Now Thats a Truck Box!

M.D. Holloway · 01-15-2007, 11:40 AM

Just got back from Fort McMurray CA - spent some time at the oil sands. Here is a pic of me in one of the boxes that came in for some weld work.

Below that is a 930E. That rascal can hold 320 tons payload with 2700hp, 4 electric drive motors (one for each wheel). I sat in the cab but they wouldn't let me drive it. The thing is super smooth mainly because it squishes anything in its path.

BTW, it was -30 there (without wind chill). For of those of you who will ask 'is that F or C' ? Does it really mattter???

lendaddy · 01-15-2007, 11:46 AM

No RhinoLiner™ ?

legion · 01-15-2007, 12:22 PM

I prefer a Pendaliner, myself.

M.D. Holloway · 01-15-2007, 12:42 PM

A liner would wear out in a few days there. They are looking into various bi-metalics and even some polymers for the wear items on the shovels though. Much effort is put into trying to find stuff that lasts. The environment is so nasty that not much holds up.

The temps get so low it really makes steel very brittle as well. Combine that with the ultra abrasive oilsand and its just nasty business (the pay is stupid good though!)

For those of you guys who are into bugs, there is one critter that lives up there and makes the heartiest roustabout run like a 7th grade girl - the Tarsand Beetle. Those critters actually live in the tarsands and from what most of the folks tell me they can take a good chunk out of you when they bit. They are know to get into your shirts and shorts. Nasty buggers.

The guy in this photo has some nuts - they say that they get bigger than this and are able to withstand one of those 930E's running over them. Myth or not, not into them!

wreckersteve · 01-16-2007, 05:29 AM

Do you think the wheel chock is going to really help?

cashflyer · 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by LubeMaster77
I sat in the cab but they wouldn't let me drive it.

Not to worry. You can drive one in Midtown Madness 2 for the XBOX.

I drove around in one of these during summer break one year. A Euclid R-50. It wasn't as much fun as it looks. It's like driving a 2-story box.

M.D. Holloway · 01-16-2007, 12:47 PM

When I asked if I could drive it they said "When you get home, go to a second floor window, look out the window as you sitting in a soft chair and put your hands around an imaginary steering wheel. There - thats just like driving one!"

Somehow I don't think so. Maybe next time.

Next time maybe I will spend some time with the folks at P&H or Bucyrus and explore walking draglines. These babies have their own breakroom including TV, Fridge, Microwave and a few cots in the cab! Talk about monsters.