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Never too old to learn: page 3 On Route 66: page 6 So long, sedan: page 8
g n o l a ’ n i k c u r T Wednesday, November 13, 2019
at Melrose Truck Repair
Big rigs a good business for Norrises BY CAROL MOORMAN | Staff writer
MELROSE – It’s a normal Tuesday at Melrose Truck Repair. The hoods of numerous semi cabs are open while mechanics work on them, tools of their trade close by. That includes owner Steve Norris and his three other mechanics. Steve’s wife, Danelle, will be in the office in a few hours to do bookwork. Mechanics will work on an estimated 12 trucks during the day, some with scheduled appointments and if need be an emergency situation. Jobs range from general maintenance to overhauls, bodywork, tires, grease jobs, brakes and accident repair. In 1994 the Norrises purchased MTR from owner Dale Nelson. Steve has been employed there since 1986, working for then owner Henry Loxtercamp. He had completed the diesel mechanic program at Willmar Vo-Tech in 1985. Before that Steve, who is from Atwater, worked for a year at a truck repair shop in Paynesville, a city where he met Danelle and they married in 1985. When the opportunity arose, the Norrises decided to purchase first the parts portion of MTR, followed by the shop portion. “It was just another hat to wear,” Steve said. They have dealt with changes in the truck repair business and seen steady growth – building to between 60 and 70 accounts. But one thing hasn’t changed for Steve who has been working on big rigs for 34 years – his reason why he was drawn to a career as a diesel mechanic. “The thrill of big machines,” Steve
PHOTOS BY CAROL MOORMAN
Steve Norris stands in front of a wrecker he built six years ago that is used to tow in nonfunctioning trucks. said early morning on Oct. 29, with Danelle adding, “Big power.” “I just like the accomplishment, to stand back and look at what I’ve done,” Steve adds. MTR focuses on heavy truck repairs, Steve said, working mainly on cabover trucks, oil trucks, milk trucks, tankers and reefers and in early years leased JennieO trucks. MTR mechanics specialize in emissions and electronic issues. Steve admits “electronics fascinate me,” while in the same breath admitting, “It’s getting harder because it’s getting more computerized.” Diagnostic equipment helps mechanics determine issues. MTR currently employs three mechanics but they are continually looking for more mechanics to meet the needs of their growing business. “We could have six guys working,” Steve said. Steve’s brother, Aaron, was a big part of the business, working for them for 24-and-a-half years until last year. Steve admits he never envisioned their business would grow to be this big, but he’s not complaining. It just doesn’t leave him much time for farming. You see, he and Danelle live on a farm south
of Melrose, raising beef cattle and crops. ers,” Steve said. So what’s the most common truck “Steve is challenge- and accomplishproblem? ment-driven,” Danelle said. “For three weeks we might be doing Over the years he has learned never thermostats, another three weeks it might to make the same mistake twice. “That’s how you progress,” Steve be clutches,” Steve said, with Danelle adding, “In the summer it’s air condition- said. They appreciate their many “loyal, ing.” Emission issues can be the most chal- repeat customers” from a 60-mile radius lenging, Steve said, “because of the com- of Melrose, including many local customplications and sensitivity of it. It’s either ers. “You learn the truck. You get to know sensors, wiring, contamination or dirty the customers,” Steve said. filters.” He doesn’t have a favorite truck reMTR mechanics do annual truck inpair tool, but over the spections required by years tools in his toolbox the Minnesota Departhave increased. ment of Transportation. “A magnetic flash“Every year a truck light that he sticks on has to be thoroughly the engine and has light inspected, mostly for where he’s working,” safety and operational Danelle adds of what she issues. We keep the rethinks his favorite tool cords for the state,” might be. Steve said. He’s quick to say He estimates a DOT his most common tool inspection can take oneis a side cutter that “cuts and-a-half hours. cable ties that hold ev“If we find someerything together. … It’s thing wrong, that truck all about securement.” can’t legally be on the - Steve Norris The Norrises have road until it’s fixed,” expanded their building Danelle said. over the years. The shop Truck repairs can take anywhere from a few hours to days, has room for nine big trucks. Also stored depending on the issue. He said an engine in the shop is a wrecker Steve built six overhaul can take four to six days and years ago after first using a tow hook to cost anywhere from $22,000 to $28,000. tow non-functioning trucks to his shop to Steve, who has driven truck during be repaired. With that many trucks inside the a truck-related career, knows the importance of getting a truck back on the road shop, Danelle said it’s like “musical chairs” moving one truck out and another again. “These trucks are these guys’ liveli- truck inside, especially near quitting time. “We reload for the next day,” Steve hoods. If the truck is down, they aren’t said. working,” Danelle said. While Steve has a passion for his job, It’s a continual learning curve when it comes to keeping up with changes in there is another reason he figures he will the truck repair industry. There are class- continue working on big rigs for a while es mechanics can take to keep up with – he enjoys working for and getting to know his customers and their trucks. changes. “We could be sitting in here (inside Steve said they work on some trucks that have close to 3 million miles on them. the building) and we could hear a truck, “It’s a process of learning each vehi- and Steve knew who was coming by the cle and anticipating what’s going to hap- sound,” Danelle said. Danelle and Steve Norris stand inside their Melrose Truck Repair shop Oct. 29, where trucks are be- pen and what’s not going to happen and NORRIS page 2 you communicate that with your customing worked on. They have owned this Melrose business since 1994.
“I just like the accomplishment, to stand back and look at what I’ve done.”