Had a farmersamm moment yesterday ;)

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 09:35:51 GMT

go to see Welding Machine for Had a farmersamm moment yesterday ;)

I live in Wainwright, AB, and had a load going to Regina, SK - 5.5-6 hr drive on a normal day. Made it about 60km west of Saskatoon, and stopped to tighten a ratchet strap (had a 20' seacan on, with 2 trailer-type construction heaters on a tridem highboy) holding on a piece of duct pipe when I noticed a coolant leak. So, check it out, and after a lot of frustration, cursing, and controlling my temper (about what was supposed to be a weekend off), the tranny cooler had a bad leak (2001 T800 with C15/18 speed).So, after a bunch of screwing around, 1 useless phone call to our shop mechanic, 1 successful phone call to a mechanic in Ontario (guy works on my dad's work trucks), and a coincidental passerby who works at the KW dealership my boss deals with, I get it mostly stopped - mostly. For whatever reason, it just wouldn't stop leaking, despite being pinched off on both ends.2 gal of coolant, 11 gal of water, 1 gal of washer fluid, 800 km, 14 hrs total and 5 hrs with no heat when it's -20 outside, made it back. Definitely not a fun trip but made it home without overheating. Haven't heard anything from boss yet, got home at 5am after a quick wash and parking it. He should be happy, one other employee once ran it low, warped the head - 17k later, back on the road.Was a miserable day, almost made me wish it was a cabover instead  Could have jacked 'er up, spiced the line or even bypassed it, and be rolling in an hour.Hope all is well 'sam, and just so you know, fellow truck drivers are sharing in your agony. Safe travels.Bruce
Reply:I just took what should have been a 5 hour drive and made it in 8.25 in a work truck with no heat from anchorage to Fairbanks in -45f. Worst drive of my life!Dynasty 200DXPassport plus w/ spoolmate 100victor 315c oxy/(act and prop)Miller digital elitemilwaukee power tools
Reply:just be glad the water didn't end up in the tranny.   that got expensive for me last time, with the heat exchanger on the 18spd failed.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:At least you got it home, thankfully.I used to run the mountains West of Denver in the winter.  An old Transtar 4070 cabover.  It didn't have radiator shutters, and the water temp would drop off when you went down the mountain because the engine wasn't pulling, just the Jake working.  I'd freeze my butt off going down those hills  We tried a winter front, but it made the engine run hot climbing the hills so we had to abandon it.  Even with a few flaps open the engine wouldn't get enough air flow to cool.  Stinkin' low flow system on the older Cummins Big Cams.My old style motors don't put out enough hp/torque to require oil coolers in the transmission.  In some ways I guess it's a plus."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/