Blakey's Blog (interrupted by showmans travels)
It was a lovely sunny day today, a perfect day for pulling down. At 6pm we started, the crew had arrived from Falkirk and "r" &"s" got right into the skydiver while "w" and I tackled the show. After that (35 mins) I moved onto the miami while "w" helped "r" finish off the skydiver. The miami came down well and only had the packing to pick up when I moved onto the DZ. I thought that by lowering the tower before the team came down from the skydiver I would give them a head start. Sure enough, as the tower dropped the last couple of inches onto the cradle they arrived from completing the skydiver. Another hour later and we were already for the road. "r" wanted to take the DZ so I could take the skydiver and listen for the bump bump bump. I'm pleased to say it seemed A ok. The new hub,wheel nuts , studs etc etc had cured that. Lucky for "r" he did take the DZ because as I crossed the Kingston Bridge the engine started to die. I knew instantly -filter or lack of fuel. I pulled into the hard shoulder and dipped the tank. It showed a quarter of fuel, so filter it is. It took me a few minutes to find the spare. Then the cab would not tilt (probably lack of oil) so I squeezed in behind the front wheel. I struggled to remove the filter, then realised I was turning it the wrong way! Sure enough when I finally got it off it was thick with gunge. That is the second filter in about 130 mile (going to secc in Dec). That means the tank needs cleaned out. Probably after effects of the East Kilbride saga way back in August. Any how I have only travelled about 14 mile and have created another two jobs-good job the yard isn't further away.
As for Blakey's Blog--well you lot seem very pleased to see him back. The only good thing about him being back is that it implies he was away in the first place. And his story of knocking in a couple of fence posts is no where near as exciting as my traveling escapades. Don't encourage him, lord knows he doesn't need any.(and if you hadn't bought a mutt- you wouldn't need a fence!!!)
posted by showman @ 22:34
8 Comments
8 Comments:
It was a superb weekend weather wise and another scorcher today may it last lol !! another action packed trip back to the yard i see showman lol will keep you busy with the week off, have u filled in your empty dates now for the time capsule etc, will you be at the usual haunts this summer in the borders??. cheers borderer. hope all well and tanned lol.
this will always be your blog showman dont you worry i always enjoy reading your journeys,problems etc when a new story is posted i cant wait to read the trials and tribulations of another day in the life of showman. keep up the good work we all love reading it. cheers borderer.
Hi S
Just watch you don't have diesel bug.The reason I mention it, 12 of my tractors have all went down in as many weeks with clogged fuel filters. Getting the filters checked the problem has been confirmed as diesel bug and on talking to the fuel companies apparently diesel bug is currently wide spread. You can buy an additive(albeit bloody expensive) that neutralises your fuel supply tanks. Re the actual tractor units we're finding the easiest way is to take the tanks off and send them away to be opened and cleaned.On average we're getting the tanks back from the local radiator company in around eight hours.
Rds SS
Diesel bug ! im not going to lie and say i beleived the above comment but it checks out apparently it is
"several different organisms which grow on the water/diesel interface. They are very 'slimy' and clog filters."
i got the information from this link to a yachting and boating forum
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/770105/an/0/page/26
I Think Anonymous is right best just clean the tank out.
I would do it but i think im going to be busy that day lol
R
Believe it.
Most of the big operators have been aware of its existence since around 2004 but as far as the big fuel companies are concerned, they would like it to remain a taboo subject. One of the big supermarket chains recently had a really bad outbreak down south. There are a number of different theories about what causes bug. It’s undoubtedly associated with the now mandatory minimum 5 % bio diesel content. Given bio diesel is made from either vegetable or in some cases animal waste this organic matter is an idea catalyst to harvest the bugs micro organisms. I recently had a couple of samples sitting on my desk and within 48 hrs the amount of bacterial growth within the test tube was frightening. The other main reason (again in part due to the presence of bio diesel), most fuel storage tanks are naturally aspirated. Our natural wet climate enables yeast to be drawn into the storage tanks which in turn stimulates diesel bug pours.
Word of warning when trying to rid a vehicle of bug. You really need to remove and thoroughly clean the filter housings and the tanks draw pipe as well as properly opening the fuel tank to clean and sterilise. Finally to date the only real preventive measure (other than to use additives) is to be careful where you source your diesel and try and minimise the amount of moisture content within the fuel.
Rds SS
Blimey, never heard of this one before. If its not bad enough dodging the flu bug and computer bugs now we have to worry about diesel bugs! Just shows they rushed into the bio diesel without really testing it out. Havent seen this on anything at my end but will be keeping an eye on the filters in future. Can this occur in red ss?
Hi Jesters
To date red diesel appears to be totally unaffected in the main due to it being free of any bio diesel content. Without getting on my high horse, more and more it's starting to look like the tree huggers who insisted on bio diesel have a lot to answer for. Bio diesel undoubtedly reduces MPG and its definitely a lot more corrosive, you just need to look at the compression chambers on engines that have done a couple of hundred thousand clicks to see just how much more corrosive.
Rds SS
Thanks SS you've just answered a number of questions that i did'nt know who to ask about. Its good to hear from someone who knows his business.
Blakey
did you ever finsih you're count down on you're top ten best trunks and if so what was the winner & SS what to you reckon is the best truck.gaffer
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