Loading and Unloading...

Probably one of the least anticipated parts of the project, was the loading and unloading of the nose. To add to the issue, there are some decent structural cracks in the back, which we had to be careful with.

Loading went easy, aside from the fact that we underestimated the overall size of the beast. We ended up lying it tilted on it's side, and took the trip home VERY slow.


It finally got home at about 9:00pm, and we were ready for an easy offload the next day...or so we thought.

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We used a Bobcat to get it up on the trailer, but we weren't so privileged to have one for offloading. So, after deliberation, we decided on the best route to unload the puppy.

Plan: Tie a chain from our van to the hood, to tip it off of the trailer. Tie a rope from the hood, around a tree, to some kinfolk, who would control the rate of decent, so we didn't break the already rotted and cracked side.

Almost!....

Good!....one more step to go.

And sure enough, it worked....very smooth. However, we now had to continue to tip it, to clear the fender on the trailer, move the truck ASAP, and bring it down. Uh, Houston, we have a BIG problem....and we have this one on video! (stay tuned for that)

&%$#!!!!

Sure enough, that small crack decided to give, and it ended up like a dead duck. But, all was not lost. We pulled her back up, and straightened her out. She was due for a weld job anyways, so it wasn't much of a set back.

Ahh...that's a little better! All leveled out, and braced up for future work.

Stay tuned for the next installment...