Monday, February 27, 2012

Got over to John Deere in Waterloo early this morning to pick up my next load.  I was not early enough!  I was number 29 in line!!! It took forever to get loaded today.  I took a nice nap while waiting.  When I finally got loaded I got a John Deere tractor, four tires, hubs, and a light kit.

I'm taking these things to the port in Dundalk, MD.  The tractor is going to Germany and the tires and two crates of parts are going to St. Petersburg, Russia.

After I finally got that stuff on board and tied down I drove to the Petro truck stop in New Paris, Ohio for the night.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Left Iowa 80 early and delivered the wheel loader first thing this morning in Cedar Rapids, IA.  My next load is Monday morning in Waterloo, IA.  Drove up there to the Pilot truck stop for the rest of the weekend.  Load just down the road from here.  I'm so glad to have my APU back again!!!

Friday, February 24, 2012

I get real lucky!!  There was about a half an inch of slush on the ground this morning.  I heard on the radio that at about mile marker 40 on I-94 in Michigan the roads got progressively worse.  I did good!!

Drove down to Thermo King in Portage, Indiana and had my APU fixed.  I have been without it for over two weeks and missed it real bad!!  $887 later I was out the door and on the road. 

Still snowing but not sticking, melting right away.  Drove to Walcott, Iowa to the Iowa 80 truck stop for the night. No more snow, just real windy and cold!!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Got on the road at sun up and drove up to Marion, Michigan.  Got there just before noon and unloaded the pipe layer.  Next load was in Novi, MI.  That is just outside of Detroit.  Drove down there and loaded a Caterpillar 924 Hz wheel loader.  It is going to Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The weather report is for 4 to 10 inches of snow north of I-80 and rain/snow in the I-80 area 1 to 4 inches possible.  It was supposed to start this afternoon.  I was flying to get my next load on and down the road before the weather got bad.  After loading in Novi the weather still had not gotten bad yet.  Just overcast.  Drove west on I-94 toward Lake Michigan.  I got rain about half way across.  In the Kalamazoo area there was heavy wet snow (more like slush) falling from the sky.  It soon changed back to rain.  Drove all the way to the TA truck stop in Sawyer, MI at exit 12.  623 miles today and all of it in Michigan.  So far it is still raining.  Tomorrow could be interesting.  Then again it might not.  We shall see.....

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Got on the road at 9 am today.  Got pulled in at a weigh station in Pennsylvania for a DOT inspection. Did just fine except my trailer had some mud on it.  OH HEAVENS!!!  Other than that a very uneventful and nice day out on the road.  Drove to the Pilot truck stop in Ottawa Lake, Michigan for the night.    It is raining now.  Supposed to have some snow tonight, but not much.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Went to Jersey Shore to deliver this morning.  Myself and another Daily truck were both delivering the same stuff to the same place.  We were to meet the guy in charge at a gas station north of Jersey Shore at 8 am.  We were both there at 7:30.  At 8 the crane arrived there too.  The guy in charge met us.  After the crane guys got some coffee from the store we all left and drove to where we were to unload.  We went three miles up a one lane paved road that was made just for what we were doing.  Very busy road.  Had people at either end directing traffic. This road went way up into the woods.  Up and down and along side of big drop offs with no guard rail.  After we went the three miles we turned down a gravel road and went in another 2 miles to the site.  Looks like a natural gas well.  While they set up the crane I untied everything.  It took them forever to unload me.  Thought I'd never get out of there. 

When empty and back on real roads again I headed for my next load.  Went past Penn State College on the way.

Drove to Murrysville, PA which is just outside Pittsburgh.  Loaded a Caterpillar PL61 Pipe Layer.  It is going to Marion, Michigan.  Was able to get some photos for you loading.  For a change, someone else loaded the machine for me.

After I finished securing it I could not go anywhere since it is an oversize load and curfew was in effect.  I spent the night in their parking lot.  Will be able to go again after 9 am tomorrow morning.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Went over to Mason, Ohio this morning and picked up my next load.  It is a generator and three pallets of parts going over to Jersey Shore, PA.  I have no idea why they named their town Jersey Shore. It is not in New Jersey and it is nowhere near the shore!  Its in the middle of Pennsylvania!!

Got on the road and drove to the TA truck stop in Lamar, PA.  It is about 10 miles from where I deliver in the morning.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Weekends without football are really boring!!

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Drove up to Middletown, Ohio.  Not too far from where I load Monday.  Got a room for the weekend.  Went to Wally World (Wal-Mart) and restocked the truck.  Was almost out of Mt. Dew, crisis averted!!

Friday, February 17, 2012

While doing my pre-trip inspection this morning I noticed that I was again leaking coolant.  Fortunately it was a very quick fix.  When the guy put one of the new hoses on he didn't get one of the hose clamps tight enough.  I tightened it up and added a gallon of coolant back into the system.  It was fine after that.  Got on the road at sun up.  My next escort met me at the Kentucky state line.  Drove all the way to Diamond, WV and unloaded early this afternoon.  Next load isn't until Monday in Mason, Ohio.  That's just north of Cincinnati.  Drove to Florence, KY to the TA truck stop for the night.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Left the Petro in West Memphis this morning at 9 am local time.  Had a great day on the road.  Drove almost all the way through Tennessee and stopped for the night in Pioneer, Tennessee on I-75 at the Pilot truck stop.  Talked to my Kentucky and West Virginia escort and he will meet me at the state line in the morning.  Since I made it past Knoxville I can start at sun up in the morning.  I'll deliver tomorrow in Diamond, WV.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Started off today in the fog.  Started to clear in the Dallas area.  Later on it rained off and on for the rest of the day.  Finally got a full day in on the road.  My Arkansas escort was waiting for me in Texarkana so I didn't have to stop.  Drove all the way through Arkansas to West Memphis, Arkansas five miles from Tennessee.  Stopped for the night at the Petro truck stop. Here is what I look like from the front.  Real easy to hit stuff on the side of the road.  Not big enough!!  I want bigger!!!!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Got on the road this morning as soon as I could and drove to the north side of San Antonio to a TA truck stop in New Braunfels, Texas and had the trailer electrical cable fixed.  Instead of splicing the old one back on he made a new cable for it.  Much better.  Works great now.  Got back on the road again and drove as far as I could today.  Didn't make Dallas curfew so I stopped for the night at a Petro truck stop in Carl's Corner, Texas.  This place used to be Willie Nelson's truck stop.  When Willie had his tax issues the place was sold.  It is now a Petro.  A thousand times better than it used to be.  Have to wait until 9 am to get started again in the morning.  I talked to my Arkansas escort and he will be waiting for me at the state line in Texarkana tomorrow when I get there.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Late this morning I went over and picked up my next load.  It is a dump bed from a Caterpillar 777 Dump Truck.  Here is a photo of it that I got from the Internet.

It is 12 feet, 6 inches wide.  Hangs out more on the passenger side than it does on the drivers side.

Didn't get very far today.  Had to stop on the south side of San Antonio because of curfew.  While doing my post trip inspection found all of my trailer lights from the goose neck back didn't work.  Found the problem.  The main wiring harness somehow came down and drug on the ground severing it in two.  Here is the front half after I pulled it out.  Judging from all the electrical tape on it, this is not the first time that this has happened.

Here is the section under the trailer.

So tomorrow I will have to stop and get that fixed.  There is a TA truck stop on the other side of San Antonio that I will stop at.  Tonight I am at a truck stop in Von Ormy, Texas. Have to wait till 9 am local time to start in the morning.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Good news and bad news.  The good news is that I finally got a load. The bad news is that it is way down in Laredo and it loads Monday.  I drove down to the TA truck stop in Laredo, TX for the rest of the weekend.  This load should be interesting.  It is the widest that I have had so far.  Looking forward to it. 

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Nothing.  There are an awful lot of empty flat bed, step deck, and RGN trailers sitting here at this truck stop. Oh yes Mr. Obama, the economy is improving!  You friggin idiot!!!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Last night had a small leak in another coolant line.  It was right at the clamp on the smaller hose in the photo below.

The hose had a small cut in it at the clamp.  Crawled under there and repositioned the clamp to seal it off temporally.  In the process dumped some antifreeze out and got it all over my jacket.  But at least the problem was solved, for now. 

This morning drove to Houston and delivered the crane stuff.  After that went to Peterbilt and bought the parts to repair the hose and also got another hose to change out at the same time.

Then went over to the Daily yard in Houston and dropped off the step deck trailer and picked up my new trailer.  I like it very much!  Nice trailer.  A lot better than the other one.

Then went to the TA truck stop in Baytown, TX and had the coolant hoses fixed.  Stayed there for the night.  Washed my jacket, ate dinner, and took a long hot shower!!  Still don't have a load yet.  Hope I get one tomorrow!!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Nothing very exciting today.  Got on the road this morning and drove down to Egan, LA to the Petro truck stop for the night.  Will deliver tomorrow in Houston.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Got on the road as soon as the sun came up.  Started off in a bit of fog but it cleared up pretty quick. Here are some photos of what this crane looks like all put together.  I got them from the Internet.

Its a biggie!!  Now here are some photos of the parts I have. Just what I have weighs over 40,000 pounds. Can you imagine how much the whole thing weighs? 

Drove down to Gadsden, Alabama to the Petro truck stop for the night.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Well this day didn't go like I had hoped!!  Left the truck stop this morning and drove to McLean, VA for my load.  I arrived at 6:30 and was the 4th truck in line.  Found out that there were a total of 10 trucks for this crane.  The construction guys came to work at 7am.  I sat there until a little after 1pm before I started to get loaded.  Oh yes, the wood I had to bring was not even used!!  They took it off my truck and piled it off to the side.  Of the 10 trucks to be loaded, I was the 7th.  Here is a photo of the crane and the piece (still attached) that was loaded on my truck.

It is the visible section of boom attached to the crane.  It weighs over 23,000 pounds.  I also got a counter weight.   It weighs 20,000 pounds.   Finally got loaded and out of there at 2:45.  Since this is an oversize load I could only drive until sundown.  Didn't get too far.  Stopped at a truck stop in Harrisonburg, VA on I-81.  Walked across the street and splurged for a hotel room.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Picked up the lumber this afternoon and drove to the TA truck stop in Jessup, MD for the night.  There are 6 trucks loading parts of this crane tomorrow morning.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Delivered the wheel loader at the port this morning.  Those things are really fun to drive!! My next load picks up on Saturday morning over near Dulles Airport.  Picking up some crane parts going to Houston. Tomorrow I'll be picking up some wood to take over to the job site.  They use the wood to set the pieces on when they load the trailers.  I'll take that with me when I go.  They have to disassemble the crane for transport. Hope to have some interesting photos for you.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Got on the road at 3:30 am again.  Went to Clayton, NC and got there at 7 am.  had to wait for office staff to start work at 7:30.  Then found out that I didn't have the serial number for the equipment that I was picking up.  Had every other number but that one.  At 8:30 I finally got the serial number.  Went back in and then they told me that they don't have the release paperwork for that machine yet.  I had to wait for them to get it.  Just great!!  At 10 They finally got the paperwork straightened out and I got loaded with a Caterpillar 924H Wheel Loader. 

I was hoping to deliver it today but because of all their snafus I'll have to deliver it in the morning.  It is going to Dundalk, MD.  It is being shipped to Mombasa.  Drove to the TA truck stop in Baltimore, MD for the night.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Left Baltimore at 3:30 this morning and drove to Parkersberg, WV and delivered the little excavator and dozer.  Next load is in Clayton, NC.  Drove down to Mt. Airy, NC to the "Mayberry" area truck stop for the night.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Left Flatwoods, WV first thing this morning and drove to Belle, WV and delivered the excavator.  Then drove back to Baltimore for my next load.  Picked up a small excavator and a buldozer.  They are going to Parkersburg, WV. 

Then drove over to the TA truck stop in Baltimore for the night.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Left Baltimore as soon as the sun came up. Had to get out of Maryland before noon - can't drive past noon Saturdays in Maryland. Stupid!! regulations!! Drove down to Flatwoods, West Virginia to a small truck stop for the rest of the weekend.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Left Bracey, VA as soon as the sun came up this morning and drove to Dondalk, MD and delivered the John Deere.  At the same time reloaded another Caterpillar 319 Excavator.  It is going back to Belle, WV.

After I got loaded drove over to the TA truck stop in Baltimore, MD for the night.  My brother came down and we had dinner together.  Was good to see him again!!

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Drove down to Belle, WV this morning and delivered the Caterpillar excavator.  After that drove down to Kernersville, NC.  On the way went through the "Mayberry" area of North Carolina again.  This time it was not foggy.  Went through Mount Pilot (which is actually Pilot Mountain) again.  Took some photos for you.  Here is the real Pilot Mountain:

 When I got to Kernerrsville, NC I loaded a John Deere 250 excavator.  It is going to Dundalk, MD

Got back on the road and drove until I ran out of daylight.  Stopped for the night at a truck stop in Bracey, Virginia.



Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Left Jessup this morning after curfew and drove in to Dundalk, MD and delivered the John Deere excavator.  At the same time loaded my next load, a Caterpillar 319 DL excavator going to Belle, WV.

It took forever to get out of the port.  I went to check out and they had just gone to lunch.  They take an hour and a half for lunch!!  I sat there waiting for them to get back.  Unions!!!!   Finally got on the road.  Drove to Jane Lew, West Virginia to a truck stop there for the night.  Deliver in Belle, WV tomorrow morning.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Left the truck stop in Mount Airy, NC early this morning in the heavy fog.  That is the Andy Griffith "Mayberry" area of North Carolina.  Drove through Mount Pilot (which is really Pilot Mountain) on the way to Kernersville.  Got loaded pretty quick this morning with another excavator.  This time it was a John Deere and it was bigger and heavier than the others I have had.  Not only was I over width but I was overweight too.  Fortunately I am with a great company and they had me "permitted" for everything.  Had no problems at any of the weigh stations. 

Drove to Jessup, Maryland to the TA truck stop for the night.  Made it all the way around Washington D. C. with NO bumper to bumper traffic!!  Amazing!!

Monday, January 23, 2012

Didn't get the ice storm.  I was able to get out of there and drove down to Belle, WV and deliver.  After that drive down to Mount Airy, NC to a truck stop for the night.  My next load is in Kernersville, NC tomorrow morning.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

So far nothing has come from the sky today.  It is very overcast, cold and some fog.  The trees have a coat of ice on them. The parking lot is still very icy.  

The locals here tell me that it is supposed to rain/ice tomorrow morning.  I sure hope they are wrong.  May not even get out of here tomorrow. 

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Not much snow fell last night.  It rained a bit and it is all ice here.  Right now it is a misty rain/snow mix.  Everything around me is solid ice. 

The "Snow Emergency Plan" is in effect.  That means that my oversize permit is not valid until the S.E.P. is lifted so I can't move.  With a valid permit I could only drive until noon today and no driving permitted on Sunday.  I will be here until Monday morning.  Internet connection here is real slow!  I get 3 over the air TV channels so I won't see any football.  Thankfully I have satellite TV!!!

The snow plow came by at about noon.  It took him over three hours to plow the parking lot.

After that it got real foggy!  Could barely see the other end of the parking lot.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Checked out of the hotel this morning and went back to Peterbilt.  After fixing the coolant hose, and during the test drive, he found an oil line that goes to the air compressor was leaking.  He fixed that too.  $733 later I was back on the road.  Left there at 1:30 in the afternoon.  Drove as far as I could today, which wasn't very far. Along I-68 in western Maryland the DOT was pre-treating the roads, never a good sign.

I stopped for the night, because I ran out of day light (can't drive oversize after sunset), in Grantsville, Maryland.  I-68, exit 22. There is about an inch or two of fresh snow on the ground here. 

Forecast is for more tonight.  It is snowing flurries as I type this.  Here is the view out the front of my truck tonight.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Went into the Port of Baltimore and loaded a Caterpillar excavator.  Oversize load.  Got on the road and made it as far as I-70 west of Baltimore when I saw white clouds from the back side of my truck.  I quickly pulled over as the temperature gauge started to go up.  When I opened the hood a huge cloud of steam came out and I could see the liquid on the ground under the truck.  Yup, you guessed it!!  I blew a coolant hose.  A road service guy came out and found which hose it was (cus' I didn't know).  It was a coolant line that is behind the turbocharger.  He had the hose with him but, because of it's location, he could not change it on the side of the road.  Much bigger job than originally thought.  Called a tow truck and was towed back to Baltimore to the Peterbilt shop.  So far I have spent $975 and have not even started to fix the hose.  That comes tomorrow.  Hope it is fixed tomorrow!!  Tonight I'm in a Best Western hotel spending more money!!  Hope tomorrow is better and I can get back on the road again.