Rotary Spreader Converted Into A Luxury Camper
Steve Nolan of Yorkshire, England, has been passionate about creating and building useful equipment since he was young. Many of those projects have taken just a few months, but recently he turned an outlandish engineering vision into reality over four years and several thousand hours of tedious work. What began as a Major Muck-Out 560 rotary spreader eventually emerged from Nolan’s shop as a one-of-a-kind luxury caravan camper. He pulls it behind a 1972 IH 454 tractor he restored in 2011.
As an outdoorsman, machinery enthusiast and skilled engineer, Nolan says he originally considered converting a retired combine into a camper. He wanted a strong, sturdy framework to build out and use for spending leisure time with his family at his 3 1/2-acre weekend escape woodlot. His plans changed when he saw the old Major on Facebook Marketplace for only £450 (around $600 USD). With minimal rust, a strong running gear, and a sturdy hitch, he trailered it home.
Nolan says his wife and friends thought he was out of his mind. How could he even consider turning a barrel-shaped manure spreader into a luxury weekend hangout? But he was undeterred. The end result shows he was up to the challenge from the start.
Using his single-car garage and front driveway as a workshop, he spent many hours at his lathe, making unique parts he says couldn’t be bought.
“I really didn’t do any drawings either, as all I had was a vision in my mind, along with the knowledge and skill to problem-solve,” he says.
Over four and a half years and about 4,000 hrs., he crafted features and amenities that only a gifted engineer could imagine, including: a power lift on the main door operated by a 24V wheelchair motor; five side windows with solid oak frames; solid oak interior paneling over and around the radius roof interior; a fold-down leatherette bench/sleeping area raised and lowered by powered actuators; a micro kitchen with a sliding countertop; a battery-powered hot and cold water system; actuators that raise and lower the water faucets; a remote-controlled TV; 192 fiber-optic lights in the ceiling that synchronize to music from the sound system; retractable window blinds; a rear safety beacon that folds down and opens to a working shower head; a laptop docking station; solar panels to recharge the 110-amp leisure batteries; and a log burner with a flue pipe over the drawbar, fabricated in the shape of a manure spreader on wheels. Heat from the flue warms water for use in the trailer.
Nolan says he’s always enjoyed challenging projects, and his vision for this one turned out exactly as he planned. He spent about £9,000 (around $12,150 USD) on materials, but says it was worth the time and money. He says the unit is sturdy, comfortable and safe, with modern amenities usually reserved for high-end luxury campers.
With the hinged windows open, the awning attaches to a metal track, providing outdoor shade and space for exterior seating. The metal supports are sturdy enough to hold his hammock for restful afternoons in the woods. The main door opens with a power lift. A thick fold-down table is actually a light box containing a chromed chain and paddle from the original spreader apparatus. Painted bright red with white wheels, the camper matches his restored IH tractor.
He and his family have trailered the camper to his woodlot and enjoy spending time with their boys.
“It’s awesome, full of gadgets, so the boys never get bored,” he says.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Muck Spreader Man, Steven Nolan, Leeds, England (nolans12@yahoo.com; YouTube: @stevennolan8052).
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Rotary Spreader Converted Into A Luxury Camper
Steve Nolan of Yorkshire, England, has been passionate about creating and building useful equipment since he was young. Many of those projects have taken just a few months, but recently he turned an outlandish engineering vision into reality over four years and several thousand hours of tedious work. What began as a Major Muck-Out 560 rotary spreader eventually emerged from Nolan’s shop as a one-of-a-kind luxury caravan camper. He pulls it behind a 1972 IH 454 tractor he restored in 2011.
As an outdoorsman, machinery enthusiast and skilled engineer, Nolan says he originally considered converting a retired combine into a camper. He wanted a strong, sturdy framework to build out and use for spending leisure time with his family at his 3 1/2-acre weekend escape woodlot. His plans changed when he saw the old Major on Facebook Marketplace for only £450 (around $600 USD). With minimal rust, a strong running gear, and a sturdy hitch, he trailered it home.
Nolan says his wife and friends thought he was out of his mind. How could he even consider turning a barrel-shaped manure spreader into a luxury weekend hangout? But he was undeterred. The end result shows he was up to the challenge from the start.
Using his single-car garage and front driveway as a workshop, he spent many hours at his lathe, making unique parts he says couldn’t be bought.
“I really didn’t do any drawings either, as all I had was a vision in my mind, along with the knowledge and skill to problem-solve,” he says.
Over four and a half years and about 4,000 hrs., he crafted features and amenities that only a gifted engineer could imagine, including: a power lift on the main door operated by a 24V wheelchair motor; five side windows with solid oak frames; solid oak interior paneling over and around the radius roof interior; a fold-down leatherette bench/sleeping area raised and lowered by powered actuators; a micro kitchen with a sliding countertop; a battery-powered hot and cold water system; actuators that raise and lower the water faucets; a remote-controlled TV; 192 fiber-optic lights in the ceiling that synchronize to music from the sound system; retractable window blinds; a rear safety beacon that folds down and opens to a working shower head; a laptop docking station; solar panels to recharge the 110-amp leisure batteries; and a log burner with a flue pipe over the drawbar, fabricated in the shape of a manure spreader on wheels. Heat from the flue warms water for use in the trailer.
Nolan says he’s always enjoyed challenging projects, and his vision for this one turned out exactly as he planned. He spent about £9,000 (around $12,150 USD) on materials, but says it was worth the time and money. He says the unit is sturdy, comfortable and safe, with modern amenities usually reserved for high-end luxury campers.
With the hinged windows open, the awning attaches to a metal track, providing outdoor shade and space for exterior seating. The metal supports are sturdy enough to hold his hammock for restful afternoons in the woods. The main door opens with a power lift. A thick fold-down table is actually a light box containing a chromed chain and paddle from the original spreader apparatus. Painted bright red with white wheels, the camper matches his restored IH tractor.
He and his family have trailered the camper to his woodlot and enjoy spending time with their boys.
“It’s awesome, full of gadgets, so the boys never get bored,” he says.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Muck Spreader Man, Steven Nolan, Leeds, England (nolans12@yahoo.com; YouTube: @stevennolan8052).
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