Author: Matthew Walker

Fully TIG welded aluminum pickup canopy for a local tree surgeon to carry bulk wood chip in this MK8 Hilux. Mounted via canopy clamps and two bolts cab side. Disassembles into individual pieces for storage or resale when he converts to a full tipper bed. Includes a removable rear crossmember for clearance of the chute or carrying ladders when required.

Was a pleasure having a couple days of straight aluminum TIG since leaving motorsport. Vehicle dropped off, designed and fabricated, collected two days later.

On-site fabrication for a pair of custom heavy duty bale trailer headboards. Made from 70mm x 5mm wall box section. Built to customers specification.

As always it started with the overall dimensions and main features, namely where the angled transition would begin. All lengths cut and prepped in house, final fabrication on site. Due to no lifting equipment available one was welded in position so it was ready to get to work. The second made flat on the bed, awaiting final install with equipment due to space constraints.

Replacement rear door fabricated for this AW Trailers muck trailer. Made to last whilst keeping an original look. Fit like a glove after a couple mild adjustments to the old bent receiver tabs on site.

Shortened the drawbar on this rig/stockbox. Customer required a total length of lorry and trailer under 18.75m. Full penetration 7018 throughout from an open root with added 8mm reinforcement.

Heavy duty security door fabricated on site for an undisclosed location. Viewed from the exterior its a basic agricultural building but with hidden industrial security inside. Made from 50x5mm box section frame with a 4.5mm Durbar skin. Weld in deadlock and extra HD hinges.

Nothing is truly impenetrable for someone keen enough – the goal was to make an absolute deterrent that would require a lot of noise and time to break through.

On-site fabrication of this front window guard for a Takeuchi 228 compact excavator. Made of 40x8mm flat bar, utilizing OEM mounting points with custom mounts at the cab base, finished in a zinc-epoxy primer and black powdercoat.

Designed to follow the window curvature with clearance for the wiper arm and hydraulic lines whilst still being able to use the cab tilt for servicing access without removing the guard itself.

Maintenance on this shear grab. Every tine was loose and the lock nuts were seized from the acidity of the silage. Heated up with the acetylene, doused in penetrating oil and they’re all moving freely. Resharpened the cutting edges all around and painted ready for the year ahead.

These were taken during my time in motorsport fabrication – a change of pace from structural and nuclear work. An excellent position, but something was missing.

I now have real satisfaction in what I do. Helping people directly, keeping farms running, solving problems face-to-face.