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vanscottbuilders

Pedigreed Bulldog
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Blog Comments posted by vanscottbuilders

  1. You know what's interesting -

    There is a 400 pound Federal weight exemption for an APU that almost no one talks about! And - the industry has adopted 400# as a "standard weight" for most of the units made today.

    So - with an APU of 400 pounds, and the weight credit that's available, you wouldn't lose anything as far as payload limits.

    If you want to talk to the Moore's, I would make them a tremendous deal just to get our feet wet in the APU business. We are going with Frigette units - a company with a long history of mobile A/C and power units.

    (In all fairness, there may be a Frigette dealer near the Moore's shop. They just won't be as friendly or as cheap as we are!!)

    The truck APU unit is totally self-contained, and does not cut into the truck's systems at all (very important for warranty issues). It is powered by a little Kubota diesel that is made in the USA, and the rest of the unit is completely made in the US by US companies. The APU provides air conditioning, heating and electric power (both 12v and 110v) to the bunk, as well as providing battery charging to the truck batteries during operation, and heating of the truck's engine if desired in cold weather operation.

    I think we can install the unit, complete, including a hotel and dinner for the driver overnite, for about $7,000.00 per APU. That's really competitive when you look at all of the other self-contained units.

    It uses around one tenth of a gallon of fuel per hour, compared to the big diesel using around a gallon per hour at idle - so the payback is a pretty short period, just in fuel savings. Not to mention the potential savings in tickets and reduced maintenance.

    All we need to solve your problem is a small check, and 31" of clear frame rail!!

    PVS

  2. That jobsite picture reminds me of a recent picture that was floating around

    some of the truck websites.

    It's of a Peterbilt that is pretty much burned to the ground. Caused by the driver

    throwing a chain over the trailer, and over the power lines and - well you can guess

    the rest.

    The lines you're parked under look plenty high. But there's cranes parked there onsite too.

    Be Careful

    PVS

  3. Tom,

    If you cook them slow in the smoker oven, do they dry out?

    Or do you have some sauce or liquid in there with them for steam?

    I'm remembering the South Florida BBQ places doing the butts in a fire all day,

    cooking real slow - and they are excellent.

    Then you put your own sauce on the meat at the table.

    I think it's this weekend's project.

    Thanks,

    PVS

  4. Dear Abby:

    OK - I hate to admit it, but -

    I think I may need your perfessional opinion.

    Now I don't want to you to get a swelled head or hurt yourself in any way,

    so be careful.

    I'm thinking of making some pulled pork BBQ with pork shoulder butts.

    Everything I've read, or everybody I've talked to says just to cook the meat

    in a covered pan with water and some sauce in the bottom, boiling it until it falls apart.

    What I had in mind, however, was to brown the meat real good on all sides first, with some rub on it.

    Then put the meat in a pot with some genuine Gladys sauce and spices and maybe a couple cans of beer,

    rather than water for the steam. Slow cook it for a long time until it falls apart. Take it out and pull it all apart,

    then put it on a tray over a fire to brown it all up some more before putting it in a serving dish with a little more sauce.

    Am I correct in my thinking that this should have a lot more flavor than just boiling the pork?

  5. So what's the deal with the Port Card?

    Is it "National Security" or just another money grab?

    $130.00 seems like plenty of money, just to let a guy in.

    Sounds like bullsh-t to me. Seems to be a lot of it out there.

    At least the short freight hauls are moving.

    Have a good weekend.

    PVS

  6. Is your Caterpillar service facility OK?

    Ours, in Batavia, is a Milton Cat shop,

    and probably the most arrogant group of people I have ever dealt with.

    The mechanics all seem to be pretty nice. Everyone else is affected by some

    personality disorder.

    They have a fantastic facility that is virtually empty on any given weekday.

    I believe that the company actually chases away more business than they get!

    It's a really good reason not to buy Cat, if you live or work near here.

    I'm told that the Syracuse shop is a little better, but the attitude problem starts

    right at the top in Milton Cat's corporate structure.

    PVS

  7. Initially at least, my plan is to fit a tandem air ride rear suspension.

    I have a Freightliner donor set-up ready to go with 3.70 rear gears.

    I don't think the old 220 would be adequate for pulling any weight at all

    while keeping up with today's normal highway speed.

    So, I'm thinking about a newer 855 Cummins of 350, 380 or 400 hp,

    with a single stick overdrive transmission of some sort. It just won't sound as good.

    The original driveline will be kept intact for re-fitting, if that should ever be a possibility.

    The front axle could also get changed to accept a modern power steering system.

    Although the original Budd hub front axle may work out just fine. Don't know yet.

    My thought is to install a 36" bunk, but may forego that idea for looks. At any rate,

    I do not want to cut up the back of the cab, and at my size, the window opening is going to be

    a little tight to crawl through!

    I'm planning to re-route the intake air to a frame-mounted vertical air intake behind the cab,

    and a single frame mounted vertical exhaust.

    I think that getting the air cleaner off of the side of the cab might look pretty slick.

    I need to have hood panels made for this project, so I might louver the hood just for grins.

    Anyway - I'm way ahead of myself. One truck at a time, one truck at a time.

  8. Picked up some good ideas in Macungie for this DM-800.

    There was a really nice one there on display.

    We are tentatively planning using the Allison as the main transmission,

    with a heavy auxiliary transmission as a "range finder" to provide both

    better low gearing, and better overdrive gearing.

    This project is ways off - but we are gathering ideas now.

  9. Any word on the stray ostrich?

    I mean - did anyone else besides you see it?

    Did it talk to you? Was it pink?

    Seriously - It was a pretty nice truck show in Macungie. You would like that show anyway,

    it's in a park with a lot of big shade trees. Although, I think there was going to be some

    interesting times getting the trucks out of the grass after today's rain!

    There was a fantastic little military half-track running around pulling stuff out of the mud.

    It ran like a sewing machine, and there was no noise from the tracks and undercarriage.

    Nice toy!

    Lots of good trucks at the show. And a lot I haven't seen before.

    Jimmy says he's going to Winchester, Va. for the show with his W-900 - maybe you could meet up

    with him there. I can't go that weekend.

    PVS

  10. You need to keep the soil warm to grow the baked potatoes.

    It's best if you sleep on the garden during the the cold nights.

    I would thin the basil into a couple of other pots. It's pretty hardy stuff,

    and it should take a transplant with no problem.

    PVS

  11. That basil is going to get big - you might need more room for it.

    I usually make the pesto out of my basil, but it's really good served

    with fresh tomato slices and fresh mozzarella cheese too.

    Is that parsley behind the basil? and what's in the pot to the right?

    Looks like chives and something else.

    PVS

  12. Tom,

    I got the disc - Thanks!

    With freight moving slow and so many people out of work,

    it makes you wonder if you can believe the politicians who are

    telling us that things are getting better even faster than they expected!

    I know it might start a war - but I like those Lonestars in certain colors and paint schemes.

    PVS

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