Hopper, Dump O/O's & Drivers

I need to revise this I can get down to 25750 with 40 gal left

 

I'm not sure what the hopper we bought in spring of 08 weighs, I thought it told the weight on the original paperwork we got from Wilson, but apparently not. Seems like it was about 8600, but don't hold me to that. Its around 500 pounds lighter than our 2000, same length-41 ft. Part of that is 8 alum wheels vs. 4, but alot of it is in the suspension, the newer one has a Neway CB-2300 vs. Intraax for the old one. Just looking at them side by side, the Neway seems to have a lot less to it than the other, plus its got taller airbags and rides much smoother than the Intraax. The other noticeable thing is the newer one only has one air tank instead of 2. Looks like its got a bigger diameter, so its probably got about the same volume with a lot less weight. Why didn't they think of that a long time ago?

The newer one hooked on to my truck, 212" wheelbase, 12.7 Det, 62" midroof Aerocab bunk, dual 120 gal tanks full, 6 alum wheels is about 26,900. There are some International daycabs that haul grain around here that have one small fuel tank, the small Cummins engine, weigh just over 24,000.

Lately we haven't been pumping the oil out of the other truck. As soon as we do, someone calls up and wants a load of gravel and you have to put it back in.

 

How long can you guys get batteries to last? Seems like 3 years is about average for us. I cleaned the terminals, topped off with water, and load tested the batteries in both trucks today. The all tested fine, consistent readings on all of them, but they're 3 yrs old (Interstate) in one truck and 3 1/2 years old (Heritage) in the other. I didn't replace them, but it feels like they're on borrowed time before I come out some morning and hear either a "CLICK" or silence. So we're going to roll the dice and see how long they'll last, just hope they're parked at the shop when they decide to die. I've heard even though cold weather makes them weaker, they actually self discharge worse in hot weather.

 

going on the 4th winter on 3 heavy duty Bobcat skid loader batteries,we'll see if i make it? i have kept them full and maintained good,though. just heard weatherman say we are supposed to get ice storm thu.night,wheathauler, wanna trade rain or snow for ice?

 

i didn't think you would,i hate drivin in it too,my shoulders just ache from being so tense up on the wheel, we had a hum dinger of an ice storm last winter here,power was out for 21 milkings in a row,i hope it doesn't get that bad again!