Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Went in to Chicago first thing this morning to load a Liebherr HS855 Crane.  Started off OK, but it went down hill from there.  Put the crane on the trailer but when it came time to take off  the tracks, they didn't have the correct crane rigging.  Had to wait for that to get there.  Then a bunch of bolts would not come off so they had to cut them off with a torch.  I finally got it all loaded and secured and out of there at 3:30 this afternoon.  Needless to say, I didn't get very far.  Stopped for the night at a convenience store with a few  truck parking places in Boswell, Indiana.

This thing is VERY top heavy and heavy.  Have not passed a scale so I have no idea how heavy I am.  Will do that tomorrow.

Monday, July 3, 2017

Got started real early again.  Drove up to the Petro in Gary, Indiana.  Will be here until Monday morning.

Sunday, July 2, 2017

My next load is Wednesday in Chicago.  So, in order to avoid a lot of heavy holiday traffic, especially going around Atlanta, I left this morning. Had absolutely no traffic issues today.  Drove up to the Flying J truck stop in Oak Grove, Kentucky for the night.

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

As soon as my ten hours was up I hit the road.  Drove home to Jacksonville, FL.  Will be here until next week sometime.

Monday, June 26, 2017

Well, today didn't go as planned.  Didn't get confirmation of my second escort car until 9 am.  That's when we left for Portsmouth.  When we got to the tunnel we stopped at the inspection area.  When going through the tunnel all oversize loads must stop for inspection.  Once that is complete, they close off the highway and send us thru along with a highway department truck.  We have the tunnel all to ourselves.  Once through, the highway truck radios back and they open the road again.  He peels off and we continue.  At the Portsmouth exit we picked up our other escort car.  She took the lead to the Port.  Of course I arrived at the Port at lunch time, so I sat and waited.  It was a huge cluster, well, you know.  To make a long story short I didn't get out of there until 3:15.  I drove to the Petro in Kenly, North Carolina for the night.  I'm beat!!  Shower, dinner, and sleep!!!

Saturday, June 24, 2017

Easy day today.  Left at sunrise and drove to the TA truck stop in Richmond, Virginia for the weekend.  Was done before 9 am.  

If you are wondering what this thing is on my trailer, here is an internet photo of what it looks like when it is all put together.

Friday, June 23, 2017

We left at sunrise this morning.  539 long hard miles through the mountains of Kentucky, West Virginia, and Virginia today. The route the State had us take was definitely the long way around!!!  Stopped for the night at the Petro truck stop in Raphine, Virginia.  I'm exhausted!!  Good night.

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Went back and picked up my trailer this morning and finally got on the road.

At the Illinois / Indiana state line I picked up my escort.

He will be with me until I deliver.  We continued on and stopped for the night at the Flying J truck stop in Waddy, Kentucky.  

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Went back to try to load again this morning.  The machine STILL was not ready. They said that it would be ready sometime today.  So I sat there ALL DAY and waited.  Finally late this afternoon the machine came from across the street. Had enough time to get it on the trailer, chain it down and scale it before they closed for the day.  I left my trailer there and went back to the Pilot truck stop for the night.  

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Went over to load first thing this morning.  They told me that I'm not supposed to load until tomorrow.  So, I went back to the Pilot truck stop until tomorrow.

Monday, June 19, 2017

Went over this morning and delivered the excavator.  Next load is tomorrow morning down in Decatur, Illinois.  Drove down there to the Pilot truck stop in Decatur for the night.

Friday, June 16, 2017

In Tennessee and Kentucky permit loads can run at night.  As soon as my ten hours was up I hit the road.  Timed it perfectly for the Paducah, Kentucky curfew.  It starts at 7 am.  I made it through Paducah and entered Illinois (where there is no curfew) at 6:58 am.  Continued on with a few areas of bumper to bumper traffic in construction zones. Had to stop because I ran out of hours eighteen miles from delivery!!!  Stopped with 3 minutes left on my clock.  STUPID, STUPID regulations.  Have to wait until Monday to deliver.  So, I'll be at the Petro truck stop in Monee, Illinois for the weekend.

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Got started REAL early this morning and drove the rest of the way to Kernersville, North Carolina.  Got there right when they opened.  Loaded a John Deere 350G Excavator that is going up to South Holland, Illinois.

Left there and drove to the Flying J truck stop in Knoxville, Tennessee for the night.  Still having overheating issues.  I'm keeping data on them for a study we are doing in order to fix the problem.

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Got up real early this morning and did a bunch of laundry.  Then they took my truck into the Daily truck shop to do a few things.  While they were "playing" with my truck I went to breakfast, Wal-Mart, and a few other places.  Once all that was done, I got my next load.  It is down in Kernersville, North Carolina.  Hooked up to my trailer and started off.  Stopped for the night at the Petro in Raphine, Virginia.

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Got up early this morning and got the truck washed.  Then over to Kenworth / Thermo King (they are both at the same place) to get the APU fixed.  Another one of the new Daily trucks had the same problem with his APU and was there too.  While we were there we were told that the "big wigs" from Daily were coming to meet with Kenworth "big wigs" and they wanted us to attend the meeting too.  We all met and discussed the issues we were having with the new trucks and possible steps to fix them.  After the APU was fixed at Thermo King, the trucks went into the shop at Kenworth to check some things. After that was done went back to the Daily yard for the night.

Monday, June 12, 2017

Left at sunrise this morning and drove into the Port in Bayonne, New Jersey.  I hate going there!!!!!!  Traffic sucks!!!  But I delivered the excavator.  Here is the view I had while unloading...

The photos make it look farther away than it was, but the New York City skyline is in the background.  I zoomed in on the Freedom Tower ( 1 World Trade Center) for you...

After that, I left there and sat in bumper to bumper traffic for about an hour getting out of there.  Finally got clear of the city and drove to the home office in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.  Tomorrow going to get my APU fixed.

Saturday, June 10, 2017

I didn't realize that I was running out of hours this week.  So this morning I only had two and a half hours left.  At sunrise I drove as far as my time would allow.  Stupid regulations!!!!!!  Stopped until Monday morning at the Sapp Brothers truck stop in Clearfield, Pennsylvania.

Friday, June 9, 2017

Went in to Novi, Michigan first thing this morning and loaded a piece of crap Caterpillar 345 excavator that is going to the Port in Bayonne, New Jersey. 

Left there when my escort arrived.  Had to have one in Michigan.  When I crossed into Ohio she dropped off.  Continued on to the Flying J truck stop in Hubbard, Ohio.

Thursday, June 8, 2017

This morning drove the rest of the way to Broadview Heights, Ohio and delivered the excavator.  Next load is tomorrow morning in Novi, Michigan.  Drove to the TA truck stop in Monroe, Michigan for the night.  My APU quit working!!  Great !!!

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Left real early this morning.  Nice day on the road.  Stopped for the night at Duke Travel Plaza in Newcomerstown, Ohio.

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Left this morning to time the Little Rock curfew.  I did pretty good.  Got to Little Rock just as the curfew ended.  Had to stop early because of the Nashville curfew.  So I stopped for the night at the Flying J truck stop in Fairview, Tennessee.  In Tennessee and Kentucky permit loads can run at night.  I'll get a very early start to get ahead of the Nashville curfew and hopefully time it right for the Louisville curfew.

Monday, June 5, 2017

Left this morning to time the Houston curfew so that I got there at 9 am.  Nice day on the road.  Except a little bit west of Hope, Arkansas had a little bit of a pucker factor...

Probably scared him more than me.  Anyway, stopped for the night at the TA truck stop in Prescott, Arkansas.  Have to time the Little Rock curfew tomorrow too.

Sunday, June 4, 2017

Left Lafayette, LA real early this morning and drove down to Victoria, Texas and loaded a Caterpillar 349F Excavator that is going up to Broadview Heights, Ohio.

After loading, I drove to the Love's truck stop in Weimar, Texas for the night.

Saturday, June 3, 2017

Left Jacksonville VERY early this morning and drove to the TA truck stop in Lafayette, Louisiana.  666 miles today.  Hope that is not a bad sign!!!  Will be on the road early again tonight.

Friday, June 2, 2017

Finally got my truck back this morning.  Hope it is fixed right.  We shall see.   Got my next load late this afternoon.  Loads Monday in Victoria, Texas.  I'll get a very early start in the morning heading to Texas. Going to bed early tonight.

Thursday, June 1, 2017

Truck still at Kenworth.  At least they found a problem and are working to fix it.  Bad sensor, bad sending unit, and bad wiring.  Hopefully it will be done tomorrow.

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Truck is still in Kenworth and I'm still in the hotel waiting.

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Went over to the Port of Jacksonville at Blount Island this morning and delivered the dozer.  After that went back to the Daily yard to get a couple problems fixed on the trailer.  Then the shop in Carlisle called and wanted me to take the truck over to Kenworth in Jacksonville to have some issues addressed.  I dropped off the truck and got a ride back to the Daily yard to get my pick up truck.  Then went to a hotel for a day or two.

Saturday, May 27, 2017

Left this morning at sunrise and drove home to the Daily yard in Jacksonville.  Will be here until Tuesday because of the Holiday.

Friday, May 26, 2017

In Kentucky and Tennessee permit loads can run at night, so as soon as my 10 hours was up I got on the road.  Wanted to get in front of the Nashville curfew, which I did.  Then a little while later I stopped for a half hour to wait for the Chattanooga curfew to get over.  Then on down to Atlanta.  Lots of heavy traffic and bumper to bumper.  Finally got through that mess.  Stopped for the night at the Flying J truck stop in Lake Park, Georgia.

Thursday, May 25, 2017

My machine was sitting at the Daily yard in Morton waiting for me.  Glad I spent the night there. This morning I loaded another Caterpillar D9T Dozer that is going to Blount Island, Florida.  That is the Port of Jacksonville.  Then on a boat to Durban, South Africa. 

Left there and drove to the Flying J truck stop in Oak Grove, Kentucky for the night.

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Left a half hour before sunrise this morning and drove to a quarry in Romeoville, Illinois.  Had to go all the way to the back of the thing which made the truck and trailer a total mess!!!!!  Delivered the dump truck.  Next load is in East Peoria, Illinois.  Drove down to the Daily yard in Morton for the night.

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Left at sunrise this morning.  Rained most of the morning.  The Great Smokey Mountains lived up to their name.  Beautiful drive through the gorge on I-40 today.  Stopped for the night at the Pilot truck stop in Marion, Illinois.

Monday, May 22, 2017

Drove down to Hope Mills, North Carolina this morning and loaded a Caterpillar 740B Dump Truck that is going to Romeoville, Illinois.

Took a while to load this.  They are not very easy to load on a beam trailer. Finally got it done and left.  Stopped for the night at the TA truck stop in Mocksville, NC.

Saturday, May 20, 2017

My next load is Monday morning in Hope Mills, North Carolina.  I decided to drive down to the TA truck stop in Kenly, NC.

Thursday, May 18, 2017

Finished swapping into the new truck.  Took all day!!  That is a lot of work!!!  I'm exhausted.  Here it is, 2017 Kenworth T680.

My first load in it is Monday morning.  I'll be here until at least Sunday.

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

This morning we drove the rest of the way to Manassas, Virginia and delivered the generator.  It was very tight getting in there.  VERY tight, especially being long and wide.

After that, drove up to the home office in Carlisle, PA and dropped off the trailer.  I'll be here for a few days. I'm getting a brand spankin' new Kenworth T680 four axle truck.  It will take a few days to complete that task.  I'll have pictures later.

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Left at 4 this morning and drove down to Virginia Beach.  There were 4 aircraft carriers in port at Norfolk Navy Base this morning.  

Internet Photo

One of these ships was in there too.

Internet Photo

The business where I loaded this morning had a model railroad out front.  It was really cool. 

Loaded a Caterpillar D3516C Generator that is going to Manassas, Virginia.  It weighs 80,000 pounds (36,287 kg).  Loaded, I am 14 feet, 5 inches (439 cm) high and 11 feet, 9 inches (358 cm) wide.  I am 92 feet (28 meters) long.

I have a pole car in front and another escort car in back.

Just as we were about to pull out, my chase car developed an electrical problem.  All his lights and radio went out.  

Spent an hour screwing around trying to fix it.  We were unsuccessful.  They called another car to come meet us.  He was coming from Richmond - about 2 hours away.

While we waited we watched these guys flying in and out of the Navy base. Those jets are really LOUD!!!

Internet Photo

Three hours later the new chase car arrived and we left.  Stopped for the night at the Flying J truck stop in Carmel Church, VA.

Monday, May 15, 2017

Delivered the excavator first thing this morning then drove over to Daily in Carlisle.  There is a load in Virginia Beach, VA that requires three 4 axle trucks each with stretch RGN trailers.  Apparently, one of the trucks that was on the way to do it broke down in Asheville North Carolina.  I was the only available 4 axle truck anywhere near there so I will take his place.  In order to get his trailer over to Virginia another truck, that was also on his way to VA Beach, stopped at the TA truck stop in Ashland, Virginia and dropped his trailer there.  Then he went to Asheville, NC to get the other trailer.  I went down to Ashland and got his trailer.  That's where I am for the night.  Are you confused yet?  Tomorrow morning we will meet in Virginia Beach and he will get his trailer back and I will get the one he picked up in Asheville, NC. Then we will load.  WHEW!!!

Sunday, May 14, 2017

This morning I drove the rest of the way to Murrysville, PA.  The route the stupid State sent me on was horrible.  After getting off I-79 north of Pittsburgh, it was narrow two lane roads that were full of ups and downs and lots of curves.

Saturday, May 13, 2017

Kentucky is one of those very rare states that allow permit loads to run at night.  I left at 4 am this morning and had another very uneventful day on the road. Stopped for the night at the TA truck stop in Wheeling, West Virginia.  Will go the rest of the way tomorrow morning so I can deliver first thing Monday.  

Friday, May 12, 2017

Got a late start today because of the Memphis curfew.  Nothing interesting again today.  I guess that is a good thing.  Stopped for the night at the Petro truck stop in Glendale, Kentucky.

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Fortunately, I felt a lot better today.  Started a half hour before sunrise.  Pretty uneventful day on the road.  At a weigh station in Texas got a Level II inspection and passed with no problems.  Stopped for the night at a restaurant with truck parking in Palestine, Arkansas.  Will get a little later than usual tomorrow morning.  Can't go into Memphis until 9 am.

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Went a few miles down the road to Caterpillar and loaded a Caterpillar 349F Excavator that is going to Murrysville, Pennsylvania. 

Left there and drove to a Love's truck stop in Willis, Texas for the night.  I stopped early because I was not feeling real well and my back was bothering me.  I also needed a shower real bad!!  I'll be asleep very early tonight.

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Left the Daily yard in Houston at 9 am when the Houston curfew was over.  Drove down to the Port in Freeport, Texas and delivered the dozer.

My next load is in Victoria, Texas.  I drove down there and stopped at a crappy truck stop in Victoria for the night.  Will load in the morning.

Monday, May 8, 2017

Left at sunrise this morning.  Drove to the Daily yard in Houston, Texas.  I'll deliver tomorrow morning after the Houston curfew is over.

Saturday, May 6, 2017

Left a half hour before sunrise this morning.  Another very nice day on the road.  Very uneventful.  Stopped for the night at the Flying J truck stop in Mandeville, Arkansas, seven miles from Texarkana.  Will be here until Monday morning.

Friday, May 5, 2017

Left the Daily yard in Milwaukee at about 3 am and drove down to the Daily yard in Morton, Illinois.  With a tremendous amount of help from the guy that works at the yard, we loaded a Caterpillar D9T Dozer that is going to Freeport, Texas. This machine weighs 81,440 pounds (36,941 kg). It is a lot more hard work to load this type of trailer and I knew that when I agreed to it.  It is great experience.  I sure did learn a lot today.  

One of the many things I learned today was that I needed two track pins.  I had never heard of these before.  Here is what they are for:  When the dozer comes up off the ground the tracks hang down a bit.  The track pins tighten up the tracks thereby pulling the tracks up. This allows a couple more inches of ground clearance.  In the first photo below you can see the tracks without the pin, and the second photo has the pin in place.  Can you see it?

Without the track pin

With the track pin in place

OK, here it is...

It took all day to load this thing. Once I get the hang of it, it won't take that long.  Also had to go get the track pins.  Finally got out of there this afternoon.  Drove to the Love's truck stop in Hamel, Illinois for the night.  I'm exhausted, and my back hurts.  

Thursday, May 4, 2017

Left a half hour before sunrise this morning and drove up to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and delivered the excavator.  From there I went over to the Daily yard in Milwaukee and swapped into a brand new, never been used, beam trailer.  This will be my trailer now.

My next load is tomorrow down at the Daily yard in Morton, Illinois.  I'll leave here REAL early tomorrow morning.  I don't have enough hours left today to go anywhere and I'm exhausted!!

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Hit the road a half hour before sunrise this morning.  Another great day on the road. Drove up to the Pilot truck stop in Marion Illinois.  As usual, the Pilot parking lot was full so I parked across the street in a motel parking lot. They charged $10, but it was worth it.  I was out of hours, had no choice.  With luck, I might be able to deliver tomorrow.