I went to trade school when it was just a Cert. 10 month crash course in gear train, engines and fuel systems, basic electrical, hydraulics some minor welding and diagnostics. Ranken Technical 75/76. First job, RTW state-KS, floor mechanic not trainee, not apprentice just mechanic, on production rate(flat rate). Lost my ass for two weeks, started getting the hang of it the third on old simple Freightliner cabover tandems. Midwestern Distribution Ft. Scott KS. Garage was B&D Motor Parts a separated division and the ONLY garage except for emergency repairs the company equipment ran thru. Got good at brake jobs(full anchor pin 16" drive axle type), clutches and replacing frame cross members. Experienced the grief of straight time on Air Conditioners, coolant leaks off engine and working on cab components as speedometers in that age of early electronic shyt. ABS was coming out, learned air brake systems really quick as to diagnostics. Became wrecker operator off hours same company dragging the junk both out and in, picking up wrecks and so on. Got laid off after just over a year. Had broken 80 hour pay weeks working 3 1/2 11 hour days rotating week end or beginning every month. First overhaul, first Glider kit and first aux section fuller rebuild all here.
Got really good at busting axles with a sledge popping those BS Frt Lnr/Rockwell flange wedges without busting studs. Journeyman by forced function. Second job Mack Trucks St. Louis, journeyman, rebuilding in-frames, fuel system repairs/dyno work, electrical system repairs and conversions on the old beasts. Transmissions in Bulldogs are their own animal, triple counter shaft, heavy as all get out, clutches were another experience in these on dump trucks and Trash trucks or City Fire apparatus, ALL sucked a crank with multiple PTOS, multiple extra whatever in the way but was Union and all time was paid. Frying pan to fire, never specialized on any aspect. Then went to work at Feld Truck Rental St. Louis, second shift shop working foreman, sidelined days as a heavy equipment grunt at St. Charles Quarry, lube man to start, by the end of a year rebuilding 110 Driptroits in Eucs on 1/2 day schedules.
Have been in under or around most every type of equipment including garbage trucks replacing blade packer hydraulic rams(While LOADED) and Honey Buckets needing clutches or exploded engines while of course FULL to smaller towboats on Alton Pool Mississippi River. Heaviest/nastiest job ever done: rails on a D9H on a job site(trash Dump) in the open in August. Never so much fun in my life as to deal with the stinking garbage infused rails on that POS, removed with a gas axe in 1984. Working a tow boat while underway is an experience, three engines, take one down service then swap to another, by the time done the scenery outside is quite different and no sensation of motion other than watching rudder controls oscillate, bilges are just NASTY!