Wednesday, October 18, 2023

 When my 10 hours were up I left.  Arrived in Dallas right at rush hour.  Dallas traffic was a total mess. The shortest way to my delivery location was shut down so I went around the south side of Dallas and then up.  It took an hour and a half longer than it should have to get to delivery.  But I finally made it and delivered the excavator. My next load is down between Galveston and Houston in Dickinson, Texas.  I started off that way.  Stopped at the TA truck stop in Fairfield, Texas for the night.  While doing my post-trip inspection I found a nail in one of my tires.

Pulled it out and tested the tire for air leaks.  

Very glad that there were no air leaks!!  Here is the nail.

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

 As soon as my 10 hours were up, I left.  A wreck caused a huge traffic backup just south of Atlanta.  Was able to go around it.  Other than that, nice day on the road.  Stopped at the Love's truck stop in  Moody, Alabama, and got my oil changed. I continued to the Petro truck stop in Jackson, Mississippi for my 10.  615 miles today.

Monday, October 16, 2023

 Today was nothing but a frustrating day.  One frustrating thing after another!!  First off, the Port in Brunswick is not ready for the volume of heavy equipment that is starting to come in and go out of the Port.  With the Port of Savannah switching over to strictly containers, all the heavy machinery is moving to Brunswick.  Plus Case-IH has stopped shipping from the Port of Baltimore because too many parts came up missing from there.  They are now sending everything to Brunswick.  The Port of Brunswick does not allow anyone in before 8 AM, and not a minute before.  I left the truck stop at about 8:15 this morning and drove the three miles to the Port and got in line.  It took over a half hour just to get through the main gate.  Then once I got in and parked I went to check in.  I was 5th in line.  We stood there for over an hour and a half just to get checked in.  They finally unloaded the tires and boxes.  Then had to wait for an escort to another part of the Port to unload the tractor.  The escort came over eventually and took us to where we were to unload.  There were two other trucks waiting with me.  We went and unloaded.  Then I had to wait for my paperwork.  I didn't get out of there until after 11 AM.  My next load was at the Keen yard in Pooler, GA.  Had a 1:30 PM loading appointment.  Drove up there and arrived at 12:45.  Checked in and went around to get in line to load.  Fortunately, that didn't take too long.  Loaded a Volvo ECR145EL Excavator that is going to Carrollton, Texas.

I still have my machine driver. I got him a safety vest.

After loading went through the wash bay and they washed the mud off the machine.  Then to the check out line.  Sat there for over two hours waiting to check out.  This was what was in front of me waiting.

This is what was lined up behind me waiting.

I didn't get out of there until after 4:30.  I finally left there and drove to the Love's truck stop in Ellabell, Georgia for my 10 hours.  After I got here I got an email that said my truck was due for an oil change.  Checked the shop here and they couldn't do it.  Went in for dinner at Arby's (the only food here) and they ran out of buns!  So, I didn't eat there.  Hope tomorrow is better.  Good night!!

Sunday, October 15, 2023

 Much to my surprise, the Gators pulled it off!!!

They have next week off, then it is the Georgia Bulldogs!!  Oh boy!  There is no doubt that they will lose, it is just how bad it will be.

Saturday, October 14, 2023

 I left a half hour after sunrise this morning.  Deciding not to drive through Atlanta yesterday was a good decision.  Had no traffic problems at all today except some idiot container driver tried to squeeze me out in the I-75 and I-16 construction zone in Macon, GA.

Not sure why he didn't hit me, but it was close, very close.  Stopped for the rest of the weekend at the TA truck stop in Brunswick, Georgia.

Friday, October 13, 2023

 When my 10 hours were up I left.  The only issue on the road today was a bad crash had totally shut down I-24 south of Nashville near Murfreesboro.  I was able to find a fast easy way around it. Only lost a couple minutes in the detour.  Stopped for the rest of the day and night at the TA truck stop in Cartersville, Georgia.  518 miles today.

Thursday, October 12, 2023

 Left Albert Lea, MN at about  AM EDT (1 AM CDT) and drove the rest of the way to Racine, Wisconsin.  Got there before they opened.  When the guy got there I loaded a Case 340 tractor and 4 tires that are going to the Port in Brunswick, Georgia.  If you look real close you can see my tractor driver.

Left there and headed south.  Lots of slow-n'-go traffic in Chicago from O'Hare Airport down past Midway Airport.  Once I got out of Chicago it smoothed out.  Stopped for my 10 hours at the Love's truck stop in Whitestown, Indiana.  Another 620 miles today.

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

 Left at midnight and drove the rest of the way to Savage, MN, and delivered the wheel loader.  My next load is back in Racine, Wisconsin.  I started that way but stopped at the Petro truck stop in Albert Lea, MN for my 10 hours when I ran out of hours.  554 miles today.

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

 I left Carlisle at about midnight.  Very good day on the road.  Drove 620 miles to the Petro truck stop in Gary, Indiana for my 10 hours.

Monday, October 9, 2023

 Arrived in Montgomeryville, PA right when they opened its morning.  Delivered the two backhoes.  My next load was back in Carlisle at the Keen yard.  Went there and waited in line.  I was fourth.  Finally loaded a Komatsu WA320-8 Wheel Loader that is going to Savage, Minnesota.  

It took forever to get out of the Keen yard.  When I did, I drove over to the Daily Yard for my 10 hours.  I'll get started again around midnight.

I have added a new feature to my photos.  There is now a QR code on them.  If you scan the QR code it will show you, on the map, exactly where the photo was taken.

Saturday, October 7, 2023

Made a Walmart run this morning to restock on some stuff.  Then settled in for a day of some great college football.  

I told you I would post photos of the cameras that were installed the other day.  I forgot.  So, here they are.  One on each side.  There is also one forward facing on the windshield.

Well, the Gators did a lot better this week.  

That may be our last win for a while.  South Carolina next week in Columbus.  

Friday, October 6, 2023

 When my ten hours were up at 2:30 AM EDT I left.  Drove to the Daily Yard in Carlisle, PA.  Had to stop there and have a little problem fixed.  I'll stay there for the weekend. I'll deliver on Monday morning.

Hope the Gators can do a lot better tomorrow.  Homecoming against Vanderbilt. 

Thursday, October 5, 2023

 Went over to Burlington, Iowa to the Case plant.  Got there when they opened.  Loaded two Case 580 Backhoes that are going to Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania.

Left there and headed east.  It started to rain about halfway through Illinois.  It rained the rest of the day.  Lots of slow-n'-go traffic going around Indianapolis.  Lots of combines working the fields this week.  Mostly soybeans and some corn.  I like to see them working.  Stopped for the night at the Flying J truck stop in Spiceland, Indiana.  

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

 Left a half hour before sunrise this morning and drove to Peru, Illinois.  The guy from the job site met me at the Interstate exit and led me to the site.  Glad he did!!!  Here is one of the intersections we turned at.  He is in the blue pickup in front of me.

I knew I wasn't going to hit him.  I just wanted to scare the crap out of him so that maybe he will think twice before trying to cut off another semi-truck.  I think it worked.

Then we made it to the job site.

My next load is tomorrow morning in Burlington, Iowa.  I started off that way and stopped for the night at the Love's truck stop in Monmouth, Illinois.

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

 Left a half hour after sunrise this morning.  Had some slow-n'-go traffic going around Atlanta.  The rest of the day was very good.  Drove 580 miles to the TA truck stop in Mt. Vernon, Illinois for the night.

Monday, October 2, 2023

 Went over to the Port this morning and delivered the wheel loader.  It was challenging.  Had to build two ramps then back it off.  It still got stuck halfway off.  To make a long story short, I was able to get it off.  My next load was up in Tifton, Georgia.  Drove there and loaded a water tank section that is going to Peru, Illinois.

Left there but didn't get very far.  Stopped for the night at the Love's truck stop in Macon, Georgia.

Sunday, October 1, 2023

 At sunrise this morning I drove the rest of the way to the Daily Yard in Jacksonville, Florida.  Will deliver tomorrow morning.  

Here is a breakdown of my blog readers from last month.

Saturday, September 30, 2023

 I left at sunrise this morning.  I made the right decision about waiting until today to go through the Washington DC area.  Had no traffic issues at all today.  Drove 574 miles to the Flying J truck stop in St. George, South Carolina.  

Here is an idiot in Virginia.

The Gators were absolutely horrible today.  Kentucky totally dominated them in every aspect of the game.  Gators looked like a bad high school team.  The team that beat Tennessee was nowhere to be found today. They deserve to be dropped out of the top 25.

Friday, September 29, 2023

 First thing this morning I was at the Volvo plant in Shippensburg, PA to load a Volvo SD75B Compactor and a Volvo DD35B Roller.  

Took them back to the yard in Carlisle.  Was done and on my way back to Shippensburg for my load before 9 AM EDT.  Once I got there, I loaded a Volvo L120H Wheel Loader that is going to the Port in Jacksonville, Florida.  

Left there and drove to the TA in Greencastle, PA to scale.  Turned out that all my permits were the wrong weight and width.  So I sat there while they re-ordered the permits.  They came in but not in time to get through the Washington DC Friday afternoon rush hour traffic.  I'll leave at sunrise tomorrow morning and hopefully not have all that traffic to deal with.

Thursday, September 28, 2023

 At 2 AM EDT when my 10 hours were up, I left and drove to the "home office" in Carlisle, PA.  I had a package delivered there to pick up.  When I arrived, I picked it up and discovered that the rest of my cameras came in too.  They are part of a new ELD (electronic log device)  system that Daily is checking out to replace the one we are currently using.  I am part of the pilot project.  So instead of loading today, my truck went into the shop to get them installed.  It took most of the day to do it.  I'll get photos of them tomorrow for you.  I also found out that I'll be getting a brand-new truck when they start coming in sometime around March.  Tomorrow morning I'll go to Shippensburg and pick up a couple small machines and bring them back to Carlisle.  Then I'll go get my load.  Very productive day.

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

 Left Scranton, PA at sunrise this morning.  Drove the rest of the way to Londonderry, New Hampshire, and delivered the wheel loader.  Turned around and headed toward Shippensburg, PA for my next load.  Stopped for my 10 hours at the TA truck stop in Willington, Connecticut.  I'll be glad to get out of New England!!!!

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

 Left at sunrise this morning.  Had three episodes of bumper to bumper traffic in the usual places between Fredericksburg and Washington.  Pretty much smooth sailing after that.  Overcast with misty rain all day.  Stopped for the night at the Petro in Scranton, Pennsylvania for the night.

Monday, September 25, 2023

 The next load was in Pooler, Georgia.  Went there and loaded a Caterpillar 950GC Wheel Loader that is going to Londonderry, New Hampshire.  

Left there and drove to the Petro truck stop in Kenly, North Carolina for the night.

Sunday, September 24, 2023

 It was a very good day for football.  Some really good games.  The Ohio State at Notre Dame game finish was wild!!   Even though the Gators won, it was a sloppy.  They didn't play very well. 

Thought you would like to see what my truck looks like when it's parked.  It gets a lot of attention.

Saturday, September 23, 2023

 At about 6:30 this morning I unloaded the machine and parked it.  While I was doing that a couple of the mechanics came in and went to work on a dozer inside the shop.  They offered to accept the machine so I could go.  That was great!!!!   Didn't expect that at all.  I went to Walmart and restocked a bunch of stuff.  When I got back I reattached to my trailer and headed for Savannah.  Don't have another load yet, but Savannah is the most likely place I'll load again.  Once in Savannah, I settled in for a great day of college football!!!   Go Gators and SEC teams!!!!

Friday, September 22, 2023

 My pilot escort car was late this morning. When he arrived we left.  Had no problems today until about 20 miles before we got to Waycross my dash went bezerk! 

First, it did this...

Then it did this....

Arrived at the Caterpillar dealer a little after 6 PM EDT. Long after they closed for the weekend.  524 miles today.  I shut everything down and let it sit for a while.  Then I started the truck and everything went back to normal.  It all reset.  Everything was fine.  I'm going to try to go to Wal-Mart tomorrow morning so we'll see if it stays that way.

Thursday, September 21, 2023

 There were not a lot of choices for hotels last night.  I chose what appeared to be the better of the two choices. It wasn't that great!  At least I got a good shower.  This morning I checked out and went back to get my trailer.  Got it all hooked up and ready to go.  My escort car finally arrived and we left.  Nothing exciting after that.  Drove to the Petro truck stop in Jackson, Mississippi for the night.  I'll get a different escort car tomorrow. He should be here by 6:30 AM CDT.

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

 As soon as my 10 hours were up I left and headed to De Queen, Arkansas for my next load. Drove 345 miles to get there and it started raining about 2 miles before I arrived.  Loaded a Weiler S450 Skidder that is going to Waycross, Georgia.

Because the machine is 12 feet, 6 inches wide I need an escort car in Arkansas.  It was supposed to be all arranged but the car didn't show up.  After a few phone calls, I'll have one here tomorrow morning.  I left my trailer there and went to a hotel for the night.  There is no place to park a truck around here.  I was soaked through to the skin and needed a shower and dry clothes. 

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

 Let at sunrise this morning and as soon as I approached the railroad tracks the lights came on and the gates came down.  Sat there for 10 minutes waiting for it to pass.  Once I got past that I got stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic from a wreck.  3 of the 5 lanes were shut down.  It took 2 hours to get past Houston this morning!!   It was smooth sailing the rest of the day.  I arrived in Jackson, Mississippi and delivered just before they closed for the day.  Then went to the Petro truck stop in Jackson for my 10 hours.

Monday, September 18, 2023

 It took most of the morning to get my trailer fixed.  When it was done I drove down to Galveston and got there right when they went to lunch.  So I sat there until 1 PM CDT when they came back.  Then I loaded a Volvo A25G Articulating Dump Truck that is going to Jackson, Mississippi.  Got it up there perfectly the first time with no spotter.

I didn't go very far after loading.  Parked across the street from the Port entrance for the night.  This heat really beats me down.  I'm exhausted!!!!!

Sunday, September 17, 2023

 What a huge surprise!!!   I am so happy to be wrong!!!!