The George Fowell group of companies were situated in the West Midlands, in three locations. The Distribution and Sales Department's offices were at 23 Newton Street, Birmingham; The Heavy Engineering and Sheet Metal Division factory stood in Rabone Lane, Smethwick, and the Assembly and Painting Division was based at the Tame Bridge Factory Estate, in Walsall. The company also had a registered office in Walsall Street, West Bromwich.

The company's four products were: the G.F. Light Dumper; the G.F. 1-Ton Dumper; the G.F. 1-Ton Roller; and the Baromix Cement Mixer.

The G.F. light dumper, capable of carrying loads over the roughest ground.
G.F. dumpers had been in production since the 1930s. They were powered by Petter diesel engines, although at least one example exists with a JAP engine. The light dumper could carry a maximum load of ½ ton, and the 1-ton dumper, as its name suggests, could carry one ton. The dumpers could easily, and more quickly, carry out the work of several men with wheelbarrows. The controls were simple to use, and could be quickly mastered by anyone.

From 20th May, 1949 edition of The Engineer:

A 10 cwt. Dumper

We illustrate below a small dumper developed by George Fowell, Ltd., Smethwick, and called the "Builders' Mate."
The prototype of this machine was exhibited at the British Industries Fair. It is designed to carry a maximum hopper load of 10 cwt, or 8 cwt when travelling over soft ground, or, alternatively, to carry ½ cubic yard of earth or muck, or the contents of the drum of a 10/7 concrete mixer.

The dumper is powered with a 5 hp. Petter engine, one forward gear and one reverse gear giving maximum speeds of 3½ mph. and 2½ mph. respectively. The differential gear and final drive to the road wheels are in the main gearbox and have been specially designed for heavy duty.

Heavy type Dunlop Girling brakes are fitted to the 6·00-16 heavy pattern traction driving wheels, which give good adhesion on soft ground. The fore-carriage is carried on 29 inch by 5 inch tyres. The chassis is designed to allow the hopper section to ride up over very uneven ground and to turn at a steep angle while the rear portion remains steadily horizontal. This is accomplished by connecting the fore-carriage to the main frame through a special rubber joint. The hopper tips by gravity and can be replaced by pulling a chain from the driver's seat.


“Builders’ Mate” Dumper.

The small blade shown in the foreground of the illustration is a calf-dozer attachment; this blade can be fitted to the central channel which forms the main chassis member, and then used for light back-filling operations.

It is claimed that the controls have been specially developed for inexperienced drivers, and can be mastered by anyone in a few minutes. The machine will circle within a diameter of 13ft. Its main dimensions are; length 6ft. 6in.; width 4ft 2in.; height 3ft 9in.; and it weighs 11 cwt.

The 1-Ton Roller had the same transmission as the light dumper, and similar simple, and easily mastered controls. It was one of the most reliable and economical rollers for a small job.
The G.F. 1-Ton Roller, adaptable and easy to use.
There were three versions of the Baromix cement mixer, which could mix up to 2 cwt. of cement or concrete, then be wheeled onto a building site, and tipped by one man. Petrol or electrically powered versions were available, all with rubber tyres.
The G.F. Baromix, cement and concrete mixer.


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