Any Canadians here

[smidsy]

I'm watching season 5 of Highway Through Hell - beautiful country you guys have.

They keep referring to the "hammer lane" - am I right in assuming that that is what you guys call the fast lane?
Cheers
Smidsy

[rrich]

A yank here.

Actually the 'Hammer Lane' is a trucker term that is used mostly over the CB (Citizen Band) radio. It refers to the lane closest to the center of the multi lane highway, i.e. Interstate Highway in the US. In the US, that would be the left most lane. I assume that in Australia that would be the right most lane.

In the US, if there are more than two lanes, trucks are restricted to the two right most lanes. A truck is defined as a vehicle with a GVWR of 11,001 pounds or three or more axles. I'm not totally sure about the exact GVWR number but it is close. The authorities generally ignore the lane violation if the truck is travelling at the speed limit or above.

[smidsy]

Thanks Rich, I was just curious.
I actually have my truck licence but I don't drive them anymore.
Here driving around trucks gets fun in the outback because we have what we call road trains - see the pic.

[Cliff Rogers]

This is a serious road train.

[Bushmiller]

Cliff

That is a road train!! Four prime movers each hauling three trailers ( I think. Lost count a bit). I suspect on a farm (cattle trucks) with the agricultural tractor lending assistance anticipating trouble.

I think it is the caterpillar effect relying on a few wheels being on sound ground.

Regards
Paul

[Uncle Al]

Best part of 3000 horsepower there, and just about every one of them needed!
Makes you appreciate the hard work the truckies do to keep everything running in the big cities.
Pretty easy for us to nick down to the butchers and get a few steaks, but what happens in the background is quite amazing.

Thanks for the video link Cliff.

Alan...

[smidsy]

Makes you appreciate the hard work the truckies do to keep everything running in the big cities.
Pretty easy for us to nick down to the butchers and get a few steaks, but what happens in the background is quite amazing.

Thanks for the video link Cliff.

Alan...

Yep exactly, I've got my semi license.
Driving a car I find relaxing, even when pushing it.
Driving a semi is bloody hard work - truckies really earn their pay.

[rrich]

Three trailers would never fly here. You can't believe the grief the truckers get just doing the tandem bit. In California many of the Interstate exits are rated singles or tandem.

When looking at the 'Roo' bars on your trucks it seems like they would stop a moose.

[BobL]

When looking at the 'Roo' bars on your trucks it seems like they would stop a moose.

I think you'll find they are called "Bull Bars" and yes they are designed for that sort of thing.

[Handyjack]

The trouble with kangaroos is they are likely to land on the roof of your car (or truck bonnet/hood).

[KBs PensNmore]

Roo bars are what are fitted to cars. Cattle can do some serious damage to a rig, even with the bull bar. I've seen a Mack, where the horn penetrated the radiator and smashed the fan.
Kryn

[smidsy]

Gympie roo.jpg

For the non Australian readers this is a kangaroo, this guy was actually seen a fair way in to town and apparently likes to be scratched.
They are quite dumb and usually placid but can be dangerous when they feel threatened - the top claws can rip a man open, the bottom legs give them enough power to leap fences and cars and can kick over a horse or cow, and the tail has enough power to break a mans leg.

[ian]

and despite all that strength, they form part of the preferred prey for drop bears

[Bushmiller]

Indeed. The drop bears are probably only rivaled in ferocity by the fearsome jabberwock.

Regards
Paul

[rrich]

Some years ago at the open wheel race in Long Beach (Formula one or CART, I'm not sure.) there was a bloke walking a Kangaroo on a leash. The Kangaroo was young and perhaps only a meter or so tall.