carlsharp
Well-Known Member
I started this thread to discuss finish grading with skiploaders, also called landscape loaders (Deere), industrial loaders (Cat) or loader/toolcarrier [?!] (Case). So fire away with any questions, comments or experiences.
Also I’ll pepper in some current and past projects (ala rollover pete!) and some custom modifications I’ve made to make the job better or faster.
A little about me-
I have been an equipment operator in southern California for over 20 years, but I started at the very bottom, running shovels, water hoses etc for a company that did mostly oilfield work. Like many small companies you work your way up as you show ability, and most of the guys there could run everything that was needed. I spent a lot of years as a mechanic, then dump truck, water truck, loader, dozer, backhoe etc as was needed. I instilled in me the importance of versatility, and how you will always work if you can do every job.
I eventually had the chance to hook up with a union company, mostly running backhoes, and a little skip work. After that I worked for a while doing a big mass grade in Orange County, and every time the foreman asked if I could run something I said yes! So by the time I left there I had run every machine in the spread. There were some good times on D9s and push-pull 637s!
After that I got called out of the hall to run an 824, and as the job was winding down the owner asked if I could run a skip, as he had one but no operator. So the next day I was out on his skip, still covered in spider webs from being parked! He was a great boss and I was with him over 5 years, He had a bunch of equipment that was all paid for but not enough work to keep operators so it was just me, running the D8L, 950 and skip, with occasional stints on the D6 and 623. Good Times! It was all rental work so I was in a different place every few days.
Well the other equipment eventually got sold, so it was just skip work. There was a medium sized mass grader who really liked my work, and kept me busy all the time. They said I was the only operator they did not have to babysit, that is, they lined me out once and didn’t have to worry about me for the rest of the day. They even had me working unsupervised on Saturdays, unusual in that industry. That, and I could keep up finishing house pads behind 3 D6s with lasers, sometimes 25 a day.
As I became closer to them they kept telling me I should be working for myself, I already was just like being an owner, I did all the maintenance, fueling, etc and did not see my boss for weeks at a time. After much convincing I decided to take the leap, so I sat down with the boss and shared my intentions, and offered to buy his skip. He declined the offer but was very encouraging, and gave the fuel tank I had been using, (full of fuel!) and helped me get set up, including forwarding all his skip clients to me.
So in 2003 I refi-ed my house, found and bought a skip, fixed it up, got set up with the union, a corporation, etc all just in time to start a pretty big job, like 200 house pads. I was in the black before I left there
They kept me as busy as I could possibly be for several years, problem was, I lost touch with all the clients I had gained from my last job. I had all my eggs in one basket. So guess what happened next- the bottom fell out.
So now I get by, with odd jobs and fill in work and selling antique tractors and parts from the collection I amassed when the money was good. Anybody need any help?
Also I’ll pepper in some current and past projects (ala rollover pete!) and some custom modifications I’ve made to make the job better or faster.
A little about me-
I have been an equipment operator in southern California for over 20 years, but I started at the very bottom, running shovels, water hoses etc for a company that did mostly oilfield work. Like many small companies you work your way up as you show ability, and most of the guys there could run everything that was needed. I spent a lot of years as a mechanic, then dump truck, water truck, loader, dozer, backhoe etc as was needed. I instilled in me the importance of versatility, and how you will always work if you can do every job.
I eventually had the chance to hook up with a union company, mostly running backhoes, and a little skip work. After that I worked for a while doing a big mass grade in Orange County, and every time the foreman asked if I could run something I said yes! So by the time I left there I had run every machine in the spread. There were some good times on D9s and push-pull 637s!
After that I got called out of the hall to run an 824, and as the job was winding down the owner asked if I could run a skip, as he had one but no operator. So the next day I was out on his skip, still covered in spider webs from being parked! He was a great boss and I was with him over 5 years, He had a bunch of equipment that was all paid for but not enough work to keep operators so it was just me, running the D8L, 950 and skip, with occasional stints on the D6 and 623. Good Times! It was all rental work so I was in a different place every few days.
Well the other equipment eventually got sold, so it was just skip work. There was a medium sized mass grader who really liked my work, and kept me busy all the time. They said I was the only operator they did not have to babysit, that is, they lined me out once and didn’t have to worry about me for the rest of the day. They even had me working unsupervised on Saturdays, unusual in that industry. That, and I could keep up finishing house pads behind 3 D6s with lasers, sometimes 25 a day.
As I became closer to them they kept telling me I should be working for myself, I already was just like being an owner, I did all the maintenance, fueling, etc and did not see my boss for weeks at a time. After much convincing I decided to take the leap, so I sat down with the boss and shared my intentions, and offered to buy his skip. He declined the offer but was very encouraging, and gave the fuel tank I had been using, (full of fuel!) and helped me get set up, including forwarding all his skip clients to me.
So in 2003 I refi-ed my house, found and bought a skip, fixed it up, got set up with the union, a corporation, etc all just in time to start a pretty big job, like 200 house pads. I was in the black before I left there
They kept me as busy as I could possibly be for several years, problem was, I lost touch with all the clients I had gained from my last job. I had all my eggs in one basket. So guess what happened next- the bottom fell out.So now I get by, with odd jobs and fill in work and selling antique tractors and parts from the collection I amassed when the money was good. Anybody need any help?
