HET pulling Christmas Light Parade Float

[paradeduty]

Well, usually I use my One Ton Pickup, but this year I just couldn't resist the oportunity to use the HET to pull the Float that I built some 4 years ago in this year's Christmas Light Parade in town. I had to fire up the HET to move it over to bring up the Float anyways, so I figured that I might as well use the HET to move the Float up to the house from the back of our property just in case it might have been a little soft back there. Once I had it up to the house on the driveway, it didn't look half bad. Ran the idea past the wife and she said we should go for it. Usually I put a 5K generator in the covered bed of the pickup, so we decided to park it on the winch catwalk behind the cab. Lifted it up there with the tractor and after a small ratchet strap we were set for power. Had some strings of C-9's laying around (green of course), so we draped them around the HET. Replaced a few bad light strings on the Float and we were set! By the way - the "Float" is about 8' wide, 35' long and 12' tall. We used a set of M720 dollies and the rest is welded steel I-Beams with 6 x 12 Old-Wood Timber rafters. I have a small PA system that we use and load it up with bales of straw. The kids all dress up in their Nativity Costumes and sing carols with Father Bill from Church. Everybody had a great time and the kids in town loved the HET and the air horns! Sorry for the pictures being so dark - I don't have a flash on my phone and I don't have any photo manipulation software. Just wanted to put this out there and maybe give others some ideas on getting our toys out there more.

 

[swbradley1]

It sounded good but I can't see a truck anywhere in the pics. Is it painted camo?

 

[Flyingvan911]

Very nice!

 

[paradeduty]

Matter of fact, it is! Like I said - I was dissappointed that the pictures were so dark. Should have taken some at home before we took off. Sun went down really fast!

 

[Carlo]

You have my next truck I'm shooting for at auctions here! I have a TON of questions for you if you have some time.

 

[swiss]

I can make out a shadow and it looks cool, I am sure many people enjoyed the float and the beast pulling it. We need some dailylight pictures next year!

Thanks for sharing.

 

[paradeduty]

Hey Carlo -

Sure, No Problem. May not get to the answers right away (depending on work schedule), but I will get to them and be more than happy to help if I can. Actually, I think there is another thread or two on here about getting a HET that might be worth reading as well.

Hey Swiss -

Ya, they are very dark. Did not get home till after dark tonight. I still have not "unhitched" the Float from the HET, so I will try to get some daylight pics tomorrow. Sadly, will not be loaded with the kids.

 

[wreckerman893]

And the winner for best use of a huge ex-military vehicle is...................................PARADEDUTY!!!!!!!!!

 

[FullSpecial]

I will give it up for that, awesome!

 

[M1075]

Well, who else but "ParadeDuty?"