Thanks to Jeff Parietti and the good folk at Kenworth, Biglorryblog is delighted to bring you this tale of the odd oilfield collussus (or two)---especially as it features the kind of monster rigids that Martin Phippard gets all excited over...anyroadup the owners of this excellent 550hp Kenworth C500---Fast Trucking Service---is well known throughout Saskatchewan and Manitoba for providing a tip-top trucking service to the Canadian oil industry, whether it's shipping water, moving rigs or other large bits of big drilling kit.
“Every time an oil rig is moved in this area, Fast Trucking does the moving,” Dennis Day, general manager of Fast Trucking tells BLB. With its fleet of 85 trucks (mostly Kenworth T800s and C500s) the company moves oil rigs within a 300-mile radius of Carnduff, Saskatchewan and over roads that are mostly gravel or mud. So they're used to dealing with extreme conditions. “It doesn’t matter if it’s Tuesday or Sunday, if we have nine rigs to move that day, we move them” he says.
Now click through here to see more of these wonderful Kenworth rigid raiders---plus some excellent T800s!
"We own Kenworths because they’re tough and they last,” adds Dennis.With all of the winches, decking and hydraulics installed on each C500, the truck can weigh as much as 35 tons when empty!
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Fast Trucking's C500s are certainly hard to stop---even in deep mud. Moreover, the all-wheel drive Twin-Steer can haul loads in excess of 47-tonnes through the muck and bullets of Saskatchewan's back-country. “I’ve seen the Kenworth C500 with its wheels buried in more than five feet of mud, and it just keeps going,” reports Dennis.
But then that comes as no surprise to BLB, especially as the C500s boast drive-axle tyres that are nearly 5-feet tall and feature a tread pattern more usually found on vehicles used in competitive tractor pulls! Naturally, the tandem steer axles and large steer floatation tyres also help when clambering around challenging terrain.
Behind the C500's 550hp engine there sits a 6-speed auto box with a 4-speed auxiliary transmission complete with 2-speed drop box behind that. So C500 is geared for low-end performance. “Top speed is around 40 miles per hour, but it’s the low-end speed that gets the job done,” says Day.
Now I promised you some T800 action--and here are some shots of Fast Trucking's Kenworth artics, which are used whenever there's a paved road upon which to shift a 'normal' load. The 525hp T800s have 18-speed Fuller boxes and 38-inch Aerocabs. And they also sport a 18,000 pound front axle to support a winch.
Last but not least, Biglorryblog can report that Fast Trucking is very much a family affair – Tony Day, the president, and his wife, Vi, are the founders of the company, daughter Linda Apperley works in the office, and son Larry Day is the operations manager. “I learned two important things from my parents,” says Dennis. “Never say ‘No, we can’t do it,’ and never give up on a job.” A fine sentiment--and one that chimes with yours truly.
Comments (3)
Gee thanks Brian! Those are real trucks alright and EXACTLY the sort of big iron that turns my crank! And I must say that of all the operations I have photographed and filmed over the past 40-years or so the rig moves are among the most exciting and spectacular. And to think that my younger brother lives in Saskatchewan and never sends me pictures like that! Brilliant blogging and thanks again.
Posted by Martin Phippard | December 30, 2007 6:43 PM
Posted on December 30, 2007 18:43
great photos thank you ;)
please visite my blog a have a many information photos and videos about heavy duty trucks
Im an mechanicanl technician in maintenance kenworth super 953 http://my.opera.com/yassineroy
Posted by yassineroy | May 2, 2008 3:40 PM
Posted on May 2, 2008 15:40
i am looking for all wheel drive kenworth.
Posted by m alajmi | October 13, 2008 9:11 AM
Posted on October 13, 2008 09:11