Monday, May 23, 2016

This morning went about 12 miles down the road and delivered the mini excavators.  Didn't have another load so I went back to the truck stop.  Took a shower, had breakfast, and did 3 loads of wash.  Finished just as I got my next load.  So I left and drove west to Belgrade, MT to a Richie Brothers Auction and loaded a John Deere 200DX Excavator that is going to Knoxville, Tennessee.  For an auction machine, this one is in pretty good shape.

Don't have any permits yet so I'll be at the Flying J truck stop in Belgrade, MT until Montana's permit gets here sometime tomorrow morning.

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Left at 1 am local time.  Drove up to the Pilot truck stop in Billings, Montana.  Got here before 9 am local time.  Now I can catch up on my sleep.

Friday, May 20, 2016

Got started at 1 am local time this morning.  Pushed it real hard today.  South Dakota speed limit is 80 (128.7 kph).  Went past the Corn Palace, and Wall Drug.  Also went through the Badlands. Made it to the Flying J truck stop in Rapid City, South Dakota.  804 miles (1293.21 km) today.  Not too shabby!!

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Left real early this morning. Very good day on the road.  No problems anywhere.  Drove from Cartersville, Georgia to Boonville, Missouri almost non-stop.  Pretty tired so I'm going to bed.  I'll hit the road early again tomorrow.

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Left Cartersville TA truck stop this morning and drove down to Caterpillar in Athens, GA.  Loaded two Caterpillar 305E Mini Excavators that are going out to Billings, Montana.

Left there and got in tons and tons of traffic!!  Took forever just to get back to the TA in Cartersville, right where I started this morning.  Will get an early start in tomorrow morning.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Had a few nibbles but nothing worth moving for.  Hope tomorrow is better.

Monday, May 16, 2016

Nashville didn't happen so here I sit.

Saturday, May 14, 2016

This morning I moved up to the TA truck stop in Cartersville, Georgia.  Might have a load in Nashville, Tennessee.  Don't know yet. The financial transactions have not all been completed. But just in case, I wanted to be on the north side of Atlanta so that I would not have to deal with all that traffic next week.

Friday, May 13, 2016

Nothing today.  All I did today was get the truck washed.

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Left at sunrise this morning and drove in to McDonough, Georgia.  Wasn't very lucky today.  LOTS of bumper to bumper traffic going through Atlanta. Finally made it and delivered the excavator.  When I got there I saw that the amber beacon on the drivers side of the trailer was missing.  When I went back there to see what happened I saw that it had broken at the base and was hanging by the wires.  I cut the wires and put the beacon in the cab to fix later.  Since I didn't have another load yet I went over to the TA truck stop in Jackson, GA.  Both my truck and trailer were due for inspection so I took it to the shop and had that done.  Had them also grease both of them too.  While they were doing that I replaced the beacon on the trailer and also did some preventive maintenance on the two beacons on the back of the truck.  All working as they should now.

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Left this morning and drove nonstop, except for that required stupid 30 minute "rest" break.  Here is a video of something that happens all too frequently to everyone in a big truck.  I was doing 70 MPH (112.6 kph) when this idiot did this.

Stopped for the night at the TA truck stop in Meridian, Mississippi.

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

My Texas permit arrived at the perfect time, just when the Beaumont curfew was ending this morning.  So I went on in to Houston and delivered the excavator.  Next load was also in Houston but at a different location.  Went over there and loaded a Caterpillar 329EL Excavator that is going to McDonough, Georgia.

Left there and drove to the TA truck stop in Baytown, Texas.  Scaled up and found I had guessed wrong.  My weights were a bit off.  

So I pulled around and took off all the chains, moved the machine a bit, put some of the chains back on and got on the scale again.  Perfect this time.  

Found a parking place for the night and finished securing the machine.  I was exhausted!!!  Took a very long shower and went to bed.  I'll eat dinner later.

Monday, May 9, 2016

This morning went over to the Caterpillar dealer in Austin, Texas and loaded a Caterpillar 326FL Excavator that is going to Houston, TX.

Left there and drove to Houston and delivered it.  Next load is in Lake Charles, Louisiana.  Drove over there and loaded another Caterpillar 326FL Excavator that is also going to Houston.  

Left there and drove to the Flying J truck stop in Orange, Texas for the night.  Had to stop because I don't have my Texas permit for this load. Have to wait here in the morning until it comes in.

Saturday, May 7, 2016

Got up real early this morning and did some minor repairs to the truck.  Then off to Wally World (Wal-mart) to restock.  After that stopped at Shipley's Donuts!!!  Warm and delicious!!!!

Friday, May 6, 2016

Left Slidell, LA this morning at sunrise.  Delivered the excavator in Houston, Texas.  Next load is Monday in Austin, Texas.  Another short trip.  I drove over to the TA truck stop in New Braunfels, TX for the rest of the weekend.

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Another very uneventful day on the road.  Drove 644 miles (1036.42 km) today.  Ran out of hours and stopped for the night at the TA truck stop in Slidell, Louisiana.

Wednesday, May 4, 2015

Went back to the port this morning and picked up my trailer.  As soon as the Baltimore curfew was over at 9 AM I left.  Had no problems going around Baltimore or Washington DC.  The rest of the day was pretty uneventful too.  Stopped for the night at the TA truck stop in Greeneville, Tennessee.

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Yesterday late afternoon a car carrier went to back into a parking spot but didn't see the truck behind him.  He backed right into it knocking off part of the bumper and putting a hole in the radiator.  Antifreeze was all over the place.  Kinda made it difficult for everyone else getting in or out.

The driver of the truck that got hit is the guy walking in the photo.

Took over an hour for the wonderful Baltimore police to show up. Then when he got there the dumb ass parked right in the middle of the only way in or out!!  Eventually he moved when trucks started lining up to get in and out.

After they finished with the cop, it took another four hours for the wrecker to show up.  Of course by then it was raining.  I felt really bad for that driver.

Nothing all morning!!  Then finally this afternoon got a load.  Went back to the port and loaded a Caterpillar 323FL Excavator that is going to Houston, Texas.  

Maryland permit didn't come in until it was too late to go anywhere today because of the Baltimore curfew.  I left my trailer there and went back to the TA truck stop in Baltimore for the night.

Monday, May 2, 2016

This morning went over to the Port of Baltimore and delivered the tractor.  I made a video of it for you.

Didn't have another load lined up so I went back to the TA in Baltimore to wait.

Saturday, April 30, 2016

Left at sunrise this morning and drove the rest of the way into Baltimore, Maryland.  Had to get there before noon because in Maryland permit loads can not operate after noon. Got to the TA truck stop at 11 am.  Will deliver Monday morning.

Friday, April 29, 2016

Left first thing this morning.  Nice easy day on the road.  Nothing exciting or interesting today. Stopped for the night at a truck stop at the Pennsylvania / West Virginia line on I-79.

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Drove the rest of the way into Waterloo and loaded a John Deere 9620RX Tractor that is going to the Port of Baltimore.

Had to wait for a few hours for permits. but after things got straightened out I left and drove down to the Pilot truck stop in Covington, Indiana for the night.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

I decided that I was not going to wait there any longer so at midnight local time I left and headed back east.  Developed a problem with my generator so I stopped at Cummins in Des Moines, Iowa and had it fixed. After that went over to the Flying J truck stop in Altoona, Iowa for the night.  I load tomorrow morning in Waterloo, Iowa.  

Tornado watch in effect here until 9 pm local time.  They are expecting some weather tonight.  I love a good thunder storm.  Just don't like the hail that usually comes with it out here.

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

We got about 2 inches of wet slushy snow this morning.  By this afternoon it was all gone.  Still don't have a load.

Monday, April 25, 2016

First thing this morning went to Denver and delivered the first excavator.  Then drove up to Cheyenne, Wyoming and delivered the other excavator.  Don't have another load yet so I went to the TA truck stop in Cheyenne to wait.

I love it out west!!

128.7 kmh

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Left very early this morning.  No problems at all going through Kansas City.  About half way though Kansas drove through a cold front.  Sky looked real nasty!  Lots of lightening.  Wasn't worried about it at all.  It was still very early in the morning, as you can tell from my long shadow.  Big storms that produce tornadoes very rarely occur in the early morning.  They need the heat of the day to get them fired up.

Made it through the storm rather quickly and continued on into Colorado.

Went past this town...

Interesting little town. There is only one place in town to drink alcohol, the Bar BQ.   The politics there are a little different.  The town's Mayor, Patty Cow, is quite a heifer!  She likes to keep things stable.  But when someone does have a beef, she corrals everyone because they all have a steak in the outcome.  It is very rare that there is not a lot of bull argued although no one gets slaughtered.  But she does not let anyone horn in and add hot coals to the fire.  Don't get me wrong, she will tan someones hide if she has to.  In the end everyone congratulates her on a job well done!!  As you know by now that this whole thing is udderly ridiculous!!  I won't milk any more out of it and return to the blog.

Stopped for the night at the Flying J truck stop in Aurora, Colorado.  This place is jammed packed!!!  I was lucky to get a spot to park.  Trucks are packed in here like sardines!!!  Hope I don't get hit and can get out in the morning.

Saturday, April 23, 2016

I left early this morning and drove all day stopping only once for that stupid required 30 minute break.  No problems through Nashville, Tennessee or St. Louis, Missouri. Weather was perfect to get a couple photos for you of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. 

Stopped for the night at the Petro truck stop in Oak Grove, Missouri.  That is about 20 miles east of Kansas City.  733 miles today.  Not too shabby!!

Friday, April 22, 2016

Right about noon time I got another load. Drove over to Athens, Georgia in the rain which made Atlanta traffic even worse than it normally is.  Lots of bumper to bumper traffic on the way.  Finally got there and loaded two mini excavators.  One is going to Denver, Colorado and the other is going to Cheyenne, Wyoming.  It's a legal load so I can run all weekend.

Left there and promptly got into a lot more Friday afternoon rush hour bumper to bumper Atlanta traffic.  Didn't think I'd ever get outa that mess!!  Stopped for the night at the TA truck stop in Cartersville, Georgia.

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Went over to the Port of Savannah and loaded a Caterpillar 325F Excavator that is going to Austell, Georgia.  

Left there and drove to Austell and delivered it.  As usual lately, no loads available yet so I went to the Petro truck stop in Atlanta to wait.

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Our brilliant mechanic in Jacksonville fixed my trailer the right way!!  Have another load Thursday morning in Savannah, GA.  I drove up to the TA truck stop in Richmond Hills, GA this afternoon.  

Monday, April 18, 2016

This morning I drove in to Ocala and delivered the motor grader.  After that stopped by a very good friend's house for a quick "hello".  Then drove back the the Daily yard in Jacksonville.  Have an air leak on the trailer that needs fixin'.  Will be here until another load comes along.

Sunday, April 17, 2016

This morning I drove down to the Florida Welcome Center on I-75.  In Georgia I could drive on Sunday but in Florida can't drive on the weekends past noon.  Just another STUPID law that serves no purpose what-so-ever!!!  I arrived at the Welcome Center right at noon.  I'll deliver in the morning.  Only a couple hours away.

Saturday, April 16, 2016

First thing this morning I took the truck over to the shop and had my generator serviced.  It was way overdue and really needed it.  UPS delivered my Tennessee permit this morning but not until 9 am local time.  Finally got on the road. Had a very nice uneventful day on the road.  Stopped for the night at the TA truck stop in Cartersville, Georgia.  In Georgia I can drive on Sunday so I'll keep going in the morning.

Friday, April 15, 2016

Checked out of the hotel this morning, went over to the shop and got my truck.  Went over to Caterpillar just a couple miles away and loaded a Caterpillar 12M Motor Grader that is going to Ocala, Florida.  Can really see how bad the economy is.  I have never seen this lot so empty!!  There were only five machines there, and I took one of them!!  I just hope and pray that another Democrat does not get elected to fill the White House this fall.  If that happens you can kiss this country goodbye!!  Won't survive another four years of this.

Had to wait for my Arkansas permit go arrive before I could go.  It finally arrived and I left.  Unfortunately I wasn't able to go very far today.  Had to stop in West Memphis, Arkansas to wait for my Tennessee permit.  It is on it's way via UPS and will be here in the morning sometime.  So, a very early day today and a very late start tomorrow.  But it sure feels great to be moving again!!!

Thursday, April 14, 2016

They put my truck back together today and it runs.  I'll pick it up in the morning.  FINALLY!!!

Glad to get out of this hotel and back on the road.  Speaking of hotels, I looked out my window this evening and saw this...

The world is full of crazies!!  Ya just never know what you're gonna see next.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

OK, here's the "Readers Digest" version of the story on my truck.  I have several problems in the engine.  Basically it should have an in frame overhaul because of when it overheated.  Here are some photos of it now.

But I can't afford that right now so they are doing only what HAS to be replaced so I can get back on the road again until I can get some money ahead to get the job done right.  By the way, if any of you are not using Lucas Oil in with your engine oil I strongly suggest that you do!  It really does make a difference!!  It should be ready tomorrow or Friday.

Friday, April 8, 2016

Went back over to the repair shop this morning.  The truck that they thought would be finished yesterday took longer than they expected and was not ready.  The said that they could get me in this afternoon and tear down the engine but it would sit until Tuesday because they are closed Saturday and Sunday.  Monday they had a previous commitment out of town and would be closed.  I would be paying for a hotel for all those days.  Didn't want to do that.  Don't like hotels to start with so that option didn't thrill me.  We agreed that it would be better if I just came back Tuesday morning.  I went back to the Petro truck stop to wait until Tuesday.

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Was at the repair shop in North Little Rock first thing this morning.  The ran a few tests.  This one was the big one that it failed miserably!!   This is in the radiator where the cap is. There should not be any bubbles in this.  All the bubbles is a very bad sign.

Have a bad head gasket at best, but most likely a cracked head.  Will be starting on it tomorrow morning to find out for sure and if anything else is bad.

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Truck is still having coolant issues.  There is a place in Little Rock that will fix it.  Tried to get a load over there but there weren't any.  So I left for Little Rock deadhead. On the way it was really windy.  Saw a semi truck in front of me almost get blown off an overpass.  Got it on video but it was too far ahead to really see so I won't waste your time posting it.  Stopped for the night at the Petro truck stop in West Memphis, Arkansas.

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

This morning I went back to the port and picked up my loaded trailer and drove up to Dacula, GA and delivered the excavator.  Don't have another load yet so I went to the other side of Atlanta to the Petro truck stop to wait for my next load.

Monday, April 4, 2016

This morning went back to the port and picked up my loaded trailer and drove to Albany, GA via Macon.  That's the way the State routed me. 40 miles out of the way!!  Delivered the excavator and drove back to the port in Savannah again.  Loaded a Caterpillar 323FL that is going to Dacula, Georgia.  And YES that really is the name of the town!!!!

Dropped my trailer there at the port and headed back to the TA truck stop in Richmond Hill stopping again for a pizza on the way.

Friday, April 1, 2016

This morning went back to the port and picked up my loaded trailer for my last trip to Peachtree City.

Drove there and delivered it.  Then went back to the port in Savannah and loaded a Caterpillar 326FL Excavator that is going to Albany, GA.  I left my trailer in the port for the weekend and went back to the TA truck stop in Richmond Hills, GA, stopping for a pizza on the way.

Thursday, March 31, 2016

This morning went back to the port and got my loaded trailer.  

Left there and drove to Peachtree City, GA and delivered it.  Real exciting stuff!!  Drove back to the port in Savannah and loaded another one.  This is the last one to go.  Made finding it in the lot very easy!!  Left my trailer there for the night.  Drove bobtail back to the TA truck stop stopping to get a pizza on the way.

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

This morning I went back to the port and picked up my trailer with the Sany SY235C Excavator on it.  Going back to Peachtree City, GA.

Left there and drove up to Peachtree City and delivered it.  Turned around and drove back to the poer and loaded another one. Left the trailer at the port and went for another pizza and then to the TA in Richmond Hill, GA for the night.

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

This morning went back to the port and picked up my trailer with the excavator that I loaded last night.

Took this one to Peachtree City, GA.  There was another Daily truck that took one of these there yesterday.  Just as he arrived, his truck died.  He dropped his trailer there and was towed to get it fixed.  They asked me to pick up his trailer and finish delivering his machine.  So, after I delivered my machine I finished delivering his.  Then I drove back to the port in Savannah and loaded another one.  Left my trailer at the port for the night. On the way back to the TA truck stop I stopped and got a pizza!!  It was good!

Monday, March 28, 2016

Went over to the port first thing this morning and loaded a Sany SY235C Excavator that is going over to Peachtree City, GA.  

Left there in good time and drove to Peachtree City and delivered the excavator.  After that drove back to the port in Savannah and loaded another one.  Left my trailer at the port for the night.  I'll pick it up in the morning.  Spent the night at the TA truck stop in Richmond Hill, GA.

Sunday, March 27, 2016