First Job of the Season

[stretch]

HO scale job, that is! Hope this is the right place...

Working on the reclamation of our old sandpit...cleared the brush and roughly graded the topsoil with our dozer in the first pic. After that we started sorting the brush/rocks from the remaining topsoil with that and our excavator w/grapple.

[stretch]

Compare the pile with the dozer on the left. In the second and third shots, the dozer is pushing slots towards us and the excavator is pulling it back for final grading.

[stretch]

After grading, the 9420 finally arrived with the discs and we got to final grading and preparing it for the seed. In the third pic, that's our 6220 w/1590 planter laying down the seed. In the last pic, that's the field with all the seed laid down.

[stretch]

That's only a few machines in the fleet...this year, we're also opening up a new sandpit, screening plant and concrete plant, building a reservoir, and possibly some other projects, so keep an eye out!

[Ray Welsh]

That's only a few machines in the fleet...this year, we're also opening up a new sandpit, screening plant and concrete plant, building a reservoir, and possibly some other projects, so keep an eye out!

That looks like a fine job and proves my point. "Now only if we could train some ants". They would work day and night for food only, would be automatically replaced when injured on the job, reduce legal costs and insurance, would work in any weather, would not need safety barriers or ROPS cabs. Finally, ants can carry many times their own bodyweight with no overload permits required.........C ya........Ray

[stretch]

Yeah Ray, those overload problems are getting tough here in Connecticut...cheap labor could probably help too. But I'll get it done with a rake, wheelbarrow, and homemade milk-carton screener. And the 9420 lol.

New machines in yesterday: 1) Deere skidder (going to do more of own land clearing) and Kaelble SL26 loader (we'll see how it goes against our two 988B's in loading trucks) compared to the old 560. 2) new 7600 on the left, older one on the right. 3) Same for the Topkick cement mixers. Sorry if the pics are a bit fuzzy, but the light wasn't the best.

More later...

[nedly05]

LMAO, you have a great sense of humor:lmao

[EZ TRBO]

AWESOME, I am sure many of us still love to play in the sandbox, but dont' cause people might thing we are weird.

Trbo

[[-Agent-]]

AWESOME, I am sure many of us still love to play in the sandbox, but dont' cause people might thing we are weird.

Trbo

We all love to play in the sandbox, the box just got a little bigger. ***

[stretch]

Yep, but the old man's not making enough $$$ to afford even an old used D2 or a mini!!! :deadhorse Even though we have a nice sandpit and 30+ acres to play around. And I'm the only one in the family who's really into this...I'm on break this week so hopefully I'll get out over the hill to the Target site and get some pics of the real machines. :popcorn
And EZ TRBO, the neighbors usually try and mind their own business...and I don't have a setup in the basement yet. BTW it's too nice out to play inside!!! That sandpit will be grass in a month anyway.

[bear]

:lmao :falldownlaugh :lmao :falldownlaugh :lmao :falldownlaugh :lmao :falldownlaugh :lmao :falldownlaugh

[stretch]

:lmao :falldownlaugh :lmao :falldownlaugh :lmao :falldownlaugh :lmao :falldownlaugh :lmao :falldownlaugh

Construction guys have the best sense of humor, hands down.

(Darn, I can't put up a smiley...)

[stretch]

Well, I said I'd show more of the fleet, so here's some more. We finally got to our first large-scale contract of the year, excavating a ditch some 75 feet deep, 50 feet wide and a mile long (BIG excavation project) for water filtration system piping.
First pic shows an overview of the project earlier in the day. Second shows the depot with the Pete refueling a D7/rake blade, D8H (it had a rollover last year which crushed the canopy so we'll get a new one later this year), and TD-25C w/3-shank ripper, and the D3 nd D5M unloading. . Third is an overview of the material pullback at the south end. Fourth is our only D11N with a Bucyrus 50-B dragline (yes, or so I think its a 50-B) in the background. Fifth is the D11N, Deere 1050H, Volvo L150C, and Deere "1000LC"'s bucket.

[stretch]

-Bucyrus 50-B drag on the pile, P&H crane truck in the background.
-We had a large puddle to drain so we got the pump and the water truck out. We got our specialized low-profile D8 wide-track stuck in a deep spot when it was pushing water to the other end.
-The Internationals and the 16G are probably done here.
-When the puddle's drained, the Euclids (R-50 and R-62's) and the Link-Belt will go in the pit and dig the ramp out, continuing towards the north end. The crane will lift the equipment out once the project's done.
-We sent the 1050H in to push the D8 out.

[stretch]

-Pushing it out.
-We'll drive the D8 out of the pit to a lowboy so we can bring it back to the garage and have it checked out. The 690LC stands by to assist.
-The Link-Belt digging out the ramp and loading the R-50. An R-62 is pulling up to be loaded.
-The other R-62 dumping its load so the D-11 and the 1000LC can pull it out of the pit.
-Actual loading of the R-50 and the R-62 is preparing to back in.

[stretch]

-Dumping another load into the R-50.
-The R-50 driving away and the R-62 backing up while the L-B bites into the wall.

That's all for now...still awaiting for permits for our new sandpit! May be ordering a new dragline...maybe a 480W? :beatsme

[hoeman600]

i know its toys but how far can we go with this its awsome!!!!
something differient:spongebob:duh:scool

[bobcat ron]

It's so lame, I just can't help but to keep reading!!!!!!

[stretch]

It's so lame, I just can't help but to keep reading!!!!!!

Ha ha ha thanks bobcat ron...but there's no new building projects around here to take pics of so I gotta do it myself...as Trbo would say, "Doing what I can with what I got!"

Now I should probably get a shot of all my nicest, brand name models and put them in a shot like Hoeman has with his! If only my equipment was as nice as that! (Or if I had that many!) :drinkup Cheers, men...:usa

And whenever Ray Welsh comes around, the ants say hi!

[hoeman600]

Who knows with the price of diesel this may be all we see on the forums:beatsme:drinkup

[stretch]

The job would probably have been more interesting if we had the EX1100, the Terexs and the 773 working, but the ditch was too narrow. And the EX1100's in for overhaul (literally) in prep for the new sandpit.

I have an excavator base with the motor, cab, tracks, etc....wondering if I should put a UHD boom or a long stick on it? Opinions? Even if it is only a little model.

[JD4020]

If thats fine, Id love to post pics from my scale const. sites.

[stretch]

Hmmm...I guess this could be the scale model topic! Go ahead and post them here, I'm in a generous mood today. Anyone else, feel free to show us!

[stretch]

Here's a couple from the new sandpit, permits got in this week and we're moving some stuff in.
First one shows where the new screening plant, concrete plant, and depot are going...outlind by the disturbed area and the smallish (almost invisible)ridge running through the middle on the left. No good lumber here. The L150C loader's on the bottom right.
Other one is the Autocar and the tagalong with the EC210 and a diesel tank...the Autocar's fresh out of a slight retirement and nothing's really been added on yet except a new paint job. (Those are car doors in the background, because there's a ditch running behind there and we like to have airsoft wars, manhunt or whatever down there.)

[bobcat ron]

I think the low bed driver doesn't know how to load his trailer properly, the excavator should always be in the middle and the tank should be on the back, what happens if he drives under a low lying obstacle?...............................oh wait, these are just dinky toys. :lmao

[stretch]

Yep no bridges! And no, I guess I don't know how to load it! (But thanks for the tip...) Crud...but it was the only way it would all fit. (Uhoh, this might turn into a KoO story! :eek2 But it's a Screamin' Autocar, not a Ford.) Gotta admit though, it's a cheap way to learn about this without having to make a million-dollar mistake. :Banghead

[stretch]

Got some more recent pics.
First shows the graded area before any construction.
Second is from the top of the access road looking towards the first plant.
Third is the plant with the crane, Ford utility dump truck w/sand, and Dodge stake truck for the mason's supplies. The concrete is being mixed right in the crane's mixer and lifted up to wherever it's needed.
Fourth is a ground-level view with the D5M grading for the next plant.
Fifth is from the very top looking down.

[stretch]

First is the view towards the crane and the skid-steer which hs come in handy way up here.
Second is the depot shed. My own pickup is there and so is a new arrival.
Third: any Autocar lovers? 160Hw/ripper is on the lowboy.
Fourth is the L150C getting a well-deserved drink.
Fifth is the 160H getting off the trailer.

[stretch]

First: Grader4me, you out there?
Second is the D5M and the 160H working on the pad.
Third: the road to the dump, where the brush is being piled. (Ummm...do we need a permit for this? I hope not...)
Fourth is the EC210 on exploration in advanc eof stripping.
Last shows the old (really deep) pit in the background. We will build a new road to the south side and continue the digging from there.

Should have some actual machine pics soon, a local bridge-building company has moved their good equipment next to the fence along the rails-to-trails path.

[Ray Welsh]

First: Grader4me, you out there?
Second is the D5M and the 160H working on the pad.
Third: the road to the dump, where the brush is being piled. (Ummm...do we need a permit for this? I hope not...)
Fourth is the EC210 on exploration in advanc eof stripping.
Last shows the old (really deep) pit in the background. We will build a new road to the south side and continue the digging from there.

Should have some actual machine pics soon, a local bridge-building company has moved their good equipment next to the fence along the rails-to-trails path.

I've told ya before Stretch but it's worth repeating. Ants can move dirt cheaper than your spread.
1...They require minimal greasing an oil changes.
2...They are easily trained and can be paid with a few grains of sugar.
3...If you need a Hi-rise on your site following earthworks, get some termites to build an air conditioned tower. They do it well in OZ!!......C ya.....Ray

[stretch]

I've told ya before Stretch but it's worth repeating. Ants can move dirt cheaper than your spread.
1...They require minimal greasing an oil changes.
2...They are easily trained and can be paid with a few grains of sugar.
3...If you need a Hi-rise on your site following earthworks, get some termites to build an air conditioned tower. They do it well in OZ!!......C ya.....Ray

Yes, they say hi to ya :waving...and they were actually crawling (literally) over all of the machines and marveling at their size (and somewhat stationary positions...). However, we're building a screening plant over here for our new sandpit, but a whole new town, hi-rises and all, would be quite an undertaking. :idea Thank God that guy (illegally) dumped a load of concrete debris near here! Not too much wood for the tiny little carpenters, though...

(And sugar? Are you kidding? With these gas prices rising and the food prices right behind it...:nono)

[stretch]

Starting to clear where the actual pit where be.
First is an overview of the first phase, the depot is in the upper right corner. We have removed the loose brush and material and will clear the rest of it.
Second is the Deere hauling some brush off to the dump. First job it's been on.
Third is TD-25C and the D5M working side-by-side. The TD-25C is one of my favorite machines in the entire fleet. No drives thrown out or anything yet, surprisingly.
Fourth: the wind got a bit high for work today so we lowered the boom and told them not to come in.
Fifth one is the depot, the 160H got a flat driving over a nail left by the concrete crew. :mad:

[stretch]

First is the EC210 and the L150C working on some brush.
Second is the grapple loading the 340 with more brush. The other artics, the CX330 excavator and our scrapers should be moved in this week after they finish a job up in MA.
Last is the 966G loading the rock box, an old dump bed.

Hey Ray, I might take you up on the city idea... they need somewhere to live, don't they? And we don't have much work lined up after this, except a few side jobs.

(Well, this is what I've been doing this weekend besides a few chores and working on the quad, because no one's been around!)

[CM1995]

Stretch -

The thread is great, keep the pics coming.:D

[stretch]

Not today, it's raining, not tomorrow, I'll be painting stuff! Though I probably will show what we run for hauling later and we're probaly ordering some new machines this weekend. Maybe more if it dries out Sunday.

[stretch]

Well, since the freak weather's kept me inside for the day again, here's some of our over-the-road trucks and a few of our tractors.
-LtoR: KW w/flatbed, HEMTT w/tagalong, Autocar w/lowboy, Autocar w/tagalong
-HEMTT closeup (sorry for the pic quality, light wasn't on my side with all the clouds!)
-our hauling pride, the Autocar w/30-ton winch and shop-built lowboy. 550 HP...need it for some of our loads!
-rear view, lowboy is primarily two-axle w/third flipout axle
-gear on old 167 (company #) shows winch and protection bar

[stretch]

-other Autocar, took an old box off one of our old junk HEMTT's and it fit perfectly
-Asphalt Engineering (our paving division) Autocar, pulls bitumen tanker most of the time. Yet to repaint the trailer.
-the fuel trucks, a NASA surplus Pete and an old surplus Army Ford tanker.
-1965 Cat D9 w/scraper. Used to have a blade, that broke off and we didn't fix it, then it was a pipelayer and now we tow the scraper with it. Still have the boom around just in case.
-maintenance: Ford and Mack wreckers and a HEMTT w/crane.

[stretch]

-Dodge stake truck, Leyland flatbeds, Volvo flatbed. Concrete/masonry division calls dibs on these old guys.
-Ford F-350 utility/dumps and my own F-350 extended cab.
-International TD-14 and Case, forget model, built in '68?
-Last is our two spare trucks, the Ford and the other Autocar.

I hope the weather gets better...so I can get more done on the sandpit and get some of some real machines! I'll do a separate thread for those. :usa

[stretch]

Well, with the return of the nice weather, we have been picking up slack from last week and this weekend I started a small side job while the concrete guys finish another job before we go back to the sandpit. My friend bought this "hill" and is hollowing out a boulder for a house. Very interesting, but I'm just doing the site work.

For this job I am using two machines that recently came out of the shop, the Cat 320B got a new arm off a dead 330 that we had sitting around and actually handles it quite well (equipped with a shop-built grapple) and the D8R got a new canopy after it rolled off a highwall last year.

I really like that 3rd shot, that moss is where a deck is going to be put up.
Other two are me pushing some rocks for a trail border and making the trail, which will go to another deck away from the house.

[stretch]

-First one is me coming around for the last push towards the house.
-Coming around...
-...and then the front bar of the canopy collapsed for some reason. :beatsme Didn't fall in enough to get me!
-Coming back down with the goods in the blade. It's back in the shop again now. :mad:
-the 320B getting ready for some work. :)

[stretch]

-picking up a few small logs on the way up.
-Swinging around...
-Coming on up!
-Now don't tell me that's not a calendar shot!
-Up the trail to the outside deck area to move some logs and rocks.

[stretch]

-rear view picking up some more timber.
-two of me working.
-placing some rocks.
-Down the hill (that boulder I'm passing by is the future house) at lunch, but that's all today for here. Really shows how steep this hillside is. I don't know how I didn't flip a machine over today, but a Cat skinner's gotta do what a cat skinner's gotta do. :beatsme

Might do some brushwork at the sandpit today just to get things moving along.

[JD4020]

I made my own thread, so as not to hijack yours.

[stretch]

I made my own thread, so as not to hijack yours.

I left my comment there. More pics? :)

[stretch]

BTW Steve, it's about time we got a separate topic! Let's git r done!!!

New this week:

-Started sitework for my own house this week. In the center you can make out the road which cuts into the hill and turns to the left. We need to reach a knoll behind that V-shaped tree in the middle. I'm doing most of this work myself.
-the fleet: Dodge dump truck, IH TD-25C, IH TD-14, and Volvo EC210
-Around that left turn. This was supposed to be the new sandpit site (hence the width for two Terex 50-tonners or a 773) but we backed out due to the sand quality under the topsoil. The drive will continue on the right of the cut for about 100 yards.
-Taking out a tree.
-100' later...remember that this is just the primary width and actual width will come much later.

[stretch]

-taken from near the top of the right turn that will bring it across the valley and to the knoll. This is as far as we got today, as it got to 90 something degrees fast...and the bugs came out...
-along the road from where we started
-overview of the day's work :drinkup

Today...
-the past two weeks at the pit...got the other tower up and the conveyor framework/covering are going up :)
-power company wants to build a dam on a nearby river. We got a job doing some preliminary work, which is pretty much build a bridge across the river with a pipe and cover it with dirt, digging test pits, etc. Equipment being used is Cat 730, Case 340, Case CX330, Deere 1000LC.

[digger242j]

BTW Steve, it's about time we got a separate topic! Let's git r done!!!

Allow me to translate--In the language of 14 years olds, that means, "Gee, Thank you very much Mr Frazier." :rolleyes:

[stretch]

-Excavate sand on right. Move it to left with ADT's. Spread material with CX330. Connect with other side of the river. Easy enough.
-Loading the 730 with the 1000LC.
-Dumping the 340, spread/pack with the CX330.
-Shot showing how far we really need to go...not too far. Thought we could pull it off in a day, but it's company policy to close a site for the day at the first sign of a storm. Actually was kinda an impressive storm, best I remember in at least two years. :beatsme (We get piddly storms compared to a lot of you guys, but they still can ruin a site pretty bad.)

More later...

[stretch]

Allow me to translate--In the language of 14 years olds, that means, "Gee, Thank you very much Mr Frazier." :rolleyes:

LMAO I suppose...Thank you very much Mr. Frazier. :usa :drinkup

[Dirtman2007]

Hey i'm the only one that can play in the mud! lol

By the way you might want to check the stick out on your 330, it's slightly bent:cool2

[stretch]

Hey i'm the only one that can play in the mud! lol

By the way you might want to check the stick out on your 330, it's slightly bent:cool2

Hey, it's not my fault rivers have mud!

But yes, it occasionally does that. Don't know what the problem is, but I might have to tighten a bolt or two if I can. But it still gets the job done. :cool:

Kinda hot to go too far today (not used to it yet!!!) but more later this week. Hope that storm didn't wash it out too bad. :eek:

[stretch]

Oh yeah, we finally ordered a new Volvo 240 excavator, D9T w/ 3-shank ripper, and 627G scraper today. Expect them to arrive sometime within a week or two.

[stretch]

Due to a bit of operator error and a weak boom lift cylinder...we were loading some pipes and it bent right where it was going into the cylinder. We tried to lift it up again but then it snapped completely. Great...:mad:

I don't know if I should replace the machine or try to fix it...not that there's an easy way to do so. If I can't fix it I'll probaly find a boom off a dead machine and see what I can do with it. :bash

Pics...

[stretch]

Oh yeah, we finally ordered a new Volvo 240 excavator, D9T w/ 3-shank ripper, and 627G scraper today. Expect them to arrive sometime within a week or two.

...and they came today!!! :usa They're some pretty nice-sized stuff. :notworthy

Oh yeah, pics tomorrow, we got the dam job.

[dumptrucker]

I thought that kids these days lost their imagination. I'm glad I am wrong. Reminds me of myself with my tonkas, the good ones , not the plastic junk they have today.

Keep the pictures coming. Great job!

[stretch]

I thought that kids these days lost their imagination. I'm glad I am wrong. Reminds me of myself with my tonkas, the good ones , not the plastic junk they have today.

Keep the pictures coming. Great job!

I have the old ones still around, mostly metal but some plastic which is thick and wouldn't break no matter what we did to it.

Well, we started the Lower Quinnipiac Dam site today by building a culvert over the river to access a sand deposit which will be the primary material for the dam. The actual dam site was moved downriver a hundred yards to a narrower place and it's also shallow enough that we could drive the ADT's and scrapers into it when we have to.

-The yard and the temporary office behind it. (yes, it's an old caboose.) Equipment: 16H, TD-25C, special D8H low-ground-pressure (good for this sand), brand new D9T (what a beast!) and 627G, two Mitsubishi TMS8A's, 340B, 730. And the 1000LC and a new EC240B. More will be on the way when the actual project starts. The culvert pipes are on the right. 4 of the large ones will be used in the bridge.
-The yard and the dam site behind it. I should have gotten a pic of how shallow this water seriously was. :eek:
-Out on the culvert...1000LC filling in around the second pipe, L150C grading the dirt, EC240B behind the pipe. The bank beyond them is the deposit we want to reach.
-Another view.
-The completed bridge. We'll demolish it when the dam is finished.

[stretch]

-16H and D8H grading a road through the deposit. I think the 1000LC and the ADT's will work this part as it is on a high place overlooking the river and the scrapers will work the lower part where it is easier to get a machine out if it drives into the river. Not that we think it will happen but stuff occasionally happens.
-Now that's what I want to see...water flowing right through it. Look at the second pipe. I think we'll put another bridge up that's more sturdy since this area is prone to flash floods during thunderstorms. We've
-Just to show how green and peaceful this area is...out here, it's mostly logging, a few farms, and even fewer houses. This is about 10 (scale) miles from the sandpit and 3 miles from the nearest town, which is down at the junction of this river and the Quinnipiac River.

[tonka]

good work keep it up.....

[Lashlander]

Thats some pretty big culvert. Reminds me of one I did a few years ago. I'll have to see if I can find the pics. Whats the dam for anyway?

[stretch]

It's a power project...the lake behind it will probably supply water and if it does we will probably build systems for that as well. We were originally going to dig a canal around that large piece of raised land but I don't think it'll be necessary now, which has pleased the owners since it'll be cheaper to build.

[[-Agent-]]

I thought that kids these days lost their imagination. I'm glad I am wrong. Reminds me of myself with my tonkas, the good ones , not the plastic junk they have today.

Keep the pictures coming. Great job!

I remember those also, I still have some of those nice metal ones. I had those little sit on excavators that you would pull a lever and the boom would raise and stuff. Fun days.

[stretch]

We learned first-hand the destructive force of nature...the bridge got washed away in the storm on Monday. Great...anyway first on shows where the south abutment was and the EC240LC sitting alongside, second shows where the yard used to be before I ordered it onto higher ground, last shows what remains of the abutment, looking across to the other side.

We went all the way to the end of the river where it dumps into the Quinnipiac, but no sign of our pipes. We're having a bridge fabricated off-site and brought in later today or tomorrow. At least the flood shallowed the dam site in our favor.

[Bellboy]

Aye yai yai. Sorry man. I should get back into that work. Mostly admin stuff for a big civil engineering firm.:(

Got some plant on the side though. Mainly TLBs, a grader, excavata, payloaders and 725 Cat. And an Akerman sitting with a bad track. Got a good lowboy though, (took a page out of Oakland's book), and a tiny ford. Good for shunting the TLBs and tools. Will post some pics.:cool2

Anybody know where I can get a Doosan Excavata?:confused:

Thanks for the refresher!

[stretch]

Well, our dam project's been put on hold for a while due to lack of funds, so we're taking up a road project for the time being to keep the crews busy and keep the money coming in.

-First one shows top of thwe hill where we are dumping the fill from the cut on the other side. From L to R: 160H working on the roads, Mitsubishi TMS8A coming to the top to dump, 16M grading the spoils out and taking care of the roads, 627G on the bottom coming down the hill.
-TMS8A spreading the load
-The yard on the summit of the hill next to the dump. L to R: Deere 890DLC and Mercedes-Benz dump truck (for later utilities and equipment rescues, when the need arises), scraper for our D8G, Kaelble SL26 loader, DAF flatbed, two F-350's
-627 coming to the cut. The sand is so fine and soft that we need 2 dozers to push. The D8R in the foreground is ready to push it and the D8G is out in the cut pushing another TMS8A.
-D8G pushing a pan with our new D9T going through its paces on its first job.

[stretch]

-This really shows the need for a blade...at the bottom of the hill where it veers let for the cut, the sand is still very soft and it leaves ruts in the ground.
-pan crawling behind the 16H
-D8R pushing 627G with the D9T pushing boulders to the side. If you can spot a yellow dot in the upper center of the pic, that's the D8G waiting for the next pan to come down.
-view from the D8G. The blade was actually taken off one of our dead tractors and put on it since we knew we had this job coming up.
-This one I actually took on Saturday, when I was testing out the roads with the 627G. This was the hill where the 160H is grading in the 6th pic...I was really glad I had the Deere on site.

That's all for today...sandpit project has been stalled due to the slow economy of the area, but it should pick up in a few weeks.

[Bellboy]

Cool much. Now when you've finished that is it going to remain just a dirt/ district road or are you going to pave?

[Cat is ALL]

ya that would be awesome if you paved it and stuff hahaha keep up the awesome work

[stretch]

I don't think we're going to pave it, but we'll probably let a subcontractor come in and lay down a gravel surface, since our quarry is closed until our new plant is up and running.

[Dozerboy]

Nice work

[stretch]

It has certainly been a slow summer...but we landed another million-dollar job which involves the reclamation of a slag/waste pile that was fed by two nearby quarries. Besides overburden, there is old industrial metal junk (including quite a bit of thick steel wire), chunks of asphalt and concrete, and a lot of good trap rock. We pulled out some of our largest equipment for this job, includin the Cat 773D and Terex 3311 trucks, Hitachi EX1100 front shovel (fresh from refurbishment), Cat D9T, IH TD-25C, Cat D7H, IH 560, and our new portable 3-product crusher (although we have it set to simply processing all material to less than 2").

-First one shows the yard and crusher being set up.
-We converted our Fiat-Allis dozer into what we call a "planer-ripper" which we invented for ripping large sections of soil or road. This is its test run.
-the 773D and the 3311's
-the EX1100...we put on a new cab, catwalk, roof w/light, access ladder, cleaned it off, and added new signs, in addition to the usual maintenace stuff.
-the plant in operation...the 560 is running the yard and although out of site, the EC240 is also on-site helping with various tasks.

[stretch]

-The view up the hill from the crusher, where the EX1100 takes another bite of hard soil and drops it into the 3311. The 773 is coming up the hill and the F-A is headed back fom its trials...we found out we need to seriously consider this machine more before we send it back into the field.
-A hundred feet up the hill, we need to recover as much moss as possible, so we developed a simple way of taking it off. Here, the D9T is using its rippers to curl it up somewhat.
-The TD-25 comes from behind and pushes slighty on the moss to keep it from curling back.
-The D9 pulls away and lets the 25 push the moss and curl it into sections which will be set aside until the earthwork is finished and it can be laid out again. (sorry for the fuzzy pics, but that's what happens when I zoom in to try to show a detailed shot!)
-An overall view of the pile itself, with the "moss pickers" on the hill above the digging, the 773 on the road, and the D7N on the right working on more access roads.

[Bellboy]

Very cool. I got a quarry near me, disused, near a railway line. (really) i also got a quarry in a rather overgrown area, don't know what to do with it, got the mining deads a while back, looks like a sand mine.

[Bellboy]

I sent my weed teams in to the quarry, and there is still some very good shale. I'll sell it to the Roads Dpt for building roads, but I may dig some for myself and use it on my own projects. I'll get a semi dumper/walking floor to transport it out. Its pretty remote, so I'll need a good truck and trailer. Any suggestions? I think thats next.

Now that we got the canal project (www.heavyequipmentforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=7188&page=2), I realize that I need a dozer real bad. The scraper is just not cutting it, and for it to be effective, I need another two to help. I am kinda scared of ordering online, 'coz very few peeps ship to Africa, and the last time I ordered, it took more than 2 months to get here... Anyway, let me get back to my site...

[stretch]

Even with the downturn, we decided to diversify into facility management when we were offered the oppurtunity to bring this old freshwater port back to life. We may also move our offices, garage, and concrete plant over here.
-Here's the D8R and the 966G pushing some old wood material into the pit.
-We recently modified this old Michigan loader into a wheled dozer for applications such as stockpiling and scraper pushloading.
-Loading scrap metal onto the KW. The Faun crane truck is hidden behind it.
-The 966 and the B-E 20-H cleaning the drydock. The large crane we installed this weekend is sitting in the background outfitted with a cargo lift platform.
-Crane in the background, surplus HEMTT and tagalong hauling in supplies including crawler crane inserts, Cat mini, and coils of sheet metal.

We may also build our own barges and cargo ships here, but it is most likely it will only be a temporary business for ourselves.

[Bellboy]

We ma me. looks like you gonna be busy on that one for a while. I think I got the same Faun crane as you. Anyway, my side of things is looking bleak. I am so busy these days I get no chance to get down and dirty. I am thinking of taking up that road project...

That is a mega crane.

[stretch]

We ma me. looks like you gonna be busy on that one for a while. I think I got the same Faun crane as you. Anyway, my side of things is looking bleak. I am so busy these days I get no chance to get down and dirty. I am thinking of taking up that road project...

That is a mega crane.

Thanks. I built it using the Rokenbok building system. At one time I also had a 355-yard/600' boom dragline :eek: but scrapped it since it was just too big to keep around. I had a bunch of smaller ones too, but the only one I have left is the 29-yarder. This crane survived a huge storm yesterday, less than 20 minutes after I finished it, so it looks like this one will be around for a while!

[Bellboy]

Cool. I like the Cat 966G loader, whats it like? Do you have an MAN tipper in that last pic, or is that my imagination?

[stretch]

Cool. I like the Cat 966G loader, whats it like? Do you have an MAN tipper in that last pic, or is that my imagination?

We like it very much, it was solidly built and will work like a dozer. I bought it new three years ago and haven't had a problem with it since. Only wish the reach was a bit higher.

Nope, it's a Mercedes-Benz...got that last year as part of a good package deal. Another solid runner so far and gets a lot of attention on the road since they are rare here in the States.

Got the ship today...will post pics later.

[Bellboy]

We like it very much, it was solidly built and will work like a dozer. I bought it new three years ago and haven't had a problem with it since. Only wish the reach was a bit higher.

Nope, it's a Mercedes-Benz...got that last year as part of a good package deal. Another solid runner so far and gets a lot of attention on the road since they are rare here in the States.

We are thinking of getting one too.

Actros, Axor or Atego?

[stretch]

Actros.

We finally got our new ship afloat...here's a few from a few days ago. Not bad for a crew of 30 welders, pipefitters, HVAC guys, and laborers, and a few cranes and trucks. Most parts were fabricated off-site and assembled on the main ship frame in the berth.

-The hull frame, showing the engine room at the rear.
-Deck, with hydraulic crane and handling gear towards the front. The crane can lift off the deck plates for access to the cargo compartments.
-Completed ship. Henry Kaiser and his thousands of dock workers vowed to build a Liberty ship in four days, we did it in 2 with 30 people. Here the C200 and the HEMTT are helping to put the finishing touches onboard. The propellers are encased in a protective frame.

(I need to learn my marine terms a bit better...) More pics of a new bridge job coming in a bit...

[stretch]

...but before the bridge, here's an interesting rescue we had to perform.

As a part of this port project, we were supposed to dredge out an adjacent swamp, so we barged in the 50-B dragline while the swamp was wet. We left it on the barge overnight, and the swamp was drained before we came back in the morning. :Banghead

Since the closest body of water was now several hundred yards off, we decided to do a dry-land rescue. To do this, we hauled in the D9T from the highway job on our new lowboy and walked the D8R over from the port. We also had the Koehring truck-crane ready to assist.

-There it is on the barge.
-Staging area, we had to call in our escort F-250 in order to get the D9 here faster.
-Attaching a 70-foot cable to the D9, and the D8 will push.
-The D9 pulling, D8 pushing to turn it to dry land.
-Finally straightened out, this will be an easy job now!

[stretch]

-Finally back at the port, now we have to get it back to the drydock somehow...
-...so we called in the other Autocar winch truck and lowboy, took them off, and noware winching (and pushing) it onto the trailers. It barely fit, but we made it.
-Hitch 'em back up, turn it for the striaght, short trip back...it's not easy, but it's not as difficult as it looks.
-Turn it again to load onto the crane, push it up while one truck is winching from the other side.
-DONE...now to return the D9 and go home for the day.

Will post bridge pics later...

[Bellboy]

Cool beans man, Cool beans!

[Bellboy]

Cool beans man, Cool beans!

Lets see some more models in action! That ship looks great just by the way. Nothing some good ol' duct tape can't fix, build... etc.

[stretch]

Yes, good ol' duct tape...unfortunately it's already sprung a few leaks...:lmao

I'd better update this...even though our work's really slowed in the past few weeks. :(

[stretch]

The past few weeks haven't been great...we finally finsihed off the big highway earthmoving job (post #64) and had to layoff 10 guys after that job. Our new quarry or sandpit properties are also in question, as both of them are now the subject of some animal habitats. :Banghead

Anyway, here's a small job we got to build a pond to supply a local area. Called out the TD-25, D9T, 627, and our "new" 12 grader. The guys used to running the 160H are loving it. ;)

-The lineup...
-Cleaning the border of the pond area
-Grubbing the pond
-Finished with the primary stripping (1'-2' down) and brush clearing and just doing a few things before the day's over
-Here's a project we had as a general contractor for a huge bridge project...we built the concrete foundations and had a temporary span across these until we could finish them off. However, a nice little storm named Hanna came and ripped the span off and screwed with the foundations. (And for anyone wondering, this is actually the Quinnipiac River and a good 25-30 feet across.) Also took out our approaches. :shf

[Bellboy]

Now remember all the lessons you learnt on that last river project...

[stretch]

Funny thing is, now the area where the dam is supposed to go is dried up again, no water at all...:beatsme:Banghead I think I'll stick to land for now.

And on another note...we finally got our environmental passes in and we're going to be stripping soon for the next sandpit. :drinkup

[JD4020]

Funny thing is, now the area where the dam is supposed to go is dried up again, no water at all...:beatsme:Banghead I think I'll stick to land for now.

And on another note...we finally got our environmental passes in and we're going to be stripping soon for the next sandpit. :drinkup

No water means its time to get out there before it comes back. Get a nice cement dam built so you can back up that creek and tick off some neighbors!

[stretch]

No water means its time to get out there before it comes back. Get a nice cement dam built so you can back up that creek and tick off some neighbors!

Thing is, in real life, it's our land and it's wetlands for a hundred yards before it gets to the closest yard. Yay us. We have thought of putting a dam on another stream for the neighbors...:rolleyes: But I don't think we'll be getting to the dam this year, as we need to strip the new sandpit ASAP so we can have a stockpile for the winter.

[Bellboy]

What equipment do you plan on using to strip the sand pit? I am going to use my Liebherr 974 to strip and dig my nearest shale quarry.

Do you know who makes a decent European style semi with a dumping trailer, 1:87 of course?

[Bellboy]

Do you know who makes a decent European style semi with a dumping trailer, 1:87 of course?

I actually built a semi half pipe tipper this morning, using leftovers from the MB concrete truck and Kaelble ADT and a 'berrocca' tube. Pics tomorrow or on Monday, at my place.

[stretch]

I plan on using the three scrapers (627G, 2 TMS8A's), the D9T, TD-25C, and 560 loader to do the overburden work. The actual diggin will be done with the EX1100 front shovel, the 773 and Terex 50-ton trucks, and I don't know which dozer will be put on permanent pit duty yet.

As for the trucks, I would say check out Kibri and MOTORART. Kibri makes a lot of Mercedes trucks and MOTORART makes licensed Volvo trucks and construction equipment.

[stretch]

Started stripping today...no pics of the clearing but it was a bit harder than we thought it would be. Lotta roots, too many for strictly a skidder and a D7C w/root rake to handle, so we ditched the 7 and brought in the EC210 instead.
-Staging area...fuel truck (don't mind the "Jet Fuel" sign:D), lowboy taking away the 210, Deere skidder to go soon, also bought in the 966 loader instead of the 560. Fire Dept.'s there since the area is kinda dry and they want everything to be all nice and safe. :rolleyes:
-25C and 9T working slots, 627 behind it. No pushcat needed here. :drinkup
-Here's my fave from the job so far...12 spreading the fill, TMS8A on the road on top headed back and the other one in front of the blade going to the end to turn around.
-Today's progress...about 11 feet down (9T height roughly) and half of this year's pit, need to get it down twice as much. :eek:
-All the overburden we moved is the new stuff on the left. The 12 is finishing up for the day.

[oakland]

wow! now thats some nice grade work with your old 12! i cant get it that nice with my 14M with gps:p just kidding it looks good. why are you filling your equip up with jet fuel? dont they run on diesel:p

[Bellboy]

That looks good. You guys got some nice work there! How did the layoff go? (post 86)

And oakland, lets just say, age comes before beauty. 'Ent that right? I decide to enlist my no. 12 on my road project, which is coming up as soon as the sod turning ceremony happens! Even though there ain't much sod TO turn!

[stretch]

wow! now thats some nice grade work with your old 12! i cant get it that nice with my 14M with gps:p just kidding it looks good. why are you filling your equip up with jet fuel? dont they run on diesel:p

Jet fuel...I thought it would make them work faster but nawww...:cool2 And thanks, the grade hands really love that ol' 12. I may have to bring in the 160H since we've been working out the bugs of having the old iron here.

That looks good. You guys got some nice work there! How did the layoff go? (post 86)

We called back a few of the guys for this one, they really enjoyed that news.

Now back to work...:usa


On edit...we need to get a dragline or large pullshovel somewhere in the 5 (B-E 88B size)-20 (P&H 2355) yd. range so that we can dig below grade. Any ideas on the next model?

[stretch]

Well guys, here's what I managed to cook up this afternoon. Got the first section cut out and stripped and ready for this year's digging. The other half is ready to go in case we have a surge in business.

I also dug up an old toy I built a while back...a 18-yard pullshovel, somewhat reminiscent of a P&H 2355. So until I get an actual machine built, here's what we got in the pit. I took these pics at around dusk (6:30).

-25C leaving the pit with the new ramp headed to the west side of the property.
-Behind me in that pic, the shovel was getting put up rather quickly (we are THE fast-track contractor!). here's the site, the EX1100 is also getting setup and the trucks will arrive tomorrow. The 25C and 12 are prepping a bench. (The pans and the 9T are gone back to the yard now)
-IT'S ALIVE!!! :eek:
-the first bite...or dump I should say:o
-Another bite, and we'll leave it at that for now. Stay tuned!

[Bellboy]

Dude, Awesome! Wish I was going to get up to something like theat this weekend, but homework and the dancing competition tomorrow...

[stretch]

I know I had started building a new plant to process the aggregate a while back, but some politics influenced me to move the plant closer to the river. Pros: water transportation, availiability of cheap water for washing aggregate, capital to build a larger, efficient, modern plant ***, land for expansion :drinkup; Cons: area prone to flooding:confused: but it's built of concrete so it should be ok, kinda in the boondocks (4 mile drive haul from the pits, but they enjoy the scenery :beatsme) and if we have an accident then fuel or chemicals can get to the river easier. Pics...note the conveyors haven't been installed yet.

-the main processing plant, trucks dump in on the right and then after larger-size rock is crushed, the smaller material moves to one of the three secondary towers. Note the new M318D duck next to the middle tower.
-office/shop building, with the other plant in the background by the cliffs overlooking the river. We'll use this plant when demand is high or if we get a load of trap rock.
-material storage bunkers. Not bad for a bunch of junk concrete, eh? :cool:
-that's the water intake structure in the river. We'll straighten it out when the water goes down a bit and maybe put up a dock on it.
-overall view...bunkers on the north end, plant 2 in the south.

Still looking for a dragline or pullshovel to build...ideas please? :bash

[stretch]

A quick pic of the newest macine to come outta the Frankenstretch garage...the D8R hooked up to the pan from the 627G, complete with Cat skinner and hydraulic lines drooping under the gooseneck. Note there's no dolly:p, just an old railroad car axle which turned out perfect. :notworthy Field testing to start tomorrow.

[Bellboy]

That, its ALIVE!!! Dude, PG, please can all pregnant women and small children leave the room! WOW. you are one twisted dude. I am thinking of buying a new Case CX330, and building a drillrig/ crane for the boom. Very nice however.

[stretch]

Twisted? Maybe with that new pullpan outfit...:eek: Or maybe more so with those scrap shears I put on my Bucyrus-Erie 20-H. Pics when we get a demo job...who knows where I'll find one now. :beatsme

[Bellboy]

Cant wait to see how it runs. Oh yes, and I opened my quarry for business. I an also thinking of building another semi dump trailer this weekend.

[stretch]

Had a little field day at the pit where we invited some contractors to look at the D8/627combo and our D9T. THe 730/Klein water truck and the 955 track loader were also sitting around there.

[stretch]

A few of the aggregate plant construction, these were from last week. The plant is now completed and full production should start on Monday. First is the conveyors going up, second is the loading fleet (two IH and one Kaeble loader and Link-Belt cable shovel :cool2) and the last is our experimental Cat excavator w/ demo grapple but perfect for rock handling and my truck in front of the 773B and one of the Terex trucks.

[WabcoMan]

Starting this years season with a little land improvement for my wife.

[Bellboy]

Looks nice, especially the demo of FrankenStretch.

[stretch]

Hey WabcoMan, are those from First Gear?

[stretch]

Looks nice, especially the demo of FrankenStretch.

If you thought that was great, wait til you see the FrankenGrader later today :eek:.

[WabcoMan]

Hi Stretch,

Yes, they're both First Gear models.
Cat D9D with 9S & No.30 front PCU and an International 433B.
Wish First Gear would do a TS-14 !:drinkup

[stretch]

I wish they'd also do a few more models in HO scale. My 560 loader and TD-25 are from them, and no complaints yet. Just wish the muffler on the 25 would quit falling off. If they had a TS-14, I wouldn't hesitate buying that either.

[WabcoMan]

Stretch,
Yep, the First Gear HO models are real nice.
Their 1/50th stuff is pretty good too - I've got quite a few of them.

I've got a Conrad TS14B but its a weird scale (1/43) and had to rob a bank to buy it:D
The tires are HORRIBLE but the rest of it is pretty cool.

If you're into 1/87 stuff, have you ever seen the models that Roco put out a few years back ?
There was a Cat DW21, a Cat 630A with 482 scraper and a pretty cool No.12 grader.
Umex (from Spain) did a reasonable Cat 619C and Stewarts produced a Euclid S-12 - all in HO:)

[Bellboy]

FrankenGrader?????????????????:rolleyes:

Ok, somebody ban this kid! I am going to take you to the SPCM, Society for the Prevention of cruelty to Machinery!:D:D

[stretch]

Stretch,
If you're into 1/87 stuff, have you ever seen the models that Roco put out a few years back ?
There was a Cat DW21, a Cat 630A with 482 scraper and a pretty cool No.12 grader.
Umex (from Spain) did a reasonable Cat 619C and Stewarts produced a Euclid S-12 - all in HO:)

I've seen some of the UMEX stuff on ebay once or twice, they also had a Cat D9 and I have what I think is a P&H truck crane (look for it in the post above) from them. If I see some more of it, I will definitely pick it up.

Never heard of Roco or Stewarts before, they don't appear to be making those ones anymore, so I will also keep an eye open for them.

FrankenGrader?????????????????:rolleyes:

Ok, somebody ban this kid! I am going to take you to the SPCM, Society for the Prevention of cruelty to Machinery!:D:D

Oh dear, that doesn't sound too good. But seriously, I've been busy, but no school tomorrow so maybe I'll get some work done. ;)

[stretch]

Alrighty, got a little job clearing a right-of-way and a pumping station for a gas line through a swampy area :cool2. Someone else is doing the actual pipework. Got the FrankenScraper and M318D working on that.

And back at the pit...yes, IT'S ALIVE!!!:eek: The FrankenGrader (627G cab/engine pulling a 16H blade and controls) has left the building and is making a pad for the next creation (actually, it's a masterpiece compared to the Franken family :beatsme) to come out of garage...enjoy!

[oakland]

i like that grader/scraper combo that looks cool!:notworthy good job i might have to build one in 1/50th scale:D

[stretch]

Well, I had to do something with the cab/engine compartment so I went looking for parts for a water wagon...but looked at the 16 and thought "Hell, we've only used it once this year...":D What machines would you use for 1/50 scale?

And wait till Bellboy gets a load of it...:pointlaugh

[oakland]

[QUOTE=stretch;107400 What machines would you use for 1/50 scale?
And wait till Bellboy gets a load of it...:pointlaugh[/QUOTE]

:pointlaugh:pointlaugh

i would probly use a 623g and a cat 14m that would look really cool!:D:drinkup

[Bellboy]

And wait till Bellboy gets a load of it...:pointlaugh

And good point! What a cool grader/scraper/bulldozer leveler thingy majig.

It should really be attempted by Cat as part of their product range. What a cool idea!

[D11RCD]

Will it outperform a conventional grader?
Really, really cool!

[Bellboy]

Thats what I would love to know. What about asking the grader guys... seems that it could work well

[Bellboy]

Thats what I would love to know. What about asking the grader guys... seems that it could work well

[stretch]

Will it outperform a conventional grader?
Really, really cool!

Let's find out this weekend...it was only working alone that day, but another thing...we don't have another grader that size. :o Guess I'll have to try it against the 160H.

Thats what I would love to know. What about asking the grader guys... seems that it could work well

It's worked well so far, ditches and slopes pretty good too. :drinkup

Not sure what's going to come outta Stretch's Garage next, but I'll think of something. Maybe something with the 777E? :beatsme

[Bellboy]

Sorry 'bout the repeat post; don't know what I was doing!:beatsme

What I was thinking, start a new thread in the graders section, and ask the regulars there what they think of it. What do you think?

[stretch]

I'll probably look into that later. :usa

Can't do much work today, it's kinda wet outside. :(

[stretch]

Anyway...I did that...they don't think it's going to be a big seller. :laugh:beatsme Maybe I'll convert it into a sheepsfoot roller?

[Bellboy]

That could also work, or maybe a grid roller?

[stretch]

I went and "played" in my friend's pit today with a few of my machines, almost bought a 345 w/front shovel but he wouldn't budge on any offer I had on it. :bash

Was looking at buying some older Cat equipment, namely a 14 or 16 grader and a DW-20 w/pan in this one...does this seem like a good deal? http://cgi.ebay.com/UMEX-PLASTIC-HO-GRATER-SCRAPER-X2_W0QQitemZ120329538511QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_R R_Trains?hash=item120329538511&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1417%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318

On edit...they really loved the FrankenGrader. :notworthy

:usa

[WabcoMan]

Hi Stretch,

That Roco/Umex DW20 is actually a Cat 630A with No.482 scraper.
Its a good model but could use a bit of extra detail (the air cleaners for a start).
The original Roco model came with a dolly so you could use the scraper as a pull pan and the tractor unit to tow a roller.
I you can get them without having to commit a human sacrifice you're doin OK !
The motor grader I think is meant to represent a No.12.
Its a nice model.
There is also a Spanish company who used to market 1:87 stuff and they produced a very nice Cat 619C scraper. (no moving parts though)

[Bellboy]

Looks like some good equipment stretch! What do you intend using it for??

[stretch]

We're just looking at getting more dozers and scrapers for the fleet so we can bid cheaper on large jobs. Looking good so far, 2 days to go and only 1 bid. :cool:

Might look into a few excavators too.

And thanks WabcoMan, guess I need to study my models a bit more. :notworthy

[stretch]

...we hijacked one of your machines for our new job!***

But serisouly, I went to the dealer today looking for the 974 and an IH 175 track loader. No loaders in stock, had a 3-set of the 974 and 580 loader and a Volvo A40D truck so I got that, and a nice little two-tone blue Mack R dump too. I wanted to get a few jobs in before we go to winter mode, so here they are, working with the 3-way crusher (only 2 products for here) and EC240 on a job making rock for the Forest Service. We'll put in the road using up the rock next week. :)

-Overview, new A40D loaded and pulling away.
-The crusher, 580, and old A40D.
-Different view, really shows the kind of terrain we have to work with. Trust me, noone but me would take the 974 through that tight of a squeeze.
-240 knockin' the rock in, with the R standing by to take a few of the larger chunks to stockpile for retaining walls.
-View from the top.

And we ended up taking the FrankenGrader apart, the 16H is back on duty and the 627 cab/engine is back in the shop for a new project...:cool2

[Bellboy]

Really cool job your doing! Right now it is raining here, so no chance for me! Pity you chose the wrong set of words to start your post!:D

[stretch]

It rained the next day, and the road that the rock is destined for is on the side of a mountain...so I'm not sure how long it'll be till I can get some action up there. I will assure pics of this precarious job eventually.

[stretch]

I will assure pics of this precarious job eventually.

Ok so I lied...it's been too cold up there to work so we've been prepping the trucks, graders, and loaders for winter...and we're supposed to get half a foot tomorrow. :bouncegri

That road job will have to wait till spring, and we're now bidding on a bunch of projects for next year (including a reservoir, so now I can justify building up the pan fleet). Not to mention we have to relocate/rebuild our sand and gravel plant again, since someone doesn't want us in the aggregate business. :cussing

[Bellboy]

How's all the bidding going?

[stretch]

I'll be honest...I spent all summer playing with the real machines and not my toys. :rolleyes: However, I've been detailing, painting, and signing a lot of them so eventually I'll have to get soem pics of what I've been doing.