Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Got started very early again this morning and drove up to Laramie, WY.  On the way over the mountain just before Laramie on I-80 it was snowing. Lots of black ice.  The sanders were out in force doing a great job.  Elevation there was 8,500 feet.  To put it in perspective, Denver is 5,300 feet, and a mile is 5,280 feet.

Then down 1,000 feet, 5 miles on a 5% grade to Laramie.

I got to Laramie a little early so I went to the truck stop to wait.  It was snowing pretty good there.

Then I went over to deliver.  Detached.  Then the darned machine wouldn't start!!  Parr for the course!!  Blew lots of black smoke, but wouldn't start.  Fortunately, it had stopped snowing.

They couldn't figure it out so Caterpillar had to send a service truck out.

He was able to fix the thing and finally get it off my trailer.  Only took 6 1/2 hours!!  My next load is up in Gillette, WY. Drove up there to the Flying J truck stop for the night.

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Because my load is only overweight and not too wide or high I can travel at night.  I left at 4 am local time and drove all day.  Great weather today.  Stopped for the night at the TA truck stop in Denver, Colorado.  Going to leave real early tomorrow morning so I can deliver tomorrow morning.  Don't have another load lined up yet though.

Monday, May 12, 2014

Went over to load this morning.  I was first (and the only one) in line.  Detached my trailer and got all set up to load.  Went to check in and they said that the machine is not scheduled for pick up until the 15th.  I knew things were going too smooth this morning.  Things never go that smooth for me so I'm really not surprised that this happened.  So after waiting for another hour I finally got a different load from the same place, just smaller machine going to Laramie, Wyoming.

On my way back out I-40 I knew where the tornado damage was so I slowed down and snapped off a bunch of photos for you.  BUT the auto focus on the camera focused on the rain on the window instead of everything behind it. SO, only one photo was somewhat visible and here it is.

Rained pretty hard all afternoon.  Stopped for the night at the Flying J truck stop in Peculiar, Missouri. 

Saturday, May 10, 2014

The weather finally cooperated enough for me to start to put stuff away in the new headache rack.  It doesn't look like it, but that's a lot of work!!!  It is so nice to have a place to store my equipment. I can see front passenger seat again!!!

Did you know that if you enter your e-mail address in the "Follow By  Email" area, daily blog posts will be automatically sent to your e-mail address?  It is a nice convenience.

Friday, May 9, 2014

My next load is in North Little Rock, Arkansas Monday morning.  Left Joplin and drove to the Petro truck stop in North Little Rock for the weekend.  Just north of there I drove through one of the areas that was destroyed by a tornado last week.  Came up on it too fast to get any photos.  The tornado went across I-40 destroying everything on both sides of the Interstate.  It wasn't a wide one, like those seen out west, but the destruction was the same.  It really is quite a sight to see.

Thursday, May 8, 2014

First thing this morning took the truck through the truck wash.  

Back in March, at the Louisville, KY truck show, I purchased a custom built headache rack from Brunner Fabrication in Joplin, MO.  A couple weeks ago they called and told me that it was finished.  After I left the truck wash I went over there and had it installed.  

I also had a small problem.  My fenders had become loose over time from my using them as a step, something they were not designed to do.  The one on the drivers side was so loose that it had been riding on the tire.  To temporally solve the problem I used a chain attached to the old headache rack to hold it up.

After my new headache rack was installed, they were able to tighten up both fenders and then they build a step for me (at no charge!!!!) so I could get up and down.

Here is a time lapse video of the removal of my old headache rack and the installation of the new one.

And here it is!!  They do great work!!  Isn't that gorgeous??!!??

When that was all finished I went back to the Petro Truck Stop in Joplin.  Don't have another load yet, so I'll wait here.

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Left Oak Grove just before sunrise this morning.  Drove to Hutchinson, KS and delivered the harvester.  After that drove to Joplin, MO and stopped at the Chrome Shop Mafia and picked up a couple things. Then went across the street to the Petro truck stop for the night.  Tomorrow I am getting some work done on the truck here in Joplin.  Supposed to get some severe storms here tomorrow.  It is already windy.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Left just before sunrise this morning.  Pushed it hard all day driving 712 miles before I ran out of hours.  Stopped for the night at the Petro truck stop in Oak Grove, Missouri.  That is just east of Kansas City.

Monday, May 5, 2014

Left Carlisle, PA early this morning and was first in line at the Port of Baltimore to load this morning.  Loaded a Jaguar 970 Harvester that is going to Hutchinson, Kansas.  

It didn't have enough guts to pull itself up on the trailer so I had to give it about 3 or 4 feet of running start to get the wheels up.  That was fun!!  It bounced as it went up.  It is a bit of a pucker factor when a machine that big is bouncing when it is half on a trailer with the wheels hanging half off the sides of the trailer.  Got the front wheels up, then the same for the back wheels.  As you can see, no problem.  The next thing was that it was too high.  Had to let a lot of air out of the tires to get it down to my permitted height of 14 feet.  Again, no problem.  Got on the road and made great time!  Ran out of hours for the day so I stopped at the west bound rest area on I-70, at about mile marker 70, close to the town of Brighton, Ohio.

Friday, May 2, 2014

Went to Cummins in Harrisburg first thing this morning to get my generator fixed.  They took my truck right in.  Here is what it was doing.

He found the problem right away.  It was not as bad as I thought it was gong to be.  It was finished and working great again before noon.  Left there and stopped at the Petro truck stop in Carlisle and did 3 loads of laundry. When that was done I went back to the "home office" to sit for the weekend.  Next load is Monday morning at the Port of Baltimore in Dundalk, MD.  

Thursday, May 1, 2014

It finally stopped raining.  Here are a few of the flowering trees here at the "home office".

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

They finished my trailer late this morning.  I hooked it back up to my truck and headed off to Baltimore for my next load.  Didn't have all the paperwork yet so I went to the TA Truck Stop to wait for it.  

Here is the "river" that is flowing out of the woods at the truck stop entrance.  It has been raining a lot the past few days.

Started my generator and, to make a long story short, the generator took a major dump!  Blowing all kinds of smoke and shut off.  I have no idea what is wrong with it.  Canceled my load and made an appointment at the Cummins-Onan dealer in Harrisburg.  Unfortunately can't get in until Friday morning.  Drove back to the "home office" in Carlisle to wait.   

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Last night the shop (they are there until 10 pm) did my annual inspection.  The truck did fine.  BUT saw some wear in my tires indicative of it being out of alignment.  Also I was adding air to one of my tires and the tip of the valve stem broke off. Fortunately it didn't let any air out.

First thing this morning went to the tire shop and had the valve stem replaced.  At 11 am got the truck aligned.   It was way out of alignment. While that was being done found my left front tire was way out of round.  When the alignment was done I went back to the tire shop to make the tire round again.  Nope, the tire was too far gone.  Replaced the tire and had both front wheels balanced. All good now. 

Meanwhile back at the "home office", my trailer is due for inspection and service.  It also needs a little welding done.  It is in line to be done.  They are very short staffed in there right now so it is taking a bit of time for that.  It still isn't done yet.  This is all OK because I still don't have another load yet  AND I can plug in here so I don't have to run the generator.  

Monday, April 28, 2014

This morning I drove in to the Port of Baltimore in Dundalk, MD and delivered the "thing".  Then reload, right there, a Caterpillar D6K Dozer that is going up to Harrisburg, PA.

Drove it up to Harrisburg and delivered it.  Then went to the "home office" in Carlisle for the night.  

Friday, April 25, 2014

Whatever this thing is on my trailer, it sure is expensive.  It is worth over $222,000 !!  Very easy day today.  Drove to the Pilot truck stop in Hagerstown, MD.  I'll be here until Monday morning.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Nothing interesting today.  Left just before sunrise and drove to a small truck stop in Grantsville, Maryland for the night.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Early this morning I left Iowa 80 and drove to the Daily yard in Morton, Illinois.  I dropped my trailer there and went over to Wal-Mart and restocked.  After that I took a nap.  My crane loading appointment was for noon.  At noon I was in Pekin, IL loading a cone crusher (whatever that is) that is going to the Port of Baltimore in Dundalk, MD.  From there it is going on a boat bound for Germany. 

Believe it or not, that thing weighs 52,000 pounds and is top heavy.  Can't unload until Monday so I have a nice leisurely drive to Baltimore.  Drove to the Goasis truck stop in Lisbon, Indiana for the night.

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Left Iowa 80 at 4 am local time.  All the farmers were out working in their fields.  Spring is finally here!!!

 It took 6 hours to get to Carroll, IA the way I was routed by  the State, but I finally made it.  Delivered the wheel loader to a private farm that was WAY out in the middle of nothing but farms.  The purchaser was out working in his farm.  Had to wait for him to come in.  Unloaded it, parked it in his barn, and showed him how to work it. He then went back to his tractor.   My next load is back in Illinois so I turned around and went back to the Iowa 80 Truck Stop for the night.  This time it only took 3 hours, 45 minutes.

Monday, April 21, 2014

Hit the road as soon as I could this morning.  Glad to be moving again!!  Drove through the cold front.  Little bit of rain.  Temperatures didn't change that much.  Stopped for the night at the Iowa 80 Truck Stop in Walcott, Iowa.

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Drove up to Lebanon this morning and loaded a John Deere 644K Wheel Loader that is going to Carroll, Iowa.  It took a long time to get this done.  The guy that handles that stuff was on vacation and didn't leave any paperwork.  Also their computer system was having problems.  Finally got it all straightened out and on the road.

Then realized that in Ohio the permit would not allow for multiple pieces so I turned around, went back, and unloaded the bucket.

I left again.  This time didn't have to go back.  Stopped for the rest of the weekend at the Petro Truck Stop in Girard, Ohio.  Unfortunately, another STUPID regulation gets in the way.  Friday is a holiday so permit loads can't move until sunrise Monday morning.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Delivered the excavator first thing this morning.  My next load is a few miles from there.  Headed that way.  Got a phone call saying that the load won't be ready until at least noon.  So I went back to the TA to wait.  Shortly before noon I was told that the load, upon further inspection, was needing more time and would not be ready until next week sometime.  So, I took a different load.  It loads tomorrow in Lebanon, PA.  I left and headed that way.  Just after I turned off I-79 in Meadville, PA I saw this fence around the Road Department.  Look close at the very long mural.  It is made entirely of road signs.  I zoomed in on a few segments so you could see it better.  It is an amazing sight to see.  The thing is huge!!

Isn't that cool??

I went back to the Daily yard in Carlisle so I could eat Italian food again and so I could plug in the truck instead of running the generator.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Very early this morning I was at the Port to load.  As soon as I pulled around back to load it started raining.  Never fails!!  Loaded a Caterpillar 320EL Excavator that is going up to  Erie, Pennsylvania.  

Of course, by the time I finished loading and securing it I was soaked.  Hit the road. It rained all day. On the way I drove through the cold front that brought all the rain. Behind the front the rain changed to snow.  Was in flurries for quite a while.  But for the last two hours of driving today was in a lot of snow.  Didn't accumulate on the roads, but it looks like a couple inches has fallen so far.

  It is still snowing. Stopped for the night at the TA truck stop in Harborcreek, PA.  Basically, that is Erie, PA.  The Caterpillar dealer that I am delivering the excavator to is right behind the truck stop.  I'll deliver in the morning.

Monday, April 14, 2014

Sat through the LCV class today. While I was there the shop took my trailer in and replaced the trailer tracker that was on there with a new one that is solar powered.  

When class was over I got out of there and drove down to the TA truck stop in Baltimore, MD.  Load over at the Port in the morning.

Saturday, April 12, 2014

The truck was finished this morning.  The breaks all work great!!  Went back over to the "home office" in Carlisle to park for the rest of the weekend.  I can plug in there so I don't have to run the generator.  There is a good pizza place across the street so I'm sure you know what I'll be eating this weekend!!  Taking a LCV (Large Combination Vehicle) class here Monday, then outa here for my next load.

Friday, April 11, 2014

I was at Kenworth in Carlisle at 6 am this morning (they open at 7) to get my brakes looked at, they didn't feel right.  They were so backed up that I sat there all day waiting.  At about 3 pm they let me use one of their loaner cars.  

I went to the Petro truck stop down the road and did three loads of laundry, took a shower, and then went to Wal-Mart.   Sometime after 4 pm they took my truck in.  When I got back they gave me the "good" news.  All of my rear brakes needed to be replaced along with the hubs.  They were bad too.  I went to dinner.  Had a great meal.  Stuffed to the gills!!  When I got back they had more "good" news.  Had a wheel seal  going bad too.   Kenworth is open until midnight.  They could have had the brakes done by then but the wheel seal changed that.  So, I got a room at the Super 8 motel down the road.  Definitely not a four star place!

Thursday, April 10, 2014

This morning loaded another John Deere 245 Excavator going back up to South Plainfield, NJ.

Took it up there and delivered it.  Then drove over to the home office in Carlisle, PA.  Will be here for a few days.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

My Maryland permit finally came in.  Left and drove up to South Plainfield, NJ and delivered the excavator.  Turned around and went back to Baltimore, MD.  I'm loading another machine and taking it back up to South Plainfield tomorrow.  Stopped for the night at the wonderful TA truck stop in Baltimore for the night.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Got another load this morning.  Here in Baltimore I loaded a John Deere 245 excavator that is going up to Plainfield, NJ.  

Couldn't go anywhere because Maryland is very slow with permits.  Delaware and New Jersey came in but not Maryland.  Went back to the Baltimore TA truck stop to wait for my Maryland permit.  Hope it comes in early tomorrow morning so I can go.

Monday, April 7, 2014

Drove the rest of the way in to the Port of Baltimore in Dundalk, MD and delivered the compactor.  Don't have another load yet so I went to the TA truck stop in Baltimore to wait.

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Drove 88 miles to Hagerstown, MD to the Pilot truck stop.  Will be here until Monday morning.

Friday, April 4, 2014

Left Whitestown, IN just before sunrise.  Nice easy relaxing day.  Nothing special.  Stopped for the night at a truck stop in Grantsville, Maryland.

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Left Gary, IN just before sunrise in the pouring rain and drove in to Naperville, Illinois and delivered the excavator.  Yes, it was still pouring rain and I got soaked.  Left there and drove over to Aroura, IL and loaded a Caterpillar 816F2 Compactor.  It is going to the Port of Baltimore in Dundalk, MD.  Fortunately, by the time I finished securing it the rain stopped. Go figure!!

Left there and drove to the TA truck stop in Whitestown, Indiana for the night.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Last night on my way into the truck stop I noticed that my brakes weren't working as well as they should and I used a LOT of air when applying the breaks.  I had a pretty good idea what the problem was.  I parked for the night and went to bed.  This morning I got up and investigated the problem.  It was just as I thought.  The air hose that was just replaced was still rubbing the drive shaft.  They had replaced the hose but didn't fix the problem.  The hose was worn through.  I taped up the leak as best as I could and zip tied the hose away from the drive shaft.  There was a TA truck stop 20 miles up the road so I went up there and got it repaired again.  This time the correct way.  It was covered under warranty so all it cost me was time.  After they finished I drove up to the Petro truck stop in Gary, Indiana for the night.  I'll deliver and reload in the morning.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Left Kernersville at sunrise this morning.  Very nice day on the road.  Nothing exciting at all.  Stopped for the night at the Love's Truck Stop in Memphis, Indiana.  

Monday, March 31, 2014

Hit the road this morning and drove in to Columbia, South Carolina and delivered the wheel loader.  Here is the easy way to unload.  (Not me driving)

Next load was up in Kernersville, North Carolina.  Drove up there and loaded a John Deere 250GL Excavator that is going to Naperville, Illinois.

My North Carolina permit does not start until tomorrow morning so I parked at John Deere for the night.