Cleaned up some bits from the yard, loaded that grain trailer, then headed out for J's yard, both truck and trailer on the scaled grossed out at 40,000 lbs. Between the truck and trailer my payload was 24,600 lbs which will still net me a hefty payday somewheres around $1500.00 with todays prices.
Had D.O.T. pulled me over their scales the truck would have been over the legal limit in the rear axle, the trailer is not well balanced and it put way too much weight onto the truck. These grain truck conversions look good on paper but belong on the farm not the highways.
That DT466 is the smallest diesel engine I've ever had in a truck and have to say I'm rather impressed with the little best. I had a couple of long hills to pull and she handled then like a champion.
Also this is the fist 5 and 2 transmission arrangement I've driven, I found that I only needed the clutch to start out then every shift after with out. My fist truck had two sticks the fist transmission a 5 speed coupled to a 4 speed which kept ya busy.
Trucks equipped with an auxiliary transmission can be equipped with a power tower which are great for winching applications and you better make sure your truck is well anchored or its heading into the bog.
A power tower is driven from the input shaft of an auxiliary transmission. This means that you can put the auxiliary transmission in neutral, and drive the power tower output shaft with as many speeds as you have in your main transmission, ie. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13 etc. With the auxiliary in neutral, the truck will not move as the output of the Brownie is not turning, hence the main drive-shaft to rear axles. They are great for heavy winching applications.
A tid bit on heavy winching, if the object is embedded in mud, tighten up on the winch line then wait a few seconds to allow the suction to break before proceeding. You will be amazed at the difference of trying to do an immediate hook n pull. Brute force does not win in this situation and all you'll do is end up breaking winch line by not breaking suction.
Same thing would apply if you got a cat bogged in mud.
There's always call for experienced winch truck operators in the oil patch.
Today will be spent cleaning rads and loading the pick up with aluminum for a trip into the city, rather than lug this crap over to Birnie the city looks to be a better option. I have a crappy neighbor over at the other place so a cleaner yard is necessary.
My large format camera came in yesterday afternoon, customs hit me up for an additional $115.00. Its a great looking camera now to add some accessories, fist on the list is a tri pod then some film.
This 8"x10" is a monster, already I'm thinking about buying another smaller 4"x5" for nature work, hopefully the lenses will interchange.
Ahh yes the best part is that I'm old enough to apply for an early pension, in Canada we are eligible for full pension at 65 but may apply at 60 for a reduced rate. As you get closer to 65 the rate increases so I've been holding off a bit. I figure what the heck its time for Gill to kick back and enjoy the count down.
Power tower mounted on top of auxiliary transmission.
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