Vocational rigs like these crane trucks from CSX don’t receive much love or attention. Most of the time they fly under the radar. The white paint and slap on company stickers really don’t do much to enhance their visual appeal. But some of us know better and like this kind of stuff. I assume you are one of those types because you are at this website! Dan submitted these MOW (Maintenance of Way) trucks and identifies them as a Freightliner 1080SD and a Volvo VHD. I agree with his assessment.
The year is almost over so that can only mean one thing…RESOLUTIONS! For 2013 the resolution of this website will be to catch more plow trucks in action. That’s right, the trucks of the new year will be wearing their blades and plowing snow. Don’t worry, I have no intention of giving up on the low hanging fruit of the local truck dealers and repair shops.
To prove my commitment I’m not even going to wait till 2013 to start. Below are some trucks operated by the City of Syracuse DPW. The first truck in the gallery is setup to handle some serious snow with Marmon-Herrington drivetrain components. Truck number 2 is a hard looking International Paystar that was actively cutting back the snow banks when photographed. Finally, the last truck in the gallery was seen at the local Price Chopper as the driver stocked up on necessities for a long shift.
And of course there is video!
These two old tow trucks stand guard to the gates of Dobbins Auto Parts in Adams, NY. I’ve seen a few photos of the treasures that lie within and I have to say they are nothing short of impressive for the old car and truck obsessed. Even though I stopped by during the middle of a weekday they appeared to be closed. Just as well seeing as I was on my way back to work but I have heard they are actively crushing much of their collection so a return trip is on the bucket list. Can you identify the truck at the forefront of the photo? Chevy?
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To see a great collection of photos from Dobbins check out the Facebook group IN THE WEEDS.
Know of any old trucks or heavy equipment in hiding? Email Me!
Winter has arrived in part of the world. In fact, by this time Thursday I should be able to look out my window at nearly a foot of freshly fallen snow. I’m sure at some point I’ll wish I had access to this Oshkosh blower. Rest assured this truck will see good use as it is located on a farm in the infamous Tug Hill Plateau region of Upstate, NY. Quick fact, the Town of Montague once saw 77″ inches of snow fall in a 24 hour period. For more info visit tughill.org.
Oshkosh Snow Blower – Click to Enlarge
I didn’t notice when I grabbed this photo but I believe the hood on this Oshkosh is nothing more than a thick rubber pad held in place with rubber bungee cords. If it works, it works.
It wouldn’t be the holiday season without Christmas movie specials. With that in mind I bring you The Night They Saved Christmas, a TV movie event from 1984 staring June Lockhart and Art Carney. The plot of the movie revolves around the idea that Santa’s workshop is under threat from nearby oil exploration at the North Pole. Can Santa and his helpers convince the workers to stop drilling in time to save Christmas? I remember this movie from my youth and specifically remember the opening scene in which we are treated to shot after shot of heavy equipment used to discover oil in the Arctic. Check the video below to jump right to the special moment.
Merry Christmas!
After months of waiting I finally caught the Komatsu long reach in action. The jaws on the end of this machine tear through the concrete and steel of this building with ease. Notice how the cab tilts back to make the life of the operator that much more enjoyable.
A friend of mine is in the process of building a new home. I’m pretty sure he stops by the job site every morning on the way into work to check on the progress. Some may think this borders on a obession but it did result in this neat video of the lumber for his future home being delivered. It may not look like much but everything needed for the construction of the house is now onsite. Remember, if you have it, a trucker brought it.
Whenever I had a day off from school I always made it a point to watch the Price Is Right. I always enjoyed the showcases that contained a car as a prize. When else will you see someone loose their mind at the prospect of winning a basic model Toyota Corolla or Nissan Sentra? During the 47 year run of the show a wide variety of vehicles have been offered to the lucky person who can name the price. I haven’t seen every episode but I bet they never had a prize like the Freightliner 114SD below. Can you guess the price? It may help if you read the specs below in your best Rod Roddy voice.
This fabulous prize can be yours! But only if the price is right!*
* You will not win the actual truck but instead receive the admiration of your peers.
In case you didn’t know, the Mayans 5125 year long calendar ends this Friday, 12/21/12. To some, the end of this calendar signals the end of the world as we know. To others it simply means the Mayans felt no need to figure out dates nearly 5,000 years into the future and planed on worrying about it when the time came. Here is summation of possible events courtesy of Wikipedia.
A New Age interpretation of this transition is that the date marks the start of time in which Earth and its inhabitants may undergo a positive physical or spiritual transformation, and that 21 December 2012 may mark the beginning of a new era. Others suggest that the date marks the end of the world or a similar catastrophe. Scenarios suggested for the end of the world include the arrival of the next solar maximum, an interaction between Earth and the black hole at the center of the galaxy, or Earth’s collision with a planet called “Nibiru”.
Personally I’m rooting for a collision of with Nibiru. If other predictions are to be believed the earth will undergo a series of natural disasters the like of which mankind has never seen before; atomic hurricanes, fire quakes, bee blizzards and other fun stuff. In the event of such catastrophes you may find a vehicle like this UNICAT to be of interest.
This particular truck has a 1600 mile range when carrying four adults, supplies and 110 gallons of water. If you happen to run out of water their is an onboard solar powered desalination unit capable of six gallons of water an hour. Of course the luxury of being the last human on earth doesn’t come cheap. A setup like this one costs in excess of 700,000 dollars.
Here is another little gem I picked up at a truck show this past summer. This advertisement from WWII details the use of Autocar trucks as they haul 60-ton,105ft long, 26.5 ft tall, hull segments eight miles through crowded city streets. I really enjoy these old hand illustrated ads and the amazing amount of detail they hold. Everything from the plane flying overhead to a small child watching in awe as the truck passes by. It would be hard to stage such a scene if you were trying to take a similar photograph. Anyone else think the guy in the trench coat looks suspicious? German spy perhaps?
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By the way, Bigge Drayage is still an operating company! Check out their website to see the real life action that helped to inspire this ad.
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