depth at the companies who emerged from this, who learnt from their own and others' mistakes and built on the widespread technological advances of the time to build up names for themselves in Northern parts of Europe. Today, Valtra - now owned by AGCO - stands proudly as the last remaining agricultural tractor maker in Scandinavia, but The Nordic Tractor shows where their roots lie in the establishment and history of companies such as Bolinder, Munktells, Volvo and Valmet, who all stood out as being major players in the Nordic region. Including over 100 photos, many of which have been previously unpublished, this book will appeal to those with a specific interest in Nordic tractors, Nordic engineering and general Nordic history as well as the general tractor enthusiast.

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Chris has tried to show the tractors carrying out a wide range of tasks. His concise text explains what is going on in the pictures. He includes some basic technical specifications such as power outputs so that the reader can roughly compare different tractors and have an idea of the size and capability of each. The 41 tractors chosen come from 25 marques. Many of the tractor manufacturers have parent companies, some of which own a number of tractor makers. Chris gives these details as well as the country of assembly and/or manufacture. Tractor enthusiasts will enjoy this book, but it is particularly designed to be an introduction for visitors to rural shows, farm parks and country bookshops.

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Did you know that Bad-Tempered Bradford Cattle are used for rodeos? Impress friends and relatives with interesting facts about 45 breeds of cattle, including their appearance, personality, history, breeding, milk-producing capabilities, and other fun facts. From the strong Ayrshire who produces ideal milk for ice cream, to the pampered Wagyu, whose beef is said to reduce cholesterol, this fascinating guide will turn both adults and children into cow enthusiasts.

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Presents the 41 breeds of sheep you are most likely to encounter on farms, each with a full-page photo and a description of their appearance, history and uses. Only the size of a postcard, the book fits perfectly into a rucksack or pocket so is ideal for the interested rambler who is keen to discover more about the flock fleeing from him at the time. Clear color photographs taken of sheep 'straight from the field' illustrate the immense diversity within this species. This is the bestselling title from the `Know Your' series.

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Did you know a honeybee visits about 50 to 100 flowers during each nectar-collection trip? You'll discover loads of interesting facts about 35 common pollinating insects - from ladybugs, moths, and beetles to bees, wasps, flies, and butterflies - including appearance, history and breeding, and details of how to attract them to your garden. From ladybugs whose larvae love to munch on herbs like coriander, fennel, and dill, to nocturnal moths who prefer a flower's scent to its colour, this fun and fascinating pocket guide will turn both young and old into pollinator enthusiasts.

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Best known for founding international haulier, Trans UK, Bob Carter was involved in the ground-breaking changes occurring in British transport of the 60s and 70s. Beginning in the army where he witnessed nuclear testing on Christmas Island in the 1950s, he went on to be a driver, office worker and finally company owner. Bob was able to turn his hand to any aspect of his business operation, from repairing mechanical defects, to operating forklifts and even on the odd occasion, driving his own trucks. In 1975 he set out on Trans UK's maiden run to Iran in his Humber Sceptre with 4 of his trucks in convoy - the first trip of many, for the company. The denationalization of BRS and the implementation of the 'O' licence, the rapid growth of privately owned haulage companies, combined with the Middle East oil boom of the 70s all helped Bob to develop a successful British and international transport operation. A real one-off and Mr. Nice Guy, Bob Carter was held in high esteem and respected by one and all. Including nearly 300 photos, You Call, We Haul is an inspirational story which will appeal to those with an interest in the hey-day of Middle-East travel and those with a general love of great British transport companies.

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The Silk Road and Beyond covers the career, adventures and anecdotes of Ivor Whittall, one of the early pioneers of long distance trucking to the Middle East. Written in an engaging style, the book encompasses stories from the beginning of Ivor's career, from qualifying as an articulated-truck driver, his first overseas trip to Kuwait, the desert trek between Jordan and Saudi Arabia and the journey over the infamous Tahir Pass in Eastern Turkey, which claimed many trucks and the lives of some of their drivers. The book is edited and revised by Paul Rowlands, himself an experienced trucker and published book author, and includes many amusing and hair-raising tales. It covers subjects such as the recovery of broken down trucks and trailers and the delights of custom formalities and cross-border negotiations, not only providing a fascinating insight to this important period in transport history, but demonstrating the important qualities of determination and self-reliance, applied by the author to many challenging situations.

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Behind every good farmer is a great farmer's wife though the farmer in question may not always appreciate this! Having been married to John for over 30 years, Bobbi Mothersdale knows this more than anyone. Through her diary, Bobbi gives a wry, comical and yet realistic account of life on their East Yorkshire farm. Over the course of the year, we meet her friends and family as well as the three dogs, numerous hens and crafty guinea fowl that play such a big part in their daily routine. Like any farming family they have good days mixed with bad and have to deal with adverse weather, bureaucratic challenges and uncooperative livestock. Bobbi's accounts of her irate farming husband thwarted once again by the gods of rain or a petulant sheep will be instantly recognisable to anyone who has ever worked on a farm and on many an occasion you will find yourself laughing out loud at her description of the situations she finds herself in.Illustrated with 24 beautiful sketches by Jacquie Sinclair, Bobbi's dry and witty way with words can not fail to amuse and endear you. If you are a farmer's wife, you will find this an unputdownable must-read that you will want to share with all your friends.Though be warned - you might need to prise it away from your husband and his friends first. ..

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Did the 'Good Old Days' ever really exist? Mick Rennison is not so sure. After miraculously passing his test in an Atkinson Borderer way back in 1974, Mick drove in the days when crooks and con men seemed to run the haulage industry. And Mick worked for most of them! Earning crap wages from arrogant bosses with the constant threat of your P45 hanging over your head, he learned his trade through trial and error - many trials and lots of errors. His career took him all over Europe and Scandinavia taking musical shows to Norway, JCBs to Greece and supermarket deliveries down to Gibraltar. Driving for a variety of firms he double manned trucks with his wife Jo for nearly 10 years. Along the way he has been blown over in high winds, outwitted hijackers and held hostage by striking Spanish drivers. Now living on a narrow boat on the Grand Union Canal, Mick is approaching retirement and reflects on his varied career. With humour and not a little sarcasm, he concludes that as good as those days were he certainly wouldn't want to go back.

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Patrick Dyer's eighth book in the 'at work' series takes the reader on a journey with ERF, England's last independent truck manufacturer, between the years 1975 and 1993 with the B, C, CP and E-series trucks that the Sandbach based company produced in the face of overwhelming competition from foreign manufacturers.Apart from the renowned economy, reliability and longevity of the products, the B, C, CP and E-series truck ranges were all linked by the remarkable SP cab, which combined a steel cage with bolt on SMC panels. The system was so revolutionary that ERF patented it. The low cost of design and manufacture allowed it to update and improve its cabs with each series.ERF B, C, CP & E-series at Work draws on over 200 fine photographs from the manufacturer and trucking enthusiasts, which combine with the informative text to tell the remarkable story of these ERF products through some of the most turbulent years of the company's existence.

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By the end of the twentieth century there were some half-million tractors on British farms - more machines than people to drive them. Brian Bell's encyclopaedic book traces the evolution of the farm tractor from the days of starting handle and pan seat to current 4-wheel drive machines with air-conditioned cabs and computer management systems. He deals in particular with developments of the classic period from the 1950s to the 1990s. The book is arranged alphabetically by manufacturer from Allis-Chalmers to Zetor, one hundred marques in total. These are all machines to be found on British farms irrespective of their country of manufacture. Brian runs concisely through the histories of the companies and their major models, illustrated with a wealth of photographs and extracts from sales literature. He adds some special features on items such as hydraulic systems and cold-starting aids. He includes a glossary and full index. This book replaces the author's earlier, successful, Fifty Years of Farm Tractors. Many of the photographs are new and the text has been brought up to date to include developments of the early twenty-first century.

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Working Scottish Trucks is a photographic book bringing together 262 images of commercial vehicles spotted across some of the most scenic parts of Scotland. The beautiful landscapes offer a fantastic backdrop to the large range of haulage companies based in this rural, rugged and often difficult area. With just one picture per page, this book reproduces Ian Lawson's perfectly captured shots to maximum effect. The images have been taken over 30 years of dedicated viewing and focus on 10 types of vehicles - bulk transport, curtainsiders, fridges and food, general haulage, hay and stray, heavy haulage, livestock transporters, renewable energy transport, round timber haulage and tankers. Each photo is captioned with the date, location, make and model of vehicle and details of owner and types of work undertaken. The distinctive and unashamedly patriotic look of Scottish liveries has always attracted a strong following and so Working Scottish Trucks is a must-have for transport enthusiasts within Scotland, the UK and beyond.

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The pace at which technology progresses within the motor industry can be incredibly fast. What may have seemed an almost insurmountable problem in the late 80s and early 90s and therefore a major achievement when resolved, would now seem a minor inconvenience due to the advances made in component technology. Aston Martin Engine Development thoroughly details the design and development of Aston Martin engines including the 580X Vantage, the Virage, and the V8 Coupe. In particular it focusses on the twin supercharged 32 valve Vantage engine - an engine which set new standards, being the most powerful production car engine in the world at the time of its release in 1992. Illustrated with photographs from that time and including power and torque curves, this book provides a unique look into a period of Aston's history, written by one of the key men involved in making it happen. It gives an insight into life at the AM factory at Newport Pagnell; an understanding of the benefits of Supercharging at the time of manufacture; and a historic record of engine design, development and production that would otherwise have been lost to time.Aston Martin Engine Development will appeal to Aston Martin owners and enthusiasts and to anyone else with an interest in engines and high-performance cars.

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Lameness is one of the major ailments of dairy cows. The distress it causes to the afflicted animals is reflected in decreased milk yields and an increase in infertility. Over the past twenty years, there has been a continuous programme of research in Britain and overseas into all aspects of the disease. In particular, our understanding of the changes in hoof growth around the time of calving has greatly increased. This enlarged and completely revised new edition takes into account all the recent research findings and presents the results in a readable manner. The highly illustrated text is fully referenced for students who wish to enquire further, but above all it is a straightforward manual for the practical use of those dealing with dairy cows.

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Among the Dutch transport companies there are several with a world-wide reputation for moving heavy and outsized loads. In this programme by Gertjan Houtman several of the most specialist companies are featured undertaking the transport of some very unusual loads. We see the Sarens group transporting an immense 820 tonne section of a newly built cutter-suction dredger moved over water as well as a port container crane. Mammoet's skill with SPMTs is demonstrated when they move three heavy Smit transformers over water (in force 8 wind!), road (unusually, during the day) and use 2-stack work to cross a railway. It's an operation needing some skillful driving! We also see them place two viaducts, one of which is over a hundred metres long. Saan's special load is a Hercules plane being taken from its museum to painting facilities in Lelystad. It's a night-time operation which involves two transport combinations, three telescopic cranes and various escort vehicles. Liebherr cranes are poised en route to leapfrog the plane over obstacles. Rensink often move huge tanks but now and then, something very different turns up. Like moving a super-luxury houseboat from the boatyard to its moorings in the heart of the city of Deventer. It's not a world-record distance but load dimensions of 18 metres by 6, and a weight of 130 tons all add up to an interesting challenge.

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From the American Guinea Hog who loves a good belly rub, to the hardy Yorkshire who is happiest foraging outdoors, this fascinating guide will turn both young and old into a pig enthusiast. Did you know that wild razorback hogs probably were imported into the United States from Russia during the 19th century? This little book is filled with the history and characteristics of the most popular breeds of pigs in the world!

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David Pearson spent more than four decades working for Ford's tractor business, starting on the production line at the maker's Dagenham factory before moving to the Basildon tractor plant opened in 1964. He went on to become the maker's UK sales manager, and earned a reputation among farmers and dealers as the man who knew all there was to know about Ford tractors. Along the way, he was involved in the development of some of the most famous machines to bear the blue livery, from the Dexta to the 7000, and the FW articulated tractors to the 7810. Edited by agricultural journalist Martin Rickatson, Forty Years with Ford Tractors builds on a series of recollections which originally featured in Classic Tractor magazine, and includes additional material to tell David's fascinating story in full. It includes a comprehensive selection of black-and-white and colour photographs, many of which have never before been published and will be of interest to all Ford fans and tractor fans more generally.Front cover photograph: (c) Dave Franciosy / www.farmingphotography.co.uk

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This book follows the history and development of Brian Harris Transport Limited, the original red, green, and yellow liveried lorries that made the trek between Devon and Scotland at regular intervals for over fifty years. In 1946, Brian's father, Jerry, and Sam Miners formed Harris & Miners; with their fleet of two Ford trucks and one Commertipper, these two men took on the ultimate haulage challenge of the time: road vs. train. The outcome was that Harris & Miners were offered a contract to haul 'Devon Grate' Candy fire surrounds to Glasgow in 1947. Young Brian Harris began driving for his father in an Albion Chieftain in 1960. When Jerry Harris passed, Brian bought out the Miners family and the company became Brian Harris Transport Limited. With his fleet of ERF lorries fitted with Gardner engines, Brian set about running the company in a way only understood by him. Over the course of its existence, the company utilized a vast quantity of magnificent machines, including the first ERF 'A' series in that area, the Leyland Roadtrain and one Leyland DAF. Brian Harris died in April 2012 and his funeral was attended by over 600 people from all over the UK. This new edition gives an update to the events that have taken place since the second edition was published in 2007, including the eulogy given by the author at the funeral, as well as 82 previously unpublished photographs. [Subject: Transportation]

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Farming in Miniature is an essential guide for collectors of British toy models interested in farm tractors, farm horses and associated agricultural equipment. Many of the toys identified and described have never previously been mentioned in collectors' literature. It is being published in two volumes.

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Farm Machinery is the standard book on the current theory and practice of farm mechanisation for students and farmers. First published in 1979, this new sixth edition incorporates much new text together with 280 new colour photographs illustrating the steady flow of developments in farm mechanisation that have taken place over the past decade. Recent advances in computer technology and satellite field mapping are included and new content enriches the earlier material dealing with the working principles and operation of the vast array of the somewhat less sophisticated farm tractors and machines still in use on British farms. There are chapters on tractors, cultivation and drilling equipment, crop care and harvest machinery. Further chapters deal with farmyard and estate maintenance equipment, mechanical handlers, dairy equipment, irrigation farm power and the farm workshop. References are made to the UK Health & Safety at Work Act and other safety regulations. These summarise their main requirements, but they should only be taken as a guide. Brian Bell has had a long involvement with farm machinery that started with an apprenticeship in a tractor dealership. After a teaching career on farm machinery at Otley College in Suffolk he retired as Vice Principal in 1993 when he was awarded the MBE for services to agriculture. Brian Bell has written a number of books and made seventeen DVDs on modern and vintage tractors and machinery.

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This superb book was initially published in 1998 and has been out of print for several years. This new edition has been updated to show the most recent developments in all areas relating to the heavy horse industry. The Working Horse Manual has been designed to act as bible for heavy horse enthusiasts. Diana Zeuner has collected articles from 24 leading heavy horse experts who, between them, have covered a wide array of topics including: o Choosing your breed o Harnesses and harnessing o Horses in forestry o Multiple hitches o Farriery o Ploughing o Plaiting o Horse-drawn machinery and equipment o Veterinary care o Transport law o Caring for horse-drawn vehicles o Road driving For this new edition the chapters about Training for Horsemen, Working Horses in Forestry and Transport and the Law have been completely updated to reflect recent changes. The rest of the book has also been amended accordingly. This new edition also has an increased section on cross-country driving and an improved 'useful addresses' section. The book is highly illustrated with photographs and diagrams. The Working Horse Manual is the only UK book of this type and is on the recommended reading list of the British Driving Society.

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Know Your Farm Machinery follows on from the successful publication of Know Your Tractors, Know Your Combines and Know Your Classic Tractors.This pocket-sized book details 43 types of farm machinery most commonly seen on farms today including ploughs, cultivators, drills, spreaders and balers. A photograph of each machine is included.Chris Lockwood is a Suffolk based freelance agricultural journalist and producer of a long list of farming and farm machinery DVDs. This is his fourth book in the popular Know Your series.

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Did you know that the Appenzeller Chicken can climb trees? Discover fun fowl facts, and get acquainted with 44 breeds, each accompanied by a description of the bird's appearance, its history and breeding, and details of its personality, egg-laying, and flying abilities. From the spirited American Game Fowl, to the calm and docile Wyandotte, this fascinating guide will turn both young and old into a chicken enthusiast.

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Do you know what breeds of horses are on the brink of extinction? Impress friends and relatives with interesting facts about more than 40 breeds of horses, history, appearances, uses, roles in human history, and other fun facts. From working to racing horses and common to rare, learn all about these beautifully majestic animals with this fascinating guide and Know Your Horses!

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Although truck efficiency and performance are priorities for operators and drivers, their pride in their vehicles shows itself in the way that so many are customised and decorated. Ferdy De Martin & Xavier Stefaniak have selected 29 examples of currently working trucks whose decoration is an art form, ranging from the delicate and subtle to transport rococo - a phantasmagoria of images in bright colours. The imaginative designs, high standard of craftsmanship and superb finish create unique vehicles that are immediately recognisable and attract devoted followers. Over 250 fantastic photographs are accompanied by concise captions that are both enthusiastic and illuminating; the authors do full justice to the trucks. The text is in English with synopses in French, and each truck is presented with a number of photographs to show off both the overall designs as well as the details of exteriors and interiors. This is a truly international selection of machines, with eighteen of the twenty-nine trucks featured from Europe, eight from North America and three from the UK. Original manufacturers include Volvo, Scania, Mercedes and Peterbilt.

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The little grey Fergie is Britain's best-loved tractor, the light user-friendly machine that finally replaced the horse on farms. This highly illustrated account covers the full history of Harry Ferguson's tractor products from his pioneering work before the 1930s to the merger with Massey in 1957. The author has had access to fresh archive material and has interviewed many of the surviving men who were associated with Ferguson. The appeal of the Fergie lay in its lightness and utility, and also in the system of mechanized farming of which it was a part. Throughout the book, reference is made to the implements which lay at the heart of the system.

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This book is about the generations of people who have made the farms we know today. Engaging, enjoyable and informative, the author uses various family experiences to take the reader through three centuries of change in the countryside, including two farming revolutions. Connections are made with people both in and outside of agriculture. Farming issues, past and present, are illustrated by recounting the lives of country people from farm worker to estate owner.Focussing on the Scottish Borders but reflecting lives across the UK, these tales give historically factual accounts of real life people and their ups and downs in dealing with the forces of nature, the varying states of economic depression that swept through the countryside, and the everyday conflicts that arise in family life.Based on painstaking research and many interviews, as well as the author's own personal experience of a lifetime in farming, Farming Stories from the Scottish Borders tells of the struggle against adversity and the human story behind modern farming ways.It will appeal to anyone who has an interest in the history of the countryside and the people who live and work in it and particularly those with a nostalgia for the 'old days'.

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Cows and Catastrophes includes tales of author Brindley Hosken's 40 years of farming on the beautiful Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall, where he has lived and worked for all his life. After 35 years of dairy farming, and in an increasingly challenging market, Brin made the difficult decision to sell his cows in 2010 and now contract rears dairy heifers.Some of the stories told are factual, some take a situation, turn it upside down and approach it from a completely different angle and others ask important questions such as "What if I'm a Celebrity was set on a farm?" and "What if a tractor could write a letter to a car?" Most are humorous; some are sad but they are all thought provoking. Including 32 specially commissioned illustrations by Rory Walker, this book will bring a wry smile to the faces of other farmers who will recognise situations that they too have been in. It will also give readers who are not involved in farming an idea about what happens down farm lanes and in the patchwork of fields that they pass on their way to work each day and to help them appreciate the tough job that farmers today face.

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Many would argue that the 1980s were a better time for truck drivers than nowadays: there were no cell phones, there was less traffic on the road, CB radio was all the rage, and stickers were the simple heart of truck customizing. However, the transport industry is constantly evolving and companies must adapt their vehicles to keep pace with the developments. As a result, vehicle design and liveries regularly change. Many of the companies around in the 1980s have expired and been forgotten. Most of the trucks from that time are long gone to the great scrapyard in the sky! David Wakefield has been working in the transport industry for over 30 years and has been taking photographs of trucks since the early 1980s. He has amassed thousands of high-quality images, producing one of the most comprehensive photographic collections of the time, but many of his photographs have never been previously published. In this vivid compilation, Nick Ireland has collated 300 of David's images from the 1980s in order to preserve them and make them publicly available for the first time. The book features trucks from all over the world, and it is a must-have for current and former truckers who will enjoy being reminded of 'the good old days, ' as well as anyone else with an interest in transport history.

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Three articulated trucks load in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: two Volvo 4X2 European road artics and a Mercedes 6X6 desert artic. Their destination is Sharawrah, somewhere south of The Empty Quarter. Seven days to travel a thousand kilometers, a third of which are open desert. Seven days that will turn into seventy.... This is the true story of Gordon Pearce, an English truck driver determined to get the job done. With the help of Bedouins, he crossed three hundred kilometers of unpredictable desert in the height of the summer of 1978. Aside from the physical challenges, he also has to battle bureaucracy and begins to dread hearing the word bukkera (tomorrow). Told in an ironic modest style and illustrated with photos from that time, Where's Sharawrah? is a captivating book for vehicle enthusiasts and anyone who is passionate about truck adventures. [Subject: Memoir, Transportation]

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The range of manufacturers is surprisingly wide, including: Case, Claas, Deutz-Fahr, International Harvester, John Deere, Laverda, Massey Ferguson, New Holland, Ransomes, Sampo and Wintersteiger. Some of the manufacturers have several models shown, with Claas particularly well represented. Each of the photographs has a full right-hand page. Opposite it is a concise text that describes the model's attributes and gives details of its range. The author describes the company ownership as well as country of assembly or manufacture. Cut-away diagrams showing the layouts of the three main combine types supported by a glossary of technical terms make this the ideal book for a novice enthusiast.

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Ransomes of Ipswich was at the forefront of the agricultural engineering and grass-cutting industries in Britain. In the course of their 200-year history they were responsible for many innovations including the self-sharpening ploughshare and the world's first self-moving agricultural machine. They manufactured the world's first lawn mower and were renowned for steam engines and threshers. They built tractors and trolleybuses, combines and reach trucks; they provided Britain's tillage implements and they exported throughout the world. Using over 300 illustrations, a quarter in colour, this book provides a vivid picture of Ransomes and in particular their contribution to 20th-century farm machinery. The text is authoritative, full of detail and useful information for a wide range of enthusiasts, whether their interests are match ploughing, MG tractors, grass-maintenance machinery or combines.

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This book is a companion to the hugely popular Lorries of Arabia: ERF NGC, published in 2015. The first book made tribute to ERF's world-class long-hauler, focussing in particular on the Middle-East examples, and to those who drove them. It was acclaimed for its "evocative photographs" and Robert's "passionate" and descriptive style of writing and Truck and Driver called it "essential reading for the many enthusiasts of this golden chapter in haulage history".Lorries of Arabia 2 continues to explore the fortunes of this legendary machine. Including 100 fully captioned pictures, many of which have only been brought to light since the publication of Lorries, this volume clearly demonstrates the romance of the road. This book will enhance and enrich the body of knowledge pertaining to the culture of the Middle-East run in the 1970s/80s and will further delight fans of the first book, whetting their appetite for more

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This selection is designed to satisfy the curiosity of people interested in the plant and machinery they commonly see as they travel around the UK. Paul Argent's selection includes diggers, excavators, backhoes, rollers, cranes, demolition machines, loaders, dumpers and a road planer. The author shows products from most of the major manufacturers such as JCB, Caterpillar, Volvo, Case, Komatsu, Hitachi, Kubota and Liebherr. Each of the examples is seen at work in a full-page photograph. Paul's accompanying text gives details of the class of machine represented, the work for which it is suitable and some technical specifications. The range of machinery is wide, offering novice enthusiasts a chance to get to grips with many different types, a springboard to a deepening interest in the plant and machinery at work every day in Britain.

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Know Your Ducks is designed for the novice enthusiast of any age. For each breed the right hand page is dedicated to a quality picture of the duck accompanied by a description of its appearance. On the facing page is a concise description of the breed's origins and its history. For many for the breeds Jack gives a description of their personality, egg laying and flying abilities and how they are best kept.

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Bees play an essential role in the pollination of crops, but they face an increasing number of threats. This book provides information about 32 bee species including their size, habitat, location, nesting and eating habits, plus other interesting facts. A photograph of each species allows easy identification of these beautiful and important insects. Jack Byard is a former mechanic, jewellery craftsman and school technician. He is retired and now lives in Bradford. This is his 13th book in the popular "Know Your" series which also includes Know Your Sheep, Know Your Cattle and Know Your Pigs.

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Can you read the skies? Clouds produce an ever-changing skyscape and a vital clue to predicting whether it’s going to rain or shine. This handy little cloud-spotting guide explains: • How to identify each type of cloud • The processes are at work to produce them • The significance they have for our weather • Optical phenomena produced by certain clouds Learn the lost countryside art of cloud reading and understand the most essential of nature’s clues and signs.

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