2-854-172 - Historic England Archive/Heritage Images

An oil tank being 'skidded' along tracks by two Caterpillar D8 tractors fitted with winches at Stanlow Oil Refinery. The contract for re-sitting storage tanks at Stanlow Oil Refinery involved the removal of four tanks 650 yards from their original position. Each tank weighed 300 tons and the journey involved one 30 degree turn and two 90 degree turns for each tank. The tanks also had to cross the 25ft wide pipe track, over which a steel bridge with concrete buttresses was constructed in preparation for the journey. The tanks were raised on rails and 'skidded' by tractors fitted with winches.