Why did the really oldtimers call a road grader a Motor Patrol ?

[Tinkerer]

When I first started working on new pipeline job over fifty years ago I routinely heard the older operators refer to a road grader as a motor patrol.
I knew what a road grader, blade and road maintainer was. I finally researched road graders and found out the reason.
I thought the younger operators would find this interesting.

 

[Nige]

If you haven't seen it yet, see if you can track down a copy of Cat's coffee table book "All in a Day's Work".
https://www.amazon.com/All-Days-Work-Seventy-Five-Caterpillar/dp/1572433744

 

[bigrus]

Never heard of graders in general called a motor patrol. I remember seeing ancient graders with "patrol" on the nameplate under the brand but I've only been on equipment since 1979

 

[bigrus]

Some old graders set up in a roadside museum 20 miles east of Longreach Qld Australia. A few had "patrol" on them

 

[Queenslander]

bigrus, they have an Auto Patrol there under the shed in the background.
If I recall correctly, it dates back to the mid thirties, survived the bombing of Darwin during WW2 and was later purchased by a local council.

 

[DMiller]

Allis built 'Speed Patrol' graders based on the Farm tractors of the Day.

 

[Tinkerer]

Apparently this is where the motor patrol reference started in 1919. I have never seen an operator dressed like the man in the image !

 

[DMiller]

Quite likely a British Gent.

 

[ovrszd]

I've watched several old farm tractor advertising videos. Very common to see the operators wearing dress clothes. I suppose that was supposed to give the impression that the new machinery was so effective you could wear your Sunday best and run it??

 

[Mother Deuce]

Apparently this is where the motor patrol reference started in 1919. I have never seen an operator dressed like the man in the image !View attachment 206075

Probably never seen one in dressed to go out on a date either, fresh hair, nails, little dumb top, slacks and heels but it happen one friday night in Bremerton and ended up in SeaTac when I had to road a 140 one summer Friday evening for a Saturday morning job that could not wait... did start some interesting conversations at stop lights though while tooling through Fife.

 

[bigrus]

When I fitted my "red dot" A/c to my Dresser A450E after a couple years running just an enclosed cab. After the first few weeks of running the A/c, my wife asked "was I going to work" as my clothes were very clean compared to previously. Still get a chuckle when I think of that.

 

[bigrus]

I wondered of the significance why one machine had its own enclosure. Didn't get time to look thoroughly through the lineup as we were on a time frame to be back in Barcaldine.

 

[Tinkerer]

Galion was another company incorporating the Motor Patrol name into theirs. Russel should have copyrighted it.

 

[Truck Shop]

And a few graders and a really old Galion mule drawn I took these photos last year.

 

[Truck Shop]

And one more. And a first year Pete for good measure.

 

[Truck Shop]

Left one photo out.

 

[Mother Deuce]

And one more. And a first year Pete for good measure.View attachment 206129 View attachment 206130 View attachment 206131

Oooooohhh that blade is cool! It will give me something to lust after in my imagination.

 

[DIYDAVE]

Here's AC's contribution, to the patrol legacy, the W speed patrol...

 

[Mother Deuce]

Here's AC's contribution, to the patrol legacy, the W speed patrol...

A guy here has one and is a regular at the regional HECA shows. He makes a good showing with it.