HeavyGunner

I like that Allis model 6-12. Lots of neat stuff in that auction.

I drove a Pete once with a Peak motor. Was told you always could tell when the peak motor injectors were going out because of the smoke and noticeable power gain. Sounds like a 3406c mechanical engine that's been rebuilt with some aftermarket power goodies on it to me.

Not mine http://greatfalls.craigslist.org/cto/5678422582.html

Saw my buddies Bud with the grain cart behind it. Upgraded engine to a 400hp Cummins and went from a eaton fuller 13sp road ranger to an Allison out of a fire truck so they can use the pto to power the grain cart while on the fly.

Typical modern day Unions. Couldn't be happy with good bennies even if that meant they had to pay a little more. Jack asses. Too bad for the real laborers though.

No connection. http://missoula.craigslist.org/hvo/5697452709.html

Maybe this will help.

I believe a 42mt will interchange. I think the 39mt is the smaller high torque starter. Anybody else that can clarify?

And the Middle East, and on top of that let them control the oil market here.

Sharp looking truck.

That is sweet Mike, what are the specs?

Holy smokes that is an impressive counterweight! Never seen one like it before.

Pile of grain on the ground at EGT. For scale note the truck in front of the tarped grain

Ok, dumb question. How do you know when something has bottomed out? If it has bottomed out how do you invest? I know zero about the stock market.

Sounds like that would've been a pullin' SOB in its day.

That's the problem I have with land, I have to extend myself (credit) and expose myself to more risk. If I got laid off tomorrow, I could pay my bills off of unemployment or a much lesser paying job. If I bought this ridiculously expensive land in Montana and got laid off I'd be in real trouble since I'd be in debt so far. I think the ability to be able to buy land, houses etc. as an investment is a thing of the past for all but the wealthy. No disrespect to anyone who can afford it but the only ones I see buying lots of land for investments or even enjoyment around here is the wealthy. $16-$40k an acre anywhere in the mountains isn't uncommon and $700-$2000 an acre on the east side (which is usually sold in big chunks) for farm or ranch land is way too far out of reach for most like myself. If land were reasonably affordable I'd have 1000 acres for myself.

Yeah but the problem with land is it takes a pile of money upfront. The last five years according to my vanguard statement says I've averaged 17% growth. I'll take that, I am by no means any kind of investment savant but I know that's better than putting it in a savings account and making virtually nothing on it while the banks use my money to profit. My company contributes a reasonable amount and I invest above and beyond their match. I figure if the economy fails to the point that I can't retire the whole country/world is in big trouble and any investment would be tanking as well. Just the opinion of an average joe.

I agree with you as long as the farmers don't complain when I turn around like you said. They shouldn't ever complain since they are farming free ground since there is 2-3 acres leased around each loading site plus the road into it. Some of the other leases hold the farmers to the lease agreement and do not let them farm it but they keep the site weed free.

The only way I see that I might be able to semi-retire early is by putting more money into my 401k. The only way I can do that is living slightly leaner than your average American. I don't have any vehicle payments because I drive older vehicles. My wife and I have been on one vacation where we actually left the state the rest of them are usually under 200 miles. We don't have a large expensive house and we don't live beyond our means. We try to do as much as we can ourselves rather than hire things out. I'm not trying to sound overly smart or arrogant because I am neither but I have observed that most people are in quite a bit of debt and are not thinking of the future. My hope is maybe I will have everything paid for and have enough money that I can start traveling more with out sacrificing savings for retirement. But who knows only time will tell.

So true grayhair. Like it was said above unions started out as a very noble thing that gave underpaid over worked labor workers a fair wage. But like so many other things that started out with good intentions the pendulum swung waaaay to far the other way and now it's not a good thing. In my opinion the vast majority of unions do the very bare minimum as far as work goes but want the highest possible wage and bennies. Sorry but that business model doesn't work. When workers plan their day by their breaks and not around their work there is a problem.

Neat old truck. Do you happen to know specs?

You never know sometimes. Both big elevators in Chester have piles around 25' tall and easily big enough to cover a football field on the ground. I'll try and get a picture and post it on here.

A few years ago there were a few big construction jobs in my area and there were a bunch of union steel workers staying in town. I befriended some of them and ended up at the lake with some of them on the 4th of July. Some of them decided to try some cliff jumping and the ding a lings didn't bother to check the water depth. Long story short one guy jumped, water was not as deep as he would've liked and he hurt his leg. All the union guys there told him to show up to work and get "injured" on he job so he can still collect a paycheck. He did and his broken leg was covered and he still collected his paycheck.

Prices look to be double what your friend told you. Unless his wheat protein is really low. I live in the golden triangle area and haven't heard of that bad of prices.

I wasn't pouring out the beer, my free helper was goofing around after a few beers and I got proof he wasted part of a beer.