Retro Racer Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 Hey all, I'm late '40s but was involved in the heavy transport industry over here in Australia from a very young age up until about 12 years ago in trailer maintenance. Used to build truck models as a kid, went on long truck trips on holidays.Business, relationships, motor sport and flying all got in the way, but I have just sold my business and after holidaying in the tropics for a month I went and got my HR (Heavy Rigid) License yesterday... Yes the school is open right over Easter, a two truck family operation.I had driven a few 9, 13 and 15 speed boxes in the early '90s so I was opted to go for my crash box license and the truck on offer was a 2235 Mercedes Benz... So I was spoilt somewhat by the air assisted clutch Although my dream truck is a FL700 Day Cab 285 Maxidyne 5 speed with overdrive (first long distance truck I went for a ride in) I really enjoyed the Benz with its turbo V8 13sp Fuller RR.Even though she was carrying about 8 tonnes, apart from hill starts, I only used 3-4 low followed by 5-6-7-8 Hi and after a couple of hours all the gears were rounded off nicely offering smooth shifts hehehe.I was super impressed by the similar torque spread to the old Maxidyne, most of the time only using 800-1,500rpm range.So I'd better do well in my quest to work in the mining sector here soon as I'll now have to save up for an old F700 and a 2235!http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3637674777422.171420.1140819025&type=1&l=6f56aac3ba Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Maikshilo Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 Nice truck Roland, Glad to hear your back in industry you love. Lot's of good trucks and stories here welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olivetroad Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 In your neck of the woods, who is required to have the HR license? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Dash Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 Welcome and congratulations on earning your HR license. My story is similar to yours as I also grew up in the industry but did not get my class A until I was 37. One difference is that instead of going on a month long holiday in the tropics, I took the family to Niagara Falls for a week. Quote Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Racer Posted April 9, 2012 Author Share Posted April 9, 2012 Thanks guys, I'm hoping to have a look around the US in the not to distant future too.Olivetroad, many laboring, drilling or trade positions in the booming mine sector in the far north east/west favor applicants with an unrestricted HR license... Fingers crossed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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