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vanscottbuilders

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Blog Entries posted by vanscottbuilders

  2. vanscottbuilders
    Another Monday morning.
    It's pretty nice in Upstate NY this time of year - if you only look at the weather and the scenery.
    When you live here - you become expert in shutting out the thoughts of state taxes, hidden taxes and fees and the extremely expensive and ineffective state government. The weather and the scenery have to keep you happy, and right now they can.
    Anyway - I am still contemplating the used truck business, and thinking of specializing in one or two manufacturers.
    The R model Mack is still at the top of the list for its durability, simplicity and usefulness.
    This is probably a pretty good business to investigate, as I do not believe there is anyone in this area selling these trucks in a reconditioned state with warranties.
    There is a local collector looking at my R-600 and trailer today. Guess we'll wait and see......
  3. vanscottbuilders
    Top that title Tom!
    Anyway, Joe asked how the B-67 was progressing.
    The answer is quite well, Thanks.
    We have the ACE air ride crossmember in hand. Nice piece of equipment.
    And we have the new springs back from the shop.
    The rear axle is completely rebuilt except for one pair of pesky brake shoes, which the relining
    company now is refusing to do, although I paid for them. So I'm doing those myself.
    The engine has to be looked over by a local retired master mechanic, along with the transmission
    of choice. I believe that both are good, healthy pieces of equipment.
    The frame, axles and suspension reassembly is underway. Should be rolling within 30 days.
    Then we will plumb and wire the chassis, before setting the engine & transmission in place.
    No progress on the cab surgery, although I now have a Plan A and a Plan B.
    So all in all things are moving along pretty well Joe.
    Thanks for asking. How are the kids?
    Paul VS
  4. vanscottbuilders

    R-600 Update

    By vanscottbuilders,

    Just going over to the yard to give the old R-600 some exercise.
    I just cannot get over how well this old girl runs. And the more I use it, the better it goes.
    I've got two friends that would like to get their Commercial Driver's licenses, and I think this might be the perfect vehicle.
    It's a simple 711 diesel with a direct drive duplex transmission. Big windows and no bunk make for a great view, and the lowboy trailer is easy to see over during a road test.
    We are about to flip the trailer over, sandblast and paint the underside. Then we will do the topside and install new White Oak deck boards. I've already got the deck material.
    I guess I will replace the Bandag recaps with new radials. The recaps have never been on the road, but they appear to be dry rotted from sitting.
    I'd like to hear from anyone who knows where 17.5" tubeless radials and rims might be purchased reasonably.
    The brakes and drums are brand new, and the air lines have all been replaced with new plastic lines.
    The tractor will probably wait until mid-Fall before coming in the shop for a refurbishment.
    When my B67 is ready - I will probably sell the R model and keep the trailer.
    For now it is too much fun to have one of these old trucks that is actually usable.
  5. vanscottbuilders
    I think everyone, everywhere is starting to be
    affected by the rising cost of fuel and petro-products.
    For quite a while I really didn't notice any great difference -
    now, however, it's a different tune.
    We are getting letters from our vendors daily, notifying us
    of building materials price increases. And I believe that the
    price of a new home in our market now costs the builder
    about 5% to 7% more money than six months ago.
    That's huge, when you consider that the average new home
    in our area is well over $250,000.00 with many topping $500,000.00,
    and quite a few over a million dollars.
    The house that cost 250,000.00 on Jan. 1st now costs 262,500.00
    Consider that roof shingles have risen more than 35% since the 1st of
    the year. Copper has gone out of sight. Aluminum has skyrocketed.
    Lumber has remained fairly steady, but the quality is at an all time low.
    Concrete is at an all time high.
    Factor in the slow sales of new homes and we have the recipe for a
    really tough time in the building business.
    But - we aren't alone. Not by a long shot.
    Every business, and every person is being affected by the cost of fuel.
    A major adjustment is in the wind - More people are starting to do something about it.
    I don't believe that the government should step in. I think the easy government
    bail-outs and easy hand-out money and liberal government borrowing from other countries will
    actually going to be far more damaging to us than the cost of fuel will ever be.
    No - I don't believe that Americans will give up their life styles. We will work harder.
    We'll work longer. But we won't give up our life styles.
    We might take a while. And we might complain loudly. But we are a very resiliant
    society. We will adjust.
    We did it in the thirties. We did it during the World War periods. To some extent, we did
    it in the seventies. We will adjust. We can do what it takes.
    Just my two cents for today.
  6. vanscottbuilders
    B-67 Update:
    The frame is leveled and squared upside down on stands in the middle of
    the shop floor.
    The front springs and axle are bolted in place.
    The rear air suspension cross member is in place, and the removeable parts are all
    sandblasted and epoxy primed to match the frame and axles.
    Rear spring hangers are going in, and the rear springs are next.
    The cab is almost back in one piece. The donor roof and back panel are all
    blasted and primed and fit in place. I should be welding tomorrow.
    I saw a color on the cover of "Classic Trucks" magazine this month. It's a street rod
    magazine. Anyway the color is a DuPont sage green on a late 40's Ford F-1. It might look real
    good on a B Mack. especially with a red frame and running gear.
    I'm having a little trouble with my original choice of red with black running gear (the factory original combo).
    Seems everybody has the red color.
    Red is the color of my company trucks, although lately my own work vehicles have been white or gray.
    So - I'm looking around.
    Pretty good week, all in all.
    PVS
  7. vanscottbuilders

    Willys Sale

    By vanscottbuilders,

    It appears that my old Willys pickup sold on E-Bay today.
    And I think it brought fair money.
    After a couple of weeks of people coming to look and drive, and people calling and e-mailing
    for information, I think the truck sold for what it is worth.
    Nice process and nice experience so far.
  8. vanscottbuilders
    Cab surgery doing quite well.
    Cut off the bottom 3" of the back panel that I am using and welded in new
    metal. rather than try to make the hundred or so rivet holes from the original look good.
    Pretty neat fix, if I do say so myself.
    Got both of the knee action shock absorbers working nice today, so I can rehang the
    front axle starting tomorrow. Then the radiator support frame, steering column and clutch linkage.
    Soon I'll be blowing black smoke all over Tom's Peterbilt when I scream past! (As long as he's asleep by
    the side of the road.)
  9. vanscottbuilders

    Texas Damage

    By vanscottbuilders,

    Well, I'm back home for a few days.
    Going back to Beaumont, Tx. on October 19 for another stint.
    This trip I stayed in Houston and looked at damaged property in
    Conroe, Cleveland, Silsbee, Port Arthur and Beaumont, Tx.
    Not too much damage around Houston and north around Cleveland/Conroe.
    East and Southeast, however, it's a different story.
    All around Galveston Bay is pretty much demolished. I don't think any one
    building escaped damage. And a fair number of buildings need to come down,
    if they haven't already.
    Going to take awhile, maybe a year or more, before full services are restored
    to the area.
    For those of us who live in the North and Northeast - this is one of the big reasons
    that we stay there.
    If you haven't seen the actual storm aftermath, you really can't comprehend it.
    The damage is everywhere.
    Makes our cold winters look pretty good.
    And - don't even get me started on the snakes and alligators!!
    Man, I hate being lunch for some critter.
  10. vanscottbuilders
    I would have thought that there may have been more interest in the R600 and lowboy trailer that I listed for sale in BMT.
    Seems there were a couple of people looking for "cosmetic restoration projects" on the forums within the past few months.
    My new plan is to keep the trailer, and put the rocker panels in the tractor, paint them both and use them myself.
    The trailer will make a real nice recovery trailer for picking up old stuff. I will put a heavy electric winch on the tongue deck
    and add some "D" rings for additional tie-down spots. And I think I will cover the rear tires with a structural deck plate, to keep the road spray down.
    I'll keep the tractor for sale, albeit at a higher price after the painting is done. The B67 will work well at the front of this trailer also.
    The announcement will be official this week - and I will remove the truck from the "for sale" forum.
    This will be a fun truck to use in the Northeast moving old stuff around. And I can use it to move an occasional load of lumber for the business.
  11. vanscottbuilders
    Pictures to follow - I promise. I'm just not too sure how to get from the camera to the web page.
    Finally got all my parts for the B-67 loaded on a trailer yesterday.
    Other than two spare engines and transmissions, the entire 53' high flat is
    completely covered with one B-67. And that's with no wheels or tires!
    (As soon as I got it loaded - it started to pour! It didn't look good for all of
    my bare metal pieces. But it only rained for a short time, then hot & dry again,
    so no real damage done)
    Anyway we backed the trailer into the new shop for temporary storage.
    We can pull it out while the crane is being assembled in that space.
    Also got the W-900 out of the shop and I got some pictures of it too. It shouldn't
    be too long before Jimmy has it back in running order. I love that truck. Of course I've only
    driven it when it wasn't running - but one can always imagine.
    Moved the H-63 into its' new home inside the new space. It looks good there.
    That's a funny old truck. I never get tired of looking at it. And everyone who sees it likes it.
    All in all - a pretty productive weekend.
    Took about half of the crane down and moved it. I have a nephew who works for the crane
    manufacturer setting up automated warehouses and large industrial cranes around the country.
    He made it possible for us to get this equipment in the first place, and was nice enough to
    offer to reassemble it for us in the new shop. Working with him has been very interesting.
    Rigging and lowering the 40' steel beams from 20' in the air is really an art, and it has been
    a lot of fun learning some new tricks.
    We have one 40' rail beam, two header beams and the four posts to come down yet. We were
    able to move the bridge beam with the crane hoists in place. Saved a lot of time. The rails are
    coming down with the trolley assemblies and motors in place too. Should go back together pretty well.
    Next I hope to fire up the R-600 and actually drive it around town a bit before putting it inside.
    I want to put some heat thru the exhaust of the old girl to see what I will actually have to do
    to use the truck in regular light duty service.
    Anyway - the building business really stinks for us this year, so I need to have the relief I get from
    my old trucks. If we can hold on until better times, I think we may sell the construction business, or
    possibly just close it. But that's a story for another day.
    Everybody have a good week.
  12. vanscottbuilders
    It's 50 degrees here tonite. Very weird.
    Although we usually get some sort of a mid-winter thaw - it never feels quite right.
    Then there's the mud and the gray, dull weather to deal with. It might be the only time of year
    that makes me think of going somewhere else.
    All the rest of the year the weather is pretty nice - even the severe cold and snow. At least that's
    what winter is supposed to be like. And, sick as it might be, we actually like it when it's cold and snowy.
    Making progress on the rear axle for the B-67. Still waiting for two brake shoes to get back from re-lining
    for the 3rd time. Apparently bolting on brake lining blocks is a lost art.
    The good news is that the rear end and differential appear to be in perfect shape. Bearings look real good. Put in all new seals.
    Should get the engine power washed this week, and prepped for a trip to the motor doctor to get a health check-up and a
    new gasket set installed. Might need new injectors. Wouldn't surprise me after 20 years of sitting, although it runs smooth.
    And I know the fuel pump will need to be taken apart and thoroughly cleaned and checked out.
    Then I will paint it and detail it, put in a new clutch, pilot bearing and throw-out bearing, resurface the flywheel and
    pressure plate. The transmission I've decided to use is a 9 speed overdrive duplex. I'll sandblast the case and get it painted
    up before I take it to the transmission doctor (Same as the motor doctor) to have the cover removed and innards checked out.
    One of the best things I have done to date was to fab up a cart with heavy casters to carry the engine and transmission.
    Sure makes life a lot easier.
    Did the same thing with the cab. Now I can move them around, and on or off a trailer by myself.
    I am really excited about getting the B-67 done. I have high hopes for using it for a lot of little jobs.
    And we got the cab up on the H-63 this week. Took some Corona and creative thinking because the cab jack doesn't work.
    And you have to be smarter than the jack anyway. Who knew they put a locking release in the tool box below the sleeper?
    Boy, are we dumb!
    Paul VS
  13. vanscottbuilders
    Took delivery today of the H-63.
    Always nice to get a new toy!
    The only damper on this whole deal was that the engine turned out to have a bad rod bearing, and a pretty blued rod end.
    The transmission is questionable, but we are not too concerned. Kevin All (AllMacks) has been great to deal with, and he assures me that if the transmission is not good, he will exchange it for one of his other ones.
    Not too bad for a truck that was purchased "as is, where is".
    We do have a spare 673 in good running order out of Jaime Samuell's B-61 that was exchanged for bigger power.
    The rest of the truck is really solid and straight and very complete.
    We are still waiting for feedback from the Mack Museum. They apparently have a pretty good backlog, which is encouraging. Must be a lot of projects under way.
    Our ultimate goal for the truck is to go with a red cab and black fenders. Very similer to the Carolina Freight H-63 that you see on the various photo pages and East Coast shows.
  14. vanscottbuilders

    New Gear Set

    By vanscottbuilders,

    Well I have just had another good experience with a BMT member - I purchased a used gearset from out of state.
    This is a really nice forum for the sharing of information and the exchange of parts and vehicles.
  15. vanscottbuilders
    Had my old R-600 out for a ride yesterday.
    Nice old truck and runs so sweet.
    I just went to the gravel quarry where I keep the old girl to check the anti-freeze
    and I ended up starting and running the truck up to temperature, then driving it around for a while,
    then looking it all over for the hundredth time. Before I knew it, the afternoon was gone.
    Not a bad way to spend a day.
    My old lowboy trailer is loaded full with parts from the shop that I don't need right away, things like old wheels & tires,
    rear end and front axle, air suspension with frame cut-off etc.
    So I couldn't hook it up to take the tour around the pit. Too bad - it would have liked the ride too.
    On another note - I set the B-67 cab on the frame to check for fit, and to make me feel better about a little progress.
    Looks really nice sitting up there!
    Just ordered air line material and brake valves for it, and need to order a wiring harness ASAP.
    The rear end rebuild and ratio change is underway and all the springs are going to a spring shop for repairs
    and modifications. Real glad I cut the rear U-bolts - I found one stack almost completely broken. No sign of any
    damage while the stack was all together. Front springs look brand new. And the front spring rubbers - which look impossible
    to find, and expensive, just happen to look brand new too.
    Sheet metal work should be complete in the next couple of weeks and reassembly is in full swing.
    I have Picasa from Google on my computers for photo management. Does anyone know how to get the photos from there to BMT?
    I, being a computer illiterate person, have not been able to figure it out.
    Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me out.
  16. vanscottbuilders
    Several years ago, when I bought my R Mack and lowboy from a retired excavating contractor,
    I found a really nice B-61 single axle tractor behind his barn.
    I asked about it, and was told he wasn't quite ready to part with the old girl. Although
    he said he had never used the truck, he always wanted to restore it. Just never got to it.
    After a little homework, I found that the tractor has had only one owner in
    its' working life, and then into this fellow's hands for an easy retirement.
    It belonged to Louis Johnson Trucking of Port Gibson, NY, and probably spent
    its' life running from Upstate NY (the good part of the State) to the city, or down
    to the Johnson terminal in Pennsylvania.
    Anyway, the cab looked near perfect (at least by my memory), and I'm told it would run
    without much trouble. (This fellow does take good care of his stuff)
    So I kept my ears and eyes open over in that part of the world.
    And, it paid off.
    I got a phone call today. Seems that he is now ready to sell it. If I don't take it,
    he thinks he will scrap it.
    Didn't take me long to make that decision.
    Even though I don't need it, I can't let a real nice old B model Mack go to the wrecker.
    I'll probably post the truck for sale, after the dust settles, and I figure out what I have.
    It would be best, I think, if I got it running and driving, shook out the bees and put some heat in
    the exhaust. Then I can give somebody a pretty accurate report.
    Stay Tuned!
  17. vanscottbuilders
    Two of the axle seals that I got a couple of weeks ago at Mack are wrong. By a lot!
    That's what I get for cheating everybody out of their Christmas presents so I could buy truck parts.
    So I took one of the originals to FleetPride to match them up. In about five minutes I had the right parts.
    Good lesson learned. It's a 60 mile round trip at $3.30/gal. for the gas.
    Now I open all the boxes before I go home to be sure the parts at least look right.
    This old stuff is a little tricky - with different assemblies available when they were new, and new parts numbers
    replacing the old numbers, and parts guys who weren't even born when the trucks were new!
    Anyway, I got started on the front axle this week, and am continuing on the rear axle.
    Next step is to get the frame back on wheels!
    Looks like the trickiest part of the whole deal will be reassembling the darn clutch linkage. I have removed the entire pedal
    assembly and linkage from the frame - and do you think I can remember how it goes back together?
    Not a clue.
  18. vanscottbuilders
    After a few months af indecision, we got word today that we will indeed
    have to relocate our truck shop. And real soon. The expanding neighbor wants our
    space by September 01.
    We have decided to take one of two spaces offered to us by our current landlord.
    One is almost ideal, except pretty expensive. It's got a 24' ceiling, two large
    overhead doors, fully insulated and really well lit with four floor drains, water
    and 3 phase power. The space is about 48' x 72'. Its all painted up nice and is
    surrounded on three sides by heated space. Our bridge crane will fit easily,
    and there is plenty of room for benches and the fabricating equipment. There
    is no room for outside parking of trailers, which are currently offsite anyway.
    The second option is a stand alone building which needs a lot of cosmetic and
    electric and heating work. But - it has a nine acre fenced outside area for trailers.
    It's a total area of about 38' x 70', with one big overhead door and no floor drains.
    The big deal is the ceiling height. Only about 14' at the outside walls and slopes
    up to 20' in the center. The crane needs at least 19'6 height in a 28 x 38 area.
    So it doesn't fit in this particular space, and shortening it isn't a great option.
    This is just a hobby for both Jim and I, so the thought of a $1,500. rent bill
    each month plus the heat bills is a little cause for reflection.
    Our thought is that with either space, there is room for a couple of paying
    storage customers. We have a commitment from one local company to store
    their AC Mack with us. Perhaps two more will make it all work out OK.
    I guess we got pretty spoiled by our current deal. $500. a month including
    all of the utilities. But - we were told right up front that it was temporary,
    so this isn't any real surprise.
    Should give me a chance to sort out, re-evaluate and organize all of my stuff.
  19. vanscottbuilders
    Well the holiday is past us.
    A little bit fatter, but I was able to take four days off. Nice.
    I also got my wiring harness for the B-67 this week, too.
    After all the discussion about just softening the spring stack up on the rear axle,
    I have been convinced to revisit the air ride idea for the B-67.
    I'm thinking of either building my own system, ala "Tom Gannaway", or buying an
    A.C.E. Superide pre-made crossmember and bags. In any case, the intent is to
    use the original rear end. Both of these air ride ideas use the original spring stack with the
    stock saddles and front hangers, so modification is kept to a minimum.
    And a new little twist - I am looking for an inexpensive step deck trailer. Cheap enough to be a toy.
    I would prefer something around 40 to 45' by 96" wide. Thinking that might help the price, because most active
    carriers are looking for 50' or longer, and 102" wide.
    Ideally it would have a flat deck over 17.5" rubber, to get the lowest possible deck height.
    It can be old and needing work. Just not completely rusted out.
    As the fleet of old and tired iron has grown, my little Eager Beaver lowboy has become a little too awkward to use regularly for moving trucks,
    what with climbing the ramps then going over the tandems and down into the well.
    And, best of all - I have a committed buyer for the lowboy at its' asking price!
    Please keep your eyes open.
    Thanks,
    Paul VS
  20. vanscottbuilders
    The new kingpins are finally installed and
    the bushings reamed to size on the B-67.
    It's the 1st time I've ever actually seen it done.
    And, I think we got a really good result.
    A long-time friend of mine has a tremendous
    amount of experience with heavy front axles,
    and he sure did make it look easy.
    I replaced all four of the bearings and races (cones),
    after finding that three of the four had problems.
    The backing plates and brake shoes are all painted and
    ready to be remounted, and I have most of the parts new.
    The tie rod ends are apart, and I have gotten the pressure
    springs from Mack. They were both broken.
    The socket pieces look perfect.
    Got two new return springs for the original, small front brake cans.
    They look better to me than the new style larger cans.
    I'm using the original dash mounted front brake limiter switch.
    It's good to be making progress.
    On another note - the building business is showing a tiny bit
    of optimism. Not too much, mind you, but a little at least.
    We now have six to eight weeks of work in front of us.
    Nothing of substance, but enough to get us to Spring.
    I should be able to put together a couple of deals between now
    and then to keep the wolves from the door.
    So, we're feeling better.
  21. vanscottbuilders

    More Parts

    By vanscottbuilders,

    Got a call from Yellow Freight today.
    My air ride crossmember is here from A.C.E. in California.
    Now I'm really getting excited.
    I got the springs back last week. The rear end is still waiting for one pair of relined brake shoes, then it's done.
    The frame, front axle, radiator supports, transmission and mounts, and fuel tanks, brackets and hangers are all sandblasted and epoxy primed.
    Still need to blast and prime the rear end.
    I'll reassemble, plumb and wire, and re-fit and align everything, then disassemble it all for final painting.
    When the frame is done and the engine and transmission are in place, I will start on the final cab work.
    Got a few ideas for noise and sound attenuation. Like spray-on ceramic insulation. (LizardSkin) Got the idea from the experimental airplane people.
    With the engine half in the cab - this B-67 needs all the help with noise and heat it can get.
    The bank account is getting worked over pretty good. So I've got to quit spending money and go to work on the old girl.
    So far I'm real happy with all of the parts and services I've gotten.
    (Except maybe that pair of brake shoes, which are on their third attempt at relining).
    Time to get Dirty!
  22. vanscottbuilders
    It seems hard to believe that one little single axle B-67 is going to fill
    a 50' drop deck trailer.
    This will require pictures for anybody to believe.
    I tell people all the time that I have the biggest truck in the place because
    it goes from one end of the building to the other. Now I can prove it!
    I've got all my parts for just this one truck all strapped on pallets
    for the big move. (from the front of the building to the back of the building -
    maybe a 400' drive)
    And I've got eight pallets of stuff plus the cab, and the axles, and the frame all
    as separate pieces.
    It's going to take the whole trailer.
    Had a great day today just organizing and sorting my parts.
    All by myself in the shop just monkeying around all day.
    Loved it. Reminded myself why I do this stuff.
    The move is going well.
    And, yes, for those who have asked, we are definitely going to
    advertise and sell the Kenworth W-900A. After talking to a number of guys
    who own these big KT series Cummins engines, we are pretty sure that we have
    it priced right at $25,000.00 And it is a pretty nice truck "as is". It would be really,
    really nice with some restoration work.
  23. vanscottbuilders
    Well, the B-67 cab is back in one piece. Or at least as close as
    it was from the factory.
    It was called the Million Mile Cab -
    If you really take apart a B cab - you realize that it is made of
    a lot of little pieces. A lot of little pieces!!
    Should have been called the Million Piece Cab.
    No wonder they are noisy and drafty and rust easily.
    There are lots of joints, holes, seams, welds and places for
    moisture and dirt to hide. Most of these tight spots were unprotected
    from the factory. You have to prime each sub-assembly prior to completing
    the refitting. After you get it together, there is no way to seal up some of the bare metal.
    Still I guess they were really considered state-of-the-art for their time.
    And I think we have done a pretty good job of reassembling, sealing and
    priming the old girl. Should add a few years to her life.
    Now I'm thinking about applying "LizardSkin" ceramic sound and heat
    insulation to the underside, the firewall, and the entire interior before painting.
  24. vanscottbuilders
    Not to sound greedy or anything - but I picked up all of my seals and bushings, and my brake shoes with new linings on Friday.
    Before I did any Christmas shopping for anyone else. My own Christmas gift to myself. Pretty nice.
    If Kathy knew.... Oh boy I don't even want to think about that.
    Hopefully the rear axle will be ready to install by the end of the week.
    I do have to take two brake shoes back in for relining - they had several small cracks in the new linings.
    It shouldn't be any real issue. I just hope the mice haven't corroded the two shoes so badly that they can't be relined.
    Now I'm glad I didn't do them myself.
    Dennis, my friend and partner in the H-63 has been cleaning and rubbing the old cabover - it looks 100% better.
    He painted the front bumper, too. The thinking was too see what the old girl looked like under all of the mold and
    dirt. We're real happy.
    It will be a while before we bring that truck into the restoration shop - so we have it in Dennis' barn. While we are waiting for
    my B-67 to roll out, we can get a good idea of what parts we might need for the H-63, and work on finding them.
    The cab parts are what concern me. Not too many old H cabs to get parts from. Fortunately, this one is very complete.
    My New Year's goal is to get my B-67 done, and the H-63 rolling so it can go on a trailer and get them both to Watts Mack's event
    in September. Might even bring the old R-600, too.
    Actually I have been thinking seriously about putting the R model to work with a short drop deck flat trailer, and perhaps a 28' pup trailer.
    It runs like a sewing machine with only 196,000 original miles. With paint and some body work, it would look real nice.
    There appears to be a ready market for a cheap, small, local carrier in our area. Everyone seems to have forgotten single axle
    equipment. One less set of four tires, one less set of brakes, plus the efficiency of the old Mack diesel. Not to mention the maneuverability.
    And I have two more unfair advantages:
    #1) Retired truck drivers. We have numerous friends who drove for a living, and now want to work for fun. These guys are careful,
    professional and personable. And Cheap! And their wives want them out from under their feet. It should work well.
    #2) No truck payments. It's hard to beat no payment book!
    The business is probably in moving ATM machines for the banks, moving equipment for machine shops (lathes and milling machines etc.),
    perhaps moving tractors and small equipment for the dealers and rental companies, and moving cabinets and lumber for our own building business.
    There are numerous manufacturers and machine shops in our area, as well as shops that recondition milling equipment.
    I think it's worth a try.
    Even if the old girl could make enough to cover her costs, so that I had a free haul truck for my own stuff, it would be worth it to me.
    Anyway, enough rambling for one night.
    Merry Christmas everyone!
    Paul VS
  25. vanscottbuilders

    Update

    By vanscottbuilders,

    It's Tuesday night, snowy, cold and starting to look like winter - again.
    At least it feels right.
    We (my uncle & I) have been cooperating on trying to sell a late model (2000) Peterbilt 379EXHD
    tractor that the company owns. It's a big power tractor (C-16 Cat 600 hp) that Jim bought from one of the
    Owner/Operators with three trailers that he needed.
    So we have been listed on E-bay and now in the TruckPaper Online. It's amazing to me how many flakes
    there are out there. The number of calls we have gotten from people who claim to be sending a deposit, or
    "coming to New York to see the truck" is phenomenal. This truck was supposedly sold before I listed it on E-bay.
    That fell through for lack of financing. Then there was a bid on E-bay that we would have taken, and the buyer simply
    vanished! And the guy from Virginia, and the guy from Iowa, and the guy from New Jersey and on and on.....
    I guess that the world is really full of dreamers.
    So the decision was made to keep the truck - at least for now. It's a pretty nice one. And we know the entire history,
    it's a low mileage tractor and has a factory warranty on the engine. How bad can it be?
    Jim is pretty much retired, and has decided to offer his specialized heavy haul spec'd four axle Freightliner up for sale
    with a large (100t) jeep trailer and stinger assembly. That might seperate the real buyers from the wannabees.
    The people in that really specialized heavy haul business are a pretty small group, and they all know each other.
    Just figuring out how to put the whole thing together takes a pretty fair amount of experience. And maybe we won't show
    any photos of the whole rig hooked up. We'll just leave it decked up on the trailer in a pile. If you know what you're
    looking for, it won't be a problem for you to figure it out. If you don't - don't bother calling!
    Ah, I love winter - I get real sarcastic after being shut-in for a couple of days.
    Good Night All!
    Paul Van Scott

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