First driven tractor of driving career, and year

exhausted379 · Dec 31, 2025

1975 International cabover. 290 cummins, 10 speed. My first truck that I bought in 1978.

50WT · Dec 31, 2025

Allow Me. said: ↑

The steering wheel on the cab over Pete was BIG, but you needed that with no power steering !
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That big steering wheel and no power steering made you learn how to back up a lot faster . Didn't want to be doing lot's of pull ups man handling that thing.

bad-luck · Dec 31, 2025

Powder Joints said: ↑

The first Tractor I drove and was taught to drive was a W900, back in 1970, My Dad hauled for Famer John (West)/ Vienna Sausage & Produce (East), I would go with him here in Los Angeles to help him unload Farmer John, it started one day we pulled into Farmer John of Soto (I think), he stopped the truck jumped out and said put it in door 4 and come in and he went inside. Took me quite some time to get I think then it was a 39' Utility Refer backed in, and no I was not more than 15 or so,
Whem I was 21, around 1979 he had purchased a New Kenworth K100, 13 speed eaton, 3406B, 3:90 rears. He came in and said Virgil had quir and needed a driver, so we headed off to DMV, And I guess all the time spent backing in and out of docks in LA came into play and passed it first try, did an alley doc first try, the examiner told ne take us back to DMV (Van Nuys CA) SO I figured I had screwed up, got out of the truck and to my supries the examiner ask, why are you standing by the truck you need to get your picture taken.
As they say now the rest is in the mirrors, So my first driving job was for my Dad, and we were contracted to Sam Tanksley from Mo. Over the years I have hauled refer, dry van, flatbeds (actually liked coils), Tanker (s) pnuematic dry bulk and liquid chemical's, rail loads like train wheels, hay. I personally like dry bulk and government (can't anyone loads) the best.
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Nice story! Thank you for sharing! First tractor I drove was a 1974 R Model Mack it had a straight 5 speed and a 237 engine, that was 0 to 55 in 15 minutes.... lol

Star Rider · Dec 31, 2025

In 1978 I got put in a 1974 Diamond Reo Royale.
318, 13 sp, hendrickson walking beam suspension, and air assist steering.

Not actual truck,

ElmerFudpucker · Jan 1, 2026

Star Rider said: ↑

In 1978 I got put in a 1974 Diamond Reo Royale.
318, 13 sp, hendrickson walking beam suspension, and air assist steering.

Not actual truck,
View attachment 578706
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There is a sweet one for sale in Phil Campbell Alabama. 16 grand. If I could justify buying it, it would be bought by now

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