j_martell

thanks keith

so, should update....

started on my own two weeks tomorrow.....was assinged a truck....guess which one ?

as much as i dislike Volvo for what they have done to mack.....its not too bad, mostly due to the d12 and 18 speed.....but i still miss that mutt i cut my chops on.....

so far all is going welll.....long days, but thats what i wanted. got my first pay this week and made about the same as the old gig despite the 10$/hr cut.....

figured the payperwork out and now that i have a routine,, its easy as pie.....taking some getting used to a new area, but slowly picking it up.....still get bored unloading, because all i do is hook up and wait.....but i get time to call the family, do the papeerwork and have a bite to eat, all while getting paid and sitting still

heres a pic...set up blowing off hog feed outside of sebringville, ontario......set up the pipe, start the blower and hydraulics, open and start the airlock, then go do something else for 15-60 mins.......

2002 Volvo VHD D12 465(?) and Eaton-Fuller 18speed, 46,000lbs meritor rears (ratio unknown at the moment), self steering lift axle, Wallinga Classic bulk/bag box with transfer unit......

edit:yes those are hog carcasses next to the fuel tank near the barn.......almost tripped on one when running off the ladder as the bin filled up to "overflow"....not as bad as the pile of chickens i stepped in monday night in the dark

these were on MH's set up for low beds...

BC Mack

Damn! Now that's a frame ramp!

Seems you could get nearly anything off the ground......

3000$ sounds like a good deal if it runs.....no truck of that vintage won't need some work.....

if you use the electronic hand throttle on some of the newer ones, touching the brakes or clutch deactivates the higher idle, but not turning off the cruise switch can limit engine rpm and engine brake until the switch is off.....

Merry Christmas all

I admire your patience mark lol. I wouldn't be able to do one.....

I never quite understood transfer dumps vs triaxle/pup.....

Good lookin setup tho....also curious as to the power train....

It's been done I think. Check out the suspension companies website/YouTube.....neat stuff

May the holidays be filled with family, friends and good times. Be safe and Merry Christmas to all.

-The Martell Family

Check where the harness goes to the hood at the hinge....the granite had light issues, and it was chaffed wiring at the frame/body connection

F***in whoops......thats why I like loading myself....If i ever need to dig out of anything, who ever is on the button is gonna be f***in sorry.....

Today was less frustrating....did most of the driving (nearly the only thing I knew coming in) and loading unloading (getting easier with a few loads and a bit of a rhythm).....Vaughan was just riding along, and helping with the paper work and continuously answering questions.....plans changed, my *shudder* Volvo is still in the shop, and Vaughan is off tomorrow (his ws needs a new compressor) so ill be riding with "Jim".....similar box/blower truck, but slightly different setup....we'll see how that goes. And tomorrow I don't have to be there till 0630....

BAD DOG: How's your new gig?!

Sometimes they are just a bitch.

There is no magic bullet. Worked on one over the course of a weekend until it finally popped. Three hours of actual work time with cussing, soaking, tapping and swearing in between.

Well, we all know you just didn't cuss enough lol.....by buddy Jaime use to use the "c***" tatic.....give it all you got and yell c***, she'll let go....lol

Thinking back I should have tracked my def usage.....but the tank held 4 "jugs" (9.XXL/jug), and would loose 1/4 per tank (200L) of fuel.....maybe I should do some math.....lol

Thanks Keith. Sitting here now waiting for the boss to get here.....

i don't think your crazy one day id like to get a duce and a half convert it to a single rear axle and build a custom pickup box on the back

this is similar to what id like to do some day.

F**k yea!! If/when it's ready, let me know, I got 50$ says you can't get it stuck!! Lol

Outside....unless the bin had shit frozen to the floor, or a load of gravel, then box up slightly in the "heated" (few degrees above freezing) shop for the night. We would often load gravel a few day ahead and block the bin in the shop to "cook".....just so it could freeze again in transit.....one thing I'm not gonna miss....frozen loads

So, Friday (dec 05) was my last day.....kinda sad to have to clean out my truck after all this time.....Had a chat with the bossman when I handed in my phone etc.....said he knew why I was quitting, and wished me luck......told me I was a pleasure to work with and should **** hit the fan, "call me, I've got a spot for you here"......always nice to have a backup plan....

My buddy Nick is ******....lol.....now he's all by himself doing everything me and him used to split.....he bought a jetta so I was over there tonight checking it out.....next week hasn't even started and he's already behind....

Training starts Monday @ 0800....here we go

Never seen bags on the front,get pics too when you go.

Same here....I'd like to see that...sounds neat, and overly complicated....you would need locator links to keep the cab on the frame.....

if it was the break switch jake should still work but not the cruse id be looking at the clutch pedal switch first try lifting up on the pedal with the top of you're foot if then check the switch adjustment and if all that fails check the switch itself with a multimeater.

Good call....didnt think that through, *thumbs up*

2% of.fuel usage from what I know...

Are we talking front drive axles of a tandem, or the steer axle??