Benbros Qualitoys
Farm Hay Cart
One of the more popular models which Benbros issued was the Farm Hay Cart. Like the Horse-drawn Log Carrier, with which it shared several parts and a box, it was on a larger scale than the Timpo re-issued Farm Cart.
The Hay Cart was a fairly simple model comprising four castings: the main body of the cart; the shafts and chassis section onto which both the body and wheels were fitted; the wheels themselves; and the horse. In addition there was a figure representing the farmer or, as the box describes him, the farm labourer.
In order to enable the cart to tip, the body of the cart was fixed to the shaft/chassis unit by crimped extrusions underneath and at the point where the wheels were positioned. This gave it a full tipping arc and good play value.
Benbros used the same horse which they had created for the ex-Timpo models. It was painted brown (in various shades) or white with extensive black trim on the mane, feet, eyes and tail, and on the harness and tack.
The cart was painted in one of three different colours, orange, pale-green, or yellow. For the green variation the shafts were yellow and for the orange one they were orange. The wheels were red.
The figure of the farm labourer was an earlier Benbros casting as it had 'Bensen England' cast underneath the stand. It was always multi-coloured but a little tall for the horse. Robert Newson has suggested that it was originally designed for another Benbros-made horse which in fact they never used.
Like many early models, the Hay Cart had a cream-coloured lidded box which was shared with the Horse-drawn Log Carrier. On the lid there were line-drawings of both models. The colour of the printing varied from dark-blue to nearly turquoise, or various shades of red. There was also a red printed version with a bright yellow label on the lid.
Later the Farm Hay Cart was included in a multi-model end-flap box marked 'Benbros Farm Equipment' with illustrations of horse-drawn and tractor models on all four sides including the Hay Cart. 'Benbros Qualitoy' was printed on the end-flaps (see photos on Tractor with Log Trailer page) and the model name stamped on a blank panel at one end.
The Farm Hay Cart and the Horse-drawn Log Carrier shared the same horse, shaft and wheels. Neither models are common but because there was no id. on either of them, their connection with Benbros is often overlooked. The boxes are hard to find.
photo Gary Galvin
Variation 1: Orange cart and shafts. red pmw, dark-brown horse, farm labourer
Benbros Qualitoys Farm Hay Cart
Variations
1) ORANGE cart ORANGE shafts RED pmw BROWN horse Farm Labourer
2) GREEN cart YELLOW shafts RED pmw BROWN or WHITE horse Farm Labourer
3) YELLOW cart YELLOW shafts RED pmw BROWN horse Farm Labourer
Variation 2: Green cart, yellow shafts, red pmw, man, with white horse & lidded box
Variation 2: Green cart, yellow shafts, red pmw, with brown horse
The Farm Labourer
Variation 2: Green cart with brown horse