I must admit that I like gadgets. When I buy a phone, the last thing I look at is its ability to make phone calls. Sat nav, internet access etc, great.
The one area I don't apply this rule to is the equipment we operate. I've found over time that the more sophisticated something is, the more there is to go wrong, so I try to operate the K.I.S.S. methodology (keep it simple stupid!). Our prime movers, (heavy vehicles used to transport or tow attractions) tend to be Fodens. This is an English marque established over 100 years ago. Now the thing I like most is the fact that the most sophisticated piece of electronics on a Foden is the radio cassette player, this means that most problems you encounter can be sorted in house, or at the side of the road.
I was reminded of the wisdom of this approach recently. On the way back from Mablethorpe I called into a service station to refuel, and pulled alongside another showman's vehicle. As I climbed out of the cab I recognised a mate of mine called Patrick. On seeing me his eyes lit up and he exclaimed "Good, you know what you're doing with technology, I need help."
What it transpires happened is that his vehicle, a Swedish built Volvo, has probably the most sophisticated drivers seat I have ever seen. Around a dozen buttons on the side are connected to a number of motors and valves enabling you to adjust virtually any part of the seat. Pulling into the service station, Patrick decided his seat was inclined slightly too much, so he pushed the adjustment button. The electronics in the seat chose this moment to malfunction and promptly kept folding the seat forward, doubling Patrick up against the steering wheel. Luckily it ran out of adjustment just short of squashing him completely, otherwise he might well have went down in history as the first man killed by a self adjusting drivers seat!
By the time I had rolled up he had managed to extricate himself from the position and was trying to strip the seat down to move it into a position he could sit in. After the Stratford incident I try to make sure our vehicles have a comprehensive supply of tools available, so I was able to help him get the seat into some type of order.
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The one area I don't apply this rule to is the equipment we operate. I've found over time that the more sophisticated something is, the more there is to go wrong, so I try to operate the K.I.S.S. methodology (keep it simple stupid!). Our prime movers, (heavy vehicles used to transport or tow attractions) tend to be Fodens. This is an English marque established over 100 years ago. Now the thing I like most is the fact that the most sophisticated piece of electronics on a Foden is the radio cassette player, this means that most problems you encounter can be sorted in house, or at the side of the road.
I was reminded of the wisdom of this approach recently. On the way back from Mablethorpe I called into a service station to refuel, and pulled alongside another showman's vehicle. As I climbed out of the cab I recognised a mate of mine called Patrick. On seeing me his eyes lit up and he exclaimed "Good, you know what you're doing with technology, I need help."
What it transpires happened is that his vehicle, a Swedish built Volvo, has probably the most sophisticated drivers seat I have ever seen. Around a dozen buttons on the side are connected to a number of motors and valves enabling you to adjust virtually any part of the seat. Pulling into the service station, Patrick decided his seat was inclined slightly too much, so he pushed the adjustment button. The electronics in the seat chose this moment to malfunction and promptly kept folding the seat forward, doubling Patrick up against the steering wheel. Luckily it ran out of adjustment just short of squashing him completely, otherwise he might well have went down in history as the first man killed by a self adjusting drivers seat!
By the time I had rolled up he had managed to extricate himself from the position and was trying to strip the seat down to move it into a position he could sit in. After the Stratford incident I try to make sure our vehicles have a comprehensive supply of tools available, so I was able to help him get the seat into some type of order.
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