KDOT retiree spends 600 hours making the perfect Father's Day gift

There was no snow to been seen anywhere in Kansas on Father’s Day, except on  the gift Brett Carlson received from his family.

Carlson, an Equipment Operator Specialist, from LaCrosse received a model of snow plow that was built by KDOT retiree Mark Logan.

The model is of a 1995 Ford Tandem  Axle Truck built to 1/25^th scale, and was the type of the dump truck that Carlson drove when he started at KDOT.

The truck was hand built by Logan, who retired after 31 years in 2014. The original model for the truck was a 1974 Ford Truck model kit, but most of the truck had to be rebuilt to change it to a 1995 model, and the spreader and plow were all fabricated by Logan. The interior dash has all of the instruments, controls, dash lights and exterior lights all work, including the strobes, and the spreader is full of sand and salt just in case it needs to be used. 

It took Logan 600 plus hours to build over the span of a year and half.

Carlson’s wife had asked Logan to build him a snow plow as a Father’s Day gift and Logan chose that model to do.

Logan modeled the gift after a snow plow that he once drove, a 1995 Ford L8000 dump truck, a truck that ten years ago he quit driving when he was promoted and assigned a pick-up to use.

The new KDOT employee that would be assigned that Ford dump truck? Brett Carlson. 

Motoring Monday's: Old Fashioned Soda Fountains

There are still 37 functioning soda fountains in operation in Kansas. The custom of ordering a soda fountain drink was named one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Customs in 2012.

The Potwin Drug Store in Topeka has the oldest operating fountain in the state. It’s been in operation since 1902 in the Old Prairie Town at Ward-Meade Historic Site. The 1950’s Stanley Knight soda fountain at The Old Store in Johnson, located in the far southwest corner of the state, is in an original 1920 oak back bar. A U-shaped bar with Formica counter built in 1968 can be found at the Irwin Potter Drug store in Anthony, and they specialize in freshly-squeezed cherry limeades. The back bar in the 13-stool fountain at Ray’s Pharmacy in Quinter dates back to 1904 and there’s even a brass rail to rest your feet.

Take a step back in time, order a drink and enjoy. To learn more about all the soda fountains in Kansas, check out the Kansas Sampler webpage here.

Officials calling for record travel numbers this weekend

Nationally AAA is projecting that 41.9 million Americans will travel during the long holiday weekend, which will be the most since 2007, and 84.7 percent of them will be driving. Contributing to the anticipated big numbers is the fact that gasoline is about 25 percent lower than last year, said Jim Hanni, of  AAA of Kansas.  

The increase of cars on the road and the fact that many people will be attending events with alcohol make 4th of July one of the deadliest days to be traveling.


As travelers take to the highways throughout the holiday weekend there are steps they can take to make it to their destination safely,” Highway Patrol Lt. Adam Winters said. “Any time you ride in a vehicle, buckle up and make sure children are in the appropriate child safety seats. For those planning to drink over the weekend, designate your sober driver before you celebrate. We want people to enjoy the festivities, but we want them to be safe doing so.”  

Please be safe on the roads this weekend and have a happy Independence Day.

5 Keys to keeping your car running in extreme heat

We all know extreme heat can take its toll on people and pets, but have you considered the effect it can have on your vehicles? Before you head out on your next summer adventure, take a few minutes to make sure your vehicle is ready to beat the heat. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and AAA recommend checking these 5 key areas:

Batteries

Make sure the battery is securely mounted in place and all clamps are tightly secured. Remove any corrosive buildup from terminals and connections, and consider having it tested if it is more than 3 years old.

Coolant

Keep coolant levels topped off at all times and flush and replace your coolant periodically as recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. Never remove a radiator cap when the engine is hot! Boiling coolant under pressure can cause serious burns.

Tires

Check all tires (including the spare) for proper inflation. Underinflated tires can cause blowouts! Also check treads for wear using the penny test. Place a penny in the tread with Lincoln’s head upside down. If you can see the top of his head, your vehicle needs new tires.

Fluids

Just like us, cars need fluids to keep from overheating. Periodically check all vehicle fluids to make sure they’re filled to appropriate levels. Any signs of leakage should be addressed. Failure do so may lead you to costly repairs or, worse yet, stranded along the side of the road.

Air conditioning

Stay cool with a properly operating A/C system. Not only will it keep you comfortable, but it will help reduce driver fatigue and keep you more alert. If your A/C isn’t beating the heat have it checked by a certified technician. Also check cabin filters to ensure maximum airflow and cooling.

And, as always, make sure you and your passengers are buckled up before hitting the road!