Big Box, Big Pipe

 More big objects seen on the road today. 

Total Transport and Rigging appears to have a new Peterbilt under contract from a local O/O. Today it was paired up with a Trail King three axle trailer and a big box, bound for Guelph, ON.

The well equipped Pete, with mid-rise sleeper, looks to be ready for just about anything it might meet in moose country.

Nearby a well-visored Kenworth was delivering a load of drain pipe. In addition to the familiar black poly pipe, it also has a quantity of blue cellular poly storm water collection chamber sections. Designed to store storm water on site and release it slowly into the sewer system so as not to overload the system, it comes efficiently stacked, ready to assemble.

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More high, wide and heavy

 I've seen a number of odd loads in the last few days.

Watson trucks are a familiar sight in Halifax as they are the exclusive carriers for the Bombardier aircraft components. This good looking Peterbilt is typical of the fleet.

Fresh off the ship this wide tail assembly was bound for the Downsview, ON aircraft plant and will have an escort truck. Watson and its US partner Sycamore have now been acquired 100% by the QSL Group. In 2018 QSL partnered with Groupe Robert to acquire the company. QSL, Quebec Stevedoring Ltd, have also acquired Empire Stevedoring, including its operations in Halifax.

This large object would get the award for highest and probably heaviest.

TMF Heavy Haul of Mascouche, QC had the flatbed with the single axle dolly behind their Kenworth.

A couple of Grove crane ballast units were all the cargo this Kenworth from Quebec had on its trailer.

The truck had the name of Young Livestock, St.Pauls ON on its side, but a Quebec plate up front. I suspect that is a previous owner (incidentally from the former Downie Township, the homeland of a maternal ancestor).

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Retro Boomer

 Following up on two recent topics, I spotted another Ford Louisville the other day and it was a boom truck.

Sporting a big Manitex crane boom, the L8000 Diesel also has the set back front axle. That configuration was not available for the earliest Louisvilles but became popular when owners wanted shorter wheelbases and better turning circles.

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COEs and Droms

 Moving season is a big deal in the Halifax area because many military families are being transferred to new postings before the start of the school year. Moving vans are traditionally the most frequent users of COEs, and dromedary boxes to maximize cubic capacity within the length limits.

Tippet-Richardson is one of the longest standing names in Canada's moving industry. This Freightliner COE is an appropriate representative for the company, particularity with the nice drom box. I am not sure what is going on with the high-rise side window. The unit is from Surrey, British Columbia.

Despite the United Van Lines trailer, the Freightliner COE cab unit is labeled "operated by United  AlliedVan Lines". However there is evidence that some stripes have been peeled off, so the label may be obsolete.

The cab is well worn, with lots of bug stains, rust and an Ontario plate secured with wire ties.

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One for the Mines

 The Municipal Group of companies, based in Halifax, has wide ranging interests in construction, quarrying and mining. As part of those operations they have many trucks including trucking and courier companies. One of the latter is TDR Transport and Logistics. 

TDR is a "for hire" operation, but they also have considerable in house business, including moving equipment to their mines in Quebec. Today I spotted a TDR Peterbilt with a Sandvik mine truck.

The underground loader has a huge bucket, and very cramped looking, but well protected cab.

The road-ready load was accompanied by escort vehicles ahead and following.

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Internationals make a mark

 I am noticing more Internationals, particularly the heavy duty HX model, which is going head to head with the other big names.

Total Transport + Rigging of Halifax have Macks and Western Stars too, but this Inter seems to be the truck of choice for some of the odd loads such as this aircraft tail wing. It arrived from Ireland by ship and will be headed to Quebec for assembly by Bombardier.

With the increase in demand come more deliveries to the dealers, and as usual these are by "piggy back".

These three HX models include  a sleeper / tractor and a pair of day cabs. Truck Movers, based in Kansas City, deliver trucks all over North America, many in this type of configuration.

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New, Oldie and Used

 There are still some remarkably old trucks on the road, and some late model used vehicles, with lots of life left in them.

It is hard to tell how old many trucks may be because manufacturers tend to produce the same model for many years. However it is possible to establish a minimum age based on when a model was discontinued. One of the best known truck models of the 20th century was the Ford Louisville produced from 1970 to 1998.

This L8000 may well date from the late years of the model. Aside from the bumper (!) it appears to be in good original condition.

A newer vehicle - possibly year 2000 based on the fleet number, this Western Star is likely en route to Newfoundland. Dutton Transport of Moncton, NB had a sleek looking mid-rise Freightliner hauling the step deck trailer.

A "less used" pair of Western Star day cab tractors were waiting for their next assignments down on the waterfront:

I think they were involved with set up for this Grove 5250L crane:

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