Shown here in the late 1950s is a portable crusher and screening plant operated by Franceschini Bros. Construction, based in the aggregate-rich region of Caledon, Ontario.
Active in the aggregate supply business since the mid-1940s, the company utilized multiple pits in the Caledon area and across the Greater Toronto Area to meet the growing demand for construction materials.
Typical of the late 1950s, a cable shovel was used to load material into the gravel and screening plant. While wheel loaders were emerging as versatile tools for pit operations, they had yet to gain widespread acceptance among contractors, leaving cable machines to dominate for several more years.
The NCK cable shovel pictured was a British-built machine, based on the well-known US-made Koehring shovels. Manufactured under license by Newton-Chambers Ltd. of England from the late 1940s to the mid-1970s, the NCK brand became a familiar sight in Canada, with several units imported for heavy-duty applications.
The late Buck Franceschini, a key supporter of HCEA Canada, donated several machines to the organization in its early days. Among his contributions were a Koehring 305 cable hoe, an International TD-14 bulldozer, and a TD-9 crawler. Buck attended events regularly, operating the machines he donated to ensure they were run correctly—a testament to his passion for preserving construction equipment history.
Related: A 1960s WABCO Haulpak
The Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA) Canada will host its 2025 events at the Simcoe County Museum near Barrie, featuring Wheels & Tracks in Motion in June and The Last Blast in October. Attendees can witness over 60 restored vintage construction machines in action. HCEA Canada is proud to be a Heritage Partner of the Simcoe County Museum. Visit HCEACanada.org for event details.
