Thread: Scania V Western Star aka Johntins V V8Ian.

Originally Posted by V8Ian

"Oh, see that bridge beam? it was one of those that brought Melbourne to a standstill a few years back.. Miracle nobody got killed."

Don't leave it there, spill ya guts.

Not me driving. The jinker needed it's steering connected to the belly chain, and someone did not put the clevis pin safety pin in, and the jinker decided to go off on it's own, at around 90km/h. That beam was 90t, so nothing much was going to stop it, and you can see how long it was. It happened on the Monash Freeway at around 3:00AM. The back of the beam crossed over into the oncoming lanes, causing some poor bloke in a cement tanker to go bush. The beam struck the middle of the freeway support for the Ferntree Gully Road on ramp overpass. The ensuing chaos close the Monash Freeway for days. If you know Melbourne at all, you'll know what that means. Not long before, that same beam had crossed the Westgate Bridge, and passed through the Burnley Tunnel. God knows what might have happened if it had come apart there.
(Anyone who doesn't know, the jinker is the platform at the rear end of the beam, with the six sets of wheels. This can be independently steered at low speed, so that the beam can be manoeuvered out of where it was made. It is then locked so it follows on like any other trailer.
IMG_0323.jpg)

The opening of the new Peninsula Link Freeway was also delayed, as that was where the beam was going.

Originally Posted by johntins

Not me driving. The jinker needed it's steering connected to the belly chain, and someone did not put the clevis pin safety pin in, and the jinker decided to go off on it's own, at around 90km/h. That beam was 90t, so nothing much was going to stop it, and you can see how long it was. It happened on the Monash Freeway at around 3:00AM. The back of the beam crossed over into the oncoming lanes, causing some poor bloke in a cement tanker to go bush. The beam struck the middle of the freeway support for the Ferntree Gully Road on ramp overpass. The ensuing chaos close the Monash Freeway for days. If you know Melbourne at all, you'll know what that means. Not long before, that same beam had crossed the Westgate Bridge, and passed through the Burnley Tunnel. God knows what might have happened if it had come apart there.
(Anyone who doesn't know, the jinker is the platform at the rear end of the beam, with the six sets of wheels. This can be independently steered at low speed, so that the beam can be manoeuvered out of where it was made. It is then locked so it follows on like any other trailer.
IMG_0323.jpg)

The opening of the new Peninsula Link Freeway was also delayed, as that was where the beam was going.

I'll add something. A few years back the TAC down here ran an ad campaign with the theme "Fatigue Kills". The company depicted in those pics no longer exists, so I hope I can say this. The blokes loading those beams often worked 18 - 20 hours. The drivers were, of course, "supposed" to be resting. It was fatigue that caused the pin to be unsecured, and it was fatigue that caused that to be overlooked. No question. I used to get annoyed at OH&S types sticking their noses in, and often that sort of bureaucracy is intrusive and unnecessary, but I had my eyes opened here, as not only were mistakes made, but the bureaucracy failed as well. A major Govt. agency was in charge here ( I'm not naming them ), and they liked to turn up and flash their pretty lights.
I wouldn't hazard a guess at what the financial cost of all this was, I'm just grateful nobody was seriously hurt. I reckon the poor bugger in the cement tanker still has nightmares, and this happened in 2011 IIRC.

Originally Posted by V8Ian

I have to admit Scania have it all over the Yanks when it comes to driver packs.....that is if you're into stilettos and lippy.

I thought the reason the Yank trucks had such big sleepers was for them to have room for all the 'drag' outfits and make up mirrors.

At this point I would like to thank all the Truckies for making us Sailors look so clever.

Originally Posted by cuppabillytea

At this point I would like to thank all the Truckies for making us Sailors look so clever.

Arrr, arrr. Yep, clever all right.

Originally Posted by johntins

I thought the reason the Yank trucks had such big sleepers was for them to have room for all the 'drag' outfits and make up mirrors.

Real men need a proper bed, not a parcel shelf that becomes accessible after the front seats are folded up.

Originally Posted by cuppabillytea

At this point I would like to thank all the Truckies for making us Sailors look so clever.

If ever you fall in the drink, I hope somebody throws you an anchor.

Originally Posted by V8Ian

If ever you fall in the drink, I hope somebody throws you an anchor.

Aww shucks,,,. Thanks mate.