Tuesday, January 22, 2019

First thing this morning, as soon as there were people in our shop, I had some more work done to this trailer.  When they were finished I left and drove into the Port of Baltimore in Dundalk, Maryland.  Loaded a Caterpillar 335FL Excavator that is going to Elmhurst, Illinois.

Met my Maryland pilot escort car as I left the Port.  Have to have one in Maryland if the weight is over 120,000 pounds.  Soon after getting started realized that I had no trailer breaks.  It was an interesting trip with no trailer breaks.  Good thing I know how to, and when to, down shift. Continued on and stopped for the night at the Exon station across from the Pilot in Haggerstown, MD.  Had a repair guy come out and fix my trailer breaks.  Will leave here early tomorrow morning.

Monday, January 21, 2019

This morning I talked to the shop about my jeep.  They brought it in right away.  As usual for me, it would not be a quick fix.  Will take all day to fix it.  Then talked to the woman that arranges escorts, she took care of it.  Talked to my dispatcher and rescheduled my Maryland State Police escort to tomorrow morning.  With all that done I decided to start my truck and make sure everything was ok with it.  It wasn't.  My secondary air tank was frozen and would not fill.  Was able to put the truck in an empty shop bay to let it thaw.  Outside air temperature is 5 degrees Fahrenheit (-15 degrees Celsius).  Sunny, still breezy, but not as bad as yesterday.  Once it thawed out everything was fine again.  Took it back outside and parked.  Left it idling instead of using the APU.

This afternoon I got the jeep back from the shop.  After hooking it up and a LOT of "monkeying around" with it, we came to a mutual decision the another truck would do the load. I was very happy about that.  So I parked it out of the way, took off all my chains, and hooked up to my next trailer.  I'll load tomorrow in Baltimore.

Sunday, January 20, 2019

The weather didn't turn out to be as bad as they were saying.  The travel restrictions were all lifted.  We ended up with about 4 inches of snow before it changed to rain.  Got up early, had breakfast then checked out of the hotel.  The plows had done an excellent job of clearing the roads.  Drove back to the Daily yard in Carlisle.  Our plows had not cleared our parking lot yet.  There was about 3 inches of very wet slush covering everything.  The rain had almost stopped.  I parked and went back to sleep.  I've been fighting off a cold for the past few days, really need the sleep.  By the time I woke up this afternoon our plows had cleared the parking lot.  It was sunny, very windy, and much colder.  The slush was starting to change to ice. My escort car called me and canceled for tomorrow.  His transmission went out on him about half way here.  He was stranded.  I'm going to go back to sleep and hope that this cold goes away!!

Saturday, January 19, 2019

This morning I finished securing the machine to the trailer.  When I hooked up to the trailer I broke the "landing gear" on the jeep.  They will have to fix it Monday. 

Tonight is Daily's Safety Banquet at the Radisson Hotel in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.

They put on a nice spread with food, band, and lots of door prises.  They also pay for the hotel room.  I went over to there.  Had to be there before noon.  Very bad weather is coming this afternoon.  The state of Pennsylvania put in effect at noon a ban on all commercial traffic on the Interstate highways until noon tomorrow.  Supposed to get snow, changing to rain, then freezing rain, then back to snow again before this is all over.  Going to be a real mess!!  I checked in to the hotel.  Nice room.  Then took a shower and a nap.

Went to the banquet.  Sat with some friends and had a very good time.  The food was good, the speeches were (as always) too long, and the door prizes were good.  We all had a back pack on our seats.

For my years of safe driving was given a vest and a couple trinkets.

And for the door prize, I won a rechargable LED work light with magnetic base.

As soon as the door prizes were finished and the band started, I went back to my room. I don't like the "smooze fest" that goes on afterward so I get the heck out.  Besides, Don't want to be around that many people.    So far, about three inches of snow on the ground.

Friday, January 18, 2019

As soon as my 10 hours was up I left.  Fog and slight rain until after the sun came up.  After a while it cleared up and was beautiful.  That didn't last very long because the clouds rolled back in.  Nothing fell from the sky though.  That was a good thing.  Got back to Carlisle at 2 pm.  550 miles today.  Then had to take  the jeep off the trailer that I brought back because I needed to use it.  Got that done.  Then it was time to put together my trailer so that I can load.  Fortunately I had a lot of help.  Got that trailer all put together then loaded a Sandvik Crusher.  It was already at the Daily yard in Carlisle, PA waiting for me.  All we did was load it.  I'll secure it tomorrow morning.  Here is what it looks like tonight.  I'm a "46 wheeler"!!

I'll have better photos tomorrow.  Right now I'm exhausted!!!!!!  Going to bed now.  Good night.

Thursday, January 17, 2019

Instead of sitting all weekend I drove down to the Petro in Knoxville, Tennessee.  Another driver's truck broke down and I went and picked up his trailer - empty - and will be bringing it back to Carlisle, PA tomorrow.  On the way down, at about the half way point, it started to snow.  By the time I got to Tennessee it had changed over to rain.

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

I unloaded all my stuff out of my trailer and piled it all on my truck.  I will not be getting that trailer back.  It needs a lot of work.  They finally took it in to the shop this afternoon, after I cleared my stuff out of it. I will be here all weekend now.  The weater is going to get real bad here starting tomorrow night.  Also Daily's annual banquet is Saturday night so I will go to that. 

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Well here I sit.  They still have not started working on my trailer.  I'm getting very frustrated!!!

Friday, January 11, 2019

What a day!!!!   Last night I heard from my pilot escort car.  She said she had a job to do that night but would see me in the morning.  I went to bed.  This morning I had an email waiting for me from her.  It said that she was involved in a car crash last night.  She said that she was fine but her car was not.  I would have to get another escort.  Just dandy!!!!!  So I sent an email to the person at Daily that makes the arrangements for escort cars explaining the situation. Unfortunately she doesn't come in until 8 am.  At 10:30 am my new escort car showed up and I was, once again, back on the road.  Made it up to State College, PA and delivered the wheel loader - FINALLY!!!!!!!!!  

I have a few things that need fixing on the trailer so I drove down to the "home office" in Carlisle.  Had dinner then went over to the Petro truck stop that is a couple miles down the road, for a shower.  When I got in the shower room and opened up my bag I found that an entire bottle of liquid soap had opened up and covered just about everything in the bag with liquid soap.  I spent an hour cleaning that mess up.  After showering I went back to the Daily yard for the rest of the weekend.  Don't know how long I'll be here. The mechanic said that they probably won't be able to work on my trailer until Monday.  Just wonderful!!!!!  I'm glad today is over!!

Thursday, January 10, 2019

My Virginia permit finally came in at about 10:30 this morning.  I left and was very glad to be moving again!!  No problems on the road today.  Stopped for the night at the Flying J truck stop in Winchester, Virginia.

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

Left this morning at 6 am in order to beat the Knoxville curfew.  Stopped at the weigh station a few miles after we got started and had a run in with a "Barney Fife" state trooper.  He was a young guy just being a total jerk.  There are a lot more of these type cops out there than anyone would like to believe.  They are supposed to be the "good guys".  WRONG, they are not.  Got out of there as fast as possible.  Just made the curfew.  Continued on up into Virginia where my pilot escort car dropped off.  Don't need one in Virginia. I had to stop just inside Virginia because my Virginia permit has not come in yet.  Stopped at the Petro truck stop in Glade Spring, VA.  Waited there all day, still no permit.  Hope it comes in early tomorrow.

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Left this morning a half hour after sunrise.  Did pretty good until I-75 south of Atlanta.  There was a crash and I got stuck in a 5 mile traffic back up.  Took an hour to get past it.  The rest of the way around Atlanta was fine.   Continued on up to the Tennessee state line in Chattanooga.  There my Tennessee pilot escort car fell in behind me as we continued on. Stopped for the night at the Petro truck stop in Knoxville, TN.

Monday, January 7, 2019

Went over to the Port of Savannah first thing.  Loaded a Caterpillar 982M Wheel Loader that is going up tp State College, Pennsylvania.

After I finished loading, I had to wait for my permits.  None of them had come in yet.  Georgia finally came in at about noon.  I left and went back to the TA truck stop and scaled.  Then I left and headed on my way.  For some reason they routed me up through Atlanta.  I have no idea why.  I was not expecting that.  I stopped for the night at a "Mom & Pop" truck stop in Metter, GA. That will give the office plenty of time to get the rest of my permits and my Tennessee escort.

And tonight is the last college football game of the season.  The season went by so darned fast!!!! 

Alabama (SEC) vs Clemson (ACC). GO ALABAMA!!!!!   That trophy needs to stay in the SEC where it belongs!!!!

 

Sunday, January 6, 2019

Yesterday we took all the "stuff" off my trailer and made it a four axle trailer again.  My next load does not need all that.

This morning I drove up to the TA truck stop in Ricmond Hill, Georgia for the night. I load in the morning at the Port of Savannah.  Don't have any of my permits yet.  I'm going to load anyway and hope they come in before I'm finished.

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

  

Just one week away!!!!

Monday, December 31, 2018

Happy New Year's Eve

Snoopy Is Excited GIF from Holidays GIFs

Saturday, December 29, 2018

What a great way to end the Gator's football season!!  SEC destroying the Big 10 !!! I love it!!!!!!!

 

Next up tonight...

Two great games!!

GO SEC!!  Go Alabama!!!!

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Merry Christmas

Monday, December 24, 2018

Its Christmas Eve GIF from Christmaseve GIFs

Friday, December 14, 2018

Last night after I had published my blog post I got the paperwork that I needed.  That was a good thing!!  This morning we drove the rest of the way into the Port of Savannah.  Had to wait to get unloaded.  They were loading these guys. There were three of them. And you thought I was big?

After they finished with them they unloaded me.  Here is the crane they used.

After my trailer was empty I pulled over to another area and disassembled my trailer.  Then had to wait for over three hours for a fork lift to put it all up on my trailer so I could go.  I finally got out of there and drove home to Jacksonville, Florida.

Thursday, December 13, 2018

Left real early this morning to beat the Chattanooga curfew.  We did.  Had to wait on the side of the road at the Georgia / Tennessee state line because I couldn't drive in Georgia until a half hour after sunrise. 

Once that time arrived we left again.  Had a great day on the road.  Some bumper to bumper traffic near the Atlanta airport.  But that was all we had today.  Drove to a truck stop in Metter, Georgia for the night. I'm still waiting on some paperwork to deliver so I'm not exactly sure when I can deliver this thing.  Either way, I'm still going into the Port tomorrow.  If I can't deliver I'll drop my trailer there and come back when I can deliver.

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Left a half hour before sunrise this morning.  Had a real good day on the road.  No traffic problems at all going around Nashville.  When it was time to stop for the night had a bit of trouble finding a place I could get into and out of.  Decided to spend the night at the weigh station on I-24 just south of Manchester, Tennessee.  Just hope the cops don't hassle me here.  Will be starting very early tomorrow morning to beat the Chattanooga curfew.

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Drove to Decatur, IL to the Caterpillar plant.  Had to "put together" my trailer.  Lot of work involved with that!! I was very fortunate that a friend of mine came over to help me.  He does this all the time and knows a whole lot more about it than I do.  His help was greatly appreciated. 

Loaded a Caterpillar 789D Dump Truck Chassis that is going to the port in Savannah, Georgia.

This is an internet photo of what it looks like all put together.

I got there to load at 7 am.  Didn't leave there until 1:15 pm.  I am over 154,000 pounds and over 115 feet long.  Largest load I have had so far.  With my pilot car escort in behind me we left, but didn't get very far.  Stopped for the night at the Petro truck stop in Effingham, Illinois.  Been a busy day. I am totally exhausted.  It was all I could do to get a shower and eat dinner.  Going to sleep now.  Good night!!

Monday, December 10, 2018

The trailer that I was waiting for came back and I swapped all my stuff into it.

But the load that I am picking up tomorrow requires a little more stuff.  Put all that stuff up on the trailer and tied it down.

Now I'm ready to head down to Decatur in the morning to load.

Friday, December 7, 2018

Went to the Caterpillar Proving Grounds in Washington, Illinois first thing this morning and delivered the dozer.  Don't have another load yet so I went to the Daily terminal in Morton to wait.

I will be here for a while.  There is a trailer here that I want.  It is scheduled to do a local run on Monday.  When it comes back Monday night I can have it.  So I'll wait.  Working on a load for Tuesday that should be a challenge.  Interesting.  We will see if it happens.

Thursday, December 6, 2018

Left a half hour before sunrise.  No snow (yet), just overcast.  Started snowing just before Indianapolis. Like yesterday, it didn't stick to the roads.  By the time I got to Illinois the snow had stopped.  I stopped for the night at the TA truck stop in Bloomington, Illinois.  Will deliver tomorrow morning.

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Left North Canton, Ohio at 3 am this morning in the snow.  It snowed all day. Fortunately it only stuck to the grass and not the roads.  Drove down to Sand Fork, West Virginia and loaded a Caterpillar D8T Dozer that is going to the Caterpillar Proving Ground in Washington, Illinois.  That is near Peoria. 

Left there and had a good day on the road in spite of the snow. Here is my view today.

Stopped for the night at the Pilot truck stop in Hebron, Ohio. Drove 555 miles through the West Virginia mountains and loaded today!!  I'm exhausted!!!  Good night!!

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

The trailer lights are still working!! Hooray!!!!  I left the Petro in Gary, Indiana at midnight CST and headed for Cleveland.  Had a stretch of about 20 miles of heavy lake effect snow. Several inches deep.

When it was time for my 30 minute break, I took a nap.  It lasted an hour and a half!!  Oh well.  Continued on into Cleveland to the job site to deliver.

 Here is where I had to back in and up to the crane.

Delivered the TBM with no problems.  Left there and started off toward West Virginia for my next load.  Stopped for the day at the TA truck stop in North Canton, Ohio because I was close to running out of hours and I was exhausted. 

Monday, December 3, 2018

The trailer lights went out again so I spent all morning in the shop getting them fixed. Hopefully the fourth time is a charm!!  Got my Ohio permit late this afternoon.  Still no Cleveland city permit.

Sunday, December 2, 2018

More trailer gremlins!!  Half of my trailer lights decided to stop working.  At 3 am went over to the shop here at the Petro to get them fixed. The only guy they had working at that hour was unable to figure it out.  Had to wait for a different mechanic to come in.  To make a long story short, the other guy was able to fix it and I was out of the shop at 1 pm.  At least it is fixed, hopefully for the last time.

Saturday, December 1, 2018

Here is a little time lapse video from yesterday backing in to load.  All blind side backing. Hope you like it.

Here is a short time lapse video going down the road after being loaded.

Today I'll enjoy a bunch of football.

And...

Friday, November 30, 2018

Went over to Menomonee Falls first thing this morning and loaded a Tunnel Boring Machine that is going to Cleveland, Ohio. 

Left there in great time.  I had all my permits except Ohio.  Found out, while on the way, that Ohio's permit computer crashed yesterday.  It was back up today but they were back logged.  Also found out that I needed a Cleveland City permit.  That one takes three days to process BUT they will not even start the process until they get my Ohio State permit.  All that means is that instead of delivering tomorrow as planned, I may not be able to deliver until Tuesday, Wednesday, or even Thursday!!  I stopped at the Petro truck stop in Gary, Indiana until I get my Ohio permits.  Happy, happy, joy joy!!

Thursday, November 29, 2018

Had some snow last night.  About an inch.  Left real early this morning and drove the rest of the way up to Eau Claire, Wisconsin and delivered the dump truck.  After that drove over to the Daily terminal in Lannon, Wisconsin.  It is the Milwaukee terminal.  Had a bunch more things to fix on the trailer.  When he finished that, I found out that my printer took a dump.  Went to Wal Mart and bought a new one, then installed it.  Now I'm settled in for the evening.  I load very close to here in the morning.

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Left a half hour before sunrise this morning.  Another great day on the road. Snow was on the ground in northern Illinois from a dusting to about a foot thick.  No snow on the ground in Wisconsin. It was sunny and the roads were clear and dry all day.  Stopped for the night at the Petro truck stop in Portage, Wisconsin.  Will deliver tomorrow morning.

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Left a half hour after sunrise this morning.  A great day on the road. No traffic problems going through Nashville.  Continued on up to the TA truck stop in Mt. Vernon, Illinois where I'll spend the night.  No snow yet, but it is c-o-l-d !!!!

Monday, November 26, 2018

Went overt to the Port of Savannah first thing this morning and loaded a Caterpillar 745 Articulating Dump Truck that is going up to Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Got out of there in real good time this morning.  Went through Atlanta with no traffic problems.  That's amazing!!!!  Stopped for the night at the TA truck stop in Cartersville, Georgia.  Feels GREAT to be back on the road again!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday, November 25, 2018

Hard to believe...

Left early this morning and drove to the TA truck stop in Richmond Hill, Georgia.  Wanted to (and did) beat all the "going home" traffic.  Load tomorrow morning over at the Port of Savannah.

Saturday, November 24, 2018

Another great day for SEC football!!!!

Florida Gators vs. Florida State Seminoles.  Rivalry Weekend in College football. Last game of the regular season.  Can't believe how fast it went!!!!

Gators did a great job of destroying the Seminoles!!!

Back to work tomorrow.  Load Monday.  It will be great to get back to work.  Been off way too long.

Thursday, November 22, 2018