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I'M BACK!!!!; Trip Disaster
Topic Started: Friday 2-04-2010, 15:41 (202 Views)
Topcat
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Hi Members,

I finally arrived home a couple of hours ago after a gutter crawling trip of just
over a 1000k's in 4th gear with a speed limited to 80kph after what looks like the needle
roller bearing on either 1st,2nd or 3rd gear situated on the main drive shaft decided it
was calling it a day so hence the only good gear was 4th where the bearing noise was less
servere. I tried running in 5th but since I was towing a trailer with over half a ton of
gear decided that 4th was the better option with less strain on the gearbox load.
To top off that trouble about 100k nth. west of Cue on the Erribiddy road a road
train travelling in the opposite direction threw up a rock which literally smashed the
right side rear barn door window on the troopy. :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
The trip up to the Gascoyne where I was headed was uneventful & although I thought
I could hear a slight rumbling noise from underneath the vehicle, everything was running
smoothly (or so I thought)!!!!! :blink: :blink: :blink: :blink:
Got to the place where I was going to metal detect (nearest civilization was about 80km
away & no water available), so had to carry extra water for the couple of weeks I planned
to stay in the area.
Well if you believe in that rotten little bugger called 'Murphy' then this is when
he decided to get mischievious. For the first 4 days the minimum temperature never got
below 36°C, the max was 47°C, so conditions were very uncomfortable for detecting.
So I was driving my troopy each day to several spots I was told by the mining lease holders
that were worth having a look at, even one hours swing was a test of endurance. I even
tried night swinging but ended up sweating like a pig so decided to go back to camp &
suck on a cold tinny!!!! What a relief that was. B) B) I gotta hand it to the manufactures of
my 30 year old 60 litre 'Trailblazer' fridge - it never missed a beat, keeping the beer
cold & the tucker frozen without draining my deep cycle battery dry. The best insulated
portable fridge made in my opinion. The solar panels kept the battery topped up during
the day & only took a couple of hours to recharge what was expended the previous evening.
To continue the saga of Murphy, this is when the rumbling noise suddenly developed
into a loud growling noise when I used the first three gears driving. Fourth gear sounded
OK but I was in rock crawling country & this definately was not a situation to be in!!!! :( :( :(
Checked the oil levels & any signs of leaks - all OK. So discression being the better
part of valour decided to up camp & see if I could get home in one piece.

So it looks for the second time now my dream of getting a 4500 has just gone out the window.
Never mind. I've now got a bit of work to do & be back in the swing of things by June. :P :P :P

Good luck Jon entertaining the Ladies at Ora Banda & don't try skidding out of it as I
have already put the word out that you are the man!!!!! Free beer & all Ha.Ha.Ha!!! ^o) ^o) ^o)

Cheers


Ted
Cheers,

Ted


Posted Image
www.havewheelswilltravel.iinet.net.au
"I believe that if life gives you lemons,you
should make lemonade & try to find somebody
whose life has given them vodka, & have a party"!!!!

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mulgadansa
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Gday Ted
Bit of bad luck about the troupy, never mind it's only a tool at the end of the day and your own safety is the main thing.
I've been trying to get out for the last couple of weeks but as you say the temp up in the Murchison is still dodgy, although there is a cool change coming this weekend so I'm probably off out there. The bride hates the heat so I try and work around it which is reasonably easy these days with the internet forecasting tools available.
cheers
Brett
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ShootingStars5
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Ted

Good to see you arrived home safe. Expensive way to get out of entertaining the ladies at Ora Banda one would think :)

Hopefully you will be back up and running before too long.

Cheers
Lyn
See a Shooting Star tonight - find a nuggie tomorrow!
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nuggetykath-68
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Hi Ted,

Thankgoodness you were able to arrive home safely!!! even Peter & Carol are relieved! Peter has been trying to contact you.
Have sent text to them say you are now home.

Such a shame about the trip Ted...you deserve LOTS of nugs next trip so you can get the 4500!!! :D :D

What a story you have to tell the wife & the Grandies!!!!!! One you'r rather not have had though! ;) :'( :huh:

Just very glad you are safe Ted, but wish you could still go to Ora Banda with someone.

Cheers,
Kath
Be kind to others & smile.
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detrackozi
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Ted sorry to hear of the bad trip you had hope the Troopy back on track and steaming ahead again.


David
http://detrackozi.com/ updated 27-12-2011
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Topcat
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Hi David,

After much cursing & swearing (or is that the same????), I finally got the gearbox back in & buttoned up today.
Just a few odds & ends to sort out & she's a goer again.
The weather hasn't been kind as I've done the job on my own outdoors in between rainstorms.
This time I'm running fully synthetic gearoil so that should improve things.

Cheers

Ted
Cheers,

Ted


Posted Image
www.havewheelswilltravel.iinet.net.au
"I believe that if life gives you lemons,you
should make lemonade & try to find somebody
whose life has given them vodka, & have a party"!!!!

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silverback
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Hi Ted , you should have yelled out im only around the corner.! ;)
All the best,
Peter
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Topcat
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Hi Peter,

Thanks for the offer much appreciated.

Cheers

Ted
Cheers,

Ted


Posted Image
www.havewheelswilltravel.iinet.net.au
"I believe that if life gives you lemons,you
should make lemonade & try to find somebody
whose life has given them vodka, & have a party"!!!!

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