Pictured here in 1947 is a Koehring dry batch single drum mixer at work pouring concrete during expansion of the Mount Hope airport near Hamilton, Ontario.
The contract included asphalt paving of the runways, while the aprons were concrete.
A Brantford, Ontario contractor, Johnson Bros., setup their asphalt plant on site and supplied aggregate from a pit about 50 km away for both the asphalt and concrete aspects of the job.
Originally powered by steam, with continuing updates including gas and diesel power, these mixers were still utilized into the 1960s. By then, several manufacturers including Koehring, Jaegar, Blaw Knox and Rex were focused on larger batch plants, mixer trucks and slip form pavers for large highway and related projects.
Interestingly, during the Second World War, the British Royal Air Force needed pilots to be trained in Canada. Ontario’s contractors played an integral part by constructing 12 flight training bases in record time. Camp Borden, Goderich, Mount Hope and Jarvis (located on the shores of Lake Erie) were just a few. Mount Hope was destined to become a major airport given its location near Hamilton.
The Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA Canada) 2024 events include Wheels & Tracks, held June 8-9, and the ‘Last Blast’ event on October 19. Both events are held at the Simcoe County Museum, near Barrie, Ontario. To see more than 60 pieces of vintage construction equipment in action be sure to attend.
HCEA Canada is a proud Heritage Partner of the Simcoe County Museum. For more information, visit hceacanada.org
