Autocar Mondays – Separating the Trucks from the Toys

Posted on December 28, 2015 by Eric

Can you tell I’m in a TV watching kind of mood? This nice little video recently hit the ATHS Youtube channel. It chronicles the construction of Autocar trucks from start to finish while describing what sets an Autocar apart from the other toy trucks of the time. While the video is a narration over still shots the content is still fascinating and bound to provide a few photos you have not seen before. As you see a truck move from bare frame to rolling chassis you won’t help but wonder where these fine machines ended up. Chances are people would have taken better care of them if they could have seen into the future of modern trucks and all the problems that come along with them.

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Roll of Drums

Posted on December 27, 2015 by Eric

Of the following two individual which one has the more dangerous job? The average Joe Shmoe heavy equipment operator or the dare devil circus performer? The answer to this questions depends on the person that heeds the roll of the drum. According to this safety video produced by Caterpillar and the National Safety Council, that stuntman, while performing dangerous activities, actually has a safer occupation as he is prepared for danger and has taken the steps necessary to minimize the damage. That’s right buddy. You thought it was a good idea to race your Cat 660 and Cat 632 along the shores of lake but in reality you’re taking a bigger chance than the dude being shot out of a canon. Same goes for the mechanic replacing the scraper cutting edge without blocking the apron. A small and unnoticed hydraulic leak turns this once humble earth moving machine into a make shift guillotine. Produced in the same style as Shake Hands with Danger this video walks us through the tragedies lurking around the corner of every unsafe decision. Heed the roll of the drum before it drums for you!

https://youtu.be/XLN58oBWaME

By the way, heavy equipment racing should totally be a thing! I bet it would eclipse NASCAR in less than three years.

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Deceptive Appearances

Posted on December 24, 2015 by Eric

At first glance you might write this old Ford LTL 9000 of as a soon to be junkyard relic but then you look closer and notice a seemingly new Cat 519 knuckleboom loader out back. Hmmmm, guess this old rig will be around for a few more decades.

Ford LTL9000

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12V71 Detroit Diesel Brockway

Posted on December 23, 2015 by Eric

This video will speak for itself. A Brockway with V12 Detroit Diesel under the hood. Enjoy the sights and sounds! When you’ve had  you fill head on over to www.brockwaytrucks.org for more!

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A Slow Start

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Eric

Out with the old. In with the new. This new Western 4800 6×6 is heading for the Town of Spafford, NY. It looks to be ready to go with maybe the exception of lettering. Curiously enough the town recently sold their 1972 Oshkosh P-Series at auction for a price just over 3,000 big ones so it seems to be pretty obvious which truck this Western Star will replace.

Western Star 4800 6x6

Not to be outdone, the Town of Tully is added to their fleet with their own 6×6 truck as well. Both towns reside in the hill country and see their fare share of drifting snow. It hasn’t happened yet but these trucks will receive a work out once winter arrives…next year.

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Out west, near Tahoe, things are a little different. Ryan sends us some shots of Caltrans rigs tag teaming a stretch of road. I never tire of seeing the International 2574 model at work. Hopefully for California this is the start of nearly 30 feet of snow they need to begin placing a dent in seriously depleted reservoirs.

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New Plows

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And Working Plows

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Top 30 Autocars – Part III

Posted on December 21, 2015 by Eric

Over the past two weeks we’ve seen more than a few great Autocars that have appeared on this site over the last four years. There have been so many great trucks it was difficult to compile a list of thirty! I easily could have gone forty maybe even fifty. Anyway, this last batch has plenty of awesome iron including two 6×6 models, an immaculately restored 1949 DC100, a ’68 pumper and a super long wheel base oil field rig. Thank you to all that have shared your finds from over the years. I know I can speak for many out there when I say it is deeply appreciated.

Click here for Part I and Part II

1974 DC9964 of Clayton Block - Shared by Joe Kelly

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The Fixer

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Big Dumpster

Posted on December 20, 2015 by Eric

I saw this truck cruising through downtown the other day and thought to myself “my what a large dumpster.” For a moment I wondered if the truck would actually drop the dumpster like your average roll off would but then I thought” nah, that would be too much work. The’ll probably just drop the entire trailer and then move on.” The truck quickly outpaced my foot speed but I did eventually catch up with it and found the roll off in complete process. It works the same way as any other roll off but just looks cooler because it’s bigger. This is America after all. Bigger is better.

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GMC Heavy Trucks

Posted on December 19, 2015 by Eric

Behold, the GMC heavy haul offerings of the 1980’s, the General and the Astro. I was only two years old when this pair rolled of the assembly lines but I can tell you this, so far the look a lot better than I do!

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Lost and Found – International Cabover

Posted on December 18, 2015 by Eric

Today Jack shares with us a few photos of an old International 4070 awaiting a chance at a second life in Virginia.

International 4070

Jack has know about this truck for a number of years but just recently grabbed some photos. This Transtar is powered by a Cummins 335 paired to a 13 speed transmission. A 4:11 rear end and 11×22.5 tires complete the running gear setup. Right now this Binder is wearing an Virginia inspection sticker form 1984, a date fairly close to the last time it was on the road. The current owner and former operator, Heidi, does recall using it to move some farm trailers around in the late 80’s but other than that activity that truck has sat where you see it now. The model year is thought to be a ’71 or ’72 and judging by the lack of front brakes this seems to be a solid guess.

Great old rig. Thanks to Jack for making the journey to grab these photos!

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Related Topics: Lost and Found – International Transtar C04070

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Whatever It Takes

Posted on December 17, 2015 by Eric

Last night as I was passing by the local rail yard I noticed a bright set of lights and the top of a yellow boom peaking from behind a large building. I immediately knew that a derailment of some type had taken place. Getting closer to the seen I was greeted with the sight of the Fisher Companies two International TD bulldozers hooked to either side of a intermodal double stacker.

Train Derailment

These two old dozers are some sweet sounding machines. I was able to catch a short video of one before another train, the worlds longest container train, passed through. Seriously, it just went on and on for at least 10 minutes. The derailment took place right behind a building so view points were limited. The shot you see above required me to zoom across a a few hundreds yards of darkness and empty track. I was lucky to get anything. Below you can get a better idea of what happened. By this point the car that slipped the track was already fully hoisted and waiting to be shoved back into place.

Train Derailment

On the topic of the Fisher Companies, I came across one of their dump trucks working on the Hotel Syracuse renovation. Can’t tell you exactly what is taking place but an excavator has been busily digging a hole through the street while avoiding a tangle of steel support beams. I wish I could get closer but those darn construction fences, concrete barriers and asbestos warning signs really do the trick.

Volvo Dump Truck

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Related Topics: Canadian National 5703 Derailment

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