"Widowmaker"

We have a 1972 chevrolet C 50 which is a 1 1/2 ton truck with a dump. It is the "farm truck." We try to name the farm trucks. Everyone will remember "Randy." Randy was the 1960 Chevrolet one ton dual wheel with high sides. "Randy " was pasted on the side thus the name Randy. It was sold to Ron Shinkle and then replaced by what we called the pumpkin truck which is the 72 Chev because it colored orange and looks like a pumpkin. The pumpkin truck is kind of nice because it has a metal dump box and can carry hot asphalt amongst sand, gravel, and hay.

Ross and I had an exciting time in the pumpkin truck years ago a week before he left on his mission. He helped me get a load of hay- a big load. We were rounding a corner on Zena road when the truck started to tip over. The load was tied down. Ross was sitting in the passenger seat and looked at me with terror in his eyes "should we bail?" I said "NO!-- Hold on tight!" Just as it was about to flip- we were turning over petty slow- like in slow motion the rope broke and thetruck pops upright something like a jack in the box as huge 150lb hay bails fly everywhere. Fifteen minutes later here comes the farmer I bought the hay from whith his hay squeeze and crew. He pumped up the truck tires and we were soon on our way which leads to the reason for this post.

Speaking of tires,(we keep the tires inflated now) last month after about ten years the front tires became very bald- one had cord showing. I take it into Superior tire. All the crew comes out to admire the truck. (joke) "We don't work on these wheels" the boss explains. "They'll kill you." he says. He points out parts on the wheels to the tire crew. "Guys these wheels are called 'widowmakers.' They are made in two parts and when you change the tire they can come apart explosively and kill you. That is why they are called widowmakers." He then begins telling stories of tire changers killed by widowmakers. He then proceeds to explain that no one will work on these wheels- duh? Anyway that doesn't help me- I need sand for a beach for Ann down at the new pond. The ending is tha they got me two new front wheels with used tires and Wade is bringing the old widowmakers home to sit on the junk pile as I write this.

There are still four widowmaker wheels on the rear axle. The Pumpkin truck has now been chrisened "Widowmaker." I like that name a lot more don't you? So when you hear about "Widowmmaker" you'll know what I am talkin about.