Classic Priestman/Sanderson Excavator Spotted

by Nick Drew | Fri 06 Sep 2019

Classic Priestman/Sanderson Excavator Spotted

Chris Griffin owner of Kent Based Griffin Groundworks and Plant Hire recently spotted an old machine which he instantly knew would be of interest to me and the readers of the Digger Man Blog so he contacted me through our Instagram account.

Chris was quite away from his base in Kent delivering something up in Lincolnshire. On pulling onto site he spotted an excavator the like of which he had not seen before. Chris said, “As soon as I saw this machine, I just knew I had to send it to you, as I know you have an interest in the old machines, apparently this machine is still used on a regular basis do you have any idea what it is?”.

In answer to Chris's question, we suspect that the machine is a Priestman/Sanderson 2-18 the largest excavator in the then new 3 model range of machines launched in 1987 following the takeover of Priestman by Skegness based Sanderson Forklifts Ltd. The range consisted of the 12-tonne class 2-12, 15-tonne 2-15 and the 18-tonne 2-18 which can be seen in this photo below courtesy of “Fitterman” on Twitter, in action at the SED Show in Whipsnade in 1987.

The addition of the Priestman excavator range to Sanderson’s portfolio of products also gave the company the rights to the revolutionary VC line of excavators, one example being the VC20 which is seen here being demonstrated in conjunction with a Winget dumper at the SED event. Today’s current batch of H&S officers would have heart failure at the sight of the dumper driver still sitting in the seat while being loaded! How times have changed eh.

Sadly, by the end of 1990 parent company Sanderson Forklifts Ltd was in financial trouble and were later forced into administration, before finally being folded. A sad end for not just one, but two great British companies.

The Digger Man Blog would like to thank Chris Griffin for sharing the original photo with us.

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