Coles Express

Posted on December 16, 2015 by Eric

I came across this little gem on Youtube the other night regarding Coles Express from the great state of Maine. This promotional film provides a fascinating glimpse of trucking as it was in the the early 1970’s. The film opens with a scene of young man sitting on the bumper of a International V-Series (?) as he watches a Diamond Reo backs a trailer to a loading dock, all the while a Detroit Diesel screams at that top of it’s lung. Picture of the Year? I think so. As I mentioned, this video will take you through the history of Coles and their daily life at the time. Highlights include Diamond Reo cabovers, the delievery of a live parrot and the Tank-Van; the east coast version of the dromedary setup.

All of this great footage comes to us courtesy of the Cole Land Transportation Museum of Bangor Maine. If you ever find your way up north this museum looks like a perfect stop as it contains not only many of the trucks seen in the video below, including the tank van, but many other historical vehicles as well. For a full history of Coles Express click here.

If you’re interested in more of the Tank-Van, and I know you are, click here.

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Mystery Trucks

Posted on December 15, 2015 by Eric

Anyone know what this truck is used for? I seem to remember a time of year when they were used almost daily. I think they were used to push something? Maybe they were called push trucks? Oh well. Whatever they were for we don’t need them anymore but someone continues to order them from the dealer.

Mack Granite Snow Plow

The local Mack dealer, Beam Mack, has two of these identical beauties currently on the lot. I didn’t see any identifying paper so the soon to be owner is unknown at this time.

Smith Spreaders

The truck almost looks like it is waving.

Mack Granite

Across town these two Western Stars were awaiting service, a 4700 for the Town of Manlius and 6×6 for the Onondaga County DOT.

Western Star Plow

And thus concludes plow coverage for the month of December! Yikes.

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Top 30 Autocars – Part II

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Eric

If you liked Part I of the Top 30 Autocar Trucks EVER seen on Daily Diesel Dose spool up your turbos for group number two! Today we have a nicely balanced selection with AT64F, DC, DK and U-Models. Many of these trucks are still working while some have gone to the great wrecking yard in the sky. As before, clicking on the link below will take you to the original posting with more info (sometimes) and photos.

Moulton's Towing - AT64F

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I-690 West Bridge Replacement

Have you spotted an Autocar? Let the world see! Email eric@dailydieseldose.com today!

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Checking Your List

Posted on December 13, 2015 by Eric

Are you looking for the last gift minute gift for the heavy construction equipment fan on your list? Check out Northwest Engineering Company  A Photographic Archive Volume Two. The Classic Years 1941 to 1966 by noted authors M.E. Folsom and M. Torres. The book is currently available from Buffalo Road Imports or the HCEA shop. Volume 2 contains over 212 pages of detailed information along with 300 photos, many of which are unique shots of one off or prototype machines. A special appendix section on diesel engine choices is included with special attention paid to the Murphy diesel, the engine of choice for Northwest machines for many years. Check out the link below for information on previous publications.

photo

The Story of Northwest Engineering Company: Manufactured at Green Bay, Wisconsin

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At the Dealer – Unique Rides

Posted on December 12, 2015 by Eric

Do you know what this machine is? Without its signature treads it doesn’t look like much but with them it’s a formidable snow traveling machine. The PistenBully 400 is multi use tool for grooming ski slopes and other snow parks. I didn’t realize it but these vehicles come equipped with a massive four ton winch in the back that is able to rotate independently of the vehicle. The winch cable is connected to a fixed point on the mountain and provides increased stability and traction. Cool. Click here to learn more and see a really well done video of the 400 in action. Seen at the local Cummins dealer.

PistenBully400

On the other side of town at Milton Cat this Timberjack harvester was near the used equipment portion of the lot. Seeing this harvester reminded me of the great show on the Discovery Channel, American Loggers.  Back when it was still on Netflix I would the seasons over and over. It never got old. My favorite part was scanning the back of each scene to catch a glimpse of the older iron lurking in the background. Plenty of old Macks and Internationals to be found.

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Construction Construcktor

Posted on December 11, 2015 by Eric

It’s our favorite Autocar Construcktor back with a Cat backhoe as they clear old sidewalk cutouts. This video should have been included with the original posting that took place in October but  you know, laziness and sloth.

Click below for more!

Autocar Mondays – Walk this Way

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Crane Clearing House

Posted on December 9, 2015 by Eric

Too many crane photos are piling up in my archives so it’s time to clear a few out. This lime green Grove rough terrain crane for CSX has a nasty looking kink in the main tube. That’s what happens when you don’t stretch before working out.

CSX Grove Crane

JPW Riggers always runs spotless equipment of every type. I had a chance to check out this older unit while attending that auction that contained the Diamond Reo Wrecker.

JPW Riggers

Cranes work best on level surfaces but sometimes you have to make your own with cribbing. This Terex from Elmer W. Davis spent a few week hoisting material to and from the roof of a large commercial building in downtown Syracuse.

Crane Cribbing

In the gallery below you have a few more shots of the Terex, some crawler pads from an unknown massive crane and what appears to be a brand new CSX Freightliner 108SD

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[Show as slideshow]

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The Most Extreme Trucks

Posted on December 8, 2015 by Eric

Do you remember a time when the cable channel TLC actually stood for The Learning Channel? Before shows about edible wedding dress made by little people who also participate in beauty pageants while trying to flip homes you actually were able to watch programming that enriched your brain instead of shrinking it. The Discovery Channel was much the same before it was overrun by terrified naked people. I don’t remember which one of these channels used to air Extreme Machines shows but those sure were good times. I remember watching this episode as youngster when you had no choice but to view it live or move on with your life.

If you’re a busy person I’ll break down some of the highlights for you.

3:30 – 10:00 Crazy Euro wheelie trucks and the jet truck Shockwave

12:20 – 18:12 NYFD Mack and Seagrave fire trucks. Now classics.

20:43 – 24:33 Haul of Fame Trucking Museum (Shut down by state of CT?)

25:36 28:28 Mack Truck torture chamber (Personal favorite from all those years ago)

37:32 – 38:40 International PayStar5000 Baja 1000 Race Truck (Cummins M11 scream)

Basically, you should just watch the whole thing. Other segments also include a seven million dollar Kenworth, Euro Truck Racing and self parking truck.

https://youtu.be/gRltOXgPmlo

Thanks to Dave for unearthing this gem on Youtube. It brought back many good memories.

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Top 30 Autocars

Posted on December 7, 2015 by Eric

Autocar Mondays became a regular feature on Daily Diesel Dose back in March of 2013 and since that inaugural post we’ve been graced with hundreds of jaw dropping trucks from nearly every age of Autocar. As 2015 draws to a close it’s prime time to reflect on the years that have passed in anticipation of what is to come. Over the next three weeks we’ll look back at some of the trucks that may have been forgotten to the back pages of your mind. Autocars have been a mainstay on this site since the very begging so keep an eye for trucks from trucks that predate Autocar Mondays. I also want to take this time to sincerely thank all of you that have taken the time to share you great photos with me and the rest of the world. This site, especially the Autocar search tag, would be a shadow of itself without you.

Above each photo you’ll find a brief description of the truck and the person who shared it. Below you will find a link to the full story. If you see a truck you really enjoy click on this link as there are often more photos and videos to complete the story.

Now, in no specific order of greatness, the first 10 Autocars of the Top 30.

1973 Autocar DC - Shared by Michael Moroz

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http://dailydieseldose.com/autocar-mondays-73-autocar-dc/

 

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At the Dealer – Mack LR with Refuse Body

Posted on December 6, 2015 by Eric

I was cruising by the local Mack dealer the other day and noticed a brand new garbage truck out back. It turned out to be a brand new LR model. And to think, I almost didn’t stop. If you’re really lucky you might find an LR spec’d as something other than a garbage truck but this chassis was built with the refuse in industry in mind with options like dual steering wheels, low entry, and hand operated brakes. Not sure where this one is going but someone’s daily pickup route is about to become a little bit nicer.

Mack LR

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