This morning I went over to the Port of Jacksonville along with two other Daily trucks, to load what I initially thought was a crane. Turned out to be a material handler. The biggest part of the load was the machine itself with the first section of boom attached. That weighed 140,000 pounds and was going on a 12 axle truck. We got there before the cranes and before the gates were open to the area where we were to load. The cranes arrived and a few minutes later they opened the gate for all of us to go in. It takes a while for two cranes to get set up.
While they were doing that we went over and looked at what we were getting ourselves into.
His machine was on a shipping skid parked next to a skid with the stuff we were getting.
Once the cranes were ready they brought the machine over to lift.
They lifted it and the skid was pulled out from under it.
Then the 12 axle truck backed under the machine.
Then set it down. It fit.
After he got it secured enough to move, he pulled out of the way. The bigger of the two cranes packed up and left. Didn't need it for what was left.
Now it was our turn. After lunch we positioned our trucks one on either side of the remaining crane. We were each getting one of the tracks and a counterweight. The track weighs 28,600 pounds and the counterweight weighs 11,354 pounds.
Once I got it all secured, I left. When I went through the radiation detector that you drive through just before the security booth as you exit, I set off the radiation alarm. Had to wait for Customs and Border Patrol to come over and make sure I wasn't smuggling a bomb. I explained that I had recently had radiation treatment and everything was fine.
By now the usual Florida afternoon thunderstorm had arrived and I left in a pretty good downpour. Drove back to the Daily yard in Jacksonville for the night. I'll get an early start in the morning. Heading to Columbus, Mississippi.
