Popular Post Olivetroad Posted January 31, 2012 Popular Post Share Posted January 31, 2012 Here are some pictures I took today of my 83 year old Uncle that hauls logs for me with our 1971 DM600. He finally slowed down long enough for me to snap them.It got warm out the other day so he busted out the brush and the VanSickle farm implement paint and touched up the Mack. It would make a body man groan, but its not too bad for a log truckThe muffler on the DM had gotten bad and he got tired of waiting for me to get a new one, so he welded a broken disc blade on the bottomDo you notice anything strange about his shirt? One evening a week he does his "darning" - he has not bought new work clothes in years.He keeps the truck clean and swept out - everything has a place and everything in its place - hammer goes under the seat in the "toolbox"DOT stopped him a while back and told him he was supposed to take the truck to a sign company and have vinyl lettering of his name put on the side. He wasn't about to spend money on that, this is what he did:His big project this winter was he went to Indiana and bought a 6 wheel drive 5 ton army truck so we could use it off road like a forwarder to get logs out when it is wet. He got it home, went to Lowe's and bought a paint gun. Then he painted it John Deere Green, International Red and Black. She is quite the painted lady!Tomorrow is its maiden voyage, he is finally letting go of the Mack steering wheel long enought to test drive it to the sawmill and back. I get to follow along in the Mack so I can drag him home if he has trouble. All the relatives are mad at him (and at me for allowing it) for doing so much work at his age. But I think that is what keeps him young. I have to fight with him to be allowed to pay him.I just hope I get around as well as he does when I am 83. This man has not had a loan since 1953 when he came home from driving a tank in Korea and borrowed half the money he needed to buy his farm. He paid it off in 5 years and has never looked back. I feel honored to be around him. 6 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22968-antique-truck-with-antique-driver/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
gvam Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Now that is a real role model! Good for him Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22968-antique-truck-with-antique-driver/#findComment-100441 Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Built like a Mack truck and runs like the Energizer Bunny! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22968-antique-truck-with-antique-driver/#findComment-100442 Share on other sites More sharing options...
umodelnut Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Good lookin DM!! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22968-antique-truck-with-antique-driver/#findComment-100443 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Rover Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 My Hero. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22968-antique-truck-with-antique-driver/#findComment-100444 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bollweevil Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 I am on his side, If you know whats good for you don't mess with us. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22968-antique-truck-with-antique-driver/#findComment-100445 Share on other sites More sharing options...
randyp Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Sir, I remove my hat and proudly salute your uncle! A salute just does not seem like enough. I am speechless. Outstanding! Dern country needs more dedicated and proud and responsible people like him! Thas just amazing! randyp 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22968-antique-truck-with-antique-driver/#findComment-100450 Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 How does he like the new 237? 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22968-antique-truck-with-antique-driver/#findComment-100452 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fauthpk Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 That is a great story. I enjoyed reading it. Your uncle seems like a great man! Would love to have someone like that around my shop. I am sure he keeps you quite entertained with his stories, and experiences through life. God Bless him. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22968-antique-truck-with-antique-driver/#findComment-100454 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olivetroad Posted January 31, 2012 Author Share Posted January 31, 2012 I am on his side, If you know whats good for you don't mess with us.I know better than to mess with a man that lost half his hearing riding in a tank, firing at the chinks till the gun got so hot the shells started to cook off on their own, only to have it blow up underneath him. He started the day shooting a 75MM cannon and ended with only a pistol and his M3grease gun both out of .45 ammo. He said it was like trying to kill all the ants coming of a anthole with just one finger. I know better than to mess with a man that for six months drove to my grandfathers home while he was dieing of spinal cancer, just so he could feed the cows in the yard next to the house so my grandpa could look out the window at them from his bed.I know better than to mess with a man that got to watch his best friend and brother (my dad) die of a heart attack.I know better than to mess with a man that spent the last five years driving his wife, three days a week for 8 hours to dialysis, only to have her die in his arms last year after 50 years of marriage.I know better than to mess with a man that can still shoot the wings off a gnat with a black powder rifle that he handmade himself. He gets a deer and a turkey every year and more importantly has taught anyone that would listen how to safely hunt and respect wildlife.I know better than to mess with a man that has done all this in life and still smiles constantly, is quick with a joke, never knows a stranger, and is always active and a go getter. He learned to drive a 13 speed at age 81 and is ready for whatever new adventure tomorrow brings! 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22968-antique-truck-with-antique-driver/#findComment-100465 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olivetroad Posted January 31, 2012 Author Share Posted January 31, 2012 How does he like the new 237?I ask him that all the time - how is that engine doing? He always says the same thing - Its a runnin' Jesse! (jesse owens)I have been secretly laughing to myself as I watch him discover that the Cummins in that 5 ton just won't get down and lug like the 237 he is used to does!He told me last week that the Mack starts just by looking at the key while the cummins with a preheater and a ether bottle installed on it, still has to crank and crank to fire when cold. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22968-antique-truck-with-antique-driver/#findComment-100467 Share on other sites More sharing options...
unclebilly Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 One of my neighbors is well into his 80s too and still hauls gravel with his early 80s GMC brigadeir. He sold a 1/4 section a few years ago for over a million so he doesn't need to drive the old gravel truck. He says the day he stops is he day he dies.Here's an interesting story. I heard an interview with these people on CBC on the way home....http://www.timescolonist.com/sports/Alaska+woman+fends+moose+attack+husband/6040355/story.html Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22968-antique-truck-with-antique-driver/#findComment-100472 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fifth wheel Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 I am sure He is just as proud of his nephew, thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22968-antique-truck-with-antique-driver/#findComment-100475 Share on other sites More sharing options...
twostickmutt Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 we need 50 just like him in WASHINGTON,DC. god bless him. Quote and remember "PREFORMANCE COUNTS" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22968-antique-truck-with-antique-driver/#findComment-100486 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Maikshilo Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 Respect for your Uncle and all our elderly peers. We have all listened and learned and lived what we were taught by these amazing people. My great Grandfather made me a bow and arrow in his 90's from a tree he picked out and I cut. My brothers and I used it for years. My friends Grandfather, God bless him, at 92 would scrap cows and mow hay all day. He passed 2 years ago 1 month short of 100 and my friend uses what this Grandfather taught him to be a very successful Dairy farmer today. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22968-antique-truck-with-antique-driver/#findComment-100487 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lmackattack Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 a true American. you dont hear storys like this anymore.... Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22968-antique-truck-with-antique-driver/#findComment-100492 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenGiant2 Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 guy like this is what our country was built on, we need more of these guys. god bless your uncle.gg2 Quote We the unwilling, Lead by the unqualified, are doing the impossible, for the ungrateful. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22968-antique-truck-with-antique-driver/#findComment-100494 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Maikshilo Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 I can't stop reading your post and shared it with my Family. Amazing...... Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22968-antique-truck-with-antique-driver/#findComment-100495 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olivetroad Posted January 31, 2012 Author Share Posted January 31, 2012 I can't stop reading your post and shared it with my Family. Amazing......I told him I was going to put the pics on here - he is going to be really embarassed! One of his grandsons (who doesn't really understand how these things work) gave him those work shoes he is wearing in the photos. All his life he has worn Red Wing work boots or similar - always leather and lace up high - good shoes are one thing he would buy no matter what they cost. He wears the new goofy shoes because he was thankfull for the gift and also too tight to not use them, but I can tell that they just don't suit his notions of proper workin' man dress! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22968-antique-truck-with-antique-driver/#findComment-100498 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olivetroad Posted January 31, 2012 Author Share Posted January 31, 2012 guy like this is what our country was built on, we need more of these guys. god bless your uncle.gg2I wish I could clone him. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22968-antique-truck-with-antique-driver/#findComment-100499 Share on other sites More sharing options...
twostickmutt Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 I told him I was going to put the pics on here - he is going to be really embarassed!One of his grandsons (who doesn't really understand how these things work) gave him those work shoes he is wearing in the photos. All his life he has worn Red Wing work boots or similar - always leather and lace up high - good shoes are one thing he would buy no matter what they cost. He wears the new goofy shoes because he was thankfull for the gift and also too tight to not use them, but I can tell that they just don't suit his notions of proper workin' man dress!by the looks he is quite a tailor too! (and i'm not picking on him) Quote and remember "PREFORMANCE COUNTS" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22968-antique-truck-with-antique-driver/#findComment-100507 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fxfymn Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 The very personification of what we called an "Old Yankee". Make do or do without; fix it, don't buy new; keep working and saving because you might need it when you get old!God bless him and all those like him. Quote Money, sex, and fire; everybody thinks everyone else is getting more than they are! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22968-antique-truck-with-antique-driver/#findComment-100517 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olivetroad Posted January 31, 2012 Author Share Posted January 31, 2012 I will take that as a compliment for him, but around here "Yankee" is not an affectionate term!No offense is intended towards real yankees. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22968-antique-truck-with-antique-driver/#findComment-100519 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Maikshilo Posted January 31, 2012 Share Posted January 31, 2012 I'm a yank but have first cousins in Missouri. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22968-antique-truck-with-antique-driver/#findComment-100529 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olivetroad Posted January 31, 2012 Author Share Posted January 31, 2012 This area of Missouri is known as "Little Dixie"! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22968-antique-truck-with-antique-driver/#findComment-100532 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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