Part VI
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 7,649
Likes: 2
From: Wallingford, CT
Yea it's neat, but we still need more. We've been wanting a D6 for the longest time and we really need one. Most of our jobs are perfectly sized for a D6 sized machine.
Our options would be use the TD25 which would be like killing a fly with a sledge hammer or use the TD7 which has to go ***** to the wall to keep up. A D6 would fill that gap perfectly. And look good while doing it.
Master of Strokes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,808
Likes: 25
From: CA
It stays in good shape because dad doesn't operate it very often.
Dad has a tendency to back into things and rip things off the machine. If her operated it often it'd have broken windows and the aux. hyd valves would be bent up and it'd be all sorts of nasty.
Fortunately me and bubba (that's what we call our employee from Georgia) are the only ones who really ever operate it. And I had to have a chat with him about how we do NOT smoke in that machine. EVER. I wanted to turn the A/C on today (it was hot! it got up to like 65!) and I couldn't keep it on with the windows shut because it smelled like that crap.
I did get a chance to power wash that machine recently though. I need to spend some more time getting the oxidation and old grease off it though.
I've thought of joining the IUOE and running some big iron. Now is a bad time to get in, but things always move in a cycle. In a while we'll be seeing an increase in construction again.
Plus as the baby boomers retire there aren't enough qualified young guys to take the place of the old guys who will be retiring.
Dad has a tendency to back into things and rip things off the machine. If her operated it often it'd have broken windows and the aux. hyd valves would be bent up and it'd be all sorts of nasty.
Fortunately me and bubba (that's what we call our employee from Georgia) are the only ones who really ever operate it. And I had to have a chat with him about how we do NOT smoke in that machine. EVER. I wanted to turn the A/C on today (it was hot! it got up to like 65!) and I couldn't keep it on with the windows shut because it smelled like that crap.
I did get a chance to power wash that machine recently though. I need to spend some more time getting the oxidation and old grease off it though.
I've thought of joining the IUOE and running some big iron. Now is a bad time to get in, but things always move in a cycle. In a while we'll be seeing an increase in construction again.
Plus as the baby boomers retire there aren't enough qualified young guys to take the place of the old guys who will be retiring.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 7,649
Likes: 2
From: Wallingford, CT
I've always got a company that will hire me to run equipment no matter what happens. So even when it's slow I can still work on my operating. If you get laid off you get rusty.
A union job on big iron is NOT the place to learn the ropes.
A guy on some equipment forums I use was on a job in Washington state. He was running a PC400 and they wanted him to fill a dump and pup trailer in 90 seconds or less and if he broke a sideboard on a truck he was off the machine.
That is a high stress job right there.
Master of Strokes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,808
Likes: 25
From: CA
And fix all the time and grease all the time and fuel all the time and clean all the time and...well...you get the idea.
Yea it's neat, but we still need more. We've been wanting a D6 for the longest time and we really need one. Most of our jobs are perfectly sized for a D6 sized machine.
Our options would be use the TD25 which would be like killing a fly with a sledge hammer or use the TD7 which has to go ***** to the wall to keep up. A D6 would fill that gap perfectly. And look good while doing it.
Yea it's neat, but we still need more. We've been wanting a D6 for the longest time and we really need one. Most of our jobs are perfectly sized for a D6 sized machine.
Our options would be use the TD25 which would be like killing a fly with a sledge hammer or use the TD7 which has to go ***** to the wall to keep up. A D6 would fill that gap perfectly. And look good while doing it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 7,649
Likes: 2
From: Wallingford, CT
Or when it's -5 outside and you're sitting there holding the pump fueling a machine with no gloves because yours fell out in the snow and you either couldn't find them or they were soaking wet.
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
Up here ya wont get hired if your under 18, and most guys wont hire you unless your at least over 20. The guys that do hire the younger guys, run junk iron, and pay like crap!
Theres another reason your lucky that your dad has a company that runs that sorta thing!
Theres another reason your lucky that your dad has a company that runs that sorta thing!
Master of Strokes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,808
Likes: 25
From: CA
Well here's where I have a big advantage over someone else.
I've always got a company that will hire me to run equipment no matter what happens. So even when it's slow I can still work on my operating. If you get laid off you get rusty.
A union job on big iron is NOT the place to learn the ropes.
A guy on some equipment forums I use was on a job in Washington state. He was running a PC400 and they wanted him to fill a dump and pup trailer in 90 seconds or less and if he broke a sideboard on a truck he was off the machine.
That is a high stress job right there.
I've always got a company that will hire me to run equipment no matter what happens. So even when it's slow I can still work on my operating. If you get laid off you get rusty.
A union job on big iron is NOT the place to learn the ropes.
A guy on some equipment forums I use was on a job in Washington state. He was running a PC400 and they wanted him to fill a dump and pup trailer in 90 seconds or less and if he broke a sideboard on a truck he was off the machine.
That is a high stress job right there.
Master of Strokes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,808
Likes: 25
From: CA
Well that is true but still in Normal conditions I like it lol.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 7,649
Likes: 2
From: Wallingford, CT
If I was to operate professionally and in this area I would try to get hired by either the quarry or a large contractor known as Cherry Hill who is one of the largest in the area.
When I was working with one of their operators on a job this summer (he was running a D8 and I was compacting for him) he made mention that they have 80 (no I didn't accidentally add a zero) CAT D8 dozers running around.
I was in their dispatch room a while ago and the dispatcher made mention that they have over 3,000 dumpsters. They have their own transfer station.
And they have THE best looking trucks around. Some of their drivers bring their trucks to shows and bring home awards. Their dispatch desk has a glass top and the awards are all inside it.
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
Thats easy as pie fueling up Pete. Try minus 40 weather, way up north about 100 miles from civilization, dark, cold, you just worked a 16 hour day of heavy hard grueling work (both driving and physical) have a 2 hour drive back to camp, and your on day 35 of working every day like that!
I didnt have to pay for fuel luckily, but i assume you didnt either
That sounds like a crazy assed company, 80 dozers? They must do lots of work, and be one of the top guys around there eh?
What equipment forums do you go to?
I didnt have to pay for fuel luckily, but i assume you didnt either
That sounds like a crazy assed company, 80 dozers? They must do lots of work, and be one of the top guys around there eh?
What equipment forums do you go to?
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 7,649
Likes: 2
From: Wallingford, CT
My actual plan is to start doing some landscaping work next year. It was supposed to start this year, but the town purchasing director is a total ********. Once I have some $$$ saved up I will buy myself a single rear axle dump with 12' blade and in-box spreader so I can contract to the state to plow the state roads off. From there I can add other stuff as I see fit.
Sheldy: I bought my truck in December. I paid for it in full using just debt dad had racked up from me. We were even at that point. He's already 600 or so in the hole again. I wouldn't be terribly surprised if I was paying his fuel bill at that point...
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
Word of advise Pete. Dont start paying bills that arent yours. Ive been there done that, and if you start doing that, it will just get worse!
I also dont buy anything for anyone that I am working for anymore either. Ill sit there and wait broken down and let them buy the parts or whatever.
I also dont buy anything for anyone that I am working for anymore either. Ill sit there and wait broken down and let them buy the parts or whatever.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 7,649
Likes: 2
From: Wallingford, CT
Word of advise Pete. Dont start paying bills that arent yours. Ive been there done that, and if you start doing that, it will just get worse!
I also dont buy anything for anyone that I am working for anymore either. Ill sit there and wait broken down and let them buy the parts or whatever.
I also dont buy anything for anyone that I am working for anymore either. Ill sit there and wait broken down and let them buy the parts or whatever.
I'm just waiting until I'm off on my own and then whatever I do will have an invoice attached.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 7,649
Likes: 2
From: Wallingford, CT
Well it's late and I'm tired so I'm going to go sleep now.
Other than Nick, Sheldy, and myself it's been pretty quiet in here tonight.
And a question for Nick before I leave: Did anything ever happen with your skid decisions?