Friday, February 26, 2016

This morning went to the port on Norfolk, VA.  Sat there until after lunch before I got loaded with a 66,000 pound (29,937 kg) wire rope coil that is going to Oakland City, Indiana.  Used 12 grade 80, 1/2 inch chains to secure it.  That thing aint goin' nowhere!!!

Norfolk, VA is weird!!  They required an escort from the port to the interstate which was about a mile away.  So, he followed me to the Interstate and then dropped off.  I continued on my merry way.  Stopped for the night at a truck stop in Zions Crossing, Virginia.

Thursday, February 25, 2016

This morning I drove in to Leesburg, VA to a power plant that is under construction.  It was very tight in there.  Not an easy place to deliver in.  To make a long story short (because I'm really tired), ended up dropping my trailer and a yard truck took it back in to unload.  Here is what a yard truck looks like.  Much more maneuverable in tight spaces.

Internet Photo

I wouldn't fit in there with my truck.  If you were watching on the cam you would know what I'm talking about.  After unloading I got my trailer back and started off heading back to Norfolk for my next load.  Of course I hit rush hour traffic going back through Washington DC.  Stopped for the night at the south bound rest area on I-95 just north of Richmond.  

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

This morning went over to the Virginia International Gateway Port in Portsmouth, Virginia. Only saw one aircraft carrier in port today.  Too hazy to get a photo for you.  It took quite a while to load, but finally loaded a Transformer that is going up to a power plant that is being constructed in Leesburg, Virginia.  I am 115,760 pounds (52,507.8 kg).

Stopped for the night at the TA truck stop in Ashland, Virginia.  LOTS of severe weather around me.  Tornado WARNINGS here at the time I'm writing this.  Heavy rain and wind now.  Here is the radar at 6 pm. EST  Local TV is nonstop (no commercials) weather and radar right now.  Multiple tornadoes in the area. Power is out at the truck stop.

Fast moving storm.  Radar at 6:20 pm EST

The worst has past me now.  But it was an interesting evening.

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

At about 1 am I drove down to Virginia Beach to a truck stop there.  Wanted to beat the rush hour traffic from Baltimore and Washington D.C., which I did.  No problems all the way.  Load tomorrow morning at the port.

Monday, February 22, 2016

This morning I drove in to Baltimore and delivered the dump truck.  After that went to the TA truck stop in Baltimore to wait for another load.

Sunday, February 21, 2016

FLASHBACK

A year ago today...

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Easy day today.  Left a half hour before sunrise and drove to the Pilot truck stop in Haggerstown, Maryland for the rest of the weekend.

Friday, February 19, 2016

Left this morning half hour before sunrise.   Had a great day on the road.  No problems for a change.  Was good to be back at it again!!   Stopped for the night when I ran out of daylight at the east bound rest area on I-70 in Belmont, Ohio.

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Well, the truck is finally fixed.  Went back to the Daily yard in Bettendorf to get my trailer and spend the night.  Will be back on the road in the morning.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Truck should be ready tomorrow afternoon.

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

This morning got my annual inspection done at the Daily shop in Bettendorf, IA.  Then went over to John Deere in Davenport, IA and loaded a John Deere 250 Dump Truck that is going to Baltimore, Maryland.  

Left there and got 4 miles into Illinois when I lost all my oil pressure.  I pulled off to the shoulder and checked out the truck.  Have no idea what is wrong.  To make a long story short, they came over from Daily's yard in Bettendorf and took my trailer back to the yard.  I got towed to the Kenworth shop in Rock Island, Illinois.  

I am at the Hotel Davenport in Davenport, Iowa.  Have no idea what is wrong yet.  But with the way things have been going, I'm sure it won't be easy or cheap.  Also the camera will be off until the truck is fixed.

Monday, February 15, 2016

This morning I found another coolant leak.  I went over and delivered the engine then drove around the building and had the shop fix the leak.  Replaced my thermostat too, it was bad.  After that was done I drove to the Daily terminal in Bettendorf, Iowa to get my annual inspection done.  Got there too late today to have it done so they will do it in the morning.  

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Left the truck stop in Kuttawa, Kentucky at 3:15 EST this morning.  Drove the rest of the way to Altoona, Iowa.  613 miles (986.5 km).  Will be at the Flying J truck stop for the rest of the weekend.  Deliver a couple blocks from here Monday morning.

Supposed to snow 3 to 5 inches (7.62 to 12.8 cm) here tonight and into Sunday morning.  The video might look cool.

Friday, February 12, 2016

Left Orange Lake, FL this morning at 4:15 and drove up to Griffin, Georgia and loaded a Caterpillar C27 Engine and a parts box that is going to Altoona, Iowa.  

Left there in real good time.  Had no problems with traffic going around Atlanta or Nashville.  Stopped for the night at the Pilot truck stop in Kuttawa, Kentucky.

There was a nice looking steak house right across the street so I walked over there for dinner.  Once again the service for a single person in a restaurant was pathetic!!  I was seated right away and my server came right over and brought my water glass and took my order.  That was the last I saw of her until I was ready to leave.  I sat there for an eternity waiting for my meal.  I also noticed that all the other tables in there were brought a small basket of rolls.  I was the only single person and the only one without rolls.  Finally my dinner arrived by a different server.  I ate it.  Still no server.  When I was ready to go I had to go find someone to get my check and who to pay.  By now I was pretty pissed off.  After driving 727 miles (1,170 km), I was in no mood for this crap.  She got no tip!!! Unfortunately, this happens all the time.  OK, I'm done ranting now.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Left Dunn, North Carolina right at sunrise this morning. Pushed it real hard all day.  Made it to Ocala, Florida and delivered the excavator.  Then drove up to the Petro truck stop in Orange Lake, Florida for the night. 587 miles (944.6 km) today AND delivered!!  Not too shabby!!   Next load is tomorrow up in Griffin, Georgia.

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Was at the Port of Baltimore first thing this morning and loaded a Caterpillar 320ELRR Excavator that is going to Ocala, Florida.  

Had to wait for the Baltimore curfew to get over before I could leave.  Once 9 am arrived I left.  Didn't have much traffic issues all day.  That was a huge and welcomed surprise!!  Stopped for the night at the Pilot truck stop in Dunn North Carolina.

Forgot to tell you yesterday, I passed Presidential candidate John Kasich's bus on I-95.  It was on it's way to South Carolina.

Internet Photo

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Finally got another load.  It is way up in Baltimore, Maryland.  Drove up there and stopped at the TA truck stop in Baltimore.  Had a little weather on the way.  Some rain snow mix around Fredericksburg, Virginia.  Lasted up to Quantico.  From there on it was just wet.

Monday, February 8, 2016

Thought I had my next load but after I got about 30 miles down the road found out that it would't work on my truck.  So I stopped at the Pilot truck stop in Dunn, NC to wait some more.  This sucks!!!!

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Half time show was excellent!!!!

Congratulations Denver Broncos!!!!

Super Bowl 50

NFL Super Bowl 

Sunday, February 7, 6:30 PM

Levi's Stadium

Carolina Panthers (17-2)

 

10 - 24

Final

Denver Broncos (15-4)

	1	2	3	4		Total
Panthers	0	7	0	3		10
Broncos	10	3	3	8		24

Now we have to wait until September for next season.

Friday, February 5, 2016

Nothing!!!!    So I'll be here all weekend.  The other Daily trucks are still here too.  Not good!!!

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Left at sunrise and drove down to Raleigh and delivered the dozer. I really love driving those things!!!  The power they have is amazing!!!  Can feel it.  Anyway, I didn't have another load yet so I drove over to the Petro truck stop in Kenly, NC to wait for my next one. Sure hope it is soon.  There are several other Daily trucks here waiting too.  That's a bad sign.

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Went over to the rest area in West Virginia and met the Bridge Monitor (white pick up in the photo below), and the escort (parked behind the Bridge Monitor in the photo below).

We left and went across the bridge at 30 mph (48 kph) with no problems.  Once we were across they took the exit and went back for the next one.  I kept on going.  Overcast and some rain most of the day.  Other than that, no problems today.  Stopped for the night at the Petro in Mebane, North Carolina. Will deliver tomorrow morning.  Don't have another load yet.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Timed it perfectly this morning and entered Kentucky at Louisville right at 9 am. Had a short day today.  There is a bridge 17 miles in West Virginia that the State is requiring a "Bridge Monitor" and an escort car when I go over it.  I have to go over it at 30 mph (48 kph).  I'm assuming that the escort car will do a rolling road block and slow traffic behind me while I go across the bridge by myself.  I assume the Bridge Monitor is there to make sure that we actually do it.  There are 4 of us going over tomorrow morning. I'm the first.  We will be meeting everyone at the rest area at mile marker 10 in the morning. I stopped for the night at the Flying J truck stop in Catlettsburg, KY. I'm about 20 minutes from the rest area.   Can't park at the rest area overnight in West Virginia.  They do not allow "Oversize Loads" to park in the rest areas overnight.

Monday, February 1, 2016

Went across the street first thing this morning and loaded a Caterpillar D7R Dozer that is going to Raleigh, North Carolina.  As soon as I started I knew my front brakes were not good.  So I stopped back at the TA truck stop in Bloomington, IL and got them replaced.  Thought it might be a good idea to have good brakes when I'm 111,000 pounds (50349 kg).

When that was fixed I left.  Didn't get too far today.  Stopped for the night at a truck stop in Austin, Indiana when I ran out of daylight.  Can't start too early tomorrow because I can't go through Louisville, KY until after 9 am.

Sunday, January 31, 2016

This morning I went over to the repair shop at the TA and had routine maintenance done on the truck and generator.  When that was done I drove over to the Daily yard in Morton, Illinois. It is right across the street from where I load in the morning.  

I really hate it when football season is over!!!!!

Friday, January 29, 2016

VERY early I left and drove up to Milwaukee, WI.  My plan worked again.  Hardly any traffic through Chicago and Milwaukee at 3 am.  When I got there I took a nap until they came to work.  I was empty in a matter of minutes and on my way toward my next load.  It is Monday morning in Morton, Illinois.  I drove down to the TA truck stop in Bloomington, IL.  Sunday I'll go over to the Daily yard in Morton.

Thursday, January 28, 2016

My plan worked.  I got up at 3 am and was on the road by 3:30.  Made it around Atlanta, Georgia without any problems.  Had a little bit of bumper to bumper traffic in Nashville, Tennessee.  Continued the rest of the day with no problems.  Stopped for the night because I ran out of hours, at the Pilot truck stop in Gilman, Illinois.  Drove 726 miles (1168 km) today.  Will get up real early again and try to beat the Chicago rush hour tomorrow.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Yesterday morning I took the truck over to Caterpillar for repair.  Number two fuel injector was not working so it was replaced.  At the same time my trailer was getting a few things fixed too.  Got two new tires, had a rusted and leaking air tank replaced, and two new shocks.

He finished my trailer yesterday.  My truck was ready this morning.  Picked it up, got my trailer and headed out for my return trip to Milwaukee to return the rack.

Didn't want to deal with Atlanta rush hour traffic so I stopped at the TA truck stop in Jackson, Georgia for the night. Will leave very early in the morning to hopefully try to beat the traffic.

Monday, January 25, 2016

This morning went the couple miles down the road to the Port of Brunswick and delivered the swing gear.  Now I have to take the rack back to Milwaukee.

But before I go to Milwaukee I went down to Jacksonville and had some work done on the trailer.  Also getting some engine work done to the truck.  So I'll be home for a couple days.

Saturday, January 23, 2016

This morning made it the rest of the way into Brunswick. Will be at the TA truck stop in Brunswick until Monday morning.

Friday, January 22, 2016

This morning one of my escort cars was late.  He forgot that we changed to Eastern time zone.  Once he got there we left.  When we crossed into Georgia the red escort car dropped off because we didn't need her in Georgia.  Made it around Atlanta with surprisingly little difficulty, even with the rain.  Ran out of daylight so we had to stop for the night at a small truck stop in Waycross, Georgia.  We are less than an hour from Brunswick.

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Got started just before sunrise this morning. Stopped at the Illinois / Kentucky state line at a Pilot truck stop.  Kentucky and Tennessee require two escort cars.  So we waited there for a few minutes for her to get with us.

We got back at it again.  Had no trouble getting through Nashville.  Had to stop for the night at the Love's truck stop in Jasper, Tennessee because we couldn't go into Chattanooga because of the curfew.  We may just get lucky on the weather.  National Weather Service says that we will have a lot of rain tonight and tomorrow.  They Aren't predicting snow here until Friday night.  Hope they are more accurate than they were last time!!  Can't start in the morning until 9 am because of the Chattanooga curfew.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Went into Milwaukee this morning to load. Let me tell you, it was not easy to get into this place!!  It was the first time any of us had loaded this thing so there was a lot of guessing as to how it would go on the truck. What it is, is a huge 50,000 pound ring gear for a Caterpillar 7495 Rope Shovel.  It is the thing that the machine sits on and enables it to rotate.  Just to give you an idea of the size of it, here is a photo of the machine.

First had to put the rack on the trailer and secure it.  Then "fly" the ring over to it.

Here it is all loaded up and secured for transport.  It took four attempts to get it right.

Left there and had one heck of a time getting on the road.  The first intersection was an elbow turn to the right.  There were stop light poles on the corners and a median.  The piled up snow was solid ice.  Had to go up on the median and into the ice pile to make the turn.  When the bumper hit the ice it bent the bumper into my tire.  Once I made it around the turn I pulled over to the side of the road, attached a chain to a tree and to my bumper, and backed up to pull the bumper off the tire.  Wisconsin had me routed through the city streets for a long time before getting back to the Interstate highway.  It took what seemed like forever!!  Wisconsin does not require an escort for this load (I'm 14 feet wide) but the rest of the states I will be going through do.  This thing is going to the Port of Brunswick, Georgia.  I met up with my escort before I got to Illinois.

Continued on uneventfully, thank goodness, and stopped for the night at a truck stop in Auburn, Illinois.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

My plan worked.  I left Racine, WI very early this morning and drove down to Harvey, Illinois.  No problems with traffic at all  Had a little trouble unloading.  The brakes on the machine were frozen so it wouldn't move.   It took a little while but they finally released and the thing come off the trailer.  Didn't have another load yet so I went to the Petro truck stop in Monee, Illinois to wait.

A few hours later I got another load.  It is tomorrow morning back up in Milwaukee, WI.  So, I drove back to the Petro truck stop in Racine, Wisconsin for the night.  We are having a heat wave!!  It got in the teens today!!  Supposed to get a little snow tonight and tomorrow morning. 

Monday, January 18-2016

First thing this morning I was at the Caterpillar dealer in Milwaukee to load. As soon as I go there the black cloud caught up with me again.

They could not find my machine.  Had the paperwork, just had no idea where the machine was.  I sat there for three hours.  They finally located it.  I had to go to Dousman, Wisconsin and get it there.  It was about 45 minutes from Milwaukee.  So I drove over there.  Found the machine.  BUT it wouldn't start.  Sat there for another hour and a half while they got the thing started.  Finally got the Caterpillar 140G motor grader up on the trailer and secured.  By the way, the temperature was between 0 and 3 degrees.  

Left there and decided that I didn't want to go through Chicago at rush hour so I stopped for the night right where I started from at the Petro in Racine, WI.  Will get a very early start in the morning to beat rush hour.

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Very early this morning I drove up to the Petro truck stop in Racine, Wisconsin.  Will be here until Monday morning.  Another cold front will be coming through. Now it is 22 BUT temperatures will drop a lot and get windy.  They say Sunday the high will be 0 and the wind chill will be -25.  Monday the high will be 6 with a wind chill -30.

Friday, January 15, 2016

Well, I finally got a load.  It isn't much of one.  It is Monday up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  I'll go up there tomorrow.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Nothing!  So I continue to sit and wait.

Wednesday, January 13. 2016

This morning had a big pool of antifreeze on the ground under my truck.  That is never a good thing.  Took it to the shop here at the Petro.  They found the leak, or should I say leaks.  My air compressor was leaking coolant and also had it leaking from my lower radiator hose.  They fixed everything and I was out the door 9 hours later.  Still don't have another load yet, so here I sit.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Went over to Portage, Indiana this morning for my next load.  Was to drop my trailer there and transport a screener to Middletown, Ohio, leave it there and then bobtail back to get my trailer.

Everything was good until I hooked up to it.  That's when we realized that it would not work with my truck.  It was too low and would tear up my fenders.  

So I had to leave it.  Someone else will have to do it.  Hooked back to my trailer and went back to the Petro in Gary, IN.  Will be here until I get another load.

Monday, January 11, 2016

Went about 6 miles from here and delivered the wheel loader first thing this morning.  Then went back to the Petro truck stop.  My next load is tomorrow morning in Portage, IN.  That is not too far from here.

Sunday, January 10, 2016

Once again the weather weasels got it wrong.  We got rain, changed to snow, then back to rain.  The most we got was a dusting of snow.  A far cry from 5 to 7 inches they forecasted.  These are the same people that are preaching man caused climate change!!  Yet we are supposed to believe them when they tell us all that gloom and doom about how we are going to all burn up and the coastal cities will be under water from global warming 10, 20, 50, whatever years from now.  Why does anyone take them seriously when they can't even get the weather right for that very same day!!!!!??????????????!!!!!!!!!! Unfortunately, there are way too many idiots that believe that nonsense! The only thing they got right was that it got very cold.

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Left real early this morning and drove to the Petro truck stop in Gary, Indiana.  Wanted to get here before the weather started to get worse.  National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Lake County (Gary), Indiana from 3 pm CST to noon tomorrow.  Expecting 5 to 7 inches of heavy wet snow and blowing winds.  Once the cold front passes the temperatures will plummet.  Of course I'll have pictures for you if there is anything interesting.  The live cam should be up and running for you too.

Friday, January 8, 2016

The guy finally showed up last night at 8 pm. he was done in 45 minutes.

This morning I went over to the Kawasaki plant in Newnan, Georgia and loaded a Kawasaki 67Z7 Wheel Loader that is going to Gary, Indiana.  

Left there in pretty good time and drove up to the TA truck stop in Seymour, Indiana.  Easy day tomorrow.  

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Left this morning and timed it just right.  Got to Norcross, GA right at 9:30.  But that is when things went bad.  Made a right turn to go to where I was to unload and saw this sign.

Well, by now it was too late.  Couldn't back out of there onto a major roadway - way too much traffic.  Just past the sign was a truck loading area to a business.  I pulled in there and turned around.  As I was pulling out the trailer bottomed out and I was stuck.  Couldn't go backwards or forwards. I was also blocking the road.  I disconnected the trailer from the truck so at least the road was open.  Called a wrecker, and waited for him to arrive.

Once he got there he lifted the trailer up, pulled it forward, and I reattached to it and pulled out.

Then went in to deliver.  The road was narrow and I had to make 2 left turns.  Each one took a lot of maneuvering to make it.  Finally did.  Just as I came to a stop to unload one of the suspension air bags on the trailer exploded. Set off all the car alarms in the parking lot.  It was LOUD!!

Finally got the machine off the trailer and I got out of there.  Next load is tomorrow morning in Newnan, Georgia.  I went down there to the Pilot truck stop and got there at 2:15.  Road service was called by the Daily shop and we were told about an hour and a half to get to me.  At 5 pm he still had not arrived.  Daily shop called another company.  As of now, 6:30 pm, no one has shown up yet.  The rest of the story will be on tomorrow's post.  The saga continues......

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Had a wonderful Christmas and New Years with lots of family and friends.  But now it's time to go back on the road.

Went over to the Port of Jacksonville and loaded a Sandvik QE241 Screener that is going for a short ride up to Norcross, Georgia.  This was the first time operating this type of machine. All the other ones I've had someone else loaded it and unloaded it.  Not this time.  It was fun.

Left there and drove up to the TA truck stop in Jackson, Georgia for the night.  They don't want me to deliver until 9:30 or later tomorrow morning.  They said it is very tight in there.  Going to make for an interesting time tomorrow getting in and out.