road train

higgy · Apr 30, 2004

that is about the size of the train that we ran, we moved material for oil energy corp. I lived in oz from 93 to 2000. Loved it. I worked in all 6 states, NZ, Barrow Island and KL. Had a great time.

We also spent a fair amount of time in the goldfileds and in Kalgoolie mostly in and aroung the starting stalls eh mate??

That is a nice parenti (sp) that you have a pic of in you book.

My house was in Freo, and I did pull for the eagels and Dockers. Come to tink about it the westside seems to be stronger then the east (hehehe).

Well I think its time for a redback. Look forward to yakin at you soon.

Dane

daedong · Apr 30, 2004

Higgy
That is a nice parenti (sp) that you have a pic of in you book. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

5030 · Apr 30, 2004

Rob:

This is for you and Johnday:

John and I have been talking back and forth in private for a while. He lives near me and knows about the company I drive for. We have 11 axle units (Gross 161,000#) 7 axle units (Gross 122,000#) 6 axle units (Gross 101,000#) and break up double A trains (Gross 162,000#) The picture of the double bottom gravel hauler is a "B" train. A B train is essentially 2 independent trailers with the "pup" or back trailer being pulled on a pintle hook. Those are true wiggle wagons. They are the ones that when empty, go down the road in their lane and half of yours too. The "A" train is a lead trailer with a kingpin hooked to the tractor and a "stinger" to pull the pup. A stinger is a lowered part of the frame of the first or lead trailer with a fifth wheel attached to it just like a tractor. The pup is hooked on the fifth wheel via a kingpin. The "A" train doesn't wiggle around and is a heck of a lot easier to back up, hooked up. It's possible to back a "B" train, but it's like backing a hay wagon. Very hard. Most gravel trains are "B"'s. The reason is that when a gravel train dumps, they will, most of the time, dump the pup and then dump the lead over the pintle without unhooking. Steel haulers are almost always "A" trains. You can't dump over a fifth wheel anyway. The A's back easier and most of the time you unload steel via overhead crane of forklift side or rear. The "A" train, as long as it is backed straight has the capability of actually laying the bulkhead of the pup down like a drawbridge and then driving a forklift into the lead trailer. Ours have an electric winch for that purpose. Sometimes our loads unload forklift rear.

I myself drive a 48 foot quad axle trailer with a 3 axle power unit for a total of 7 axles. All the axles are air ride and three of the axles can be controlled from in the cab as to lift and down pressure.

I have enclosed a picture of my "office" for the benefit of Johnday and the rest of you.

RobS · Apr 30, 2004

Wasn't that billed as the heaviest capacity truck in the US at the time 

Could well have been, it was hauling the worlds largest transfer press at the time (in several pieces) /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

RobS · Apr 30, 2004

Daryl, your "office" looks a lot more pleasant than mine, especially lately. Thanks for the info on A versus B trains. I have noticed both in my travels. Got quite used to seeing all sorts of steel haulers when I lived in Detroit. Part of the daily commute in fact.

I take it the FedEx triples shown in the post are also "B" trains? Mossroad mentioned the fun they must have in the wind but a snowy stretch of the toll road must be miserable for those drivers.

Hey, thanks from a consumer for keeping this country moving and thanks for the insight as well /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

higgy · Apr 30, 2004

It is the lizard from you NSW/QLD photo album from your site numbered P1440028, the laced dragon.

higgy · Apr 30, 2004

The train we had was tractor trailer, dolly trailer, dolly trailer, dolly trailer and on rare occasions we would add a fifth dolly and trailer. All were hooked up as a B train. There was no backing one except stright back for a couple of feet.

I will dig out some of the picktures. In the outback you see some strange stuff. Those back trailers wander a lot. Every year some tourist will get cleaned up by a train. They will see it comming but fail to get off the road for the train to pass. This is usually not a good thing. Lots of weight and the momentum keeps them going.

higgy · Apr 30, 2004

Once again my computer has entered spellllling mistakes for me. Please excusse my computer.

daedong · May 1, 2004

Higgy
I have learnt something today. I have only ever known them as Goannas but i just found it in a reptile book, Perentie apears to be their proper name.
The one in my album is about 5ft long. For interest sake if you come across a goanna in open country they are known to run up your body and sit on your head.

California · May 1, 2004

( a snowy stretch of the toll road must be miserable for those drivers. )

I worry about the intercity UPS drivers here. No triples, but the truck they use to tow a semitrailer plus second trailer has the shortest possible wheelbase. It looks like the front bumper to back of cab is less than four feet.

As the trailers wander around I would expect the steering to be spooky. And especially, the braking on snow. Or does the tractor's wheelbase make much difference?

johnday · May 2, 2004

Daryl; Thats what I'm really talkin bout. Even some of the Honda drivers at the plant mention the Mizar trucks. Not only good looking but the drivers are good too.
It would be interesting though to take one of the
Aussie trains down 94 at rush hour, eh mate? I think I got Canadian and Aussie confused here

5030 · May 2, 2004

Johnday:

The Aussies live in those trucks. I don't want to live in any truck. I live at home.

I'd rather have a day cab. On the rare occasion that I have to stay overnight somewhere, I am in a motel.

I'd think that the Aussies, driving on dirt in Austrailia with those trucks are pretty grubby after about a week. I prefer a hot shower and my own bed at night.

Taylortractornut · May 2, 2004

Daryl I say Amen to the day cab. I have a friend that hauls in an International Eagle cabover with a sleeper. I noticed one hole tapered inside the truck and one lage hole tapered out. He was asleep at a gas station outside of Jackson MS. He said someone knocked on his door and when he asked who is it they shot through the sleepers outside door about 5 inches over his head. He said he responded with a .357 but had trouble hearing for a week the police told him there has been 3 attacks like that so far they did find some blood outside the truck cab.
I have enough trouble manuvering the 33 foot long rolloff truck I drive around Redbay Alabama. I have to drive around my boss's motor home factory. Its a nice feeling tor drive a '72 DM 600 Mack sidewinder between two 350,000 dollar Zephyr motor homes with about 5 inches on each side of the mirrors. I did get to move a 26 axle trailer that a friend bought at a TVA sale. It was camoflaged and had the jeep trailer in front of the main trailer. It took a modified Western Star to pull it and also had provisions for a pusher truck behind it.

higgy · May 5, 2004

Vin,

I have witnessed a small goanna run up a person, very ugly site. They as you are aware have very sharp and pointy toenails that leave bloody marks all over your body.

Neat creatures.

We had a 6 footer that lived behind our house. He drove the dogs wild. Every morining and nite he would partol the fence line and the dogs went off like a flocl of galas.

Dane

daedong · May 5, 2004

Higgy
yeah i don't know if i would like one sitting on my head, i reckon it would scare the crap out of ya.
When we were driving through QLD i nearly ran one over, gee it was big but had lost it tail. from stump to tail i reckon it was only 2ft 6in and as thick as my arm, it looked really strange. Probably happened fighting another male i guess.

Is there any Lizards in the US similar to the goanna.

higgy · May 6, 2004

No, there are none as big. We have a lot of lizards but they are not as big as a goanna. Maybe the size of a water draggon and lots the size of a big blue tounge.

Now lets get down to the important stuff. Was it a good year for shiraz? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

daedong · May 6, 2004

Higgy

I am only a poor citrus grower but i'm led to believe its been a good yr for shiraz but ever yr's a good one in oz, we grow the best. At least we are brain washed to believe so.

Our wine exports continue to grow by more than 25% pa I understand, However growers continue to regraft vines, chasing the popular varieties