Mike, is the walking beam itself sprung, like a Hendrickson? We only ever used unsprung for farm trailers doing 5mph or for logging trailers in the bush. Even sprung drivers are terrible for traction offroad as they start hopping and rut up the track
Mike,
I am sad to see your High Output D8 leave your stable. On my first visit to Glen's yard in 2012, I remember coming across it as one of the first machines I looked at. I did not know it was yours at the time. On the other hand, I am glad you found a buyer. Maybe it will show up at Brooks sometime. We just passed through Weed joining the 97 from I-5 a week and a half ago so it may have a few hills to climb up there!
My guess for hauling it backwards would be to give you better sightlines for what is going on behind you. I recall hauling the D8 that I now own when I was much younger back in NY state and only seeing corner bits and blade in the mirrors when hauling it with the blade forward on the Fruehauf and 359 Brockway back in the day.
JanM
Surprised to see big red. I thought it was here in the panhandle of Texas. Did
you have to repossess it.
Hate to see the D 8 go , but I know you wanted to sell.
Been through Amarillo lately???
C u Claney
The reason to haul one back words is that if a on coming car would happed to side swipe you. the blade wouldn't dig into the vehicle, but have a better chance to just glance off to the side. catskinner
Could it be to keep the exhaust flapper closed so you don't risk spinning the turbo? Certainly couldn't be to prevent rain/water intrusion in our Ca. season.
Hmmm!, Well scratch that, the 2U HO doesn't have a turbo.
The 2U HO wanted to see where it had been! LOL
Weight Distribution - every trailer type is different and depending upon the tractor/hitch system, you want to keep weight on drivers. Don't forget the scales that he had to go through!
Not a concern of cars contacting the load - many dozers hauled facing forward, sometimes paint the bits on blade with flourescent paint. Direction does not change the width of the machine and any contact with the load would be like a can opener hitting an aluminum beer can!
Turbo - years ago we were taught to plug the exhaust with a rag and tie the rain cap down. Turbo gets no lubrication without the oil pump and it does not take much of a "breeze" to spin that "fan" at a high rate of speed with no lube to the bearings.
CTS
My guess is the Big Red picture is not current. Cause he wanted to drive it off into the sunset.
Knowing Mike I'll guess his concern was for more streamlined air flow for better mileage and not sideswiped damage to reckless California drivers!! 😆😆
Neil, it has a large triangle the axles pivot on. Not much cushion.
That’s correct Jan if I turn it around the blade is on the upper deck and you can’t see anything behind you. Now I can barely see over the top of it.
Claney, no Big Red. That’s an old pic. I should be stopping at the movie theater in Amarillo this Saturday night moving some military goods to Greensboro NC. I’ll keep in touch.
Catskinner, ya going backwards the end bits are not working like a can opener.
CTS, this new low model Great Dane flat bed is only my second trailer. If traction is not an issue I try to load the trailer heavy cuz it rides so well and I can put 40,000 lbs on a 10’ spread. I’m currently hauling 30,000 lbs of big sewage pumps and stand pipes for Marina Del Ray Ca. Loading like this puts 3/4 of the load on the trailer. Also got the 5th wheel slid back over the rear driver which takes about 2,000 lbs off the steer. Making it about 10,500 up front. Seems the more weight I can shift to the rear better it rides over pot holes and bridges. Attached is my current load.
Dan, idiot drivers everywhere!!
I did save a piece of my parts tractor D8. Got the cam shaft and 4 push rods on my grill guard. Soon to have a whistle up front that Brian Boaz made me.![]()