FWD and Oshkosh

Posted on November 13, 2011 by Eric

I swang by Tracy Road Equipment a few weeks ago and noticed these two trucks hiding behind the fenced in section of the yard. At the time they were still wearing their Town of Herkimer seals. What a difference three weeks can make as the trucks have now been moved to the used portion of the lot. Combined, these two trucks probably pushed tons upon tons of snow through the streets of Herkimer. But time marches on, the seasons take their toll, technology changes, what is new becomes old.

Based on the tags this FWD is a RB44 model. Following my 15 second inspection it appears to be solid. The cab is rather rust free. The interior is in pretty good shape as well. Maybe this truck has some life let in yet?

FWD RB-44 – Click to Englarge

FWD RB-44 – Click to Enlarge

Or maybe your an Oshkosh man?  Tracey has your back with this clean P-Series.

Oshkosh P-Series – Click to Enlarge

Oshkosh P-Series – Click to Enlarge

 

 

Posted in At the Dealer, Snow Plows | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Gratuitous Heavy Metal

Posted on November 12, 2011 by Eric

For you Cummins fans here is a treat, a Michigan 475C and Wabco Haulpack 75B, both powered by the Cummins V1710C. Take a moment to enjoy the rhythmic motions of these two classic machines at work.

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1961 Diamond-T 931CN

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Eric

I shot this truck allll the way back in 2003 at the ATHS National Convention in Syracuse, NY.  It was quite the show, one of the largest to date with over 1,000 trucks.  To some it would seem strange that a truck like the Diamond-T would stand out in ones memory but as the years pass I still find myself revisiting this truck from time to time.  I have always enjoyed the old survivor trucks, the one that have little or no restoration work, over those freshly restored models.  That is not to say that I don’t enjoy seeing a truck of yesterday looking as good, if not better, than the day it rolled of the assembly line because I certainly do.  But trucks like the 931 below have so much to tell in their faded painted and logos, their dents and missing trim.  Stories that become obliterated with fresh paint, engine degreaser and new tires.  I love to approach these old work horses to observe their hidden clues of the lives they lead before hitting the show circuit.  Squinting to make out the name on the door that has been pealed off.  Craning my neck to read old inspection tags.  Stooping between the wheels to catch a glimpse of the oil and dirt soaked engine.  This is all part of the old truck package.  This is why I enjoy this old Diamond-T so much, it has character.

When you take a close look at the door you can only see a gray splotch where some kind of logo used to reside.  Below that shadow the gray lettering that remains reads “Department of Energy”.  Engage your imaginations…now.  Who can say what this truck did for this government agency.  I can imagine this truck hauling nuclear reactor parts around the American Southwest.  The driver cooking in the non A/C cab.  The sun scorched paint and rust free cab could vouch for that story.  Who can tell what the DOE used this truck for, maybe it was classified or maybe it was mundane.  Did it ever roam the lots of Oakridge or Hanford?  Does this truck drive geiger counter nuts?  Maybe it glows.  To me, it’s all part of the fun with old trucks.  Just like yesterday, today and tomorrow they can just about be or do anything you ask of them.  Long live the old iron!

Diamond-T 931CN - Click to Expand

 

 

Posted in Vintage | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Lost and Found – A Treasure Trove

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Eric

Spencer sent me this great tip of a veritable treasure trove of old iron in Duchess County, NY. Based on his recon work we know the yard contains Freightliners, Autocars, Brockways, and of course, Macks.  Many of the trucks appear road worthy but the mystery about their owner or their futures remain unclear.  As you can see from the photos a set of rusty barrels decline further investigation.  So if your on RT 22 keep an eye peeled, clearer photos would be great.  FYI, Spencer says the diner across the street is worth the visit.

Possible Brockway?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Autocar Semi

Here is the maped location.  Click Me.

Know of any old truck(s) in hiding?  Email Me!

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A Green Milestone

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Eric

Freightliner M2 CNG

Yesterday the Freightliner workers at the Mount Holly, NC production facility celebrated a milestone, the production of the  1,000th natural gas powered truck.  The eventual owner of the truck will be Ryder Systems, Inc.  You can tell CNG trucks from their LNG brothers by their tank configurations.  CNG trucks will have a large tank system contained behind the cab while LNG trucks use a standard looking fuel tank. So, what are the advantages of a natural gas powered vehicle? To begin, emissions are much cleaner and engine noise is reduced. But perhaps the most important feature, reducing the the U.S. dependence on foriegn oil. For every 50,000 miles a natural gas truck racks up nearly 500 barrels of oil have been avoided. Consider the fact that most natural gas in the U.S. is domestically produced and you have a very compelling argument for gas. Now if they could only figure out that hydrofracking mess…

Source: Gaston Gazette Image: Freightliner

Posted in Industry News | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Tis the season…

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Eric

Christmas starts earlier each year and this year is no exception but if you have to haul a tree cross country and make multiple stops you better start early.  The Mack Pinnacle you see below is hauling the Christmas tree that will be displayed in the Capital this season.  Originating from the Stanislaus National Forest in California this conifer is being joined in it’s journey by another Mack truck hauling 3,000 custom made ornaments and 100 smaller trees for various D.C. government offices.  Is this Christmas convoy coming to a town near you?  Hit this link to find out.

Sources/Image:  Mack Trucks

Posted in Industry News | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The Old Guard

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Eric

With the start of the work week I’ll post this line up of old Macks. They bear the logos of Weitsman & Son and the Matlow Company, the later recently purchased by the former. My guess is these trucks will soon end up becoming the very scrap they once hauled. The Weitsman’s fleet is modern and sleek with large red Kenworths and Volvos, no place for these old Macks.

From Left to Right. 1998 RD688S, 1998 RB688S, 2000 DM690S

Click to enlarge.

Posted in At the Dealer | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Rescue 911, What is your emergency?

Posted on November 5, 2011 by Eric

You might want to set your house on fire just to see this monster come tearing down the street. This 1944 Mack fire truck is powered by a SRT10 V10 viper engine. To add to the authenticity the stock Mack front end axle is still in use. This one of a kind truck is the creation of Tom Stark of Precision Designs. For all the details and more photos check out Autoblog.com.

One of these years I’ll have to make SEMA.

Source: Autoblog.com

Posted in Free and Easy | Tagged , | Leave a comment

1956 International RD-220

Posted on November 4, 2011 by Eric

Not too long ago Spencer contacted me with a video of a pretty cool truck, his International RD-220.  Originally this great truck belonged to his grandfather and was used to help with the construction of Interstate 87 in New York.  You will notice that the hood is much longer than a typical R-Series, this was necessary to fit the large diesel engine, a Cummins NHB-600.  For the past 30 years the truck has sat parked in the same spot….until now!

Let this be a lesson to all of us, have a front end loader handy at all times.

Good luck on your restoration Spencer! And don’t forge to keep us updated!

Posted in International, Vintage | Tagged , | 2 Comments

At the Dealer – Bring on the Plows.

Posted on November 3, 2011 by Eric

For us in the northern climates we have ignored the truth long enough, winter is here.  With that in mind many municiaplites are scrambling to button up their trucks for the season.  Time to take a look at few on the local dealers and repair shops.

International Workstar, it’s possible this truck is still waiting for home.  It won’t look this clean much longer.

Too large?  How about this International 4900 4×4 owned by Onondaga Community College.  No excuse to close campus with this rig on patrol.  I’ve always found the International 4XXX series to be one my favorite International truck on the road.  Maybe it’s their simple and near utilitarian design?

Western Star, this Canadian truck should know a thing or two about snow.  Town of Florence.

And let us not forget this good ol’ Freightliner FLC.  Town of Conquest.

Oh look, another Western Star.  Town of Clay.

Posted in At the Dealer, Snow Plows | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment