The journey begins - purchased a truck.

Yes it was. It's a Sears, black and leather, I'll look later for a serial number. I need another one too - I trashed the passenger seat after I removed it for the AC this year.

 

Fuel Mileage -

The last change I made was roughly a year ago, the fleet air filter. I keep it cleaned and oiled fairly regularly, it only takes about 3 beers to do so. I saw an initial increase, but thought it best to give it some time. Concerns of increased dirt in oil samples were monitored and mine decreased - so I can only assume these claims came from users who had other sources of contaminants in their intake system, or failed to install the foam wraps securely/correctly.

90 days - 19,428 miles - 7.57 MPG. A 60 day snapshot prior to install last year (July 10 - September 10) - was 6.95 MPG

Little has changed in my driving speeds/habits or weight of loads. So - I think I can safely recommend the foam wrap/K&N/Fleet style air filter as a worthwhile investment.

Whilst I know fuel is still cheap right now, and focusing on increased revenue yields more return, I still think it's an important factor and a habit that should be adopted. Fuel may rise to $4 next week, and then it may become more critical.

Tires -

Noticing a difference in wear between the front and rear axles on the spread, I rotated the tires back there to even things out and installed Centramatics.

At last check the trailer had 6/32nds on one axle and 9/32nds on the other. This is after 144,261 miles on Michelin XTE tires.

The tractor is at 18/32nds of tread on the drives after 107,060 miles on BS 710's. Steers at 13/32nds on the Michelin XZA 3+ , on the same miles.

All are wearing evenly after rotation, and I think at this rate they'll see me well into next year and possibly beyond.

Maintenance -

The oil samples are still coming back clean at 40,000 miles. I may do a full filter/oil change at 50,000 and start again. The bypass system and sampling has paid for itself 3 times so far in extended oil drains. Engine has 1,114,200 miles on it currently. It burns about a gallon every 7,000 miles.

I replaced the piston oilers, or cooling nozzles - on the N14 they're an easy swap out. One broke off and is rolling around in the oil pan, which leads me to believe it was likely cracked and leaking. I see a slight increase in oil pressure and a slight decrease in oil temperature. So - that's new oil pump, piston oilers and rods and main bearings, so theoretically the engine's life blood is getting slung around in there the best it can.

I had a gasket on the transmission replaced, I had noticed a slight leak while under there greasing. Now I'm back to a drip free truck, apart from the one behind the wheel (or is that a loose nut?).

Time off -

We had 11 of us in the house for a week. For the first time in years, I was off for the 4th July weekend and my birthday. Stuff got blown up (never bought fireworks here before), go kart racing, bass pro, golf, vette rides, horse rides and lots of cooking and cleaning and the pool got well used, all in the name of entertaining children. So, I was off for 2 weeks.

Back to work now, one short round, and then a long round with the overlength (the first one, finally) - will result in 3560 miles this week at $2.15TTT all miles - certainly one of my better ones. Though it's more miles than I typically like, it represents 4 weeks of my YTD average weekly income in one week - if I had my way I think I could live with the 1 week on 3 week off model

I researched the over length load and re measured the freight, and the truck. Both initial measurements were wrong, but to my favor. After the research, it turns out that I only need permits in 2 states. I called in one myself, and felt like a bit of a smarty pants when I corrected the DOT man on the operating times with the load, with their rules in front of me. He agreed. The other state required the permit company for expediency.

It's one of those loads that a lot would fly under the radar on - I think it's worth CYA and doing it right, for the piece of mind.