Originally uploaded by benners10
Well hows this for my first trip out. 70-75 Ton of reach stacker. Only a local one, Felixstowe to Ipswich. To much detail to go into, but so interesting to watch and help in taking the truck apart to accomodate such a load. If you havent seen one of these trailers in operation you would be amazed, they are so versatile and make the job alot easier than it could be. Also helped by a top driver John Stocks. Very professional, nothing left unchecked and all eventuallities covered, it all looks so easy watching John. We had an issue with height as we couldn’t get the boom down as low as we’d like, so great care and was needed under a couple of bridges on the way, we were told by the escort the hose that loops about 10cm on-top of the boom just grazed one particular bridge. Loadsa room!! As for the truck, well being a Scania fan i could go on, but i wont, but for the first time i have realised high powerfull modern trucks are. G.V.W of about 110-115ton and the big V8 took it all in its stride, even excellerating as we reached the top of the Orwell Bridge. Good day.
Still going well not a lot to report, seem to have mastered the coffee machine and the photocopier. begining, just begining to feel a little more comfortable and a tiny touch more confident in what i’m doing and talking about. Basic tasks and computer bits are a little easier the more i do them which is to be expected. Met a few more drivers and getting chattier with customers most of whom still can instantly recognise an unfamiliar voice!
NLG sent a few more pics but i havent worked out why the last pic i tried to put on here didnt come out. Had a quick meeting with SW and HW and they seem content with my progress after the first 4 days, which i guess is good news.
Best bit today; 8am this morning and the glorious sound of 2 or 3 V8’s with sidepipes in the yard!!!
PS. The 141 may be finished tmrw, yea really, MOT booked for 6th March.
Well another good day, more enjoyable than day 1, i felt like i actually may have made a little contribution to the office. Although i did master the correction tape today, i did struggle with the photocopier. Yea yea i know, but it is rather hi-tech and there are over 200 numbers to search through and find in order to send 1 fax to multiple recipients. Well that’s my defence your honour……… yes guilty as charged.
Learnt a few things too. How many of you know your 44ton weight limits on bridges?
Who knew there was a 44ton limit on the A14 bridge at Huntingdon over the railway lines where the water tower is? How about the bridges on the A14 over the roundabouts of the A1120 Stowmarket junction or the A140 junction?……………………………………… No? nor did, all of those over 44ton gross should be going down the slip roads to the roundabout and back up the other side. As for the Huntingdon bridge, well your supposed to go down the A1 and across the A428 or the other way round.
If anyone is asking what bridge on the A14 at Huntingdon, then you shouldn’t be driving!!!
Re-shuffled office today so i’m now seated between Richard and big fella Graham W. Answering phones and remembered to ask who’s calling and almost on top of how to book jobs on our computer system. A good day, for me anyway. Nice picture from NLG of 3 of them heading out of the Ukraine today.
Want to know more about H C Wilson click the link below and go to their website.
Well howdy folks (no its not in the USA), its been a while again, but hey what can you do when you a wanted man. A couple of weeks ago i was just another bored tipper driver, but now i’m a traffic office trainee. Woo-Hoo! I went for an interview with Wilsons of Elmswell, Suffolk last November, but much to my disappointment i didn’t hear a thing til a couple of weeks ago, when Graham Wilson called and apologised for not getting in touch sooner, but when can i start, so last Monday i handed in my notice and today i started my new job.
I’m in the traffic office with Wilson brothers, Graham and Simon, and traffic office experts Richard Frogley and Chris Rowlands. A very interesting day, so so much to learn and simple things and complicated things, don’t ask about the correction tape thing!!! My first office job and yes i enjoyed it and can’t wait for tomorrow. Abnormal and heavy load specialists makes for a huge variety of loads and destinations, basically if we can get it there by road we’ll deliver it. Europe wide and beyond. Much more than just getting a Tautliner in the right area, its a case of getting the right type of trailer with the right dimensions and weight limits and axles in the right area, all very challenging but all the more enjoyable. Bring on tomorrow!
www.truckblog.co.uk 