My Dream slowly becoming True, Pics!

[Nick385CL]

Well, I guess its been around 3 years or so I have been following these forums, Every day/night, I love reading every ones story's, and browsing the countless pics. Especially reading Nedly and FastDirts threads keeps me motivated and really inspires me to push forward, no matter how hard times get. I honestly hope to be where they are one day.

Im currently 22 years old, I come from a family that was big into coal stripping and anything related back in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. I grew up around equipment and couldn't see doing anything else with my life. My Goal all through school was to start my own company, no matter what it took.

I operated for acouple contractors throught the years, and decided I wanted to make my dream a reality. I had acouple side jobs that I used my dads 580C to complete, and decided I wanted to purchase a machine on my own, after all the 580 is a good hoe, but a skidloader and a mini is the way to go! After talking with my dad, I decided I needed a Skidloader, even though I was itching to buy an excavator:cool2 My uncle is in the pool business, and had a Takeuchi that I loved, Dad had Bobcat and Case before, but I fell in love with the power and feel the Tak had.

Before I bore you all typing on and on ill share acouple pics,

This was the first machine I purchased on my own, My 07 Takeuchi TL140, the day Groff Tractor delivered it right to my door!



It had 1500hrs on the meter, they gave me a 6 month warranty and a not so nice payment book!:drinkup I really wanted a TL150, but there were none anywhere in site, This 140 has really impressed me so I cant complain.

Before I even used it, I wanted to change the oil, and fuel filter, I also purchased a set of forks

 

[Nick385CL]

Before the machine went to its first job, I wanted to clean up our driveway some, I didn't have my own dump truck at the time so I borrowed paps F700

 

[bigshow]

Good luck in your endeavor, you sound like you have the drive to make your dream a reality.

 

[kb9tci]

Great wat to start it off! Take care of your equipment and it will take care of you. I loathe greasing equipment, but I still find every zerk and make sure they take grease.

Build your empire a step at a time and before you know, you'll have every toy, er, tool you need

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

 

[Nick385CL]

Thanks! Those pics are from 2 years ago, I figure I'll try and keep the pics somewhat in line. I'll upload more later, I'm out and about at the moment in freezing rain, this weather is crazy.

 

[Sawdus22]

This is gonna be good. I cant wait to hear the rest of your story and to see all of your pictures!

 

[heymccall]

Western Pa, huh? Groff sold me 2 TL150s. Contractors Connection sold me the first TL150. IMHO, a TL150 is just too damned big. Need a 6 ton trailer, for starters. Slowly switching over to Kubota SVL75s. TL150s aren't bad machines, but Tech support for Takeuchi is worthless.

 

[Nick385CL]

Heres the first job the Tak was on, a buddy of mine built a new house, and he needed a sandmound installed along with gas/water, drains etc. I also dug a round pen for his horses. The 941 is a friends machine I borrowed, boy was it nice, completely gone over and tight. I really want to buy it off him.

 

[Nick385CL]

Im from Monongahela, I see your from Monroeville. I was just out your way Sunday by the mall. and I know what you mean about the 150s being heavy, the 140 is heavy enough to get the job done. I would love to try out the new Kubotas, there sharp looking! I wish I could say I had all that equipment, maybe in time.

 

[Nick385CL]

I found this pic from my younger days, dad used to take me to work every weekend! That 9 dwarfs me!




He wanted all the topsoil from the round pen spread around his house, it was a pain with the clods, but after tracking it in it looked good


Heres the sand mound with clay cover



Just recently purchased this trailer, couldn't pass up the deal and I use it more than I figured I would



Its first load was my Cummins, I put a B&W hitch in the Dmax

 

[Nick385CL]

My pap had 11 Brockway tri-axles back in the 70's. We have 5 left, although in rough shape, I would love to restore at somepoint. I was browsing Craigslist last July and just happened to come across this jem, a 1971 361 Brockway! I didn't even hesitate to go look at it and talking with the owner, he used to work for my Pap! What a small world. I bought it and drove it home the next day, I plan on restoring it completely, but don't have the time currently.



It has a 238 Detroit with no power steering :bash But its fun to drive,the Eaton 13 speed shifts like a dream. I plan on putting a 335 Cummins in it out of another Brockway.

 

[monster76]

good for you man. im 24 now and started out just like you. keep pushing forward all this hard work will pay off later

 

[kshansen]

Nick, When you get that Husky restored you need to make a trip down near me, Cortland NY. Every year they have a truck show on main street,lots of Brockways there I hear. Some day I'm going to remember which weekend it is and get there! Have heard about it for many years and it seem like the news get to me the monday after the show:Banghe

PS and your's is a real Brockway not a re-badged R model Mack!

 

[Nick385CL]

I always wanted to go to the Brockway show! I haven't had a chance yet but know people who have went.

Here are acouple pics of our Brockways since you mentioned it, these were from 2008 when we used them to haul coal off road, no summer vacations for me in school! :drinkup

Heres the 361, I drove this old girl for acouple months until my 761 was ready to roll, our driver Chico took over this one after me



here was my 761 on the left, my cousin Donnies in the Middle (cant remember the model) and then Chicos 361 on right







Heres Donnie getting loaded by my dad while I wait my turn



And Donnie again loaded heading to the Barge loader

 

[Nick385CL]

The trucks have been sitting since, we actually have to move them up to our shop, people have been claiming to own them, telling the guy who owns the coal yard that!:Banghead I honestly don't understand some people! They stole the Huskys off the hoods also, makes me so mad....

Any how, Heres my pap loading me from the right in our 992A



While my dad puts a bucket on from the left side!



And heres our D9G getting ready to go to the stock pile across the river, I believe this pic is from 2007



The cops shut down the roads for our 3 mile hike, sometimes it pays to know the Chief!:drinkup



Again, these pics are from acouple years ago, we still have all the equipment, just been sitting

 

[nedly05]

Looks like you grew up like me, every spare minute on a job site! Are you running your brockway or do you have another truck? Keep the pics comin!

 

[Nick385CL]

I have so many pics, from years ago to current, Ill get back on track here alittle bit, for now!:cool2

Nedly, My Brockway is sitting right now, last September, surfing craigslist again I found my newest dump, a 1991 Mack RD690P. I was on lunch at work, and called my dad as soon as I found it, we went that night and I put money down on it, I bought it off Todd Cole who owns Cole Contracting, he is a SUPER nice guy, I told him my story and explained how I was getting started etc, he gave me an awesome deal, and waited 2 weeks till I had the money, guys gave him offers for it and he told them it was mine. I cant thank him enough for that, a true honest guy.

I was looking for a tandem like your Granite, but couldn't find one that fit my needs. When money allows Ill be on the hunt again, but im in need of an excavator first.

Heres the night I brought it home, after getting the plate and tittle transferred, my buddy Jon checking it out. She has 153,000 miles, and a horrible 7 speed MaxiTorq tranny..... Im looking for an 8LL to replace it currently.



I swear every time I try working on something the shop cat has to investigate!


Just doing PM on her, I put 2 new steers on 2 weeks ago.



When I bought it, the shifter was tore and taped together, so I called Mack and ordered a new one and new Bulldog logo for the top.... Needless to say they charged me $250 for the shift knob, and $3 for the mack logo!!

I recently had a powersteering issue, it was pushing fluid out of the resivour... so I called Mack again, they wanted $691 for a re man pump or $50 for the new seal kit! I told the sales guy no thanks, and picked up the same seal kit for $10 at a truck shop, what a relief... Today me and dad resealed the pump and put it back on... but I need to bleed the system tomorrow, its like 0 degrees outside now, im going to try and quickly get it in the shop in the morning, ill get some more pics of it then.

 

[nedly05]

Looks like a sweet truck, does it have a jake?

 

[Nick385CL]

Yup! It has a 275 Mack under the hood w/ Jake... Although at times the Jake feels weak, Im going to ask dad tomorrow if hell look into it with me. Being a single axel with that motor it runs like a beast, if only I can find an 8LL for it, the 7 speed is a low Rpm shift tranny, it sucks on hills and feels like the gears are too far apart.

 

[Orlando]

Cool thread and nice pics thanks for sharing.