Episodi

  • Our Work Truck Caught FIRE… During Our Biggest Month Yet #22

    Our Work Truck Caught FIRE… During Our Biggest Month Yet #22
    Oct 16 2026
    KRAKEN OFF THE CLOCK | EPISODE 22Welcome back to another episode of Kraken Off The Clock!Episode 22 is here, and this week we're switching things up.With Austin away working at the circus, Jeremy is joined by Jeffery, one of the guys working in the field at Kraken Hydraulics, for a conversation about heavy equipment, hydraulic repairs, business growth, expensive machinery, parenting, and some of the craziest things happening around the shop.And there's definitely no shortage of things to talk about.A $30,000 HYDRAULIC CYLINDER?!Things have been extremely busy at Kraken Hydraulics, and this week has turned into what Jeremy calls "cylinder week."With hydraulic cylinders coming in from customers across Central Florida and work associated with NASA and SpaceX, the shop is staying busy with everything from straightforward repairs to major rebuilds.One particular hydraulic cylinder, originally manufactured in Germany, came with a shocking replacement price.A brand-new replacement was quoted at approximately $25,000 to $30,000.The customer wanted to repair the existing cylinder instead, but once the team evaluated the damage, they discovered that nearly everything needed to be replaced.The barrel was damaged, the rod was damaged, and only a few components could be salvaged.What should have been a repair turned into a massive rebuild with a price approaching $20,000.We also discuss another cylinder from a Caterpillar 308 mini excavator that couldn't simply be replaced because neither Caterpillar nor the salvage yards had the part available.That meant rebuilding the cylinder almost entirely from scratch.It's a good example of why hydraulic repairs can become extremely expensive and why skilled technicians, proper equipment, and experience are so important in the heavy equipment industry.WHAT'S THE WORST PIECE OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT TO WORK ON?Jeremy and Jeffery compare some of the most common machines they work on, including excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders, skid steers, backhoes, graders, and rollers.Which machines are easy to access?Which ones have the worst hydraulic hose placements?And which machines make mechanics question why they ever chose this career?Jeffery explains why he dislikes working on dozers, while Jeremy talks about the equipment he actually enjoys repairing.We also play a ranking game where they have to rank five different pieces of heavy equipment without knowing which machine will appear next.The conversation includes Caterpillar equipment, Volvo rollers, backhoes, articulating loaders, hydraulic systems, and the hidden problems that make certain repairs much more difficult than others.A STRANGE ROCKET LAUNCH OVER FLORIDAEarlier that morning, something unusual appeared in the Florida sky.Jeffery captured a strange rocket launch that produced an enormous glowing cloud.At first, everyone thought the pictures looked fake.But after seeing additional videos of the same event, the conversation quickly turned into questions about what actually happened.Jeremy talks about growing up in Florida, watching decades of rocket launches, remembering the Challenger disaster, and why this particular launch looked so different from what he was used to seeing.They discuss the unusual jellyfish-shaped cloud, rocket boosters returning to Earth, the explanation involving sunlight at high altitude, and why the event caught so many people off guard.What started as a normal morning turned into one of the strangest things they've seen in the sky.THE REALITY OF BEING A BLUE COLLAR SINGLE DADThis episode also gets personal.Jeffery talks about being a single father while working in the hydraulic and heavy equipment industry.With workdays that can stretch 13 to 14 hours, he explains what it's like to spend an entire day working in the field before coming home and taking care of his young son.Jeremy shares his own experiences balancing long workdays with raising a family and reflects on the sacrifices that come with demanding careers.It's a conversation about responsibility, exhaustion, family, and building a better future for the next generation.HOW MUCH DOES A $2.2 MILLION TOW TRUCK COST TO OPERATE?Before Kraken Hydraulics became what it is today, Jeremy had another business idea.He wanted to start a heavy recovery towing company.But not just any towing company.He wanted to operate large rotator recovery trucks capable of lifting and recovering enormous vehicles.After watching heavy recovery operations, he became curious about what it would cost to own one of the biggest rotators available.The number he found?Approximately $2.2 MILLION for a 100-ton rotator.We discuss what owning a truck that expensive could involve, including financing, operating costs, employees, insurance, maintenance, and how much a recovery job would need to generate to make the investment worthwhile.We also get into the massive recovery operations shown on television, where overturned tractor trailers and other heavy vehicles require multiple ...
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    50 min
  • We Played the Imposter Game… And Everyone Turned Against Each Other #21

    We Played the Imposter Game… And Everyone Turned Against Each Other #21
    Oct 9 2026
    Welcome back to another episode of Kraken Off The Clock!Episode 21 is officially here, and this week we're doing something a little different.Instead of spending the entire episode talking about hydraulics, heavy equipment, service trucks, and the everyday chaos of running a blue collar business, we're turning the studio into a full blown game night.Jeremy and Austin are joined by Kim and Smiley for an episode filled with games, questionable answers, arguments, accusations, competition, and plenty of moments that probably should have stayed off camera.And things get competitive pretty quickly.Before we even get into the games, Jeremy and Austin start things off with a conversation about blue collar fashion. Is it acceptable to tuck your jeans into your boots? Why do equipment operators do it? And what happened to some of the ridiculous fashion trends from the 1980s and 1990s?From tight rolled jeans and JNCOs to chain wallets, pump up sneakers, and expensive Nike Air Mags, the conversation goes in just about every direction imaginable.We also talk about the behind the scenes craziness of Kraken Hydraulics' social media department, including some questionable TikTok challenges, pom-poms, and why Jeremy and Austin are constantly being talked into doing things they never agreed to.But the real chaos starts when we bring out the games.THE IMPOSTER GAMEFour players. One secret word. One person who has absolutely no idea what everyone else is talking about.The goal is simple: give clues about the secret word without making it too obvious, identify the person who doesn't know the word, and convince everyone else you're telling the truth.Sounds easy, right?Not with this group.What starts as a simple guessing game quickly turns into accusations, confusing clues, arguments about the rules, and everyone questioning whether anybody actually knows what's happening.With categories ranging from blue collar jobs to fast food and animals, every round brings a new opportunity for somebody to completely mess things up.And just when everyone thinks they've finally figured out how the game works, things get even worse.THE HIDDEN CAN CHALLENGENext up, we bring out four cans and a box.The challenge is to figure out the correct order of the hidden cans using guesses and feedback from the other players.It sounds straightforward until you're the person trying to solve it.Between the pressure of getting the correct combination, everyone watching, people shouting instructions, and the competition heating up, this challenge turns into another unexpected disaster.Who can figure out the correct order the fastest?And who is going to overthink something that should have been simple?GUESS YOUR AGEAfter that, we move into another game where everyone has a mystery number placed on their head.The catch?You can't see your own number.Players have to ask questions to figure out their number, using clues about school, driving, drinking age, retirement, and just about anything else they can think of.Some people catch on immediately.Others somehow convince themselves they're nearly 100 years old.Between confusing questions, questionable math, completely incorrect guesses, and people forgetting what decade they're supposed to be in, this might be one of the most frustrating games of the entire episode.THE CATEGORY CHALLENGETo finish things off, everyone competes in a fast paced category game.The challenge is to quickly name something that belongs to the chosen category without repeating another player's answer.Sounds simple.Until you have four people shouting answers at the same time.We go through categories including animals, fruits, vegetables, colors, drinks, clothing, and more.The longer the game goes, the harder it becomes to think of an answer that nobody else has already said.And naturally, the arguments about what counts as a correct answer are almost as entertaining as the game itself.A DIFFERENT SIDE OF KRAKENKraken Off The Clock has always been about more than hydraulic repairs and heavy equipment.It's about the people behind the business.The conversations, the friendships, the family, the stories, the mistakes, and everything that happens once the workday is over.While our usual episodes take you behind the scenes of the hydraulic industry, construction equipment, service trucks, mechanics, and running a growing business, Episode 21 gives you a different look at the people who make Kraken what it is.This week, we're putting work aside, bringing everyone into the studio, and seeing who can survive a night of games without completely losing their minds.Whether you're a mechanic, equipment operator, contractor, business owner, or just someone who enjoys watching a group of people argue over absolutely ridiculous things, there's something in this episode for you.Grab a seat, enjoy the chaos, and welcome to Episode 21 of Kraken Off The Clock.New episodes every Friday!Subscribe to Kraken Off The Clock for conversations about blue collar ...
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    1 ora e 13 min
  • Kraken wives talk about their dream trucks #20

    Kraken wives talk about their dream trucks #20
    Oct 2 2026

    What makes a partner love blue collar work? We are talking modified pickup trucks and the reality of life in the trades.

    This conversation answers the questions many have about how husbands feel about their work and what keeps them passionate about the job. We discuss the specific traits that define a great career in the field and hear honest perspectives on the daily grind.

    Beyond the job site, we share our favorite classic truck builds and debate what makes a rig stand out. Whether you are into modern truck mods or just curious about the culture, this truck podcast covers the intersection of professional life and personal passion.

    Subscribe @krakenofftheclock on YouTube for weekly industry breakdowns and honest conversations about life on the road.
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    1 ora e 1 min
  • The Deep Behind the sense of start of Kraken #19

    The Deep Behind the sense of start of Kraken #19
    Sep 25 2026

    Pull back the curtain on our latest podcast recording session to see why our workspace is built the way it is.

    We are shifting gears from talking shop to showing the reality of blue collar work. This episode features the business owners behind the show sharing the origin stories of how things started, alongside the day-to-day challenges of running a trade business. It is a candid look at the grind that happens off the clock.

    We also walk through our specific studio setup, explaining the design choices that define our recording environment. You get a raw look at how we prepare, react, and maintain our host chemistry when the mics are live.

    Subscribe for weekly podcast updates and let us know which trade topics you want the hosts to break down next.
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    52 min
  • We Judge Mechanics By Their Trucks #18

    We Judge Mechanics By Their Trucks #18
    Sep 18 2026
    Kraken Off The Clock is back, and things are getting BUSY.In this episode, we sit down and talk about what is happening behind the scenes at Kraken Hydraulics as the business continues to grow. With more than 500 customers, multiple crews working around the clock, the phone constantly ringing, and response times starting to stretch, we talk about what happens when a small operation starts turning into a much larger company.We get into the reality of running a blue collar business during a busy season, including managing employees, inventory, overtime, customer expectations, scheduling, communication, and trying to make sure the business, customers, and employees are all being treated fairly.We also talk about the next big step for Kraken: a potential new 40x80 shop, two service bays, five acres, additional employees, management positions, more service trucks, and what it could look like if the company eventually operates a massive fleet. We discuss the transition from doing everything yourself to actually building a company with managers, fleet operations, sales, social media, production, and other people handling different parts of the business.Then we get into SERVICE TRUCKS.We look at everything from Ford F550s, Silverado 5500HDs, Ram 5500s, Freightliner M2s, Peterbilt service trucks, vans, dump trucks, crane trucks, and some absolutely ridiculous builds. We try to figure out what kind of business each truck belongs to just by looking at the truck itself.And yes, we find one truck that is absolutely massive.We take a look at a heavily modified Ford F450 Platinum Plus sitting on an Any Level Lift with 30 inch wheels and 42 inch tires. It is so tall that the driver is practically looking eye to eye with someone sitting in a semi. We talk about why someone would build a truck like that, how much money can go into these builds, and whether something that ridiculous actually makes sense when you are trying to grow a business.We also react to some of the craziest mechanic and equipment fails we could find. From transmissions falling onto people, jack failures, explosions involving starter fluid, broken coil packs, hydraulic cylinders catching employees, tire lubricant disasters, and even an expensive luxury SUV getting damaged, we break down what happened and what could have gone wrong.There is also a pretty good lesson hidden in one of our own service truck failures.One of our trucks developed a fuel leak while driving after a safety clip on the fuel system broke. Diesel started spraying everywhere and left a massive puddle behind the truck. We talk about what happened, how we dealt with it, and why having a wrapped company vehicle means you are representing your business everywhere you drive.We also get into marketing and why company vehicles can be some of the best advertising a blue collar business can have. We talk about vehicle wraps, QR codes, business cards, customer recognition, social media, and how much visibility a service truck can generate simply by driving around town.Later in the episode, we break down what hydraulics actually are and why hydraulic technicians are essentially the people keeping the cardiovascular system of heavy equipment alive. If you have ever wondered what all those hoses, cylinders, pumps, motors, fittings, and shiny chrome components actually do, we explain it in a way that makes sense.This episode is a mix of business, heavy equipment, hydraulic repair, service trucks, mechanic fails, customer stories, marketing, and what it is really like trying to grow a blue collar company while still working in the field.We are building Kraken one truck, one customer, one repair, and one mistake at a time.Topics covered in this episode:• Kraken Hydraulics business growth• Over 500 customers• Running multiple crews• Busy season problems• Customer communication• Employee management• Inventory management• Overtime and pricing• Building a larger shop• Growing the Kraken fleet• Hiring and management positions• Service trucks• Ford F550• Chevrolet Silverado 5500HD• Ram 5500• Freightliner M2• Peterbilt service trucks• Hose making vans• Heavy duty work trucks• Massive lifted Ford F450• Any Level Lift• Mechanic fails• Hydraulic equipment failures• Heavy equipment safety• Service truck fuel leak• Vehicle wraps• QR code marketing• Business cards• Blue collar business marketing• Customer service• Hydraulic troubleshooting• Heavy equipment repair• Running a growing business• Kraken Hydraulics• Blue collar life If you work in construction, hydraulics, heavy equipment, trucking, mechanics, fabrication, agriculture, or any other blue collar industry, this episode is for you.Subscribe to Kraken Off The Clock for more conversations about heavy equipment, hydraulics, business, trucks, job sites, blue collar life, and everything that happens when the workday is over.New episodes every Friday.#KrakenOffTheClock #KrakenHydraulics #...
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    58 min
  • This Is How Fast Heavy Equipment Can Kill You #17

    This Is How Fast Heavy Equipment Can Kill You #17
    Sep 11 2026

    Kraken Off The Clock Episode 17

    This episode starts with something much more serious than usual.

    After hearing about a fatal heavy equipment accident in Texas, Jeremy and Austin take a moment to talk about job site safety, close calls and just how quickly heavy equipment can turn dangerous.

    From loaders and excavators to aerial lifts, hydraulic hoses and cylinders, the crew talks about why you can never assume the people around you know what they're doing.

    Then the conversation moves into what has been happening at Kraken Hydraulics.

    Business has been extremely busy, with multiple crews working in different directions, new customers coming in, more work around Central Florida and even projects involving major companies in the space and aerospace industry.

    The guys also talk about why hydraulic repairs are rarely as simple as customers expect, how difficult it can be to source specialized parts, and why you cannot always expect a hydraulic shop to have every part sitting on a shelf ready to go.

    From there, things take a turn into trucks and vehicles.

    They debate single rear wheel versus dual rear wheel trucks, the practicality of sports cars when you're running a hydraulic business, the vehicles they have been looking at, and whether spending $120,000 on a heavily modified truck actually makes sense.

    The episode also gets into some ridiculous customer stories, including a customer going through paperwork at the shop, driving with headphones, emergency vehicles trying to get through traffic, and the everyday chaos that comes with running a growing blue collar business.

    And because Halloween is coming up, the crew talks about the Halloween event they are planning, their previous haunted house, their upcoming trip to Sleepy Hollow and the fact that this year marks a very special anniversary.

    They also discuss social media, TikTok, behind the scenes content, hiring more employees and what Kraken's growth could look like heading into next year.

    As always, it's a mixture of hydraulic work, business, equipment, vehicles, customers, family, stories and plenty of arguments.

    Most importantly:

    Be safe out there. Heavy equipment is real, and it can hurt you incredibly fast.

    This is Kraken Off The Clock, Episode 17.
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    46 min
  • Our Sweet 16 Podcast Went Completely Off The Rails #16

    Our Sweet 16 Podcast Went Completely Off The Rails #16
    Sep 4 2026

    Kraken Off The Clock Episode 16

    Sweet 16 went a little differently than we planned.

    Instead of doing our normal Kraken Off The Clock format, we decided to bring the TikTok Live audience into the podcast and let them control what happened next.

    We had the wheel.

    We had the challenges.

    We had TikTok gifts coming in.

    And somehow things escalated way further than we expected.

    Throughout the episode, the crew takes on everything from pushups, handstands, dance challenges and crying scenes to random trivia, ridiculous challenges and whatever else the wheel decides to throw at us.

    We also talk about how the Kraken Hydraulics TikTok Live has been growing, the crazy amount of engagement we've been getting, the people we've met through the live, and how social media is starting to become a serious part of the business.

    There are also plenty of completely random conversations along the way, including blue collar work, customers, the Kraken crew, social media, TikTok gifts, old stories, business life and the ridiculous things that happen when everyone gets together.

    This episode is basically what happens when you give the audience control of the podcast.

    No normal format.

    No real plan.

    Just the wheel, the crew and TikTok deciding what happens next.

    This is Kraken Off The Clock Episode 16.

    Sweet 16.

    And somehow we made it to Episode 17.
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    1 ora e 23 min
  • They Drank 15 Year Old Water… Then This Happened

    They Drank 15 Year Old Water… Then This Happened
    Aug 28 2026

    We found a sealed gallon of water that was around 17 years old… and somebody actually took a drink before realizing what it was. Then the week got even better: our crane truck went down, the suspected fuel-pump repair turned out not to be the issue, and a small non-serviceable electrical module became a $500 lesson.[Attachment]
    In this episode of Kraken Off the Clock, Jeremy and Austin talk through the real-world chaos behind keeping trucks, hydraulic equipment, service vans, and a growing repair business moving.
    We get into:
    • The disgusting discovery of old bottled water from around 2009–2011
    • Diagnosing a crane truck failure and avoiding an unnecessary fuel-pump job
    • Why a small electrical module can cost hundreds of dollars
    • The truth about the cost of hydraulic hoses, uncommon fittings, truck parts, tires, tools, and downtime
    • A damaged excavator cylinder after equipment was overloaded and used beyond its limits
    • Why customers are paying for experience and results—not just the time on a clock
    • The difference between a fast diagnosis and a cheap repair
    • Expanding a blue-collar service business into new counties and when a satellite shop makes sense
    • Using Meta smart glasses and job-site video for documentation, estimates, and customer communication
    • The off-the-clock conversations that happen when the tools are put down
    Running a hydraulic repair and mobile equipment business means solving problems fast, keeping customers moving, and dealing with failures that never happen at a convenient time. If you run equipment, own a service company, work in construction, trucking, diesel, heavy equipment, hydraulics, or just enjoy real blue-collar shop talk, this one is for you.[Attachment]
    Drop a comment: Would you rather pay a mechanic for five hours of trial-and-error—or pay an experienced tech to correctly diagnose it in 30 minutes?
    Subscribe for more real conversations about hydraulic repair, heavy equipment, business growth, truck problems, job-site stories, and life at Kraken Hydraulics.
    #KrakenOffTheClock #Hydraulics #BlueCollar #HeavyEquipment #DieselMechanic #TruckRepair #ConstructionEquipment #SmallBusiness #Podcast #EquipmentRepair
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    1 ora e 7 min