RowdyRebel Posted December 26, 2011 Share Posted December 26, 2011 Got up & went to church this morning to celebrate the reason for the season....and I'll tell ya what, I've definitely got to get my motorcycle up to par for this summer (tires, brakes, lights, fix the fuel leak, etc...). The church I've been going to for the past almost year only meets once a month. Well, they meet the other Sundays too, but at a different location. It's 2 congregations, 1 parish...kinda confusing, but hey...they's good people....lots of farmer/truckers in attendance. Anyways, being Christmas and all, I decided to try to find this other church building they meet at on the other Sundays and let me tell you...it's a fun little hilly twisty curvy road to get there. When the weather breaks, I might just start attending EVERY Sunday just to have an excuse to get out and ride, which I haven't really done a whole heck of a lot of these past few years. Hopefully with the Mack paid off in April, I'll have a little extra coin laying around to be able to get back to riding more often.Anyway, after church, I came home and messed around online for a little while....then called the family to wish 'em a Merry Christmas. After I got done talkin' to them, I headed outside & greased up the ol' Mack......wearing a t-shirt & overalls.....BEAUTIFUL weather in the near mid-50's and sunny. Got that all done and swapped the motor out of my power hacksaw (old one was locked up....so I bought one with more power). Of course the NEW motor's mounting bracket was just a hair shorter (so the belt was loose) and not all 4 holes mounted up to bolt 'er down....so I figured I'd just swap bases. Sounded easy enough, except the new motor is just a pinch shorter than the old motor....so I got to bending that old base around until the new motor fit into it. Once I had that done and the new motor bolted in, I tried wiring it up, but the insulation on the old wires was crumbling worse than a well-done Christmas cookie. So, I decided I'd better rewire the dern thing because the old wires are probably older than I am...so I found an old extension cord I haven't used in a long time and got to cutting & splicing. Got 'er put together and tested 'er out, but had to swap a couple wires around because the motor was spinning the opposite direction as the old motor used to turn.Then, of course, I had to test it out. Got the ol' oil can out to lube it up, then grabbed the 4' long piece of angle iron I needed to cut into 1' lengths to fab up some brackets to carry some snow chains. Worked pretty dern good if I do say so myself. If only I could get motivated like this to get stuff done on ALL my days off..... Quote When approaching a 4-way stop, the vehicle with the biggest tires has the right of way! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22320-at-least-today-wasnt-a-total-waste/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olivetroad Posted December 26, 2011 Share Posted December 26, 2011 I walked out of church yesterday and it felt like spring - I am starting to wonder if we can make to then without any snow. My dad died on the first day of spring - he lived long enough to tell me how much he liked the warm weather that day! Warm weather just makes me feel like doin' something. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22320-at-least-today-wasnt-a-total-waste/#findComment-95473 Share on other sites More sharing options...
storkmack Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 Took advantage of the warm weather today and sandblasted one the RS mixers. Did it on a whim, because of the weather. 1 started, 3 to go. - Brad Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22320-at-least-today-wasnt-a-total-waste/#findComment-95556 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 After church yesterday, went on a bike ride. took advantage of a nice day in the high 50's. I usually ride the two lanes everywhere I go, if not in a hurry. I only rode 93 miles which is a very short ride for me. I normally ride 230 miles after I get home from work. The reason for the short trip is because not many markets with fuel were open yesterday. Had to go into the nearest town to find fuel for a fill-up. Then by that time, the sun was going down and getting cold, fast. I was not dressed for a cold ride and finally headed home. I'm glad anytime I can get to ride. I used to ride everyday and watch the weather channel to see where I could ride without putting on the rainsuit. If I was hardup to ride, the rainsuit would go on. Funny.......back in the early 70's, I would ride my 58 Harley Panhead Chopper without all the leathers and cloths needed today. The best thing was.......not that many cars on the rode as today. How I miss the solidude.mike Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22320-at-least-today-wasnt-a-total-waste/#findComment-95564 Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyRebel Posted January 2, 2012 Author Share Posted January 2, 2012 Finished them snow chain brackets....u-bolts was only big enough to hold 2 chains, though, so I'll have to buy a couple more to weld on a little farther down the angle iron to hold the other 2. Quote When approaching a 4-way stop, the vehicle with the biggest tires has the right of way! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22320-at-least-today-wasnt-a-total-waste/#findComment-96359 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullhusk Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Finished them snow chain brackets....u-bolts was only big enough to hold 2 chains, though, so I'll have to buy a couple more to weld on a little farther down the angle iron to hold the other 2.Nice job Rowdy!! I've never had to chain up,thank GOD! I don't even know if would know how!! LOL Maybe some brass wing nuts? looks a lot E/ZR then those Consolidated Freightways trucks I used to see with the chains hangin off the sideHappy New Year Ernie DS Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22320-at-least-today-wasnt-a-total-waste/#findComment-96365 Share on other sites More sharing options...
other dog Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Nice job Rowdy!! I've never had to chain up,thank GOD! I don't even know if would know how!! LOL Maybe some brass wing nuts? looks a lot E/ZR then those Consolidated Freightways trucks I used to see with the chains hangin off the sideHappy New Year Ernie DSMe neither. If I had to chain up i'd have to call Mark or Bob and I don't have their number, so i'd be s.o.l.Rowdy ain't gonna buy no brass wing nuts- the thing to do is weld some tabs on the u-bolt nuts and put a good coating of never seize on the threads so you can get them off easily without using a wrench. Quote Producer of poorly photo-chopped pictures since 1999. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22320-at-least-today-wasnt-a-total-waste/#findComment-96372 Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyRebel Posted January 2, 2012 Author Share Posted January 2, 2012 I had a situation a couple winters ago where having 'em would've saved me 3 hours and I wouldn't have lost out on the loads which would have had me paid going back towards the house.I was delivering up just off 255, and the sign said "Road Closed .9 Miles ahead"....the place I was going was about a mile up the road, so I figured I'd have to go around the block. So as I'm ALMOST there, I start down this hill & realize that it ain't been cleared. I slid down the hill to a stop within an arms length of crashing through the road closed sign with a huge drop off where they had ripped up the road.So I backed up as far as I could go before I broke traction and the wheels started spinning. I set the brakes, got my shovel out and started clearing the snow & ice from in front of the drives, between the drives, and about 10-15 feet behind the drives. Then I'd roll up to where I'd cleared the ice so I could chop the snow & ice away from where the drives had been sitting. Then I'd back up as far as I could go again before I broke traction and started spinning again......repeat several times for a little over 3 hours.If I had even 2 chains that I could have put on the outside drives on the rear axle (easiest ones to chain up with the 1/2 fenders over the front axle), I could have put 'em on, backed up the hill, taken 'em off again and only lost 20-30 minutes.So the following summer when a company driver who USED to be an O/O leased to the pumpkin fleet said he had chains for 11R24.5 tires collecting dust in his shed and he wanted to get rid of 'em.......4 brand new still in the bag, 4 used........said $100 would take all 8 chains, I couldn't pass it up. Been carrying the 4 used chains in a milk crate on the back of the tank on the really nasty days "just in case"...but didn't have anyplace to keep 'em when pulling a dump.Now I do. Quote When approaching a 4-way stop, the vehicle with the biggest tires has the right of way! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22320-at-least-today-wasnt-a-total-waste/#findComment-96390 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fxfymn Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Almost every fire truck or ambulance gets delivered with automatic (on-spot) chains these days. I see them on E-bay for a song every now and again. If I were driving full time in an area that gets ice I'd keep my eye out for a pair. They aren't good for running in deep snow over a long time like real chains, but they are the hot lick for getting out of a situation like you ran into. Quote Money, sex, and fire; everybody thinks everyone else is getting more than they are! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22320-at-least-today-wasnt-a-total-waste/#findComment-96434 Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyRebel Posted January 2, 2012 Author Share Posted January 2, 2012 Almost every fire truck or ambulance gets delivered with automatic (on-spot) chains these days. I see them on E-bay for a song every now and again. If I were driving full time in an area that gets ice I'd keep my eye out for a pair. They aren't good for running in deep snow over a long time like real chains, but they are the hot lick for getting out of a situation like you ran into.Yeah, but for as often as I need 'em, it wouldn't be worth it. I'll only hang 'em on the side of the truck on the slick nasty days....maybe 5-6 days per year....and don't ever plan to actually need to put 'em on the tires, now that I've got 'em and all....that's usually how it works.However, if I ever end up moving out west (the fiance wants to end up in Montana...which is fine by me, since my brother's in Great Falls, got an aunt & uncle in Deer Lodge, a cousin in Bozeman, and friends in Big Timber & Reed Point), I might need to figure out how ta carry all 8....but for now, 2-4 chains will more than suffice. Quote When approaching a 4-way stop, the vehicle with the biggest tires has the right of way! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22320-at-least-today-wasnt-a-total-waste/#findComment-96455 Share on other sites More sharing options...
other dog Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Yeah, but for as often as I need 'em, it wouldn't be worth it. I'll only hang 'em on the side of the truck on the slick nasty days....maybe 5-6 days per year....and don't ever plan to actually need to put 'em on the tires, now that I've got 'em and all....that's usually how it works.However, if I ever end up moving out west (the fiance wants to end up in Montana...which is fine by me, since my brother's in Great Falls, got an aunt & uncle in Deer Lodge, a cousin in Bozeman, and friends in Big Timber & Reed Point), I might need to figure out how ta carry all 8....but for now, 2-4 chains will more than suffice.I bought a snow shovel once, and it didn't snow for 3 years. First time I used it the handle broke. Maybe I should buy another one. Quote Producer of poorly photo-chopped pictures since 1999. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22320-at-least-today-wasnt-a-total-waste/#findComment-96457 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatcity Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Y'all lost me at snow. Then chains, and a "special" shovel for what ever it is.Oh, I get it now. The special shovel was for OD Quote Success is only a stones throw away.................................................................for a Palestinian Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22320-at-least-today-wasnt-a-total-waste/#findComment-96462 Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyRebel Posted January 2, 2012 Author Share Posted January 2, 2012 Y'all lost me at snow. Then chains, and a "special" shovel for what ever it is.Oh, I get it now. The special shovel was for ODThe only time I've actually put the chains on my tires was for extra traction to get out of the mud hole in my back yard.I know you know what mud is. Quote When approaching a 4-way stop, the vehicle with the biggest tires has the right of way! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22320-at-least-today-wasnt-a-total-waste/#findComment-96466 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatcity Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Not just mud, Okeechobee Landfill mud. Quote Success is only a stones throw away.................................................................for a Palestinian Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22320-at-least-today-wasnt-a-total-waste/#findComment-96475 Share on other sites More sharing options...
other dog Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 I have not only a mud shovel, I have an Okeechobee Landfill mud shovel.how 'bout a hurricane shovel?..might need one of them too. Quote Producer of poorly photo-chopped pictures since 1999. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22320-at-least-today-wasnt-a-total-waste/#findComment-96478 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatcity Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 how 'bout a hurricane shovel?..might need one of them too.Nope.A tin foil hat is all I need.tin foil hat.bmp Quote Success is only a stones throw away.................................................................for a Palestinian Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22320-at-least-today-wasnt-a-total-waste/#findComment-96479 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Nope.A tin foil hat is all I need.tin foil hat.bmpNapoleon impersonator?Rob Quote Plodding along with no job nor practical application for my existence, but still trying to fix what's broke. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22320-at-least-today-wasnt-a-total-waste/#findComment-96486 Share on other sites More sharing options...
other dog Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Is that heavy duty wreynolds wrap, or will just any old foil work? send me the blueprints so I can make one- ya cain't be too careful these days. Quote Producer of poorly photo-chopped pictures since 1999. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22320-at-least-today-wasnt-a-total-waste/#findComment-96490 Share on other sites More sharing options...
leversole Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Is that heavy duty wreynolds wrap, or will just any old foil work? send me the blueprints so I can make one- ya cain't be too careful these days.Will that help you CB "get out" further? Can you pick up satellite TV in your sleeper? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22320-at-least-today-wasnt-a-total-waste/#findComment-96505 Share on other sites More sharing options...
other dog Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 Don't forget your coat today Ed- you're gonna need it tomorrow too. Quote Producer of poorly photo-chopped pictures since 1999. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22320-at-least-today-wasnt-a-total-waste/#findComment-96582 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatcity Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 Don't forget your coat today Ed- you're gonna need it tomorrow too.Grab my coat, grab my hat......Talking about freezing temps tonite into the morning.Have a nice warm jacket and watch cap. Hope I don't have to leave the house.Thanks for your concern Quote Success is only a stones throw away.................................................................for a Palestinian Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22320-at-least-today-wasnt-a-total-waste/#findComment-96583 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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