I Been Working On The Railroad 

Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for your patience. This channel has grown so rapidly that it is difficult for me to respond to all the comments. Rest assured, I will continue to attempt to respond to a majority of the comments when I have the opportunity. I have the business to run, family time, spiritual time, and videos to work on. I am grateful for everyone's support and appreciate your interaction. All of your comments are read even though I may not respond immediately. Let's keep it growing and I will keep it going! God bless.

I need to find out if this guy is hiring. you can tell a good boss. he doesn't say "I", he says "we". he doesn't stand back and watch, he helps. he is a team player. he guides his employees to become better.

I Appreciate a few things here. Your teaching methods, your Calmness, and your ability to not use a single cuss. Wish I had a boss like you 😁

You can't help but hear the pride in your voice when Talon does well. You have trained him well.

Ron your videos are top notch!!! Your level of professionalism shows in everything that you do. You are an excellent operator on not just one truck but your whole fleet. Talon is a great hand too! I’m a truck and heavy equipment field mechanic in Chicago with my own service truck. Whenever I need something towed I’ll have the driveshaft knocked loose and secured, sometimes the brakes caged, air fittings hooked up etc. This way when the tow truck shows up he basically can hook and book. Stay safe out there brother and keep the videos coming!!

Talon is really learning the trade. Really improving! Great job!

Sir. i am disabled and am home bound I enjoy your videos as a former crane owner i enjoy the technical aspect of the lifts. I had a a a large crane with a capacity of 10 tons . I am amazed at the capacity of your truck and the lifting capacity in a smaller package. god bless and keep you safe

You and Talon did a wonderful job working together, I don't think that I have ever seen a truck fitted out to run on railroad tracks before, with the exception of the one that runs on the Narrow Guage Railroad tracks out here in Southwest Colorado. God Bless You and Your Family. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

New time subscriber here. I read in the comments on another video that Talon is your son in law, and that you are teaching him. If that is being the case, what a wonderful job you are doing teaching the family business, and giving your daughter and her husband a great opportunity to carry on the family business to the next generation again, and also have themselves an income for their own family. Talon seems to be really keen (to work and learn), and already has learned a lot. He seems dedicated, and also just a gentleman... Your daughter is lucky to have him (just as he would be lucky to have her... Love is hard to find). God bless you good sir. Your work and attitude is outstanding.

I don't know why these are so interesting, they just are.

he's lucky to have a father n law as yourself esp to help him learn the trade of towing

“Ladies and gentlemen. This week on Recovery with big Ron “. I’d rather watch this then highway thru hell.

Every time you or someone else pulls a vehicle I've never seen, I realize I've never thought about one of them being towed and the headaches they may cause. Lots of custom built vehicles for the jobs they are used for. It's hard to imagine how a lot of them would be towed.

A quick note I noticed that you verbalized the pre-existing damage and video recorded it. That is a good lesson for trainees. Always look for prior damage especially damage that was obviously caused by a previous tow. Like torn CV boots etc. Yep and always use safety chains and drag lights. You guys are awesome.

The Master watching the student! Another good job Ron & Talon, good to see you both working together and getting along so well. Happy belated Birthday Ethan from the UK.

Ron you can also use a bottle jack on the yoke to press the cap free. Its alot safer than stacking blocks and faster too. I do mine that way all the time on my 1982 PETERBILT.

you and Talon work exceptionally well together!

I used to drive a taxi van for the railroad and had times when I would be driving between trains that were rolling out of a yard, I had to fold the side mirrors in to keep them from getting torn off the van because of how close I was. I also used a Lightman Strobe light that was magnet mounted to the roof as an indicator to my location as well as a radio to talk to engineers, switchmen, and conductors. It is always a pleasure to see people who take safety seriously around these massive machines. Well done and well respected Ron.

great job ron on teaching talon and letting talon take the helm. talon my man your reaching new heights and from videos ive watched months before, your doing awesome man.keep up the good work guys, great team going on here.

Happy Birthday Ethan !! Great job as usual Ron, cool to see Talon taking the Western Star out for a job. You must be proud of him, as his training from you is certainly visible in this video. Best to you, your family, and your crew from here in N.E. Doug @ the "ranch"

Great seeing you work again and train Talon. He has come a long way under your tuteledge. God Bless.

37:41 You know, I heard it all the time growing up that being by a moving train was very dangerous, but you were the first person in my life to state why that was.

I like how you work with your guys. Everything is a teaching moment, and you are willing to step up and teach.

Another fantastic video!!! I see you were having fun "watching" Talon work.. (giggles loudly). I bet Talon was glad to have you there to give him pointers and some advice on an oddball truck. :) I do believe you were right about the re-organization of that poor Vulcan. The outside looks fantastic, but the behind the doors leaves a bit to be desired (according to your high standards of cleanliness in your truck). Yes, I know things get greasy and dirty (I used to strip transmissions, motors and electric motors for a hobby with my late hubby) and sometimes there's no time to clean up the tools. Maybe get everyone into the habit of cleaning stuff after each tow, unless it's after 2 am... :)(just a suggestion). I really enjoyed this installment of "A Day In the Life of Ron Pratt: Tow Truck Driver" :D

That tow was right next to where the two car accident was a while back! I recognized the mobile homes there!!

"Boy you couldn't have called that any closer." Seems Talon has gotten REAL comfortable with handling that truck.

Love this type of videos. Real life situations viewed first hand. My hat is off to you and your employees for the job you do. I subscribed and will be watching more videos. God bless you too.

T'was a nice drive thru town towards the Interstate. I even remember some of those businesses from when we visited in March of 2018. Happy belated birthday, Ethan. Great job, Talon.

Ron you have a good son here.of course he has a great Dad to teach him the old ways of doing things.

Ron: "Hey Talon! Why you dragging that chain?" Talon: "Ever try pushing one?"

You should do a video on restocking the older trucks

Hi Ron I love to see the service box truck 🚛 on your full video on you tube on the roadside assistance and I love your videos the are so good 👍 and God bless your family

I see..just never thought about the upper bearings like that...probably found out the hard way...thank you. ..have a great day..a be safe..

As a long time professional (Retired) plumber, I'm getting sympathetic pains in my knees watching Ron and Talon crawl around in the graven bare kneed. We wear shoes on our feet. I always wore shoes on my knees. They sell really quality ones at Amazon.com. Made by California Custom Leathercraft for under $20.00 with great big wide elastic straps with Velcro on the straps. Its like crawling on pillows. Saves your back and knees too.

Very enjoyable to watch iam always learning something new from you Ron Pratt thank you for taking your time to do the video's,May you always be watched over and kept safe.

MY OPINION IS YOU GUYS DO HAVE THE MOST IMPORTANT JOB FOR THE BIG TRUCK INDUSTRY. KEEP SAFE OUT THERE ON THE ROAD WAYS. HAVE GOD ON UR SIDE HE WILL BLESS YOU IN MANY WAYS. I HAVE USED MANY TOW TRUCKS BUT NON AS GOOD AS YOU ARE. GOD BLESS HAPPY TRAILS FROM SOUTHEAST TEXAS.

If you hit the dumpster behind your local carpet store, you can usually find a scrap or two of carpet. Works great to keep you off the gravel/mud.

I must say one of the biggest things i miss about towing is that everyday i learned something new. As long as your willing to learn there's always new and different ways of doing things. Great job as always.

Boy he's really.carfull. Don't want anybody getting hurt or insurance claims on his watch Glad your teaching everybody that's watching. good on ya.

Hey Ron,,, It was really great of you to stay with Talon on this old school " Bustin' out the driveshaft" lol And you didnt just desert him...goood on ya man

Interesting beast! Reminds me of a call out I got one morning at two-thirty AM and all they said was "Land Rover 4x4 stuck across the rail track." When I got there, it was a maintenance crew who used the vehicle which had drop-down rail wheels like that one to video lengths of track for defects, and they'd gone and got it stuck at right angles across the track and couldn't move. I got it off and helped them locate it onto the track. I got into trouble for that from the office. My detail was just to get it off the track, and any other work was to be a separate job they'd need to call in again (and get charged again!) Trying to be helpful just comes naturally!

Hi Ron hope all is well. Sure glad you do these. I learn a lot. God bless you.

Good pick! I always junk hooked them (after removing the cone stacks) and then pulled an axle. I never touched press in shafts for safety reasons. Pulling the axle is messy, but if not going long distance your good to go.

That is one thing my boss could get the most upset about, a truck should be ready for who ever has to use it not missing things. You don’t know for sure till your at the scene what you need. So if the truck is equipped your set. Thanks Ron enjoyed from a vey old former dispatcher lol.

It was funny. We have a railroad mainline behind our house. Our house rumbles and shimmies when a train goes past. A train must've went by at the same time that one did because I could almost feel that train going past you out here.

Your videos almost make me want to go back to work.Almost. I am retired but I drove a medium duty recovery truck in SoCal for 15 years. I miss the logistical challenges and the excitement but I simply cannot handle the pace anymore. You definitely know what you're doing !

Looks like you need to take a day for each truck, remove everything from each compartment, clean, inventory and replace missing tools and repaint as needed. I have enjoyed watching all your videos so far, stay safe out there.

I knew from the get you’d comment on the organization of Talons truck! Haha Hey, You and Talon are the real movers and shakers in my book!

I was thinking ....boy I wish I could move and crawl around like a young guy...I remember when I was a nimble as your son-in-law....I hate getting old...lmbo

Great stuff as always Ron. A handy item to keep in the tool bag is zip lock baggies to put the caps and bolts in so they don't get lost or full of dirt when you have to pull the drive shaft. It sure makes putting things back together easier later on.

Happy belated Birthday 🎉 Mr. Ethan. I hope you had an enjoyable day. May you have many more. Great video Ron, as always. Thanks for sharing and God bless you and your family

Ron thank you for sharing with us GOD bless everyone, from Kentucky

Native Missourian, now in Japan, just found your videos and I wanna shake your hand when I'm back home some day. You're the epitome of how to run a company, and I can only think the monetization from RU-vid videos helps you keep your prices low and your equipment quality high! You also taught me something I don't know why I wasn't taught...tow trucks are considered emergency vehicles! I'll be Slowing Down and Moving Over once I'm back home for good. I also put up a post on my facebook about it, already one of my fellow Missourians mentioned they didn't know either! Perhaps that's why people aren't moving over! So I'll spread the word and everyone watching on RU-vid - do the same!

please do a video of outtakes and bloopers, jobs that didn't go quite as planned.

Man, that is some tough work. This was one job where you couldn't make it look easy. Much respect.

This channel is so amazing. I learn a lot from you, Ron. I understood what you said to Talon about “getting the hammer”. It’s the insurance company’s slogan, now that’s funny right there.

Talon has a very distinct and unusual sounding voice. If the vehicle recovery business goes away, he might consider a career in TV or radio. His voice might make him a very fortunate man. Not to say he isn't already fortunate.

Wicked Video as always Ron. Hats off to you and Talon for doing such awesome work !

Great Video Ron … Your son is already a pro … God Bless you; your family and your business...

Ron, it looks like you're going to have to go "military" on the whole outfit. Have them line all their trucks up with their equipment displayed for inspection so you can have all of your fleet back in order and know what your missing. Talon is doing really well, but your experience shows and it was good you were there to help and teach. Take care, and hi to all.

Very fascination video as always. Many people don't realize the knowledge and logic required for safely handling and moving heavy equipment with heavy equipment meaning anything from a personal automobile to much larger equipment. This is a dangerous job that requires thinking and planning not only for your own safety but also for those nearby. You mentioned something in this particular video regarding staying back from the railroad 50-feet while a train is moving. There was a rather interesting incident that occurred many years ago not far from where I lived. The town has a commuter train station which at the time had $1.25 per day parking. Some people decided that they wanted to park for free so instead of paying the $1.25, they parked across the street on an access road into an industrial park. The access road had no parking signs along the railroad side. People were ticketed, towed, and warned, but they still parked there until one day when a train came along that churned up ballast due to something hanging off of a freight car. Yup. These people lost mirrors, windshields, hood ornaments, and lots of paint. What happened is a local freight carrying one of those plywood cars was returning empty to the nearby yard with a loose piece of strapping whipping about like a weed whacker that churning up ballast as it went by. The piece of metal strapping did a good job on the poison ivy and small shrubs too along the ROW as well, and made me pause and think about standing close to the crossing gates the next time a train passed.

I really enjoy your videos. Thank you for taking the time to share them with us.

Great Job Team Midwest, always learning something new with these videos...Luv it . Be Safe out there and God Bless

I respect a man who isn't afraid to ask for advice . It shows he had a good teacher to begin with . Respect to you Talon if a little late .Darren UK

Hey Ron, if you do many of these and want to save some time and the risk of something bad happening with the blocks under there to your employee when you aren't watching and they cut a corner or two. Check out the tiger tool and I'm sure you have a cordless impact in those beasts. Makes short work of those press outs.

Ron you have a fan club. I think Talon is getting one, too. He sure is learning his trade.

Never thought of using blocks under driveshaft to lower the truck to get the caps out, i usually use two blocks and a bottle jack with air fitting! Still a good job with the old school way. Union pacific is one of our major companys also on the west coast in California. And those driveshafts are one of my least favorites. Learned a few tips to make life a little easier while under these trucks from the videos. Keep up the good work!

I think the V70 needs an inventory of its kit done and a tidy up of the lockers Ron...Good video my friend... God bless sir.....

This channel is so interesting to watch and I have learned a lot about wrecker operation. Watched one of a different channel and they are no where near the operator you guys are. Thanks

Great Job Gentleman..*Happy Belated Birthday Ethan* Be safe out there..

Love the old Clark IT40 setting in front of your shop...

Love watching all the different things you have to tow in. safety first

Great Job Talon. I couldn't of done it better myself. lol Another great coffee video. Thanks Ron and Happy Belated Birthday Ethan. God Bless

Just don't lose the roller bearings Talon.

Hi Ron. As always thanks for showing! And a very late Happy Birthday to Ethan! The phone call takes care of a question of mine about software ability to bring back the outriggers and the boom to the stowed position by the touch of a single button. I have seen a single operator erect and stow away a Liebherr MK 100 mobile crane (up to 68 meters tall on a 5 axle 14 meter frame weighting 60 tons) more or less on a push of a very few buttons. But he has to make really sure nothing is or gets in the way. Not suitable for vehicle recovery or towing though I think :) I wish you a splendid week with everybody slowing down and moving over!

Talon knew what he had to do with the drive shaft and since you explained it while he was doing it - now we understand better. A tool/accessory inventory is in order on the Vulcan. It happens. Good video and didn't need any traffic control. ☺

Ron is such a great boss and mentor to all his workers

Hi Ron, another great job, and good to see Talon leading but happy to take your advice. Quick question: Why do you need to pull the driveshaft, and do you need to do the same with cars and other vehicles? Ha, love the 'Work smarter, not harder'. I used the same quote when commanding my junior soldiers. As always, stay safe and God bless from Scotland.

Hello, another good one...long too :-)..You made me laugh today. You were unable to find something in the truck " Talon uses this truck." You are well Blessed to have a wonderful son in law. Happy Birthday to Ethan ! Blessings and B Safe 59K. :-)

It's fun and educational to watch you guys. Why are the customers chattering while you've got a man in a dangerous place, though? Thanks, Ron and Talon. Stay safe!

I LOVE Your videos they are so entertaining and different. btw im watching from New Zealand and its winter here but hope your having a great day and can't wait to watch the next one but for now i gotta finish watching this one :)

nice to see a mow truck up close maintenance of way this truck inspects the tracks and replaces any thing wrong with the track

I like how what was to be a short video turned into another great long video. I also loved the dash cam footage at the end. The Dash Cam should be included on most videos (at operator's discretion) if possible. Even if sped up. Keep up the great work guys, God Bless.

Wow! There's a lot to get right before you can safely tow. Don't know how you manage to keep everything straight, Ron. But, you always do.

Talon is doing a great job. You are an amazing instructor.

How polite are you guys! Love the videos greetings from scotland

Happy Birthday Ethan!

I usually use a bottle jack to push those caps out...

Looking at this video 3 years later, wonder if today you would use the Landow trailer to haul this rig. Enjoy watching your shop use new equipment to solve old problems. Enjoyed watching this video again.

Nice video , happy birthday Ethan ! Great to see talon taking the lead .... well tort oh master yoga !

Its awesome to see a young man like talon with respect like he does keep it up talon

Ron Pratt is the owner and really has the fantastic equipment. Happy Birthday Ethan learns the trade and you will one-day own all that great stuff.

Awesome sow, your show is entertaining and informational. cant wait to see what you encounter

I worked for more than 20 years . I was talking to a factory service rep just north little rock Arkansas about the Plasser Tamper we had been trouble shooting . I saw a bunch of dust from a Z-train that was speeding past us . I told him to run as fast as he could to get front of my company mechanics truck . he barely got out of the way of a heavy duty chain and one of the really heavy angle brackets used on the top edges of the rough cut big timbers . I jumped over into the passenger seat as I didn.t know if my truck was going to get hit or not . I got the best steak with all the fixing's for saving his life . The corner bracket landed right where he was standing . Sure glad I saw it it only missed my truck by just few inches and would have either severly injured him or killed him . I called the train and told them about the chain and bracket . No response so I called the dispatcher , the train crew obeyed the dispatcher and stopped their train and walked the train to throw the chain and bracket upon the rail car . They tried running their mouths and were immediately told by the dispatcher to not tie-up ( clock out ) as the train master was waiting for them when they got to north little rock . that's not the only time I was able to save someone while working . Railroading is so dangerous I know all too well I was injured on the job 30 years ago this Saturday . Haven't been able to work since . sucks man .

I had the same style driveshaft to remove. Used a forklift to pull to one side, then the other to remove the caps.

I can see why you like that truck of yours a lot better :) thanks very much :) I like that Talon checked that you were clear.

Seeing the Union Pacific (and CSX Consist) Train alongside your job was a Bonus!

Good job Talon! Nice assist Ron! Interesting video. Oh, and Happy Birthday Ethan!

This is pretty funny... As I'm watching your trek back to the shop with the truck in tow, your driving down the street and I am taking note of the sites you are passing. From your other video's I noticed that on that road after the left out of the train yard, I have seen you clear a two car accident with a white car and blue AWD vehicle. You had to get the second roll back for the second vehicle. You went around the block to get into the path of the oncoming traffic as to provide some protection for I believe it was Mike. The next video was the Muddy Pull of the Fork Truck/Machine from the mud from the construction site with the sub-station just overhead... Sweet. And... I'm getting scared... learning your area without even being there. Just watching your video's. Keep 'um coming Brother! Oh Yeah.... Happy Birthday Ethan !

Hey Ron the return to home function is a great idea!