Got my artic licence in 1977 at Croydon test centre after a 5 day course through Blox training centre in Fountain Rd Tooting in SW London - Couldn't get a job anywhere without gaining 6 months experience, until I rang a yard off the Old Kent Road that ran a 'fleet' of KM Bedford units and one 1967 TS3 tractor unit which had just had an engine rebuild by their elderly fitter. I was put on it and given £52 a week plus 50 pence a day extra for the noise it generated. I loved it for over 3 years into mid 1980. All loads roped & sheeted, it pulled like train fully freighted, 75mph on the clock easily, only log books back in the day. As a kid in late 1950s/60s I was addicted to that GMC in 'Cannonball' with Mike & jerry, it had that same sort of rasp - Great memories.
My oldest cousin had a Commer "Knocker" in the late 1960's and had a long flat tray with a lazy axle, he carted wood for many years in that, I just loved the sound of the motor, he loved that truck and had it for many years. The Commer was common and much liked in Australia back then.
My dad had one of these with the TS3 engine. Was converted to a six legger by Yorks. Had a 6 speed with a range change. 12 gears. I've still got the workshop manuals somewhere.
Hi,remember them well was the first lorry I was given a wee shot off was a van boy reg was ryy 281f was an artic unit pulling trailers for IBM in greenock many yrs ago still remember that whine 😂regards
Cool old truck! Unbelievable engine, waaaay advanced for their time, the 4 cylinder evolution version would of destroyed the competition if were allowed to be developed and produced 👍
Had lots of these when I grew up as a kid in NZ , years later I drove 2, one was set up with a pull on rubbish skip , the other had big winch to load and unload 5 tonne concrete water tanks up on the Hibiscus coast in NZs North island
First HGV I drove after passing my class 3 it was a box wagon made into a gritter you hade a mate in the cab with you he would work the spreading and amount of salt that was put down it’s a one man job now with automatic stop start for the spreading
I remember these from when I was a child, the distinctive scream from those engines was unmistakeable but I wonder what the noise level in the cab was like, those drivers must have been hard of hearing by the end of a shift.
Send those clutch cylinders up to Contract Auto Engineering at Stourport. They'll fully renovate them including a stainless steel liner and reassembly with new guts and seals
Wow..haven't seen these in the UK since the late 70's very early 80's..I remember them as a child. I suppose it survived because of the dry hot climate
Anyone who drove these old bangers has a hearing problem I guarantee. I drove one in the early 1980s when I was a chicken catcher at Steggles poultry. No hearing protection in those days. When the gearshift got a bit of wear in it you had to avoid bashing your elbow on the back wall of the cabin. No wonder the steering wheel attendants these days are a bunch of sooks.
@@johnfellows2867 It was a roots supercharger driven by a shaft from the rear of the engine. I took an engine apart, 3 cylinders 6 pistons, one crankshaft. 6 pistons driven by rocker shafts, one at each side of the engine. The engine was a two stroke. Cylinders had holes each side, allowing the supercharger to blow out the glasses when the two pistons were out at max.
@@phantomrose1999Rootes Group. There was also a TS4 in development when Chrysler took over the Rootes Group, but it was cancelled as it was too efficient and would have taken sales away from Chrysler supplied truck engines then in production. The 7 or so prototypes were supposed to have been destroyed, but at least 2 of them survived and were at the London Science Museum.
I'm 73 years old and the sound of a TS3 still gives me goosebumps ! So many childhood memories, love it !!
Where are these from ?
@@xmo552 made in England by the roots group
The same as you my friend , I’m 74 and always loved the sound of these when I was very young traveling in school holidays with my old man .
Got my artic licence in 1977 at Croydon test centre after a 5 day course through Blox training centre in Fountain Rd Tooting in SW London - Couldn't get a job anywhere without gaining 6 months experience, until I rang a yard off the Old Kent Road that ran a 'fleet' of KM Bedford units and one 1967 TS3 tractor unit which had just had an engine rebuild by their elderly fitter. I was put on it and given £52 a week plus 50 pence a day extra for the noise it generated.
I loved it for over 3 years into mid 1980. All loads roped & sheeted, it pulled like train fully freighted, 75mph on the clock easily, only log books back in the day. As a kid in late 1950s/60s I was addicted to that GMC in 'Cannonball' with Mike & jerry, it had that same sort of rasp - Great memories.
My oldest cousin had a Commer "Knocker" in the late 1960's and had a long flat tray with a lazy axle, he carted wood for many years in that, I just loved the sound of the motor, he loved that truck and had it for many years. The Commer was common and much liked in Australia back then.
I used to run these back in 1971 great truck screem along all day
My dad had one of these with the TS3 engine. Was converted to a six legger by Yorks. Had a 6 speed with a range change. 12 gears. I've still got the workshop manuals somewhere.
I'm 70 on March 8. My late Dad owned two COMMER KNOCKERS of the series before this truck. I love the song of the Knockers. Makes my eyes water.
Have another display engine. Love the sound and the tech in them.
I had the pleasure of diving one with a knocker motor in the early 80 t
Fantastic to see a TS3 going again. In another video I'd like to see you breath new life into that red W123 beside it
Hi,remember them well was the first lorry I was given a wee shot off was a van boy reg was ryy 281f was an artic unit pulling trailers for IBM in greenock many yrs ago still remember that whine 😂regards
Made me cry so many happy times with my dad in them
Good girl Samantha
Cool old truck! Unbelievable engine, waaaay advanced for their time, the 4 cylinder evolution version would of destroyed the competition if were allowed to be developed and produced 👍
Had lots of these when I grew up as a kid in NZ , years later I drove 2, one was set up with a pull on rubbish skip , the other had big winch to load and unload 5 tonne concrete water tanks up on the Hibiscus coast in NZs North island
Looking forward to driving one.
Fantastic truck mate ! Never had those here ! Cheers form Arizona USA
First HGV I drove after passing my class 3 it was a box wagon made into a gritter you hade a mate in the cab with you he would work the spreading and amount of salt that was put down it’s a one man job now with automatic stop start for the spreading
Never driven one, hoping to have this moving this year. Clutch and brakes need attention
An amazing engine.
Common knocker😁, great to hear it running
Yes, it really has a “knocker” sound. 😂
I remember these from when I was a child, the distinctive scream from those engines was unmistakeable but I wonder what the noise level in the cab was like, those drivers must have been hard of hearing by the end of a shift.
Send those clutch cylinders up to Contract Auto Engineering at Stourport. They'll fully renovate them including a stainless steel liner and reassembly with new guts and seals
I am in Australia. Have found a truck brake and clutch shop.
Wow..haven't seen these in the UK since the late 70's very early 80's..I remember them as a child. I suppose it survived because of the dry hot climate
Unfortunately he parked it under a tree for over 20 years. Passenger side roof is very rusted
Anyone who drove these old bangers has a hearing problem I guarantee. I drove one in the early 1980s when I was a chicken catcher at Steggles poultry. No hearing protection in those days. When the gearshift got a bit of wear in it you had to avoid bashing your elbow on the back wall of the cabin. No wonder the steering wheel attendants these days are a bunch of sooks.
They were still being used in the 80’s ? Was it a knocker your drove ?
@@phantomrose1999 Steggles would use whatever still ran back then.
Lovely old truck ..are you going to restore it ?
Next is the clutch and brakes to move it. It needs another cab, too much rust. Progress depends on time and weather
@@phantomrose1999 I agree...its OK to say restore it but you really have to love it to put that much time and effort in
Just HOW slow is that tickover?
Commer 2 stroke diesel with supercharger? 6 pistons, 3 cylinders.
Wasn't a supercharger as such but a scavenge pump to blow out the exhaust gas .
@@johnfellows2867
It was a roots supercharger driven by a shaft from the rear of the engine.
I took an engine
apart, 3 cylinders 6 pistons, one crankshaft. 6 pistons driven by rocker shafts, one at each side of the engine.
The engine was a two stroke. Cylinders had holes each side, allowing the supercharger to blow out the glasses when the two pistons were out at max.
Some companies are playing with modern day prototypes based on similar principles to these engines
Would this be the Wade R034? I have one of those sitting on a shelf for nearly 40 years now.@@thomasmyers4089
What is the actual make and engine spec. , for us here in the states ?
It’s made by the Roots group from the UK, The engine is a TS3, 3 cylinder, 6 piston, with a supercharger, 2 stroke diesel
@@phantomrose1999Rootes Group. There was also a TS4 in development when Chrysler took over the Rootes Group, but it was cancelled as it was too efficient and would have taken sales away from Chrysler supplied truck engines then in production. The 7 or so prototypes were supposed to have been destroyed, but at least 2 of them survived and were at the London Science Museum.
Is there anywhere in Australia that can reco these old donks
Considering how few of these they are and getting parts is almost impossible, no chance, unless you DIY.
Bigger knockers than Milena Velba.😂.
That oil is lubricating nothing. Carry on with this nonsense if you wish to destroy the engine.