10-4 Magazine January 2025

Special Feature: By Colin Kund Livestock hauling has been in the Brown family heritage for over 75 years. The truck and trailer gracing these pages is owned and operated by Jeff Brown of Bethel, PA. Jeff’s grandfather, Rufus A. Brown, started hauling livestock over 75 years ago under his name. Jeff’s dad, Rufus M. Brown (known as “Buddy Brown”), began hauling livestock for his father until he went out on his own in 1975 under Brown’s Livestock. Jeff began hauling livestock for his father 36 years ago before purchasing his own truck in 2000 – a 1982 Peterbilt 359, which began Brown Transport. Jeff’s son Mike started hauling livestock for him in 2014, so the family is now four generations deep hauling livestock! With a passion for trucks that has never left him, Jeff started hauling livestock over 36 years ago. Jeff began his driving career piloting a Chevy 6-wheeler with a 427 gas motor and a 22-foot body. As mentioned before, the first truck Jeff purchased was a 1982 Peterbilt 359, and then in 2005 he bought a brand-new 379 Pete (which is the truck his stepson Braxton currently drives). Jeff then purchased a W900B for his son Mike to drive in 2014. When Mike decided to switch jobs, the “B” was sold to a local outfit, where it remained or a few years, until Mike bought it back. The truck and trailer pictured here is a 1997 Peterbilt 379 and a 2019 Eby. The truck ended up being a replacement for another truck in the Brown fleet, which was unfortunately deemed a loss. In late summer, Jeff found the Peterbilt in California. Due to California’s strict emissions laws, Jeff was able to save the truck from an uncertain future. The 379 had some upgrades completed over the years, including an air-ride front end, an ‘05 door swap, a newer bunk, and a refreshed drivetrain, which included a CAT C16 swap. Jeff only had two big things he wanted when looking for the 62 10-4 Magazine / January 2025 replacement – it had to have a CAT and it had to be red. Once the truck was found and bought, Jeff had Lanita Specialized bring it back to Pennsylvania for him. The Pete’s 265” wheelbase nearly matches that of the truck his stepson pilots. An 18-speed is bolted to the C16, and then the power is put to the ground through 3.43 rears. Rounding out the exterior details are 8” Dynaflex pipes FOUR GENERATIONS DEEP