NathanB:
Not been a good day for Smiths Fodens; I went in with engine trouble, to be greeted with all 3 of our 03 regs in the workshop. 1x8w for servicing, 1x8w with no low range, and the 6w with gearbox trouble (valve). Next minute, Volvo rep turns up with an FM Globetrotter 450 with IShift.
You be evaluating a Gobstopper tomorrow then Nathan? 
adr:
NathanB:
Not been a good day for Smiths Fodens; I went in with engine trouble, to be greeted with all 3 of our 03 regs in the workshop. 1x8w for servicing, 1x8w with no low range, and the 6w with gearbox trouble (valve). Next minute, Volvo rep turns up with an FM Globetrotter 450 with IShift.You be evaluating a Gobstopper tomorrow then Nathan?
I think Dad is…
The rep timed it right though. I got to take WMs car to Cherrys today to get a gearbox valve; That blue Foden 4000 XL was parked there and so was a black 4000 XL.
Andrew Hendersons’ “new” Foden was in for service; Driver, Pete (had the Merc SK that one of the South Wales members bought) said she’s just about run in; 1000020km 
It came from Buxton and looks like one of Longcliffes. It had been stood for ages.
She’s a Beast that one no mistake, goes like the Devil is after her too apparently , belongs to Jim at Foxbury Farm. Meant to go to Cherry’s today to get some oil for our DAFs but didn’t get round to it, ■■■■■■■ with other stuff, & got a couple of things for my new Scania at Truckfest so busy playing with that too, it was “Big Boys Toys” time
NathanB:
I remember seeing many Fodens that had a Cat engine more powerful than a 300 it had “Big Cat” slogan on the grille. Must’ve been the “530 V8” of the '80s…
Someone I know had a cat 450 foden tractor unit he bought in France ironicly on the documents it was registered as a kenworth.
He sold it to a Spanish showman who still has it.
My old chap’s quite happy; he managed to avoid having a Volvo FM demonstrator by having a days’ holiday tomorrow for his birthday. Two years to retirement so he’s hoping the Foden will avoid the funfair until then
I’ve driven every eight wheeler in the market other than the iveco euro tracker and I recon the Volvo fm with I shift is the best of the lot.
I’ve got a 61 plate fm and it’s everything you want only complaint is ground clearance but we don’t do much tip work now so not a major problem but idmf you do the fmx has to be the motor for you.
kr79:
I’ve driven every eight wheeler in the market other than the iveco euro tracker and I recon the Volvo fm with I shift is the best of the lot.
I’ve got a 61 plate fm and it’s everything you want only complaint is ground clearance but we don’t do much tip work now so not a major problem but idmf you do the fmx has to be the motor for you.
I’ve put a pic of it (tractor unit) on Smith and Sons thread; Looks a bit too geared for ASDA for our work. I looked in it yesterday and it’s fleet spec but still nice.
Sherwoods got plenty on landfill I’d recon a 6x2 tag would do the job for you and the fmx is avalible as a tractor not sure if it’s 6x4 only though.
I did an experiment yesterday, running along the A41: Doing about 47, my lorry was doing more mpg in 11th running at 1500 rpm (sweetspot) than 12th gear only just in the green zone. Strange thing is, in 12th the limiter kicks in before getting to 1500. The Cat growls too instead of purring. 
I was on Amazon looking at the FODEN SPECIAL VEHICLES book and I noticed some one had done a review so i read through it and this bloke near the end was refering to certain models being called Sabrina’s namely S21,S36 and S39s I put in a comment that having been driving and around Fodens for 40yrs have yet to come across the name Sabrina, ERF yes but not Foden, he replied stating that he has heard the name used by showmen. Anybody on here ever heard of a FODEN SABRINA ■■?. Eddie
Well Im a Foden Fanatic, & Ive never ever heard of a Foden Sabrina, perhaps someone had it on one, just like I had Wandering Star on mine, Regards Larry.
Sabrina was an ERF KV with a more curvacious front; Or so I read in CVC…
Also the S21 was a Mickey Mouse, & the S 36/39s were called cottage loaves where I live, Regards Larry.
Thanks for that Larry I am getting on a bit and was begining to wonder if I was loosing the plot I was hopeing you would comment as a LEADING FODEN FANATIC just the answer I required. Eddie.
erfguy:
I was on Amazon looking at the FODEN SPECIAL VEHICLES book and I noticed some one had done a review so i read through it and this bloke near the end was refering to certain models being called Sabrina’s namely S21,S36 and S39s I put in a comment that having been driving and around Fodens for 40yrs have yet to come across the name Sabrina, ERF yes but not Foden, he replied stating that he has heard the name used by showmen. Anybody on here ever heard of a FODEN SABRINA ■■?. Eddie
I am glad you raised this. As the publisher of the book I read that review and the ‘error’ in not mentioning the Sabrina name, I contacted Wobbe the author and he said he had never heard the name used in context with a Foden. It is also a ‘nickname’ I have never heard used when describing a Foden type.
We decided not to respond to the ‘review’ as it would have probably drawn a response from the individual concerned and that is not what the review facility on Amazon is about.
Regards Retriever
One of our old driver’s used the word SABRINA when talking about the S21 cabbed Foden, he drove one for a firm in the Potteries and apparently they called them that. Takes all sorts I guess! 
Pete.
windrush:
One of our old driver’s used the word SABRINA when talking about the S21 cabbed Foden, he drove one for a firm in the Potteries and apparently they called them that. Takes all sorts I guess!Pete.
As strange a nickname for a Foden S21 as would be Norma Sykes!
One from Bubble man thanks Marc,
