Today leased to Ohio-based Ratta Trucking, owner-operator J.D. Howard has owned this 1995 W900L since 2009. In the last couple of years, the rig has gotten a significant working over with Grafton Custom Chrome of Grafton, Ohio, and Todd, Rodney and crew at Snyder Bros. of Millersburg for the mechanical work. Howard himself is based in Wooster, Ohio, and hauls liquid-bulk asphalt from refineries in the region, operating mostly within a 500-mile radius and, as is somewhat common in the liquid-bulk niche, logging plenty of miles with empty trailers on mostly out-and-back runs.
In addition to a front-to-back refurbishment of many of the mechanical components of the truck — including the original Caterpillar engine, overhauled 120,000 miles ago — Howard invested in Jones Performance’s older A-model-style hood for the W900L and an 66-inch ICT flattop sleeper built to resemble a classic Double Eagle-style model.
