"Erie Express" in Chicago Oct 7th

[T-Zab]

Jerre and Thomas Heyer will be in Chicago this coming weekend to do some plow installs at Tims. We are planing to do a dinner meet for Sat night the 7th.
I do not have the location yet (Tim has a place picked) for this. We need a head count, everyone is invited. I will be there with my wife and 7 year old daughter. Everyone is welcome to bring your family or a friend/friends.
If your interested in attending please post back or pm me.
T

[T-Zab]

I should mention this is Tims Snow Plow sales in the city , not Tim Wallace's place.
T

[parrothead]

good thing, because i was headed to bollingbrook! so do we bring our plows or is the list already to big, thanks rob

[T-Zab]

Rob, Jerre is working for Tim doing custom mounts for GMC 6500's. I dont know what he will be able to handle as far as other work. Best bet PM him to see what he can work out.
Let me know if you think you will be there for dinner.
T

[Mark Oomkes]

Make sure he takes pictures of the installs. I really, really need to see those trucks. If you don't, I'll have to drive down there.

PS Is dinner going to be Central Time or Eastern? :zoom

[T-Zab]

PS Is dinner going to be Central Time or Eastern? :zoom

Ha Ha Mark, we are on central time here. So for you guys on eastern time 6 pm. Oh and ask Fred I didnt make him wait last weekend.

Any one going to show ???
T

[Jerre Heyer]

Todd, I don't know if we are going to make it. Tom and I may be exhausted by that pointpimp

J

[Pickering Snow]

Hope you guys have fun wish i could come . Please takes some pics .

PS Mark Todd is correct if anything he was waiting for me.

PSS Iam looking forward to seeing that blue sharpie on a particular Blizzard plow.

[T-Zab]

Jerre if the father and I could make it threw last weekend I will see ya at 7 :rockon
T

[Will]

I'll be there with bells on! Well...ok, that's a lie. No bells. But I WILL have clothes on :rolleyes:

I'd like to see some of the plow installs, I'd even bring my video camera. What's all the info?

[parrothead]

do you have directions from the south, thanks rob

[T-Zab]

Okay Here is Tims shop address.
Tims Snow Plow Sales
3008 N. California Ave Chicago, IL

Here is a link from Map quest: http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?city=Chicago&state=IL&address=3008+N%2E+California+Avenue&zip=60618

Jerre will be there tonight (if he made it off the tarmack in Detroit ???).
He will post the restaurant location tommorow. It should be very close to his shop.
T

[4evergreenlawns]

Spoke with Tim while he was on the way to the Airport. The place he has in mind is at Irving Park and Ashland. I have the name of the place but I left it in the truck.

As I am sure all would like to see the shop work 1st best bet is to meet at the shop adress Todd listed and we will not be far from there.

If anyone has Q's and getting there last give me a call 630 675-2939. Either Tim or I can get you to where you need to meet us all.

Lots of pics will be taken. History being made Erie Special production in Chi-town. Maybe a trip to the Great White North will be next on the tour.....


Mark,

Still time for you to make it.......

You too Fred

[Pickering Snow]

Listen iam happy for this trip and meeting of course most of all iam proud of Jerre and Thomas but a year ago there was alot of bad blood out there and it makes me feel good inside that this whole deal has come together.

Ron

You will be happy with the end results i know you run a top notch operation and the Erie connection is something i really want to see for you. You have trusted in many peoples advice and i truly hope you understand after this weekend why people drive hundreds of miles to meet this man.

I wish i could make the trip would like to meet you and personally lay any disagreements aside and shake hands iam grounded ill let Todd and J explain

Have a good time and take care of my Buddys.

[Mark Oomkes]

If I wasn't very shorthanded right now (due to wonderful ex-employees :headwall ) I'd drive over and pick you up Fred and run down to Chi-town with you. But since I only have 2 employees left, I got some work to do. :o

Oh well, it's all for the best in the long run. Find some employees without attitudes and who know how to actually get something done.

[4evergreenlawns]

Fred,

I am sorry to hear you are ill and hope for a short and speedy recovery.

There is no bad blood on my end whatsoever. We all have strong feel about things and from time to time even the best of friends disagree. The difference between true friends is the ability to understands each others differences and still have a level of respect for each other. I am very outspoken and sometimes that can be seen as a liability but in some situations it has been an assest that can not be measured. Futhermore, as business owner each of us has a level of self respect that requires us to from time to time check ourself against others in the market place. Not to do so could be fatal to a small business.

Let me say this loud and clear, although there has been and most likely will be heat debate I openly admit I hold the highest reguard for several members here. We all have different experiences in both life and business. Sometime they differ and that is a good thing. As I have stated, the sharing of information is a very large two way street and just because someone has a different view or experience does not make it right or wrong is just makes it different. It is how each of us uses that information offered. Nothing more.

I have never every implied that the level of service provided by Jerre is anything short or outstanding and worth everything invested by one of his customers. I have stated that sometimes one has to find other means of service and develop contact and relasionship that best serve their needs. Somehow between what I have posted and how somehave taken my comments it was implied that I have hard feelings toward him and that has never been the case.

When I was speaking with Tim about ramping up for this season and he started telling me about this Tovar's project (which is right in my backyard) I was very outspoken about how long I have known of Jerre and I told Tim he is getting not just the best there is but a one of a kind subject matter expert not to be compared to anyone else in the industry when is come to the Blizzard line.

As much as you are proud to have Jerre as your dealer and friend I can say the same for Tim. He has made is very easy for me to be a Blizzard owner with the highest confidence and dependablity. I think that is what we all look for reguardless of the end item for our business.

For those who measure me soley for what I post here they are only short changing themselve. Those who have met me and conducted business with me have a ture measure of what kind of person I am. I am proud to say I have been able to meet some great people form LTS and hope that number will grow with time. The local guys I have meet and in contact with know they have my full support and the full resources of my company at their disposal.

Ron G.

[GMC Driver]

Ron,

Very well said - you make some great points.

For a minute I was afraid you were going a little soft on us - now we need a tear in eye smilie! (j/k)

[Pickering Snow]

Ron

No bad blood here either sometimes its hard to seperate myself from Moderator dutys and being one of the guys. I do remember you starting with 1 truck and growing and it has always gave me great pleasure to see guys grow there buss and share it here you have certainly done that.

In alot of ways we are much alike iam growing a diff buss but just the same have watched a infant buss become a handful now. I have faced many difficult challenges in buss and have worked til i cant work anymore , i have a new challege to fight now except i have very little control and can only hope that i can fight hard enough to win.

Have a great weekend with the boys there the two greatest guys i have ever met and there more brothers to me than friends.

[T-Zab]

Had a small window to drop in on the boys, so I payed them a visit this morning.
Lets just say these trucks will be sweet. They have there work cut out so I didnt hang out long. Im pissed I didnt have the camera with.
Hopefully Ron will get a bunch of pics. J has his a camera phone now so maybe I can get a few from him.
T

[Mark Oomkes]

Im pissed I didnt have the camera with.
T

You're pissed? What does that make us? :jk

[T-Zab]

Mark,
To wet your appetite Brand New (not sure on model year) GMC 7500 Cab overs. They have those fancy V-Boxes (begins with an E, dont remember the name) from Europe I believe, maybe Denmark ? Im stabbing here. I know they tested a few in Maine. Any way they have the liquid tanks on the sides and the worlds spendiest spinner ! The trucks look really nice and would be fun to drive with the cab over design and the big 8611 up front.
T

[Mark Oomkes]

Todd, I can't remember the name of them either, but I can remember their 'representatives' at the Louisville symposium last year. They were pushing around the walk-behind spreaders that they make with candy in them. I was very impressed with their equipment. ;)

All I can say is WOW.

[snowplowjay]

http://www.epoke.com/

My snow cap just went on instantly when I saw "THAT E COMPANY" LOL...


(well said Ron btw)......

A lot of things are going on around here right now and because of that I have been thinking even harder about what life is all about and what is most important and I will tell you its the damn truth that these guys right here on LTS are some of the best friends I have made and will ever make (I have met a ton of you guys in person and even the guys I haven't met in person too)... My arms are always wide open to any of you as far as I will do anything I can to help my LTS brothers...

Jay

[GMC Driver]

Todd - are they "epoke"? The Niagara Region runs a bunch of those here, they are sweet units.

[T-Zab]

Yes, thanks guys you nailed it. Jay thanks for the link
The model is: Sirius S3500, but better lights and a back up crash cage with sensors.
These trucks should make some awesome snow fighters.
T

[4evergreenlawns]

Todd,

I am not going into the city untilSaturday evening for the meeting and than the GTG after. Than back on Sunday morning. The 810 I am taking in is also tweeked about a good 1" maybe 1.5" so hope they might fix that too.

I am going to bring the Polar Edge with maybe someone can use it I am keeping the wing edge but one of them it twisted so I hope Jerre will show me how to get that st8.

Glad you found the shop makes it easier for the GTG Saturday evening.

Yes I will take the digital cam with the flash card for about 178 pics total.

Looking forward to seeing Jerre and Tom in action up close. I was going to take a drive into the City but as you said they have they work cut out and I did not want to over stay my welcome as Tim is on a deadline too. Plus I have a promo event locally in the AM so I have to do some set up for that.

[Pickering Snow]

Yes I will take the digital cam with the flash card for about 178 pics total.

Ron'

Looking forward to the pics remember with any GTG pics make the whole thing real . Glad you have a 178 pic capabilty and i hope T and Heather bring one has well.

J -----Dont send me those camera phone pics like Brl they hurt my eyes J/k i forgot the whole time last weekend i was in the shop and my camera was in T's truck i had a camera on my waist . Camera phone!!!!

ps cause your meeting J for the first time Ron after his work is finished at Tims buy him a ole #7 for me will ya . { #7 = Jack Daniels ** and if you want to see Thomas smile buy the kid some veggies at the market you will think he has seen Santa Claus.

[pbeering]

Word has it that tools, supplies, and equipment were being amassed and that the Erie Mojo was coming together in Chicago. Word further has it that Brother Zabadal's care package of antifreeze/lubricant and certain fibrous materials arrived in the nick of time to avert catastrophe (or at least big challenge).

As I looked north last night, I saw what first appeared to be the northern lights, but was actually the arc from plasma and welding.......

[littleplows]

The boys are in town. Alias here. Tom and Mike's account as Amy's home with Jacob and has the shop on there. 1st unit is almost wired and finishing the mount, got 4+ plows built out of 10 and all the others out of the boxes and being modified and assembled. Was a long night last night...2a.m. + but were hard at it again. Had a couple delays on materials but got that handled. Cutting out for dinner tonight and probably back over here then up early tommorow ( Tim's going to have to give me a key......:scramble ) and out by air tommorow afternoon.

See some of you tonight.

J +T

P.S. Father you'll love the picts I've got. Don't forget to get some dipers and get the spill proof coffee cup.

[T-Zab]

If you guys catch this now meet at Tims around 6. Then were heading over to O'Donovans at 2100 Irving Park at around 7.
T

[Chuck Smith]

In case it isn't clear, littleplows above is Jerre posting with the name that Thomas and Mike use here. Hope you guys have plenty of Mission Coffee, brewed at my preferred strength of course! If you have to chew it a little its perfect.

~Chuck

[pbeering]

Late word during the dinner break was that our intrepid travelers were dining and regrouping while a batallion remained hard at work building plows.

Mounting plates are being made and apparently there is a great likelihood of Jerre playing the role of acolyte--with a plasma torch--in the late hours tonight, and early tomorrow.

I have advised the lads to check for errant cows (and lanterns) as we are approaching the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire later this week.

[T-Zab]

Dinner was good, nice to drag the boys from the shop for a break. Just myself and Heather and lil Katy, and Ron and his helper Zac with Jerre and Thomas. It was all good company, Ron I forgot to thank you for the cocktails thanks :drinkup .
Hopefully Heather can resize some pics tommorow morning for me. Didnt get a lot, hopefully Ron got a few as well. Im sure the boys will be burning the midnight oil tonight as they have a ton of work left.

Fred, Ron left a blade for an erie makeover I think J has a brand new blue marker. Thomas is the only one ahead of the game there so he will be getting after it tommorow morning.
T

[Pickering Snow]

Thanks for the update T and Peter i knew J and Thomas had alot of work to do and ill tell you this for a fact when iam working in my shop iam in my element everything is layed out right were it needs to be , it is very difficult to walk into someone elses shop and make great time not knowing were things are materials and such.

When iam on the road in the service truck it took me probley a year before i had it set up to feel i was at home in it and could perform at the same level has the shop .

Jerre and Thomas its been a long weekend here worrying about you guys only a true craftsman knows what its like to be pulled from his element so i could bet 4-5 hours or more easy lost in getting use to someone eles's welders. and torches. Iam sure its probley to late now for the pep speach but dig guys dig iam sure the gut checks were made already , Proud has heck of you two , been setting here like a old mother hen worrying wish like hell i could have been there to help.

Glad you guys got a good meal last night and were in GREAT company take care and remember you can sleep on the plane lol.

PS I know this guy in Midland Mi that would probley make you one heck of a deal on a service truck set up to weld and plasma cut plenty of room for short steel , tools and hardware i can see the future and a Mobile Erie Express Truck will talk more later . Safe trip home guys and God speed.

lol.

[snowplowjay]

THIS THREAD IS WORTHLESS WITHOUT PICS :D


LETS SEE PICS!!!


Jay

[T-Zab]

Okay I only have a couple pics, most did not turn out as it was getting dark out when we tried taking them.
Here is one of the truck, and one of the back of the spreader.
Hopefully Ron got a few, and maybe J as well.
T

[Jerre Heyer]

Just got back and off the plane at 9:30 who would of guessed you'd fly into O'Hare and out of Midway.

Got some bonus tools on the way off the plane in Cleveland...Some shop mechanic lost a nice 9/16" wrench. Almost had to UPS stuff back as the TSA boys were checking our baggage pretty close will plow tools and all in there.

Something about shaving creme and A couple of wire testers made hime decide to leave the shaving creme at Tim's place as he was packing.

Got over 100 picts. I'll post some here and the rest on a link ala Chuck when I down load them off the camera.

Tovar's going to have some sweet plow rigs.

Ron,

Thanks for the drinks last night. Remember Beer in a bucket comes with cap's here so you can take it home if you don't drink it all. JD come is a frosted mug when you have a server as good as we did. Good looking girls come and go but a facial can do wonders.

Tell Eric that we appreciated the help on the step bracket trim down and thanks for your help too. The shirts will come in handy here. Tom's getting a goodie box together for you.

Heather, thanks for coming out with Katy to take a little ribbing. Don't tell her how the magican hides his wand yet though.


Mr. Diesel Glory himself suprised us today with a visit. Hope he got his pickups all made today.


OK got to go see the wife and kid and can't download till I get the camera hooked back up to the computer and recharged as we ran the battery out just after we left. I would have posted picts earlier but wireless networks were at almost as much of a premium as electrical outlets this weekend.

[4evergreenlawns]

Well where does one start.....

Meeting Jerre and Tom was great. You could spend days talking Blizzard and plowing and never get bored. THANKS FOR SHARING!!!!!!! Meeting with the both of you was a pleasure but being able to work in the shop while the "ERIE EXPRESS CREW" was plasma cutting (when the breaker was not tripped), flipping manifolds, routing hoses, measuring stops, and just pointing out things was something I am glad I did not miss.

Saturday evening was great for all involved as the conversation was nothing short of priceless. I think Zack will be on his way to the spa real soon. Covering the cocktails for the eveing was the least I could have done and still short of what I feel I owe all of you over the years. Just wanted to be sure you guys felt as welcomed as much as we were happy to see you here in town.

Sunday was just a contuniation of the learning experience. Eric was more that pleased to be of help as any good mech. he could hardly just stand by and see wreches turning without putting his hands in there. He could not thank me enough for asking him along.

Lets not forget when the BLUE SHARPIE made it appearance!!!! I will post some pics but leave the best for Jerre to put up as he earned the unvailing rights.

[4evergreenlawns]

ok just a couple of pics....

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d180/4evergreenlawns/Chicago%20Visit/101_0287.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d180/4evergreenlawns/Chicago%20Visit/101_0285.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d180/4evergreenlawns/Chicago%20Visit/101_0284.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d180/4evergreenlawns/Chicago%20Visit/101_0290.jpg

[4evergreenlawns]

more


http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d180/4evergreenlawns/Chicago%20Visit/101_0289.jpg


http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d180/4evergreenlawns/Chicago%20Visit/101_0288.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d180/4evergreenlawns/Chicago%20Visit/101_0302.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d180/4evergreenlawns/Chicago%20Visit/101_0301-1.jpg

[4evergreenlawns]

someone missing from Erie PA

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d180/4evergreenlawns/Chicago%20Visit/101_0296.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d180/4evergreenlawns/Chicago%20Visit/101_0298.jpg

[4evergreenlawns]

almost ready to hang a plow


http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d180/4evergreenlawns/Chicago%20Visit/101_0300.jpg


got 8611's????

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d180/4evergreenlawns/Chicago%20Visit/101_0308.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d180/4evergreenlawns/Chicago%20Visit/101_0306.jpg

[4evergreenlawns]

final Q.C.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d180/4evergreenlawns/Chicago%20Visit/101_0311.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d180/4evergreenlawns/Chicago%20Visit/101_0312-1.jpg

[4evergreenlawns]

The Rest Jerre will have the honor of posting....

[Pickering Snow]

Nice pics but iam still looking for one blue sharpie sig . Glad you guys got to meet J and Thomas , iam sure he decompressing .

[pbeering]

Stay tuned. I'm told the blue marker did its thing, but the TSA examination tapped the camera batteries.........

[4evergreenlawns]

I have no idea what you all are talking about.......:greenange :greenange

[Jerre Heyer]

Ron, thanks for taking some awesome picts. Alot of mine may not have come out as well because of lighting settings. We were trying to get detail mount settings and alot of the others didn't come out because of low shop light levels and such a big area for flash to fill.

I think those spreaders are awesome. Did you take her for a ride after I left. Hope you got in the cab and checked out the view.

This is what it looked like with the camera. In the pict through the glare is a full crew less the camera man.

Second pict is of us behind the blade and the last is Ron hanging the light tower on.

[Jerre Heyer]

Ron, by the way thanks for capturing the Drilling process. Hope Pete doesn't get carried away and drill through the wiring harnesses.

Tom got busy on Ron's plow and did some training of both Ron and Travis who was our excellent welder for the weekend. Hope he enjoys the new welding helmet:salute

Ron finally got his stops put on the plow. Getting some of the other parts to ship out to him as we didn't take enough extra parts for the adventures at hand.

Fred we may have to ship you and the service truck the next time. J + T

[Jerre Heyer]

Some working picts too, Showing layout, lighting, and templates

J

[Jerre Heyer]

Travis our welder

and our crash cart / grill unit. Had to do something to test em.

[Jerre Heyer]

Oh and one more for today.....

[Pickering Snow]

Thats the one i was waiting to see # 51 Welcome to the Erie Special owners group Ron !!!!!!.

J called me this morning and briefed me on the weekend sounds like beyond the screen you are one of us and have a great guy working with you.

Again funny how God lets things happen in the corse of a year . Iam happy for you and feel a great sense of peace knowing we have a Great group of guys on the other side of the pond.

Ps J thats one hell of a crash cart get done testing plows and your off grilling Buff steaks lol

[pbeering]

Some adjustments would be necessary of course, but I believe I could cook on that assembly.......

[Jerre Heyer]

This is Thomas

Just waking up my head is killing me though I don't know weather I caught it there or just took it along from Erie. J is up under a truck with the plasma but funny how it still had a good tip on it from when we left......

He had to get up once or twice to get a wrench to take of some bolts and low and behold it was right where he left it in its own little spot on the toolbench. hammering of a bumper is alot easier with a small sledge than with a ball peen.

I'm going to get started cutting up an a frame WHILE J is welding Amazing it's back to work here at home I had a good time getting to meet some good people.

Ron

It was good to meet you and your guys, I know you paid attention as I was working on your plow. Like everyone has said before we do have a lot of tricks up our sleeve here in Erie. Thank you for the drinks that helped alot with our level of frustration that we were feeling.

Hope you find a use for the set of Jerre's Nuts I ty-wrapped to your plow i'm sure you can figure something out......
Todd

Your care package that you brought us Friday morning was a godsend for helping us............ Thanks for covering dinner...

[4evergreenlawns]

Jerre, Tom, Fred,


Thanks for all your kind words. I do think I have stated that those who have met me in person and/or have ever done any busienss with me know what they are getting. Although, I am type happy here in most cases I rather have my actions speak for me.

Now lets not get too crazy about what a nice guy I can be as I would not want anyone to come to expect that...........:zoom

Honestly, I wish I could have done more. Had I known I really could have made somethings happen for you guys and I think we could have hang a couple more of them plows.

If I would have brought Eric by Saturday night he would have sleept in the shop and you would have been fighting him for the plasma cutter. BTW, Yes Eric is a very experienced Welder and fab guy but we agreed he would be along just for the ride as he is very interested in servicing all my equipement inculding the plows. I will get you some pic of the shop and the yard.

Jerre,

When you asked about the steel sidebaords on my insert. That was Eric's handy work I just told him what I wanted and in a weekend both trucks were done. If you had called me about the tips I could have helped out with that too but I felt I needed to give Tim the respect he has earned from me. I really felt bad about taking time away from his Tovar project.

Tom,

Thanks for all you offered and I am sure I can find something to do with Jerre's Nutz right about the time I am planing the next facial.....1eye3 The drink were the least I could do. I really did see how both of you were at a boiling point and to some extend I felt like I got you both into something that was way below expectations. I truly wish things could have been just alittle different but there is nothing like working in your own shop. Kinda like plowing in someone elses truck.

I really will work harder at getting to the next Erie GTG.



RON G!

[young pup]

Just curious here. How many freaking plows did you guys hang over the weekned? In the picture I counted 9. Is that right?

JP

[pbeering]

Not as many as they had hoped.........

[cat320]

Some working picts too, Showing layout, lighting, and templates

J


Looks like you guys had alot of work to do. Those cab overs look pretty good they way they where set up. Where they hook lifts or just periment mount sanders?

So now does this mean that the erie install special is now mobile with 10 plows or more :) . will have to find a big outfit here so you guys can come north east along with Fred to do the blessing on them .