WattsMack

Got some film developed the other day, some pictures so old they were taken this summer. My scanner still won't work so I took a picture of the 35mm pictures I wanted to post with the digital camera. Tried it all at once this time instead of individually, so you'll probably have to biggerize it to see anything. This is an experimental process, thought i'd try it here instead of the test forum...we'll see. not too bad- the pictures are, top row L to R- the Areva trailer I bobtailed to Florida to pick up, unloading Kyanite in Negley,Oh, loaded with coils in Masury,Oh. middle row- log truck in Rustburg,Va, an old GMC I spotted in Concord,Va. this summer, Navaho truck in Food Lion parking lot in Altavista,Va. a few weeks ago. bottom- what it would look like if you were following a coal bucket on rt. 20 in West Virginia. Attached thumbnail(s) // View the full blog entry

Only got in one trip this week, was supposed to go to Negley, Ohio monday but went to Fremont instead. Had to untarp one pallet at a time in the pouring rain so it wouldn't get any wetter than it already was. Then I went to Brookfield to load and there was 4 trucks ahead of me at door 12. Got there at 3 o'clock and left at 8. Didn't really matter though. I unloaded about noon Wednesday in Roanoke and was done for the week until I went to Moneta today and loaded treated lumber for Erie, Pa. I wouldn't leave until late Sunday, or maybe Monday morning, because of the Cumberland county Christmas parade, but it's so slow i'm just gonna have to miss it this year and get on up to Erie. First one i've missed since I've had the mixer, and won a trophy every time. But times are tight, gotta go-can't eat those trophies! And speaking of the mixer, I started it Wednesday and it looked like there was a piece of clear plastic laying on the hood. I got out to get it off and unfortunately it was not a piece of plastic but the clear-coat peeling off in big sheets. My theory is that when I waxed it I waxed through the clear coat and a little moisture seeped in, then it froze and pulled it loose from the base coat. Never had any problem 'til I waxed it, so I assume that's what happened. Looks terrible now anyway. Might try to peel the clear-coat off and wax it, if that doesn't work too good I might have to repaint the hood. Someday, that is-right now I couldn't afford a can of krylon. View the full blog entry

Lower oil prices and an expected government stimulus package should help the economy start growing again during the second half of the year, and that may be a signal for some pent-up truck buying demand to kick in. View the full article

The number of people killed in traffic crashes is expected to reach a new record low in 2008, with early projections showing an almost 10 percent drop in highway traffic deaths in the first 10 months of this year.View the full article

Heavy Duty Dialogue '09 announced that David Sexton, president, Shell Oil Products US, will speak at the conference about the global energy challenge and how the current economic environment is affecting short-and long-term energy supply and demand.View the full article

The Freight Transportation Services Index rose 1 percent in October from its September level, rising after two consecutive monthly declines, reported the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics.View the full article

Wabash National announced that its Lafayette manufacturing operations will commence an extended holiday shutdown Dec. 22 through Jan. 5, 2009.View the full article

Con-way Truckload employees raised $61,780 in the company's annual Truckloads of Treasures campaign to support deserving area children and senior citizens during the holidays.View the full article

GE Capital Solutions Fleet Services unveiled an expanded network of service providers available to customers enrolled in GE's Maintenance Management program.View the full article

I realized today that I haven't posted in a while. Not much to report. Good progress on my B-67 frame. The rebuilt rear axle is mounted and lined up, with the new springs and maxi cans. The front axle is mounted and lined up, but still needs rebuilding, to include king pins, bearings, tie rod ends and seals. The clutch linkage is this week's job. New bushings thru the frame are probably going to have to be made. Mack doesn't have any, and the original shaft is pretty worn. So I thought I could true up the shaft, then have bushings machined to fit exactly. Not much money to spend on the cab right now, so work on the frame will continue, and the cab will have to wait for the building business to get back in gear, or some other source of funds becomes viable. Interesting times. I run a small 60 year old family owned building business with an outstanding reputation. We have never been out of work - until now. My pride has kept us afloat at times like these in the past, when a smart person would have filed for bankruptcy and just closed up. This time, however, pride isn't going to cut it, and we are in deep trouble. By mortgaging our homes, I think my brother and I can satisfy all of the debt, but we will probably have to close the doors. And that just plain sucks. And it means I'm in the job market for the first time in thirty years. Scary stuff. I have never collected unemployment or assistance of any kind, and do not intend to start. I am working on a bunch of ideas, and have a number of offers. Some better than others. Funny how fast things change. One of the ideas that has really just become an option is the buying and selling of used equipment and old trucks from our shop. I would really hate to lose the shop, and am ready to do anything necessary to make it pay for itself. I am ready to sell all of my Mack stuff, trucks and parts, except my B-67. I've got some pretty rare parts including diesel engines, transmissions, B model power steering unit, new engine brake kit for the 6 cylinder diesels, and a bunch of miscellaneous pieces. And we have a Caterpillar 3412 with a big generator that can go, along with a KW W900-A with a big Cummins KTA-525 in excellent running condition. Also have a Walters Sno-Fighter with about 32,000 original miles and a very rare supercharged Cummins Iron Lung diesel in it, and a big Michigan loader with a 318 Detroit, and some old tractors including an Oliver HG-42 in beautiful original condition. Lots of good stuff. I'll put the inventory together and post it ASAP. Kind of a sad time in a way - but looking ahead to something new and different. View the full blog entry

The Truckload Carriers Association has recognized truck driver Jeremy Hodder as a Highway Angel for pulling another truck driver from a burning wreck on Sept. 4, 2008.View the full article

Since 1998, KLLM Transport Services has sponsored a Christmas party for children in the after school program at Stewpot Community Center in Jackson, Miss., and is holding this year's party today.View the full article

Joan Claybrook, longtime safety advocate and frequent bane of the trucking industry, has announced that she is stepping down as president of Public Citizen on Jan. 31, 2009.View the full article

The California Air Resources Board Wednesday announced the results of new research it said further emphasized the need to vote in favor of proposed regulations on truck diesel exhaust this week.View the full article

In his address to the 15th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems, Gil Carmichael, head of the Intermodal Transportation Institute at the University of Denver, said any realistic discussion on the future of transportation must include the role of railroadsView the full article

A group of 132 Sterling tractors with clean-burning liquified natural gas engines are going into service in the Los Angeles Basin following official delivery Monday. View the full article

Dana announced three new executive positions in its commercial truck and off-highway groups.View the full article

Celadon Group, Indianapolis, announced that one of its wholly owned subsidiaries purchased the truckload, intermodal and brokerage business, as well as approximately 400 tractors and 1,100 trailers of Continental Express for approximately $24 million.View the full article

Hi Guys and Ladies I am working on getting this old Mack back in like new condition, or at minimun looking good and reliable. Going to use it to run the Harley rally circuit next year. The goal is to build a toy hauler. The first 24 feet will be a camper with a 12 foot garage area on the rear. As this is my first Class 8 and my first Mack, I will need some help. I am looking for parts for the interior of the cab, head light buckets, windshield glass, Grill, bumper, etc. to name a few. The truck is powered by a Cummins NTC-350 Big Cam with a 10 speed fuller. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks BHWizard View the full blog entry

The U.S. Energy Information Administration significantly cut its predictions for energy prices for 2009, saying the global economic slowdown is now projected to be more severe and longer than in last month's Short-Term Energy Outlook.View the full article

The national average of diesel fuel continued to fall last week even as crude oil futures hit a four-year low.View the full article

Environmental and public health groups are urging the California Air Resources Board to approve a landmark regulation to reduce diesel pollution emitted by older heavy-duty diesel vehicles when it meets late this week. View the full article

Dennis Michels, president and CEO for Link Manufacturing, was elected 2009 chairman of the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association at the group's Nov. 12 board of directors meeting.View the full article

FedEx Freight and FedEx National LTL will implement 5.7 percent general rate increases effective Jan. 5, 2009. View the full article

Con-way Freight has been recognized for its safety record and practices by the Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association with a 2007 Fleet Safety Award in the Division IV, Over 5 Million Miles Category.View the full article