rsmartyn

A 1961 B61T and a 1979 DM686. They both still work regularly but I like to use the "B" as much as possible since it's so good on fuel. (Not to mention all the smiles and waves I get)

Hi Packer, The stuff I use is Stanadyne's Performance Formula which puts some punch back in this ULSD fuel. Less smoke, more power and better mileage are the results. I'd really like to try some blended or straight biodiesel instead of this ULSD sludge.

Thanks for that article Dave, some really good information there. Seems the drawbacks are few compared to the advantages. I have to use conditioners now with the ULSD anyway. The answer to the need for clean dependable sources of fuel will be with the private sector and not big business or bureaucrats.

Willie Nelson started a company a few years ago called BioWillie which produces & distributes Biodiesel fuel. Right now it's only available in Texas & Oklahoma but let's hope it catches on. Let Venezuela & the Middle East drink their oil while we support US farmers! http://www.biowillieusa.com/inner.php?editorpage=b201 http://illegalfilms.net/biowilliepromo.mov

They're all good when their runnin' but it just seems the "B"s run longer. Not the fastest truck on the road but they can sure pull. Small cab but it's roomier than the DM. Rides better too but the DM has a 21K front axle and 58K rear tandem so let's be fair. I heard it put well this way, "After you drive a DM for 10 hours you've felt like you've wrestled a gorilla. After you drive an RD for 10 hours you feel like you could wrestle a Gorilla."

Should I feel fortunate for fuel at $2.70 here in NJ?

Hey WV, Remember that song on Heehaw "Gloom, Despair & Agony on Me", sounds like that's what you're going through. But remember once you're rolling again they probably go for months not needing much more than fuel, oil changes, grease & brake adjustments. At least that's what mine are like. Bob

Good luck my friend, that's a unique truck you've got there and she'll really be a head turner when your done, Bob

You're right Chris, They gotta have power ash trays, power sun visors and everything else. Me, I like a dependable truck that'll get the job done and make some money. A lot of pride in owning and driving that old "B" too. I shudder to think of what a hired driver would do to it. An outfit I worked for years ago had a '60 B61 tandem dump ,that was tough as nails & wouldn't quit so what did they do to it? Ran it (loaded) off an embankment to flip it over and destroy it. Broke my heart to see it and actually, that was the original "Baby Skiddle", the name I gave my truck. Glad to hear that you''ve got your B running and are making progress, I'll let Jimmy know when I see him. Bob PS - Baby Skiddle may be working in a cemetary but ain't ready for one yet!

Hi Guys, This topic came up a while ago. My 1961 B61 is so good on fuel and reliable, I wouldn't think of retiring her. I bought that truck in '83 and sometimes wonder how many '83's are still on the road. In 24 years of faithful service the only time I couldn't drive it home was when I was in an accident that would have totalled a lesser truck and gotten me killed. I get a lot of smiles, waves and phone calls for work from people seeing the number on the door and when they call they remark about seeing that old truck still working. I don't intend to stop using "Baby Skiddle" until I pack it in myself. There's some more pictures in my gallery, Bob

Hi Freightrain, I'm late to the party but seeing that beautiful "B" and reading your story does my heart good to know that truck is in good hands. Think anybody'll feel way about a Volvo if one ever lasts that long? Bob

Here in NJ it seems the foreigners have taken over the triaxle dump truck business, mostly Turks but you see a lot of Mexicans too. They drive like animals - overloaded, way too fast, blowing stop signs and lights, in other words just ignorant and dangerous. You see them in Petes, Freightliners, Internationals and yes Macks but far and away the most popular for them is Volvo. An ugly truck with an ugly driver. I've noticed in recent years that when the DOT or troopers pull me over for a check they're not the b breakers they used to be I guess because I speak English and my trucks (both Macks) are safe and well maintained. When I need more material than I can haul myself on a job I call Planet Materials because "Nappy" runs only Macks and has American drivers. I can't deal with the low lifes that the quarries send out anymore, ignorant, who knows when they'll show up and when they do you can't communicate with them and they're usually driving guess what?, a Volvo. Bob

Ah, a subject dear to my heart. Now I don't have an R model and am not a highway hauler but my B & DM models get the work done and have paid for themselves many times over. New is nice but the shine wears off and the real reason you own a truck comes through. Can you imagine anything put out today still working at 46 years old like that B? Again, I know the subject is R models and the DM's are of that vintage. Mine will definately beat you to death but will also get the job done, get you home every night and make you money. In fairness to the new stuff all of the pollution regs, electronics and weight laws have taken a toll on a newer truck costs and reliablility which is something the older models didn't have basically have to deal with. So as long as I can I keep my old stuff working, which to date has been very economical, that's the success formula for me . Bob

Hi Guys, Be glad you live and work out of where you do. Here in the garbage... ah, I mean garden state of NJ the tags for my B @ 48K are $728.50 and the DM @ 70K are $982.50. Plus highway use tax and did I mention insurance? About $4,500 for the two with no collision. Count your blessings that you live in the United States and not in New Jersey! But I have hope, we've just bought some property in Maine and are looking forward to moving back to the US as soon as possible. And I'll leave skid marks all the way, well at least to the NJ/NY border. Bob

Hi Mike, You've gotten some good advice that is probably the problem. I use an engine heater in cold weather to help eliminate the blue smoke and blown by unburnt fuel from Baby Skiddle's END673 which doesn't have a thermostat - only shutters. Without the engine heater no about of pre-trip warmup idling will eliminate the smoke or leakage. Only driving down the road with a load for at least a half hour will work and I'll lay down a smoke screen that any World War II destroyer crew would be proud of until she's warm. Bob

Hi Gary, Great to see the next generation interested in what we love, I'm looking foward to progress pictures from your son Chris. You must be proud! Jimmy is a Piney and a good judge of character so his treatment of you and Chris speaks volumes about you two. When you get the time, post some pictures of your B model too. We never get tired of seeing photos of the proudly owned best trucks ever built. Bob

Sad to say that although they'll probably keep the name, Mack quality and toughness (which is where the reputation came from) has already suffered. It appears Volvo bought the company for the dealership network and to eliminate competition (remember White/Autocar/GMC?). Autocars were at one time incredibly tough durible vocation trucks that Volvo turned into a whimpy girlie truck and then eliminated. At least when Mack had Brockway they kept building and improved a great brand known for toughness that could make you money. A few years ago I was pulled over with my B model by a trooper looking for red fuel. He summed up what has happened very well when he remarked about the age of the "B" still working, looking good and making money compared to his new patrol car - "Our parents sure built things better than we do, look at this car, brand new and it's falling apart, what a piece of s##t!". So it is going, that in the name of lighter weight, more speed and government regulations Mack is becoming like it's competitors thanks to Volvo, a throwaway truck that the bean counters like, zoom zoom zoom and then in the crusher for whatever isn't made of plastic. I just wish that so many older trucks weren't exported where they'll be working for years to come unlike the plastic throwaways we've got here. Bob

Cats and Dogs are usually the ticket to make money in construction but not this time, oow it hurts to see a dog bite the dust like that!

Really nice work Trent, great detail right down to the door lettering Bob

Hi Chris, You're right, Jimmy is a nice guy and he'll help you whatever way he can if he likes you (but if he don't, look out!). He should still have an older R model that is solid mechanically. Knowing him, that "B" ought to be mechanically pretty good. It's just been sitting around for awhile. Again, good luck with a great find Bob (And to think that truck has been right under my nose all these years but he wouldn't part with it saying "I'm gonna git it runnin' again next spring")

Hi Chris, How'd you ever con that B off my brother in law Jimmy? He's been putting it back on the road as long as I've known him. Good luck with it. Bob

Now I'm partial to Macks because they live up to their reputation, making me money by getting the job done on construction sites that eat up most other brands. In fact in the 24 years I've had my B model, it's always made it home after a hard days work and has never left me stranded, only one time on the hook when I was in a bad accident that would have left one of those "girlie trucks" totaled and me in the hospital (at best). There's only one other brand that was as tough and sad to say, Mack's new owner ruined them. That would be Autocar. The old A'cars (before Volvo screwed them up) were incredibly tough. Unfortunately they were also incredibly slow and heavy so with todays weight laws making money with them would be tough too. But as far as working hard in tough conditions, Awfulcars are the only other brand that can hold a candle to Mack. Bob

Thanks for the pix Barry, beautiful old Dogs and it looks like a lot of them are still working. And the old Bucyrus Erie 15B is sweet looking too along with that rusty old iron in Gerhart's yard. I started out 34 years ago as a wrench at a BE dealership and love those old cable rigs. Bob