2013 BS / Chat Thread!

[Tacoclaw]

Ha!

Actually, after hearing about that loader having a leaking lift cylinder for who knows how long, and having to jump both the rock truck and it, I spent 2 hours steaming it off in the 19* weather just to pull it in and not be able to make it leak.

So then I had to go out and get the other loader with a reported leak, and after steaming that cylinder off I pulled it and and tried again. Of course the cylinder that I hadn't steamed was the one we got to leak, so back out I went again. This particular loader had lived it's previous live in a Magnetite operation, so my coveralls and (previously) decent Carhartt jacket are now completely black.

It's been one of those days...

[cmann250]

Why do the farmers get such a bad rap, Ellis?

Buying from an owner with a grain of sense is a mandatory criterion in my book. Some people are completely oblivious to what's going on under their engine. I'd get the non-EBV pedistal from International. That valve was a stupid idea. Oil is so dang important in those engines and some people are completely ignorant to that little factoid.

[ellis93]

Why do the farmers get such a bad rap, Ellis?

Buying from an owner with a grain of sense is a mandatory criterion in my book. Some people are completely oblivious to what's going on under their engine. I'd get the non-EBV pedistal from International. That valve was a stupid idea. Oil is so dang important in those engines and some people are completely ignorant to that little factoid.

Well.....uh....cause I've done work for them,only the major stuff that duct tape and zip ties won't take care of
I love when folks tell me they change oil at even 5k, how in the he77 do you figure pressurizing motor oil to high pressures is a good idea is beyond me in the first place,but not explaining what severe service is to your customers is another and that is fords ultimate failure.

[cmann250]

Well.....uh....cause I've done work for them,only the major stuff that duct tape and zip ties won't take care of
I love when folks tell me they change oil at even 5k, how in the he77 do you figure pressurizing motor oil to high pressures is a good idea is beyond me in the first place,but not explaining what severe service is to your customers is another and that is fords ultimate failure.

You forgot orange baling twine

I just looked and Ford says 5k or 3k severe duty intervals. I'm going to say 5k works because the red truck I'm refering to has the original injectors and HPOP. That's the interval he's chosen for the last 210k miles.

[Mark Nixon]

I haven't seen "baling wire" mentioned, with relationship to vehicles and farmers.
Must now be too expensive, too much work, or too high tech.

Mark.

[CumminsPower59]

Got the official job offer from Mid American Energy yesterday, I have been trying to get in for almost four months now. It's second shift fleet maintenance, but for almost $30 an our, I will do it with a smile on my face Me working second shift is going to be a bit hard, family wise, as for the fact that I won't see much of my 6yr old daughter, as I have her about 20 days a month, most of them weekdays I will have more time to do other things working second shift though, work on my house and my truck...then my fiancee will get off my back about working on that rolling rusted red pile. In the big picture of things, I hope to get into a lineman apprenticeship, and be able to pursue that career, or get onto first shift...

[cmann250]

Baling wire is so out dated Mark. That's why I mentioned orange plastic twine It doesn't have the heat resistance of wire, but it's still oh so handy.

Congrats on the new job Ike!

[ellis93]

Well.....uh....cause I've done work for them,only the major stuff that duct tape and zip ties won't take care of
I love when folks tell me they change oil at even 5k, how in the he77 do you figure pressurizing motor oil to high pressures is a good idea is beyond me in the first place,but not explaining what severe service is to your customers is another and that is fords ultimate failure.

You forgot orange baling twine

I just looked and Ford says 5k or 3k severe duty intervals. I'm going to say 5k works because the red truck I'm refering to has the original injectors and HPOP. That's the interval he's chosen for the last 210k miles.

Did they define severe service

[DodgeFreak]

Got the official job offer from Mid American Energy yesterday, I have been trying to get in for almost four months now. It's second shift fleet maintenance, but for almost $30 an our, I will do it with a smile on my face Me working second shift is going to be a bit hard, family wise, as for the fact that I won't see much of my 6yr old daughter, as I have her about 20 days a month, most of them weekdays I will have more time to do other things working second shift though, work on my house and my truck...then my fiancee will get off my back about working on that rolling rusted red pile. In the big picture of things, I hope to get into a lineman apprenticeship, and be able to pursue that career, or get onto first shift...

Thats great. I work for alliant energy as their fleet mechainic...if mid am is like alliant its gravy work....lol doing pm's and boom inspections day in and day out gets old though....

[CumminsPower59]

Congrats on the new job Ike!

Thanks Caleb!

Thats great. I work for alliant energy as their fleet mechainic...if mid am is like alliant its gravy work....lol doing pm's and boom inspections day in and day out gets old though....

Thanks! I have a close friend of mine that works at the same place that I am going to, we worked together at the same shop for the Iowa Guard for the last five years, then we got the closure notice last year and he went on to Mid Am. I had been waiting for an opening for a while, and one came open almost four months ago. He really likes it over there, just as you say, lots of PM, but they actually do alot of repair work too. Where I work now, it's almost nothing but PM, been months since something big broke, as all this equipment gets used once a month. Gets really boring...

[skilletky]

Congrats on the new job Ike!

Thanks Caleb!

Thats great. I work for alliant energy as their fleet mechainic...if mid am is like alliant its gravy work....lol doing pm's and boom inspections day in and day out gets old though....

Thanks! I have a close friend of mine that works at the same place that I am going to, we worked together at the same shop for the Iowa Guard for the last five years, then we got the closure notice last year and he went on to Mid Am. I had been waiting for an opening for a while, and one came open almost four months ago. He really likes it over there, just as you say, lots of PM, but they actually do alot of repair work too. Where I work now, it's almost nothing but PM, been months since something big broke, as all this equipment gets used once a month. Gets really boring...

will you have someone else working with you in the shop? i am the only one here at my new job, and it is boring!!!! plenty of work, but know one to talk too.

[DodgeFreak]

Heres a picture of one of our trucks that recently got vandalised out in Wisconsin in a substation

[Mark Nixon]

Thanks! I have a close friend of mine that works at the same place that I am going to, we worked together at the same shop for the Iowa Guard for the last five years, then we got the closure notice last year and he went on to Mid Am. I had been waiting for an opening for a while, and one came open almost four months ago. He really likes it over there, just as you say, lots of PM, but they actually do alot of repair work too. Where I work now, it's almost nothing but PM, been months since something big broke, as all this equipment gets used once a month. Gets really boring...

Don't gripe about a job with benefits and insurance, boring or not.
In this politicized climate, where the government wants to make you a criminal for not having Health Insurance, I'd put up with a LOT of being bored for 20-odd years.

The alternative is doing what I do, no benefits, people can be total ass-wads, the pay is sporadic and sometimes meager.
Then there's the attitudes of the lazy asses who won't get a finger greasy to pull a part themselves, yet won't pay you to, either.

I wonder why I even bother with it, then I realize it's sometimes appreciated.

Mark.

[CumminsPower59]

will you have someone else working with you in the shop? i am the only one here at my new job, and it is boring!!!! plenty of work, but know one to talk too.

There are several guys that work seconds, a few younger guys (my age 30) and some older guys (45+), and only three older (60+) on first. I guess turn over is nil, but there have been a few guys retire out so that's how I got in. Ok by me.

Don't gripe about a job with benefits and insurance, boring or not.
In this politicized climate, where the government wants to make you a criminal for not having Health Insurance, I'd put up with a LOT of being bored for 20-odd years.

The alternative is doing what I do, no benefits, people can be total ass-wads, the pay is sporadic and sometimes meager.
Then there's the attitudes of the lazy asses who won't get a finger greasy to pull a part themselves, yet won't pay you to, either.

I wonder why I even bother with it, then I realize it's sometimes appreciated.

Mark.

I well know the job I have now is decent, but the severe amount of complete BS politics of what goes on in the IA Guard is sickening. I understand that there will always be stupid people, making stupid decisions because they are educated idiots, and the associated politics that come with, but this place is bad enough that guys are starting to get out and not make it to 20 years. It has its few limited perks, but there is alot of crap that comes on along with it I feel for you Mark, it's got to suck sometimes dealing with those kind of people, I would be happy to pull my own parts, or pay more for someone knowledgeable to pull them, especially in this time of year. Your work is appreciated, as you have helped many guys out, me included. Hopefully, if all goes well, maybe this fall I can make a trip out and buy some goodies...

[Mark Nixon]

All I know is if you have a job and you feel it's secure, KEEP IT, don't screw up.
My first job was with the VA in a hospital doing food service work, driving Dad's old $50 1972 Chevy Impala 2 door with a 400/400.
It was 1987.

You don't even know how much I regret screwing up on that job.
I'd be retired and working on these trucks in a nice shop by now.

But we all have regrets from the past, now don't we?

Mark.