Mercedes 6x6 vs Foden Recovery: Who Will Win?

Today we do some very important testing to find out what Heavy Recovery truck is the best!
Will it be the British Foden? or the German Mercedes?
We also carryout some Jobs on the Centurion ARV ready for Show Season.
mrhewes.co.uk

[@ELBARaDo20]

Having someone from the Singapore army watching your videos and then telling you to take it down because they recognized their vehicle is quite the accomplishment itself :D

[@Yokotukanoshi]

I've driven the Mercedes 6x6 here in Aus when the Singapore Army comes through for their Shoalwater bay exercises. -- Sadly I wasnt aloud to get in their leopard(?) tanks, + I was too tall anyway. Their army personnel were very professional to deal with.

[@multilinkacs]

Try same test on tarmac!

[@aserta]

Sure, but also... weird request. They sold it, so the onus is on them for having not cleaned it. It's not like Mr. Hewes is going to do some "stolen valor" type thing (is that what you'd call it if you used a vehicle like that pretending???). If this would've been in a museum, they would've done the same? A bit anally retentive if you ask me to zip someone half across the world because your people done frakked up and didn't clean their own mess. When that happens, take the L and don't push your mess on others. Just my 2 cents. I don't like people or groups of people who can't accept their own failure. You messed up, you own up to it.

[@ELBARaDo20]

@@aserta Not Sure how they do it in Singapore, but they may have given an entire fleet of vehicles to a contractor to make them "civilian ready" and the contractor just missed something

[@discordia013]

@@Yokotukanoshi Yeah, having family that are ex SingMil I can believe that. Wannabee poser trying to score points on that takedown.

[@macles9051]

Finally a product testing oriented towards an average consumer. Thank you.

[@CircuitBored]

The vista of a green English countryside under a beautiful sky with two plus-sized wreckers playing tug of war in the foreground is almost too majestic to behold. Keep this sort of artwork coming.

[@RuskiBear57]

True, if Britain has a 2a and less regulations for vehicles I'd go

[@GlideYNRG]

Join us on Mr Hewes next week for a Foden clutch replacement video... 😂 Nicely done. 😊

[@vetrieska11]

it has a torque converter i suppose?

[@eekee6034]

@@vetrieska11 The Foden has a regular clutch, that's how it was able to keep yanking the Mercedes back. The Mercedes has a torque converter, so it couldn't be revved up to do that.

[@charliegould5865]

I used to be an aircraft engineer at Gatwick airport, the company I worked for had a Douglas aircraft tug similar to the one you had there. It was more than capable of pushing a Boeing 747-400 weighing around 360 tons back off the gate while the engines were being started. So it would be pushing against 360 tons static weight and against the idle power of 4 General Electric CF6 engines at idle power (the engines could move the aircraft forward at idle) I don’t know what the engine thrust was at idle power. But that tug would overcome the load and move the aircraft backwards off the gate, but it would be doing that on a solid smooth grippy concrete surface not grassy dirt. Watching the tug move all that weight against the engine thrust was always an impressive sight.

[@mr.sir.]

We had an ex AF one smaller than that but meant to push the much heavier B52, which I can say, that little bast was a heavy hunk but it could pull the barge in and out of the water

[@richardtravers8772]

From Aus. It doesn't matter who drives it will be Teds Team that will win. Ted even was highlighted in the Tank Museums video on SPUD.

[@iperineum5211]

Man the Mercedes with its sun faded paint looks so bad ass. Proper war horse.

[@martinsvensson781]

We have a lot of Mercedes G-wagens and Sprinters in the Swedish army. They fade in the same way.

[@shed66215]

Workshop manager, team wellbeing support and now tug-of-war umpire...no end of limits to Ted's skills!

[@PastimeClassicCarRestorer]

As you are always banging on about how good Fodens are. I went to a show a couple of weeks ago, Foden put on a pulling show and it ended up pulling 140+ tons around the show ground from a standing start and slightly up hill................Impressive

[@Pipermillen]

This channel needs to be on prime time TV, there's nothing nowhere near as entertaining.

[@Noxidsignorantia]

Just wouldn't be the same, while sensorship is rife on YT atleast they have complete control over their creative process so we wouldn't get episodes like the last Bentley episode.

[@philelliott5327]

Reliance mercury tugs were built in Halifax. I used to deliver them, they are extremely heavy pieces of kit.

[@deezelfairy]

Yup, all about massive weight for traction. I'd dare say it'd win against the Merc on Foden in a tug of war on concrete/asphalt. It never stood a chance on the grass, in fact I'm surprised it didn't just sink.

[@markedwards158]

Good to see Ted so happy.

[@Skidderoperator]

Teds so happy to have the crew back at it.

[@alxgu198]

17:13 “Adam, that’s running” 😂🤣😂 gets me every time 🤪

[@ruk2023--]

It was like one of those school fights where neither of you wants to hurt the other but you need to put on a show. Very entertaining. The towbar is a beast.

[@thebrowns5337]

I have a real soft spot for those older Mercs. Such a good looking truck in my mind.

[@carlwilson1772]

Ok so many moons ago I was in a Reliance mercury tug with another aircraft technician who shall remain nameless. We were on Nightshift, decided to kill some time by driving the long way back to the line building around the peri track. We suddenly both think, simultaneously, I wonder what this would be like off road. Steered it off the peri track onto the grass,straight in axle deep. Had to get on radio, get another tug, use the winch to get it out. Big bollocking, embarrassment etc. You tell kids stories like that these days, they don't believe you.

[@Mac-pi4cy]

Learning by doing!!!!

[@Sleepy.Time.]

Ted having a proper roll

[@TachyonDriver]

Naughty poonack! ❤

[@philelliott5327]

It's the 1966 world cup all over again!! 😂

[@TachyonDriver]

Im beginning to think that Gerry Anderson got his "big, hairy-arsed engine noise" for tanks and other oversized vehicles on Thunderbirds, Joe 90 and Stingray, by recording a straight piped Meteor 😂

[@Paddington60]

I thought the Foden sounded the best, and it did pull best! Ted was impressed I'm sure!!

[@clungepoker6749]

Nice to see the Tedmeister is continuing to live his best life, I reckon the Foden would have beasted if the ground wasn't so moist... boys and their lifesize toys 👍🏻

[@andyharding1514]

glad to see you're back to the serious business of the channel instead of fannying around fixing tanks.

[@juniusvindex769]

What people seem to miss is the fact that the foden has its roots in the late 50's and can still match fairly modern stuff. I can remember sitting in a motor vehicle engineering class at college (86-88) where my lecturer was pointing out the brute force of scammel trucks ( ex mod) were used in hauling old locomotives to scrap , saying not fast by any means but could haul almost anything. In reference to scrap metal merchants using foden and scammels during the 60's. He was "that guy" that brought in slides of a foden/ scammel low loader with 202 tonnes driving through wales...... Iirc it was about gearing not necessarily about horsepower. And he droned on about land rovers for the rest of the term......🤣 But I did find out after I left college that the hangar buildings we used were factories to make spitfires in the 40's......... in Wiltshire 👌🏻 Now a housing estate 🙄

[@philipB31]

‘…ream it out gently with the oxyacetylene’ : brilliant! You’ll be planting tulips with the D9 next…

[@pseggons9512]

That'd be great at ridging up potatoes.........

[@M-demo]

Thanks for posting. At 2.33 minutes that would make fantastic calendar photo . Cloudy skies, countryside and of course Foden and Mercedes. Great test.

[@Brad.whatthe]

Three cheers for the stiff bar, that was welded together proper like

[@GerryLewis-qb4pv]

Back in early 90's I was attached to a REME unit in Germany. Eventually I ended up being a standby driver for recovery jobs. Our vehicle, ( a Foden ), was a beast. I have to say, having seen them in action, that a good REME Reccymech operator would have made mincemeat of the Mercedes.

[@fenman1954]

Looks a fun way to dig holes in the field

[@johnfoster3886]

Brilliant. Thank you as ever for cheering my day up.

[@jamesphelps1229]

As an archaeologist I appreciate the new excavation technique…

[@jenandsteve1999]

‘Ream it out gently with the oxy acetylene’ said the actress to the Bishop 😮

[@eekee6034]

I thought the bigger tyres would win, but they were just chewing up the ground more. 13:05 Best spark shower I've seen in a long time!

[@user-kx7tj8of7e]

You work with the most awesome equipment!! Thanks. Best regards.

[@shadovanish7435]

Great video! However, the aircraft tug's tires were designed for the best traction on concrete or asphalt pavement, not dirt. Not surprising then, that the Foden (with tires better suited for traction on soft ground) was able to pull the tug relatively easily, apparently.

[@mickfinch5285]

nice to see ted happy as always

[@paulday-lh5mx]

Darn a tie! Great video today fellas. Keep them coming.

[@sleepycatpictures1176]

Maximum respect to that towbar!

[@ianm42yt]

I like the way the automated subtitles heard the roar of the Merc and displayed "[Music]" 😃

[@MrWeaviestevie]

great video ,entertaining as always .keep up the good work

[@Domonkos_K]

That Centurion engine sound… amazing :)

[@Eisen_Jaeger]

Honestly, I kept waiting for a loud bang and a fire during the tug of war.

[@MrHewes]

Not when vehicles are built properly

[@michaelkneringer3194]

Claim bias on this one. A known Foden fanboi edited this. Not to mention Teddy wasn't driving both vehicles. Having German heritage, it's obviously clear, Brits greased the oppositions brakes. So unfair.

[@lukeskywalker7566]

That's my local show excellent. I hope you enjoy it and I will be looking forward to seeing your kit there cheers ❤

[@Minecraftlegendsize]

ngl this video does have old top gear energy and i love it!

[@geoffblake2748]

In a nasal tone you have to say, are the tread patterns and depth the same on both wreckers, pressure and ground condition under both. Brilliant real world test and relevant to everybody.

[@richardwedlock9526]

well done mate. glad to see the ARV running

[@zzirSnipzz1]

Foden having the towing eye high is a good idea it puts more downforce onto the back wheels

[@etherealbolweevil6268]

Thank you Sir, for the wonderful sky.

[@mjjr1000]

Tank’s are so impressive on the move/running.

[@Jim230176]

This is just the kind of video that I didn’t know I needed!

[@wideyxyz2271]

Great start to my day. Lots to look forward too 👍 And I definitely don't want a Tee shirt with "I Identify as a 3 prong" on it😆

[@iNireus]

All that’s missing was you dad appearing, shaking his head 😂

[@colinblick8946]

With holes you dug …. Should hav called in the time team….. probably tearing up a Roman Mosaics😂

[@PHDarren]

More remains of the old 17th century hall, perhaps garden features around where the east wings were.

[@Rover200Power]

@@PHDarren Could be, or just demolition rubble.

[@davidtaylor8464]

Fairly even, however the foden did pull the merc with all its wheels locked

[@IrishMac093]

Foden will win as its pulling down hill.

[@aserta]

You know, i kinda suspected they'd be equal... but not quite like that. Eh, the tug in its original config stands no chance against anything short of another tug or smaller. BUT, put that on tarmac and load it properly, and it can pull mountains. This is why you take those, strip the tin off, give it a suspension and they make amazing farm vehicle. They will pull a lot. That said, on tarmac, properly loaded, they're really good. I genuinely don't get people who build custom pullers, when you can buy one of these even clapped out and they're still better.

[@garethbowen3003]

Looking forward to seeing you at Welland - it's a great show..! I'll be there too (but in the classic cars section) 😝

[@simonyoung5480]

Loved driving those tugs at Aberdeen airport, one afternoon I was pushing and airbus off the stand and next stand had a forklift (not a lie) pushing a KLM airbus off the stand as their tug was U/S 😮

[@chris.swearengin]

I was figuring the grey one would win. Thanks for sharing the video. Much appreciated have a great day.

[@robertkeable1627]

Tonka irl. Excellent.

[@ashleycross2664]

Can’t wait to see you boys at welland! Been going 10+ years Joe you’ll love it

[@howardsportugal]

"Ream it out gently with the Oxyacetalene" Got me. All the best from off-road heaven, rural Portugal! @HowardsPortugal

[@k8vnl]

They sound awesome both ticking over together.

[@dob1662]

Brilliant job boys, just remember mechanical pumps suck ! and electric ones blow ! good luck with the linkage 😋👍

[@johnd7288]

Joe my money was on the foden because it's British great video again ! Nice to see Ted the foreman wearing his neck scarf !

[@mrwolf9335]

Seeing as the kraut dug down to more solid ground i think the foden had it really and both should go again in the middle of the field v10 vs RR 6 cylinder. Those old fodens ate awesome bits of kit

[@Oliverdobbins]

10:29 And also - gotta say, the hat looks good. Looks to be a good quality one and as a former hat wearer myself, I can assure you, you’ll appreciate it when it rains. And also when it’s sunny. 👍🏻

[@paoloviti6156]

I can see that you guys are back having fun with the Tonka toys much to the of the great supervisor Ted! Seriously the Foden is the all-around best against the the other vehicles with the great exception of the AVRE. In truth tracked vehicles always have better tracked handling in muddy conditions.... Good job as always 👏 👍 👌

[@biscuit715]

I'm just an idiot so there's probably a really obvious reason but I'm surprised they don't have something tracked for when it's really muddy

[@paoloviti6156]

@@biscuit715 in my opinion a wheeled is also more expensive because of unnecessary complications as each wheel has its own engine and transmission and electrical connections not to mention that many are steerable just to mention a few things...

[@Tuck-Shop]

21:18 has multiple tanks, tools, trucks, bulldozer, forklifts, Jim Bowens Bentley and no back of phone. Mr Hewes would be the sort of guy who'd go to a shopping mall to buy a new back cover for his phone and come back with a tank. And no phone cover.

[@MrHewes]

🤣🤣

[@chrisoakey9841]

You should get a centifical fuel filter and pump pulling fuel from the original tank and sending to your little fuel tank on top.

[@kevvywevvywoo]

Dad always goes to Welland, very good rally. Pray for the weather.

[@davedodds5200]

I'd love to be working in your shop; these vehicles and what trouble you get up to with them are always interesting!

[@user-jz3jt3cq9w]

Some serious engine in that Merc. But, Ted don't like it as well as the Foden! 😮

[@Woodn509]

Wasn’t surprised the Foden won, against both. Straight pipe 27 litre Rolls Royce Meteor, sounds the dogs doo dah’s😊

[@fatman6061]

it was nice of Ted to make sure the grass was up to snuff before you tried the pull.

[@tlrfun3]

The intro was very Clarkson esk 😂😂 loved it. ❤

[@anthonylewis679]

We`ve all seen 100`s of vehicle Cammo set ups from all over the world, but for me there`s never been anything as eye catching as that plain old simple British "black and green" of the british army,not that i`m biased or anything !!😊

[@user-ew5qj6cp5m]

Excellent content

[@DD-sf9dl]

Great video, as always. Always informative and also entertaining. I was wondering if the Foden will be given the moniker ‘Phil’ if England win the Euros ?. (Similar to the Diane Abbot !) 😄

[@billgreen4388]

Nice weather for Market Harborough ,please. 🤓

[@alexrandall3685]

Mr Hewes on the pull!

[@johnpayne3953]

When you start things you may find pumping the throttle slower is better the accerator pump usually has a spring in the linkage so the diaphragm can only depress at the rate fuel sprays out of the jet.

[@MevRB19]

absolutely superb/More ! Long live Ted!

[@FrontSideBus]

Are you going to be turning that tug into a USCM APC? 😂

[@avpinstarter]

While you had the JP in the air you ought to have put it down on paving slabs so it doesnt sink and keep the vegetation growing round the undercarrige

[@MrHewes]

That’s what I have done, I’ve moved it to strim Under it with ease

[@Frittrich]

You boys are living the dream

[@ianwestmoreland5950]

Welll! I thought Ted, (with a little help from Adam) would have won hands down. I'm sure the Merc won't be as good without the emblem visible! 🤪 With equal tyre pressures, the tyres in the same condition, and water balast, it would be quite a match. You're going to have a good line-up at OMH.

[@scroggins100]

Foden F-ck yeah! Regarding your Jet Provost.. Nice fiddly job for you. Get it started. Only a wee jet engine (known as Constant thrust variable noise power plant) Makes a great noise. Have a fire engine near by... Oooooh fun.

[@alanbeckett4]

There was a Jet Provost flying around over Husbands Bosworth last weekend, I wonder if they saw yours in the field?

[@seanskinner8354]

Never done welland! You’ll love it! We’re taking our traction engine, See you there 👍🏻

[@jbss7382]

They tried in the Falklands to try towing a Tristar jet (300Tons) with a set of 3 Fodens in series They failed!🤣🤣🤣

[@tomsmith6741]

I belly laughed at 'ream it out gently with the oxy-acetylene'' 😂

[@user-rf1zl6ln9g]

Madness. Love it.

[@Dazg297]

The Singapore army must miss there mercedes.great to see the foden kicking arse and the main dog Ted with his bandana on

[@TehSmokeyMan]

Yeah, Spud has drawn me here (for someone who calls 'imself "not that posh", you did find an epic tune to put under that video. Props, m8) Anywhose, second video I see is you 'orsin' 'round with recovery kit, so that gets a subscribe 😆

[@MrHewes]

🤣🤣

[@ashtreecare]

Looking forward to seeing you at wellend steam rally my wife has a crafting stall there she does that I enjoy the working machines trucks and tractor pulling 👌

[@oWAR1OCKo]

Nice long horn hat brother. Make it down to Texas some time, We'll get yall a real set of long horns to mount on one of the vehicles.

[@NORTH-ZONE-tz7dd]

always fun to watch

[@arthurmiller-vl6sw]

In a tug of war, whichever has a higher hitch has the advantage because it lifts the others tires off the ground.

[@garethhoward6689]

The old man going to be pleased ,you boys playing silly buggers in his grazing paddock