Another bad day. Had a lift for the 165 ton but we took the 190 ton. 70,000# precast concrete shelter going in an electrical substation. We were to be ready to lift at 10:00 am. Crane left with 1 load of c/w following. 15 minutes later I get a call. The crane blew a tire. $4,300.00. So I sent a guy to help the operator take care of the crane. Told him to have the truck driver come back and swap c/w trailers. We would take the 165 to do the lift. Called the customer letting him know we’d be a little late. He told me the precast building was going to be an hour early. Figures
A few minutes later the c/w truck driver called. Off in a ditch. Great. I drove the 60 ton down to unstick him. Had to offload the weight before we could lift the trailer. We finally make it back, and of course the 165 needed fueling up. All the spreader bars and rigging had to switch to the other trailer. We left at 10:00.
We get to within a mile of the substation and flashing lights everywhere. The truck with the precast is in the ditch. Very narrow road, so I drove the 165 as far over as possible to let traffic pass. Took an hour for the tow truck to unstick the trailer. We then get our c/w trailer around the tight turn uneventfully. So I jump back in the 165 to ease off. It had broke thru the edge if the blacktop and sunk. Very nice looking front yard there, with the homeowner watching the fiasco. The more I wiggled the more it sunk. Finally got all the differentials and axles locked in, and it powered out. The clutch was smoking hot, but it came out. Right over the edge of the guys pretty concrete driveway. Of course it crumbled.
Apologized and gave him my card, and assured him, I would take care of it. I would guess $10,000 or more in damages. So, $10K driveway plus $5K tire. The job paid $3,600. Yipeeee