jakebrake86

Yep, it's my real last name. Unfortunately, it's a little on the ironic side.

Welcome aboard, Mark! It's good to know an estimator that's still willing to get his hands dirty! Most of the ones I've known were, well, let's say, NOT willing to get said hands dirty!

Good gracious alive, $120,000 for a sleeper? The man that can afford that is really doing something!

Yep, you definitely get a good day's exercise in on a direct drive machine. I've put in a few hours on them and loved it. My next goal is to learn to run a dragline... Just haven't had the opportunity yet.

I used to wonder the same thing. This machine was built well after Cat started using hydraulics, but this was back in the good ole days where if you were willing to buy a new machine, you could spec it the way you wanted it! Apparently there were a bunch of die hard old timers that stuck by the old cable and winch control. I almost bought an old as the hills 955h a couple of years ago, but found a pretty good deal on a 31Y 943. I use it for everything.. Track loaders are one of the most versatile machines available, in my opinion. I can't figure out why you see fewer and fewer of them still running?

I'm glad y'all like 'em too! Yep, Cats and Dogs is where it's at!

I've never been around a direct start 8, but I grew up around 3T and 17A D7's. I always loved the way those big ole four bangers sounded when the little motor was wheeling it over, then shut the compresion release, and POP POP POP!!! Nothin' like it!

That's a good rule of thumb to have!

Man, that's no good. Your grandson sounds alot like my little brother. Stole an R model radiator from me and sold it for scrap. Probably got $25 for the thing. It wasn't worth much, but it just so happened I was 19 and in the process of building my first dump truck, and really needed it. I never wanted to shoot somebody so bad my whole life. He, unfortunately, never had to face the music and I fear will never grow up. I'm probably a little young to be giving parental advice, but I'd bust his balls if I were you. The sooner he learns, the better.

No sir, just ATHS. Dad's a member of HCEA, though. I've been meaning to join ACMOC, as well. The HCEA show in Ohio looks like it would be a lot of fun to attend. Do y'all ever go?

Mine does have a 350 and an 8LL so it's not too terribly bad, but you can't beat the tall hood R model view!

I love your old R model! I sold my '87 R and 'upgraded' to a '96 RD... Sometimes I question my decision! Lol

Did your trailer bring what you wanted?

My RD is the same way. At least you never forget to turn off your turn signal!

How do you like your 4320? I'm looking at one just like it for. $3000. It's got some possible trans issues, though. It's got the 8 speed synchro range, but it will only go into 4 gears at the moment.

I wish all the pampered, modern pacaar drivers that say an R model is junk due to the ride quality could make a couple of rounds in a rig like this. I saw someone on here say an old timer once told him he drove trucks back when men were men and trucks were wood!

is that an F900? I thought I read somewhere that the redi mix company in New York that painted their trucks like Wonderbread were the only ones (besides overseas) that ran them? Or maybe I bumped my head? Either way, AWESOME truck!

I imagine that most of you Mack guys, having the sincere appreciation for the toughest trucks on earth that you have, would share the same enthusiasm for old Caterpillar iron. I know I do. My dad picked up this old tractor a couple of years ago for $5 grand. It hadn't ran in 15-20 years but with some clean fuel and a strong downwards shove from a Michigan front end loader, she popped off and purred like a kitten. It had just had a new U/C installed when they parked it. If I understand correctly, the D6B was the first tractor to come factory equipped with direct electric start, versus the pony motor used on the D69U and previous models. We've been patching a couple of rust holes, installing new trunion mounts for the blade, and trying to decide to go back with a generator/voltage regulator setup, or just an alternator. I'll post some more pics as soon as we get some more work done.

Anybody looking at this truck? Don't want to step on any toes. How many feet of frame behind the cab? I'm looking for something to mount a 15' bed on so I believe we need 14'-14.5.'

Somebody stole the bulldog!!!!

Certainly a new one on me. It would be interesting to see, that's for sure!

Has anybody ever had the frame to crack around the hole for the pitman arm shaft? I've got a hairline crack developing across the top flange and I was wondering what would be the best way to go about patching it up? Here's what I'm thinking; Please let me know if I'm wrong... 1. Stop-drill the end of the crack. 2. Grind and vee the crack out. 3. Preheat the living heck out of it with a rose bud. 4. Weld 'er up. 5. Either find a piece of frame the right size for an outer glove, or weld a diamond shaped patch to the rail itself. I'd rather go with the glove for the sake of looking neat, but I don't want to sacrifice durability for looks, either. Any idears?

I guess it's the same everywhere, Mike. I'm in the business on a very small scale, but I'm going to try to hang on. It sounds like y'all had a good thing going when you were in business.

Cool. Looks kind of Brockway-ish.

Awesome truck!