The Orkney Image Library
No: 24437 Contributor: Richard Evans Year: 2010
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The Gnat light agricultural tractor was manufactured in the Borders of Scotland during the 60s & 70s but have any been seen or are still in use in Orkney?
View Large VersionPicture added on 21 November 2010 at 20:27
Surprised no-one has replied. Don't these small ATV vehicles still exist in Orkney? Many still around in Sutherland.
Added by Richard Evans on 16 December 2010
they were also made in Christchurch New Zealand
Anonymous comment added on 16 September 2012
They were also used for general towing purposes at some airfields' within New Zealand. Does anybody have any pictures of one of the Christchurch built versions of them in use on airfields in their final colours.
Added by Clive Jones on 20 June 2013
Yes made by j Cameron Lewis & Co in chistchurch NZ.. villiers model 9e 2 stroke power plant .
Timed @ TDC so they ran forward and backwards with equal disappointment .
I'm rebuilding one currently
Timed @ TDC so they ran forward and backwards with equal disappointment .
I'm rebuilding one currently
Added by Richard on 21 September 2018
I served my time as a Mechanical Engineer at Aimers, McLean and Coy ltd, of Galashiels in the Scottish Borders, between approx 1977-1982. The Company manufactured Gnats before my time there, although I often sent out spare parts for the version with the Briggs and Stratton engine, after final machining them myself, to mostly North Allerton in the UK. there was a Villiers engine in the stores, as well as a couple of new Briggs and Stratton engines. I often wondered how many, if any, were still in use, or capable of running. Our Company used one to climb Ben Nevis in the 1960's, I think, to advertise the Gnat.
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Added by Scott Clapperton on 17 April 2025
Agriculture and Fishing
