vanscottbuilders

Got a phone call today from the fellow that bought the big power Peterbilt from us last spring. You all might remember that it took him forever to close the deal. After he finally took the truck, he called us for about six weeks asking us if we wanted to buy it back. Meanwhile the bottom was falling out of used truck prices. Especially big, thirsty ones. Anyway - he called me from Buffalo on a trip from his home in Oklahoma to tell me that everything is going great! Apparently he just started to run the truck about five weeks ago. (Hard to imagine that he let a $50,000.00 plus purchase sit in his driveway - but to each his own) He's got the truck pulling a flatbed for a specialized equipment vendor in Pennsylvania, I think. I was very surprised to hear he is averaging around 6.0 mpg, with 6.6 being his highest trip average. Pretty good for that C-16 Cat. He must be a very conservative operator. Really nice to hear that he is doing well. I wish him the all the best. Meanwhile - back at the ranch - I've been thinking about what to do with my little R-600. The building business could actually use a good single axle dump truck, and that might be a great candidate. Except no power steering. Might have to fix that. A low mileage truck like that could last us the rest of our lives with a little care. And it would be great promotion for our business. The shop move is going very well. The crane is reassembled and operational. Most of the new electrical work is done. The new roof is going on next week. Then I can untarp and unload the two flatbeds that have all of my parts on. It sure will be nice to get that stuff organized on shelves. (The worst roof leak is right above where I want the parts racking to go) It sure is nice being to able to put all of the trucks inside. Might have a local customer for the H-63. And he would like us to do the restoration. That would be fun.

Tom, Ask around about the 4" exhaust pipe. I think it might be fairly easy to come by. I just asked a friend of mine with an older R model dump truck, when I noticed some new 4" pipe on his truck. He told me it was no problem getting it made up for him. Did you get your jaw healed up? Paul VS

I never trust anything that the Chinese smoke in their hookahs. And - you know what they say that Ginseng does to you. I'm waaay too old to be acting like that!!!!!!! Paul VS

Thanks Rob, Like Garth, I too have been thinking that epoxy was the way to go. I wonder - can you add a colorant to the structural adhesive? I've had great luck adding food coloring to tint epoxy for a variety of uses. Paint pigment would be real good also. Good forum! Paul Van Scott

Adrian, My best guess would be to try the Mack Museum. I think they would have records for anything built by Mack. Takes a while - but a really good service. Be sure to send them a donation, too. Good Luck. Paul Van Scott

That truck looks fantastic - The air ride will help a lot. Any ideas what you might do with it? Or what type of body you might put on? Paul Van Scott

Steve, If you could post a cross-section, as Rob asks, I would appreciate it. I'm in the same boat, looking for the same stuff. My understanding is that the contour window does indeed use the same gasket molding as the flat window. Thanks, Paul Van Scott

We are headed for Fall in Upstate New York. The leaves are beginning to change. Nights are getting a little cooler. The politicians are all dressed up and hurling barbs at each other. So Turkey hunting season can't be far away. I'm no sure why - but one always reminds me of the other.

Boyce, You are right - that D-4 is the perfect load behind a B Mack. If memory serves me, that tractor with the blade might weigh around 10,000#. If it does, why not look for someone else to fill the trailer? The dozer will go on a lowboy, a step deck or even a high flat, as long as you can load it and unload it. I'm just thinking out loud - but why don't you look for someone who might want to move a truck or another tractor in your direction, from Pa. or the general area. Or maybe someone who wants to move something north from your area, so you might get a one way rate. You might even check with tractor and equipment dealers in your area. Sometimes they are transporting to and from the auctions, and might be able to help. Good Luck. And post your contact info here on this forum, so everybody is thinking about it. Paul Van Scott

Just take it easy and do what the doctor says. If that doesn't sound like your mother - I don't know what does. But it's the right thing to do, if you want to get better. Have a good week. Paul VS

For $4,500. bucks, if the truck in the paper is any good at all, it's a pretty good buy. And single dumps are always useable and saleable. Good thoughts to have - for better sleeping!! Paul VS

Why do you think we moved to the back of the building? The exact location is Pooler Park, Cty. Rd. 42, Fishers, NY 14453

I like Ron Paul, too. He's a little over the top, but at least he was headed in the right direction. That is, "less government and better protection of the individual's basic rights". Interesting sidebar though: Since Mr. Paul and his supporters have a substantial amount of campaign monies left over - they are forming a non-profit organization that will support any candidate, anywhere in the US, that promotes their ideals. Looks like a good use of money to me. Paul Van Scott

Garth, I'll ask around and keep you posted. Paul Van Scott

So, what did the doctor say? PVS

The RS-700 sounds, to me, like a story that needs to be told. Thanks James, Paul VS

That's a good looking pair of Freightliners James. Do you still run produce? Paul Van Scott

Tom, If it could work out - I'd be happy to pay for the tires. The R model will need 22.5" tubeless rubber. It's got 11.00 x 20" on it now. I prefer a light lug tire on the drives, and something pretty decent on the steer axle. Remember, it's only a single axle tractor. I'm going to have to scrounge up wheels, too. But I think I can get them pretty easily. Thanks, Paul VS

Pretty sad indeed. But if more of us get informed and involved, we can fix the problem. I am getting a sense that the Obama flame could dim before the election. There have been way too many promises, and way too much "trying to please everybody" that I think something has to give. Most people are pretty impressionable, but they are not stupid. Some of them are starting to wake up. We don't have a great candidate in McCain, but I think we have a sincere, basically honest and patriotic American. And we have the hottest VP ever!! Not only hot - but smart and concerned about the people. All we have to do is get the word out, and get everyone we talk to into the voting booth.

Bob, You might try Mack for the windshield and rear window rubber with the lock strip. And I've found Watts to be pretty fair, with great service too. You didn't happen to make a note of where you found that wing window rubber did you? Thanks, Paul Van Scott

Still packing and hauling stuff to the new shop. Spent today sorting and packing up hand tools. Most of the big pieces are all gone, except the steel benches and the steel sheets and pieces for fabricating. The crane's all down and loaded. The trucks are all moved. Time to re-organize and decide what goes where in the new space. I'm really looking forward to it. This should be a more permanent arrangement than we had, so we are planning to really set up a nice, workable shop, rather than treating it as a temporary area, like we have been doing. I've been thinking about my project list and the order for completion. The B-67 is first, then I'm thinking about my little Ford Golden Jubilee tractor, which shouldn't need too much except cosmetics. Then probably the R-600, just because it only needs some body work. Along with those things, I need to get my little lowboy trailer cleaned up and painted, and new tires installed. That pretty much accounts for the next year. Then we'll see what comes next. Probably the H-63. I just today was given a running END-673 which gives me more replacement options for the bad engine in that truck. I can only concentrate on one project at a time, but it's good to look ahead to gather the pieces required for the next project. Speaking of tires - Tom (Other Dog), have you used any of the take-off tires from your company before? I'm thinking that's a great idea for the R-600. It needs to switch to tubeless radials and won't get any real miles. It's not a show truck so new rubber isn't really necessary. Thought I'd ask around up here and see what I can scrounge up.

I had to go get a second TV - it was the only way! So much for being king. The pork loin sounds great. And it's too bad you're so friggin old that your teeth are leaving, and you can't enjoy it. Ship it up - I'll take of it for you. Seriously though - don't wait around to get that mouth looked at. Infection moves pretty fast and it can be a real problem if it really settles in to the jaw. Hope you feel better. PVS

I hope this is what it takes to stop the Obama railroad!! If nothing else - Sarah might bring out some of those people who don't normally vote. And - as a last resort - we might sign up Rob's "Momma"! Paul VS

B Mack windshield and door glass is pretty easy to get cut. Any good auto/truck glass supplier should be able to provide it. It's flat glass, and the windshield sides are interchangeable, so a good template will work for both sides. The door glass pieces are also interchangeable from side to side, so same story. If making templates doesn't work for you, Watt's Mack has replacement glass, I believe. The cost isn't bad at all compared to a curved windshield piece. You will probably also need new rubber for the windshields, and most lokely you'll need new rubber and felts for the side windows. Hopefully you can save the wing window rubbers. They must be made of gold, judging by the cost for replacement. Good Luck, Paul Van Scott

You might try Desser Tire or contact Matt Pfahl for info on the correct tire type for the heavy duty B models. I'd like to know more about that truck as you make progress. Perini did a large highway project here in Rochester, NY a few years ago. Good Luck. Paul Van Scott