Road Master Spreaders

Jordan "Road Master" Spreaders

The Jordan Road Master's (Depending on the literature, spelled Roadmaster or Road Master) were another popular version of the Standard line of Spreaders. The Jordan Road Master was introduced around 1952, consecutive with construction of the Standard Line. This line of spreader effectively upgraded the Standard using some of the options typical on the Type A spreaders of the time, namely the bi-direction front nose blade. Road Master Spreaders used many Standard line parts, such as the wings, diagonal braces, frame's and cab's. Road Master Spreaders were offered in a few basic models as outlined below:

- 2-215: Straight Wing, Type A style bi-directional blade
- 2-220: Broken Wing, Type A style bi-directional blade
- 2-225: Broken Wing, Type A style high snowplow blade
Unknown Model: Broken Wing, Standard 2-180 style nose blade
Unknown Model: Straight Wing, High front snowplow (Front Cab)

In 1955, with the introduction of the new Front Cab, All Road Master machines featured the new cab from then on out, and the older Standard Series line was dropped. The Road Master proved to be a popular model and was offered sequentially with the Type A and Type J models until the line was dropped in the mid 1960's.

SPMW 4066, A 2-220 Road Master, built 6-53/ From the collection of John C. LaRue Jr.

SPMW 3515, A typical, and most common style of Road Master Spreader. Len Murray Photo

UP 903024, A Road Master with the High blade. Len Murray Photo

Options and Specifications
As with all Jordan's, the Standard line had its typical options. Buyers were able to pick and choose the nose blade and wing styles. Ice Cutters, ditch cutter castings, were all optional. An option which later became stock was an additional raised rear deck behind the cab. Canadian National Spreaders lacked this, but the majority had it. Road Master's introduced the Luggage Rack, which was a steel shelf under the frame, ahead of the rear truck, used to hold various re-railers, ditch castings, etc. As always, Jordan was willing to customize machines to spec. Jordan built a handful of such 42" gauge Road Master's for Canadian National. Each one of these was a little different, with variations of wings and vertical posts.

Narrow Gauge CN 3052 at Whitbourne, Newfoundland on 7-4-73. From the Collection of John C. LaRue Jr.
More Road Master photo's on the Photo Page