Opinions on specs for 7-13 axle setups - your dream HH truck

I wanted to ad this. I have the utmost respect for how you guys thread the needle in tight spots and work hard to find the problems before you move. It's amazing. I've spun it around in places where EVERYONE said it couldn't be done so I know the skills required. I've stuck around after my job was done many times to see how you were gonna pull it off. I have the option of torchin' off the piece that's gonna hit the pole.... you don't and you get it through there anyway.

 

The one heavy haul that left a impression on me was a PS-4 Class Steam engine that was trucked into the Smithsonian Musuem of Technology in DC at the mall. They managed to lay a little bit of rail to get it into the building. But the thing that gets me wondering is there must have been a hell of a rig to truck that monster a short distance across DC to that new museum under construction back then.

There is a number of large transformers on 30 plus axles that pass by each week. And people go crazy when they stop on a particular freeway overpass and evaluate everything before putting a wheel on it. I say they have all day to do what they need to do to get across. But putting that bridge under a load like that makes me a little respectful of those who do it. Ive done it myself there is a scale in VA with my name on it at 137500 in a freaking 60's mack.... IF that's not heavy I don't know what is.

 

You know what...I like your post. I was just remarking about last week's experience. Couldn't fit over the hump, had to go through the employee gate (narrow) and steep grade, hammer through, back up for a 3 point turn, move a bunch of cars, snake through the moat road to the new pad where the crane awaits.

Point wasn't the cameras and fan fair (although, when you see the guys mess up, it's instantly on YouTube), but the point that those big trucks and big trailers are expected to go where ordinary 70ft 18 wheelers go. People see you running down the bigroad or 4 lane, and they want to be you. But when all the engineers and whatnot can't figure out how you're going to get into the place, no one wants to be you. They're all hoping that you can make it in, but they are expecting failure.

The load had money on it. Had to take it. The load was challenging. Definitely had to take it. Didnt realize that it would be such a pain in the arse until I got there.

 

I think I understood you and your motivation. When all the college educated engineers and computer programs say you can't but you find a way, when they look to you to solve the problem they never saw coming, you get that look of respect. They, for the briefest of moments realize that what you do is a profession not a trade. Very few people see what happens after you get through the gate. That's where the different set of skills is required.

 

I cannot tell you how many times the suits hear me say "You aint... (Insert act)" and they say be quiet adults are working. I quit steaming a long time ago about stuff like that. Physics and Newton's Laws will settle them quick enough.

 

Two interesting videos. Every one of us has done a crane move. Big trucks, big power, easy on the controls. I love to see them finesse the truck around. Number one rule n HeavyHaul: DO NOT ABUSE THE EQUIPMENT.
Notice how a 4 axle trailer turns? In close quarters, that is an extremely difficult trailer to maneuver.

The superload at the railroad tracks. How many obstacles does he have to deal with?

 

Works of art. Skill sublime.

Even a old trail horse like me can tell that Im in the presence of the Gods here with those two videos. Well done.

 

I know.. small crane and it wasn't HH but you know those idiots who don't think the "road closed" sign applies to them? This guy told us he would just be a minute, he wanted a coffee from starbucks in downtown WPB, FL. They were setting up to lift 2 100 ton AC's (capacity not weight) off the roof of the theater onto my trailers and the road was closed (with permit) to assemble the jib and fly the units. Every once in a while you get even. He couldn't leave for about 6 hours.

 

CLASSIC!!!!!

Picture of the decade!

"You dont understand...I am late and really need to go!"

"Sir, you should have thought about that before. Goeth Intercourse Thyself!"