Feels good to be working again!

[bobcat_ron]

Here's some more pics, our D4 broke down, the pilot assembly for the speed control/direction is shot, so a new one got flown in from Denver, Colorado.
$1000 by the time it was installed. Our mobile mechanic used to be a Finning tech, he's got the best looking service truck out there, 4x4 Kodiak with leather all around:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3108.jpg

The leaves are changing!
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3106.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3107.jpg

[Gravel Rat]

I'am surprised it was only 1000 dollars being its a Cat.

There is quite a few Finnings mechanics that have gone on their own.

[bobcat_ron]

I put over 250 kms on my truck today.

This is how it went down, left my house at 8am and went to Finning to pick up a new filter for the 247, traffic on 200th was wild, so I diverted to 176th and went past Kiewets huge highway project, talk about some serious Cat iron.
Headed home only to get a phone call that I have to get my 247 out to East Chilliwack to level 1 load of gravel, get the 247 loaded up, pre-trip, and flip the bird to every Bobcat and Deere owner I see on the highway (it was a long trip, so entertainment was needed) level out the gravel, steal shovel (finders keepers) head home for a late lunch at 1:00 pm of waffles and chocolate milk (yum yum) 15 minutes later i get a call to head out to Deroche back to the lagoon job to get the 330CL ready for transport, get there in record time, fire up the 330CL, and do 30 minutes of fine accurate grading for the builder, what a sweet ass machine, sooooo smooth. Get as many videos of the 330 and the low bed operator as possible, follow behind him to keep the rocks and dust from hitting other vehicles (Mr. Bunny ate dust and rocks for 45 minutes, he's not happy) and flipped off more Bobcat and Deere owners I see on the highway.
Get back home and edit and upload the pics and video, and now the damn D4 has to be hauled to Finning, it still won't behave, so now we rent a Deere 650 dozer.

Pic of the road trip to the 'Wack:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3113.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3114.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3115.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3116.jpg

Ever see a gang reel mower doing 50 km/h? Not me.
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3117.jpg

The driveway and gravel:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3118.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3119.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3120.jpg

Billy goats used as weed wackers along the ditch:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3121.jpg

Heading back to Annis road:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3122.jpg

Local Kobelco dealer's yard, stuffed to the fence with machines they can't sell:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3123.jpg

Poser shots, Dad's money makers:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3124.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3126.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3127.jpg

The little ZX27 wanted to be in the group too:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3131.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3132.jpg

Going to Deroche in God's country:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3133.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3134.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3135.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3137.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3138.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3140.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3141.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3142.jpg

Nicomen slough:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3143.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3144.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3145.jpg

Loading the 330CL:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3147.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3152.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3154.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3155.jpg


How about some video?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve8--VReJGU


I think I win the category for most pictures wouldn't you say?

[Junior M]

not to be picky, but you said you hauled the kitty out to spread that load of gravel, but the 2nd pic of the gravel job with your truck in the middle background, there is no trailer? whats the deal ronnie?

[bobcat_ron]

not to be picky, but you said you hauled the kitty out to spread that load of gravel, but the 2nd pic of the gravel job with your truck in the middle background, there is no trailer? whats the deal ronnie?

Look closer, the trailer is behind the truck, with the cab poking out on top.

[Junior M]

Look closer, the trailer is behind the truck, with the cab poking out on top.
Dam, I see it now.. Had to look hard though..

[bobcat_ron]

Dam, I see it now.. Had to look hard though..

Yes, sometime you can go blind if you spend a lot of time http://deephousepage.com/smilies/jerkit5.gif

[Danny Boy]

What's the deal with those Kobelcos, are they a good machine or what?
I passed them twice last weekend on the way to and from Jones lake...

[Gravel Rat]

Yes, sometime you can go blind if you spend a lot of time http://deephousepage.com/smilies/jerkit5.gif

What did you say mr hairy palms :laugh:

Junior has his older woman to take care of that for him :drinkup:

Kobelco excavators never really been a big seller I'am not surprised to see them sitting.

[stuvecorp]

What's the deal with those Kobelcos, are they a good machine or what?
I passed them twice last weekend on the way to and from Jones lake...

In this area they are a big seller and everyone seems very happy with them.

[bobcat_ron]

Kobelco doesn't sell here, too many dealers, first there was Trican Machinery, the owner of that company made some bad deals and he is now rumoured to be either in the Bahamas or selling used cars, then Tmar Industries had Kobelco while Trican was still around, but they didn't have sufficient facilities for repairs, and then they went to the Island. Douglas Lake Equipment took over the line, and moved into the building where Trican used to be (behind Brandt Tractor) and they didn't do good there, so they moved to the Greendale exit off Yale road in Chilliwack, but as the old saying goes, "location, location, location." Now they are beside Highway 1 on Yale road's industrial avenue, but they aren't selling much, Hitachi and Cat are the biggest names here.

My brother had a 150 and a 210 Kobelco excavators, and much like my problems with Bobcat skidsteers, we didn't get fooled a third time.

[bobcat_ron]

Now this demo job was a shock, this was the family farm and they were going to keep the old barn as is and just build around it, but no way, farmers here change their minds more than their underwear.

There used to be a huge red tin roof here, I pulled in the yard and the first words out of my mouth were "WTF".
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3173.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3174.jpg

Big brother ripped the roof off, and I was going to get it all on video. :cry:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3175.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3176.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3177.jpg

Still 1 more pile left.
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3178.jpg

The new barn is completed, no building permits for this one, they did get caught, but the bylaw dude was a good man.
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3179.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3180.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3181.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3182.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3183.jpg

[Junior M]

I like the outlaw style attitude.. :cool2: :D

[bobcat_ron]

It's so nice to have a big brother with contacts that have nice equipment:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3214.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3212.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3211.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3210.jpg

Doing things the Deere way:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3203.jpg

I am leveling out potting beds for a local plant nursery, massive fill site we have been operating since 2007:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3202.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3208.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3200.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3195.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3196.jpg

All of these beds are getting rebuilt as they have sunk into the ground another 24", due to all the fill we placed over the virgin peat bog:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3197.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3215.jpg

I did this one in the morning, 1.5% slope in the swail:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3217.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3216.jpg
Only 2 problems with the 650J, the owner only has 1880 hours on it, and all of those hours were in rock, so the track pads are beyond 50% worn down, lots of spinning, and the last operator cranked the pitch of the blade all the way ahead, good for fine grading, but lousy for hard digging and long pushing:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3204.jpg
Stupid Deere, I can't figure out the turn buckle, it won't move back in:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3205.jpg

Some video of it:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=npfAWmumrTw

[Gravel Rat]

Those tracks look a little smooth :laugh:

Weld some ice pics on the tracks it will give you some traction.

[bobcat_ron]

I'm really getting pissed off with this 650J now, soil is hard, the tracks are almost street pads and the damn blade is stuck at the full forward pitch, so I got the hang of it now, set the speed control to 2.0, and drop the blade 2" and give 'er.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfp2I6cR1C4

Going waaaaay over the property line:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3220.jpg

Blue clay all the way from Maple Ridge:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3221.jpg

1 of 4 potting beds all ready:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3222.jpg

Cutting the swail on #2:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3223.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3224.jpg

[Dirtman2007]

Looking good ron, I've spent a few hrs on deere dozers, 450's -750's. they are nice machines. If they were not 30K more than my komatsu thats what we would have gotten... but I kinda got a thing for my komatsu now!

[bobcat_ron]

Looking good ron, I've spent a few hrs on deere dozers, 450's -750's. they are nice machines. If they were not 30K more than my komatsu thats what we would have gotten... but I kinda got a thing for my komatsu now!

I really liked the cab, it even has an air ride seat, and it actually worked when I hit bumps!

But I wasn't on it today, I got the good stuff.......

DEMOLITION.

26 year old milking parlor inside a new barn right beside the new parlor, very little head room as I worked my way up the holding area:
Popped out the end walls:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3225.jpg

Flat trusses with plywood and tar roof:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3226.jpg

Took me 5 hours to get to the steel works, I tossed the wood into the pit to crawl over and start ripping the steel out:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3228.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3229.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3232.jpg

The old structure, I can't let anything drop outside the walls:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3239.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3240.jpg

I started pulling down the walls:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3243.jpg

Separating the wood as I go:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3245.jpg

The construction crew even went through great lengths to protect the electronics along the wall:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3246.jpg

The new building and parlour:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3234.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3233.jpg

Wish I was a cow:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3235.jpg

72 cows an hour through this beautiful milking parlor:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3236.jpg

ALL STAINLESS STEEL, no galvanized crap metal:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3237.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3238.jpg

MOOO-YAAAAHHH!!!!!!

[Junior M]

Someone has more money than sense to put tile and crap like in a milking parlor.. :dizzy:

[Dirtman2007]

wow and I thought people spend money on horses:laugh:


And I can't believe this, Is that a bucket with teeth on it?!?!?! I didn't know they were allowed in your neck of the woods... I notice the teeth are still sharp too!

[Dirtman2007]

Someone has more money than sense to put tile and crap like in a milking parlor.. :dizzy:

Juinor, Image is everything:drinkup:

[Junior M]

Juinor, Image is everything:drinkup:
its a cow though, they dont give a crap..

[Dirtman2007]

its a cow though, they dont give a crap..

A happy cow will produce more milk.

[Junior M]

A happy cow will produce more milk.
Ok, ol' mcdonald! :drinkup: :laugh:

[talus]

A happy cow will produce more milk.

I thought happy cows came from California. :laugh:

[stuvecorp]

I thought happy cows came from California. :laugh:

Only hippy cows are from Cali, real cows come from Wisconsin.:nono:

[Dirtman2007]

I thought happy cows came from California. :laugh:

haha, the cows are always happy if Ron's in the building:laugh:

[bobcat_ron]

Yes those are sharp teeth you see, Dad even went to great lengths to put a sharp weld on Arrow edge on the clean up bucket, so I didn't want to ruin that cutting edge.
I swap buckets after I am finished tearing down the walls and prying concrete.

90% of all the dairy farms here that are expanding and building new milking facilities are putting some serious cash into their buildings, they are going to be around for the next 30 years until the next major craze comes around (a return to the old stanchion system maybe??) so they want them to look nice, and show off for the farm tours every month.

Even after as little as a week of milking in the new building, this farm was noticing a higher output from the cows, so it's all looking good, and they will be adding another 50 head to the herd.

[talus]

Holy cow that's one hell of a barn.

[stuvecorp]

Are the farmers there getting decent money Ron? The market here is really bad right know, they need to get the farmers some good prices and they will spend the money.

[Danny Boy]

Yes those are sharp teeth you see, Dad even went to great lengths to put a sharp weld on Arrow edge on the clean up bucket, so I didn't want to ruin that cutting edge.
I swap buckets after I am finished tearing down the walls and prying concrete.

90% of all the dairy farms here that are expanding and building new milking facilities are putting some serious cash into their buildings, they are going to be around for the next 30 years until the next major craze comes around (a return to the old stanchion system maybe??) so they want them to look nice, and show off for the farm tours every month.

Even after as little as a week of milking in the new building, this farm was noticing a higher output from the cows, so it's all looking good, and they will be adding another 50 head to the herd.
Do they get any goverment money or equivalent to help fund projects like this?
Do you guys have to bid on this work too or is it hourly? Looks like fun projects to be on:)

[Gravel Rat]

wow and I thought people spend money on horses:laugh:


And I can't believe this, Is that a bucket with teeth on it?!?!?! I didn't know they were allowed in your neck of the woods... I notice the teeth are still sharp too!

Only where Ron lives bucket teeth last forever :laugh:

[bobcat_ron]

Farmers get 70 cents per liter of milk, that's all I know, so their monthly income is $20,000-40,000 for the average 120 milking head cow farm.

We never bid, all hourly work.
We have an excellent track record, no complaints and 75% of our work is WOM advertising, and we have worked for these farms at one time in the past, so that helps.

But we are also hated by the bigger companies, for the above reasons.

[stuvecorp]

Here I believe they were just saying the farmers are getting roughly $10 per hundredweight of milk.

[DeereMan85]

Here I believe they were just saying the farmers are getting roughly $10 per hundredweight of milk.

Same here. We've had quite a few people from Canada, Washington, Idaho,and the Netherlands move their dairies to our area in the past ten years. We're talking facilities milking anywhere from 500 up to around 10,000 head. The break-even point for some of these guys with bigger, newer facilities is as high as $14-15/hundredweight, so hopefully prices improve soon.

[Optimum Lawn]

Where is the Robotic Milkers....spending that kind of coin on structure alone I would think a fully automated milking system (no labour) would be designed in instead.

[Gravel Rat]

Ron likes working around cows he can see all kinds of t**s :laugh:

[Junior M]

Ron likes working around cows he can see all kinds of t**s :laugh:
thats the only kind he can get his hands on.. :laugh:

[Gravel Rat]

I heard they have to keep Ron away from them he wants to practice stroking n**ples :laugh:

I don't know how Ron can work around farms that much he must have a iron stomach the smells would make mine turn even with I used to work in a landfill (garbage).

[Junior M]

I heard they have to keep Ron away from them he wants to practice stroking n**ples :laugh:

I don't know how Ron can work around farms that much he must have a iron stomach the smells would make mine turn even with I used to work in a landfill (garbage).
When I could smell a farm was great kind of liked it after a while, like burnt diesel..

But I lost my sense of smell somehow over the years so it doesnt really matter.. :)

[Gravel Rat]

I'am not too bad with odd smells but the smell of chit does make my stomach turn. I did used to work in a landfill in the hot baking summer heat that smell didn't bother me too much.

It is all what you get used to. Ron does live in the Fraser Valley so he was raised in farm country.

[bobcat_ron]

I'd much rather work for a farmer than a city slicker, the money is better, less complaining about costs and we don't need safety vests and hard hats because we know better.

Pulling down the last of the walls:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3248.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3249.jpg

Bucket carry all the wood out to the pile:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3250.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3252.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3251.jpg

I got a truck to sit behind me and I loaded it up with 12 loads of brick:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3254.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3255.jpg

Dumped it outside for the crusher to get to it sometime later:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3256.jpg

Little mini comes in with the hammer and starts whacking the concrete to bits:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3258.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3259.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3260.jpg

And who says we don't have big iron in the Valley here:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3262.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3263.jpg

[ClearViewGroup]

ron is that a stuffed rabbit on your hood? hahaha

[Dirtman2007]

"I'd much rather work for a farmer than a city slicker, the money is better, less complaining about costs and we don't need safety vests and hard hats because we know better."

You and I agree both agree on that!

I think that bucket must go on a cat 365 or 385.

[bobcat_ron]

ron is that a stuffed rabbit on your hood? hahaha

My hood ornament, aka, Mr. Bunny!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKuWLGyxbUs

[Gravel Rat]

The truck is from Alberta or the trailer is they must have picked up from Finnings and going back to Alberta.

As for wearing a hard hat or high vis vest I think WCB will have something to say about that when they do a surprise visit. I would have a hard hat and a vest in the machine behind the seat. It is cheaper than them shutting the job down and your old man getting some fines.

You would make the list of offenders in the WCB magazine :laugh:

[bobcat_ron]

The truck is from Alberta or the trailer is they must have picked up from Finnings and going back to Alberta.

As for wearing a hard hat or high vis vest I think WCB will have something to say about that when they do a surprise visit. I would have a hard hat and a vest in the machine behind the seat. It is cheaper than them shutting the job down and your old man getting some fines.

You would make the list of offenders in the WCB magazine :laugh:

No one has ever seen WCB on a farm, unless there was outside construction, it's all interior work here.

New video's, Day 1:
Pulling down the roof:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr6xebfKqzw

Pulling down the walls:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSmlzc5169s

[stuvecorp]

I'd much rather work for a farmer than a city slicker, the money is better, less complaining about costs and we don't need safety vests and hard hats because we know better.


Amen Ron.Thumbs Up

[bobcat_ron]

Another farm job, packing the HUGE amount of surplus corn into a nice tidy pile.
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3264.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3265.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3266.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3269.jpg

I packed the sides, and then drove back and forth all morning:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3274.jpg

This is really sad, the line between the ploughed feild and the green pasture, that the US/CANADA Border, no fence, no guards, nothing, just an infared monitor:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3271.jpg
The farmer tells me he gets some serious foot traffic during the night and the odd border jumper with a 4x4 through his land.
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3276.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3275.jpg

Compilation video of the demo job:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQefT5mvs5k

Corn packing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRWjHPum_Ng

[t190]

Ronnie, have you seen this lil' guy around in your travels?
http://dsf.catused.cat.com/file/images/vendor/150064/equipment/1156261/1156261-2-L.jpg

[bobcat_ron]

Ronnie, have you seen this lil' guy around in your travels?
http://dsf.catused.cat.com/file/images/vendor/150064/equipment/1156261/1156261-2-L.jpg

No, but I'll bet my third nut that's where the boom and bucket I saw on the drop deck was going.

[t190]

Ha ha, Its in Mission at a sand/gravel pit, i cant recall the name right now, but its listed in Finnings used equipment right now..half a million bucks!

[t190]

Negitive on that stick being that machines...that one in mission is a pin on.

[bobcat_ron]

Ha ha, Its in Mission at a sand/gravel pit, i cant recall the name right now, but its listed in Finnings used equipment right now..half a million bucks!


I thought the mountains in the back ground looked familar, that's probably the pit just off the end of Sylvester road, they had a 200 foot drop off they pushed the rock off, pretty much eliminated any primary crushing after that. :laugh:

[bobcat_ron]

Negitive on that stick being that machines...that one in mission is a pin on.

They might have traded it in on one with the bucket quick coupler, who knows, the truck did turn off on to Mt. Lehman road interchange.

[t190]

haha, not to hijack but ill give you props if you can name where this little digger is workin in B.C.
http://www.arthon.com/projects/summerland/gallerypics/20080708_PICT4696.jpg
a hint is in the rock truck, if you read tracks and threads!
http://www.arthon.com/projects/summerland/gallerypics/20080502_PICT4225.jpg

[Bleed Green]

Ron why do you suppose they had all that surplus corn? Wonder what was wrong with it, figured they would have sold it otherwise?

[DeereMan85]

Ron why do you suppose they had all that surplus corn? Wonder what was wrong with it, figured they would have sold it otherwise?

Looked to me like a silage pile, probably at one of the dairies Ron works for. If you've ever driven past a farm with cattle and noticed a big pile covered with plastic and tires holding the plastic down, the pile Ron showed is what it looks like before it's been covered and has fermented. There's nothing wrong with the corn--silage and other forages are a necessity in the diets of cattle, especially dairy cattle.

[bobcat_ron]

haha, not to hijack but ill give you props if you can name where this little digger is workin in B.C.
http://www.arthon.com/projects/summerland/gallerypics/20080708_PICT4696.jpg
a hint is in the rock truck, if you read tracks and threads!
http://www.arthon.com/projects/summerland/gallerypics/20080502_PICT4225.jpg

Working on a highway project in the "hot area that I don't like to visit during the Summer months" of BC. Summerland to be more precise.

[bobcat_ron]

Ron why do you suppose they had all that surplus corn? Wonder what was wrong with it, figured they would have sold it otherwise?

Some farms thought this year would be a bad year for corn, either too much sun and heat or just not enough, so they planted more.
Other farmers tell me that next year will be bad, wetter and warmer (El Nino) and the Summer corn silage crops won't be that great, so they have taken measures to plant more this year, so thry have adequate stock piles in the even things go bad.

Myself, I am praying for a very warm winter with no snow so all those Olympic hopefuls will realize you should never hold a major world event that requires SNOW. :waving:

[Gravel Rat]

haha, not to hijack but ill give you props if you can name where this little digger is workin in B.C.
http://www.arthon.com/projects/summerland/gallerypics/20080708_PICT4696.jpg
a hint is in the rock truck, if you read tracks and threads!
http://www.arthon.com/projects/summerland/gallerypics/20080502_PICT4225.jpg

Hey there is Kiewits Komatsu I guess after the Sea to Sky project it went to where it is now. The Komatsu mechanic that I used to talk to said it was the first 1250 ever used in B.C.

[bobcat_ron]

More concrete, holding area is busted up, I piled everything together and started digging out the elevated slabs to get the sand out of:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3278.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3286.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3284.jpg

Truck will be there tomorrow, I'd like to get this wrapped up ASAP, I have 2 manure pits to clean out and a barn that will get the "hammer of God" treatment.

[t190]

Hey there is Kiewits Komatsu I guess after the Sea to Sky project it went to where it is now. The Komatsu mechanic that I used to talk to said it was the first 1250 ever used in B.C.

Im pretty sure that the 1250 workin in scummerland was brand new GR

[Gravel Rat]

Kiewits machine isn't that old I think its less than a year. They bought the machine to work on the Sea to Sky because the sh**y Cat machines couldn't do the heavy digging. The 1250 was ordered and trucked to B.C. in 3 loads. The boom stick and buckets come on 1 load. The counter weight and tracks came in 1 load. The house and undercarriage came as one load.

It took something like a week working 10 hours a day putting it together.

The big drawback about the 1250 is its excessive thirst for fuel I can't remember what the Terra Tech mechanic told me what the sucker burned per hour but it was alot.

[bobcat_ron]

DONE!!!!!!

Before:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3240.jpg

After:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3289.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3290.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3291.jpg

This is what was behind the sheets of plywood, about $20,000 of equipment:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3292.jpg

40 loads of concrete in here:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3293.jpg

Tomorrow I get to rent a 236B2 SSL and see how the other side gets work done.

[bobcat_ron]

Loading inside the dark barn:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXu1-85Bifg

[Gravel Rat]

Looks good Ron.

They only had plywood covering up that expensive stuff on the wall :dizzy:

Another job done onto the next one :laugh:

[bobcat_ron]

I love my local Cat Rental yard.

Picked up a 232B2 (not even a year old yet) and slapped my 1 yard bucket on it and dropped it into a manure pit:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3294.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3296.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3298.jpg

Nice and clean now, ready for the winter:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3302.jpg

Threw it on the trailer for a wash:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3303.jpg

And exchanged it for this:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3305.jpg

Started digging an electrical trench with the mighty 303CCR (only 200 hours on it)
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3308.jpg

Hit a stupid rock pit with old roof tin as a cover:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3307.jpg

And just call me "Sparky", because minutes before the 4:30 quit time, I hit a 250 volt power cable:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3309.jpg

The Cat Rental yard gave me free rent of the skid steer, I had it only for 3 hours, and I had to wait 2 hours for the excavator, I needed a 18" trenching bucket, so someone had to go to another location to grab it.
I got the number for the sales person so he will get me the items I need faster.
That is definitely the size of Cat skidsteer I want next time, lots of reach and dump height, I loved the 3.3L Mitsubishi engine, great sound, awesome torque.

[ksss]

I love my local Cat Rental yard.

I loved the 3.3L Mitsubishi engine, great sound, awesome torque.



Awesome torque?

If you ran a machine that actually made some power I think you would be amazed. :drinkup: It isn't a 236 believe me. Compared to your 247 it might be, compared most everything else it continues with the CAT philosophy of "a lot more talk and a lot less action".

[bobcat_ron]

Awesome torque?

If you ran a machine that actually made some power I think you would be amazed. :drinkup: It isn't a 236 believe me. Compared to your 247 it might be, compared most everything else it continues with the CAT philosophy of "a lot more talk and a lot less action".

It lifted it's ass off the ground with every bucket of wet sand and manure.

Videos:
236B2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cngvXCr6CI

303CCR:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li6_0moOJGY

Here's something you don't see everyday along the road:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiZcAmU4g8M

[Hollowellreid]

why didn't you use your own loader and mini?

[bobcat_ron]

why didn't you use your own loader and mini?

The manure pit was all sand, and the manure was slightly acidic, so it would have been hell on the bearings in the rollers, and I was also doing a lot of turning as I dumped/loaded the bucket. I got the rental for free, so I made money regardless.

As for the mini, my Dad has the Hitachi booked for the rest of this week, and my job needed to get done, with a mini excavator, so I got the better machine, no complaints, just no radio. :cry:

[Bleed Green]

Ron how did you get the muck out of the pit?

[stuvecorp]

I can see why you got a rental.:laugh::nono::)

Have you ever ran a 440(case)? Or been in a Series 3? With the cat style pilot controls I would be curious how you would like it.

[bobcat_ron]

Ron how did you get the muck out of the pit?

The 320CLU that lifted the machine in dug it out, I kept spooning it to him all the time.



I can see why you got a rental.:laugh::nono::)

Have you ever ran a 440(case)? Or been in a Series 3? With the cat style pilot controls I would be curious how you would like it.

A 420CT is one of the machines I will try out sometime this year yet, I like Case's loaders, tremendous lift and reach at full height, but their cabs are still 2" narrower than Cat, so it might be a problem.

[Gravel Rat]

Haven't you cleaned out that pit before it looks familliar.

[mrsops]

Ron how did you like the way the 303ccr operated?

[bobcat_ron]

Haven't you cleaned out that pit before it looks familliar.

I did that one many moons ago, but good memory.
There is a pit coming up next week I do every year, drop the Bobcat in (wish I could hurl it in) and spend 3 days spooning manure.


Ron how did you like the way the 303ccr operated?

LOVED IT. LOVED IT. LOVED IT. LOVED IT. LOVED IT. LOVED IT. LOVED IT. LOVED IT. LOVED IT. LOVED IT. LOVED IT. LOVED IT.

I can see why you bought your 305CR instead of a Bobcat.
It will be a sad day tomorrow when I drop it off again.
Given the chance, I would throw my allegiance to Hitachi away and buy strictly Cat mini excavators, just an amazing machine, big cab, comfortable pilot controls, smooth, quiet, HUGE CAB.
I measured it, I have 8" more leg room from the bottom of the seat:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3317.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3319.jpg

Nice big door with large window, no closed in feeling with the Hitachi, and the swing boom control is on the pilot control:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3318.jpg

This sucker has some oil flow, hammer line and tilt bucket plumbing:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3315.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3316.jpg

30 minutes to dig this 20 x 6 x 6 hole (for dead cows) I didn't even max out the dig depth yet:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3320.jpg

Endless trenching:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3321.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3322.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3323.jpg

This is the liner in the lagoon:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3324.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3325.jpg

[mrsops]

Ron i've been telling you for a year now to get your self into one of the new cat ccr minis. I new you would love that machine. It has extreme power when digging very impressive. Anyone that runs the cat ccr machines and doesn't like them has no idea what so ever what quiet, smooth, and power is.

[flairland]

The Cat mini ex looks great. I've never run a Cat mini ex before. You'd trade it for you Hitachi eh? What category is that Cat compared to a Deere? Same as a 35d? I'm really happy with my 27c, to be honest, I dont feel a big difference from the 35d I used to run. I'm quickly regretting not buying a unit with an enclosed cab, but for now, I can't complain.. never thought I'd have a mini ex this soon!

[bobcat_ron]

Ron i've been telling you for a year now to get your self into one of the new cat ccr minis. I new you would love that machine. It has extreme power when digging very impressive. Anyone that runs the cat ccr machines and doesn't like them has no idea what so ever what quiet, smooth, and power is.

I did find it was slower overall versus our Hitachi, but it ripped through that 250 volt power line, and I didnt even feel it, the Hitachi would have been on it's nose, or just stopped dead.
The only gripe I had with it is the lock out lever you yank up and down to lift/lower the pilot console, my pants belt got hook on it, and I was left hanging, I would just heat it and bend the other way.

[mrsops]

I did find it was slower overall versus our Hitachi, but it ripped through that 250 volt power line, and I didnt even feel it, the Hitachi would have been on it's nose, or just stopped dead.
The only gripe I had with it is the lock out lever you yank up and down to lift/lower the pilot console, my pants belt got hook on it, and I was left hanging, I would just heat it and bend the other way.

Im going to demo the 303 against the bobcat e32 next year when its time to trade off my 334. Ron demo a 305 ccr you will buy it the next day

[bobcat_ron]

The Cat mini ex looks great. I've never run a Cat mini ex before. You'd trade it for you Hitachi eh? What category is that Cat compared to a Deere? Same as a 35d? I'm really happy with my 27c, to be honest, I dont feel a big difference from the 35d I used to run. I'm quickly regretting not buying a unit with an enclosed cab, but for now, I can't complain.. never thought I'd have a mini ex this soon!


Machine width wise, same category as a 27D, but the power and reach of a 35D
I tend to look closely at a machine that has the same width as the current machine to compare sizes.

[flairland]

Machine width wise, same category as a 27D, but the power and reach of a 35D
I tend to look closely at a machine that has the same width as the current machine to compare sizes.

Sounds like the perfect machine! haha. I cant believe how noticeable the width is on the 27 vs the 35 - its amazing how many more places it will fit. I'd love a 27 with the power of a 35!

[93turbo]

we just had our farm sci rev and they bring in excavation equipment too so I sat in all the new mini x's and the e32 had the nicest cab by far over case cat deere and kubota. The seat was very comfy and all the controls just felt right where they should be and getting in and out was great I hit my head on the kubota and either hit my shoulder or got my phone caught getting in and out of the deere and cat. The case was an open station machine so it wasn't comparable as far as door size openings went. I rented a cat 305cr and it was gutless it only had a 26" bucket on it but it was so weak it was pitifull. I would love to try out one of the new c cr machines I know the specs list a lot more power so I'm curious as how they are cause the one I ran left me with no desire to ever own one

[bobcat_ron]

I ripped down some trees yesterday with the 320CL, a local berry farmer really hates trees, so I pulled some of them down, this is one of them I got on camera:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3328.jpg

Made some good video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGxaO4VVZMg

[bobcat_ron]

I was extremely busy this week, not a whole lot of time to for photography, and some jobs I just don't want to remember.

Zero Tail Swing excavators rock:
This was at the Vitala Eco Dairy Farm http://www.nutrifoodsolutions.com/Our-Story (kind of a show case farm where the contractors have money spurting out of their butts, nothing too expensive)
I had to dig a manure channel through the back of the barn, and I had to sit on the old manure pit wall, but far enough away from the new barn to bail the material behind me
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3331.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3332.jpg

Then, another episode of flying skidsteers, this time, the S205, in the manure pit Gravel Rat had deja vu from.
All sand from the bedding in the barns, the piston pump doesn't develop enough pressure to shoot it far enough:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3335.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3336.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3338.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3339.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3340.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3341.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3343.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3344.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3346.jpg


Lowered and raising the Bobcat in:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sECZuD2QAyE

You got to love the K Series fan, that sucker cranked up to max. speed, the operator was really pushing the S205 to it's limits getting the last bit out before 4:00 pm.

[Gravel Rat]

You work at so many poop pits we forget which ones are which :laugh:

You must have been nervous running the 75 where it was with the track sitting on a narrow concrete wall.

[bobcat_ron]

You work at so many poop pits we forget which ones are which :laugh:

You must have been nervous running the 75 where it was with the track sitting on a narrow concrete wall.

Steady as she goes, that's all I did.

They had drain rock in between the walls, so I scooped that out with the mini and bailed it in my hole, then the 75 bailed it out on to a pile, and the plan was to use the site's new Bobcat S220 (with dual hand/foot controls) to scoop the drain rock and put it on a stock pile.
But typical Bobcats, the hydraulic quick attach didn't work because the cheap owners welded a cheap POS pallet forks for it, and the first idiot to use it to lift a pallet of bricks, tweaked the fork frame so bad, it bent the quick attach frame to the point where the wedges can't even be pulled manually.
I spent 30 minutes yanking the hydraulic cylinder off, capping the lines (I have the know how from a previous experience on my T190) and I put a long bar on the wedge handles, but no luck.

I got so damn angry I yelled some obscenities with "Bobcat" in between many of the expletive words.

I ended up using the 75 to bucket travel the gravel over to the area I wanted. I made over 40 trips, back and forth.






Miserable Bobcats.

[mrsops]

[QUOTE=bobcat_ron;3219709]Steady as she goes, that's all I did.

They had drain rock in between the walls, so I scooped that out with the mini and bailed it in my hole, then the 75 bailed it out on to a pile, and the plan was to use the site's new Bobcat S220 (with dual hand/foot controls) to scoop the drain rock and put it on a stock pile.
But typical Bobcats, the hydraulic quick attach didn't work because the cheap owners welded a cheap POS pallet forks for it, and the first idiot to use it to lift a pallet of bricks, tweaked the fork frame so bad, it bent the quick attach frame to the point where the wedges can't even be pulled manually.
I spent 30 minutes yanking the hydraulic cylinder off, capping the lines (I have the know how from a previous experience on my T190) and I put a long bar on the wedge handles, but no luck.

I got so damn angry I yelled some obscenities with "Bobcat" in between many of the expletive words.

I ended up using the 75 to bucket travel the gravel over to the area I wanted. I made over 40 trips, back and forth.


Ron have u ever ran the s205? Who ever was in that machine was a good operator

[Gravel Rat]

You should have brought in some Pussy power but then you would have to jump back and forth from hoe to loader.

I guess never depend on a Bobcat when you need it the most :laugh:

[bobcat_ron]

Ron have u ever ran the s205? Who ever was in that machine was a good operator

I've never used an S205, just a new S185, they are the same machine, the 205 has the injection pump turned up and more counterweight in the rear, they are a throw back to the days when Bobcat came out with the 883 and S300/330 models, just getting rid of some more models before rolling out the new ones.
The owner/operator was based out of Chilliwack, he's got ties with other big companies there, so I only see him this time of year.
Next year I will put a rental Cat in there, I want that work now.

[bobcat_ron]

Yet more long days, I started a huge ditch cleaning job for my neighbour down the road from me, he's got such a beautiful peaceful farm, I couldn't help myself but to take some scenery shots.
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3351.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3354.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3350.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3347.jpg

What an incredible view:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3349.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3348.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3352.jpg

I live just over the tree line to the right, I could walk to work if I brought a chain saw and a gun to slash through the bush:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3353.jpg

My loyal legion of fans:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3362.jpg

I will finish off that job tomorrow, the farmer also has a really cute girl running the feed and tractor show there, she took my breath away when she revved the Cummins on the big Case loader. :laugh:

Then this job popped up really quick, my brother has been digging this new manure pit for a few days and the builder wanted 1 inch of 3/4 clear gravel on the bottom:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3365.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3366.jpg

We also figured out that using my machine to get the final grade was easier and quicker, the clay is really soft and hard at the same time, the excavator just rips chunks out, and my Cat bucket shaves it like a razor:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3382.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3371.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3368.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3381.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3384.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3385.jpg

I used a home made camera mount for some of the vids I will edit later:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3379.jpg

This is another sign that there is no "recession" here in the Fraser Valley, when we call for a rental ADT, we always call Riverside Equipment, but they have all 21 trucks on rent, so my brother phoned every dealer (Brandt, Finning, Wajax, Case/Terex) and the only dealer to have a truck for rent was SMS (Komatsu)
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3374.jpg

Look closely, the low bed operator forgot to hinge the mirrors in when he brought it to the jobsite, he hit something really hard, the left side mirror is smashed to hell:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3375.jpg

As for the Komatsu ADT, my brother liked it, but the damn engine exhaust stack is on the right side, next to the cab (Volvo is behind, and far away) and you don't sit centered in the cab, one side will always be blind.
But it did the job none the less.

I have so much friggin' demo work next week, it's just astonishing, and entire farm will be brought down at the mercy of my fateful hands.

[Danny Boy]

You sure get some nice jobs Ron, I love cleaning ditches like that, just not enough of em in the city:rolleyes:

Ritchie bros had a real nice 05 cat ADT go through in Surrey last week for $61 000, a steal IMO, it was real nice.

[bobcat_ron]

You sure get some nice jobs Ron, I love cleaning ditches like that, just not enough of em in the city:rolleyes:

Ritchie bros had a real nice 05 cat ADT go through in Surrey last week for $61 000, a steal IMO, it was real nice.

We are not working for the City of Abbotsford anymore, they screwed us around and they are flat broke, so I really missed the ditch cleaning I did, and being out in the open feilds is just so relaxing and tranquil, I don't miss the road side ditching I used to do.

[Gravel Rat]

That field looks nice and tempting to have F-450 races :laugh:

So you had a peanut galley watching (cows).

[AWJ Services]

Ron good thing you do not live near GR or you would not have any work either.:rolleyes:

[RipT]

At least one of the big dairy operators from down your way, Ron, is rotating their cows through a new freshening facility west of Merritt. Quite a large operation ....would not be so bad except for the feed-lot aspect that can get ripe after a while.

[bobcat_ron]

At least one of the big dairy operators from down your way, Ron, is rotating their cows through a new freshening facility west of Merritt. Quite a large operation ....would not be so bad except for the feed-lot aspect that can get ripe after a while.

One of the bigger 700 milking head farms moved from our area to Salmon Arm 2 years ago, they now have over 1200 milking cows, a massive air conditioned rotary parlor, and the company that does laser levelling here, was there for 2 years just knocking down the ridges with 2 tractors and 4 scraper pans.
There have been more farmers here that moved up country, cheaper land is the big ticket up there, but they still have shorter growing seasons, they have to drive further to get to the land, spend more time on the land farming it, and building prices are the same as down here, so it's not really a viable choice for the smaller "big" farms here.

[bobcat_ron]

That field looks nice and tempting to have F-450 races :laugh:

So you had a peanut galley watching (cows).

I have tried so hard to convince some of these farmers to use their old crusty 1970's silage trucks to race them in the feilds during the winter, I want a DavidsFarm style redneck place here too. :laugh:

[Dirtman2007]

Ya'll have a nice little niche with the cow industry, same as mine with the horse and pond work.

Work looks good as always!

[Gravel Rat]

I have tried so hard to convince some of these farmers to use their old crusty 1970's silage trucks to race them in the feilds during the winter, I want a DavidsFarm style redneck place here too. :laugh:

Well it is their money maker that field so I guess they don't want to take the chance. Looks tempting to take a vehical out there and race around :laugh:

[bobcat_ron]

No pictures, just video. :cool2:

Sitting in the cab as my brother dug more of the side of the pit out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVj2yhlhyoo

Here's one of the in-cab spots I tried, the smoker is Mike, my best customer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=as35xjmSDr0

Position #2, I liked this one better:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzMwv0w7Vj0

After the job, one of the grunts wanted to take my machine for a spin, I let anyone who wants a turn do the same:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vWgX76BwVM

And the official ditch b*tch of Abbotsford is back:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyj9Aox5EeQ

And don't forget to click on the advertisements that run through my video's, you support people like me and Dirtman by clicking on the ads, if I get enough money, I will buy an HD cam.
CLICK AWAY!!!!!

[Dirtman2007]

And don't forget to click on the advertisements that run through my video's, you support people like me and Dirtman by clicking on the ads, if I get enough money, I will buy an HD cam.
CLICK AWAY!!!!!

I would have clicked the ads but they never showed up in these videos... oh well I'm gonna take my earnings from last month and take a week long vacation in Florida the week after next!:drinkup:

[Bleed Green]

dang chris you must be making some good cash moving dirt down there in NC. You are always on vacation LOL.

[bobcat_ron]

Tomorrow this barn will be destroyed by the powerful hammer of Triple B Excavating, bow down and feel our wrath.
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3110-1.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3111-1.jpg

[Junior M]

looks to be a decent barn, maybe an older one at that, why are yall tearing it down?

[bobcat_ron]

looks to be a decent barn, maybe an older one at that, why are yall tearing it down?

The entire farm is going, it was part of a land trade between 2 farmers, this farm owner wanted to expand, but he had no room to go bigger, and a farm up the road wanted to downsize and build a new house or something, but wanted to do it on another property, so it's all coming together.
The blue harvestore silo (the big blue steel one) is staying until next year, it's spoken for, but the concrete silo next to it is coming down the fun way.
I will be pulling the tin off the roof and sides, then start pulling down the smaller out buildings to get full access to the main hip roof bar, they are a bugger to take down.

[BrandonV]

Ron I filmed this and setup a youtube account JUST for you! First time running a 257 I must say I was impressed with what the little guy could do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-UIjQna9ds

[Dirtman2007]

Ron I filmed this and setup a youtube account JUST for you! First time running a 257 I must say I was impressed with what the little guy could do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-UIjQna9ds

video says its private, go to edit video and click "share" so we can see it.

[BrandonV]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-UIjQna9ds

learn something new everyday.... problem fixed I think

[Gravel Rat]

Nice song with that video :laugh:

[bobcat_ron]

Day 1 of the demo:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3397.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3398.jpg

Some of the farm's family has been there already pulling the good tin off the roof, and they want one of the buildings, but the contract states the buildings must be down by next week.
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3399.jpg

I can't touch this one yet:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3400.jpg

The building literally fell apart, no knee braces or diagonal bracing, all the 2x4 strapping was nailed on it's skinny side with 2 nails, and the trusses were nailed with only very few nails, it just fell apart.
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3401.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3403.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3404.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3405.jpg

Rueben cutting the 600 volt power line, he's a faithful man, he said the power was off as he cut the 2" copper line:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3407.jpg

Vinyl roof with a breathable membrane, I hope the landfill takes this crap:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3408.jpg

The scrap metal pile, and behind it is a John Deere with a "Johnny Popper", model A:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3410.jpg

Inside the hip roof barn is the "lung" for the blue silo, it keeps the silo gasses inside as the silo expands and contracts with the temperatures:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3409.jpg

[Junior M]

Not to argue, but you sure thats a model A? Looks more like a D because of the wide front end and I think thats a piece of fender sticking up?

Not much else to go off from that pic..

[93turbo]

beleive it or not Junior them old deeres came with fenders but it made it so hard to get on and off that most people yanked them off. Its definately not a D its to big more like an R but it looks newer then that too more like an 820 or 830

[Gravel Rat]

It would be easier to make a burn pile and burn that old wood it would burn quick and really hot.

[1993lx172]

beleive it or not Junior them old deeres came with fenders but it made it so hard to get on and off that most people yanked them off. Its definately not a D its to big more like an R but it looks newer then that too more like an 820 or 830

It might be a styled AR, but from this distance it's hard to tell. It looks like either an R or an 80. A model D is about the same size but isn't as long. The R replaced the D and the 80 Replaced the R so the R's and 80's are about the same tractor.

[bobcat_ron]

It might be a styled AR, but from this distance it's hard to tell. It looks like either an R or an 80. A model D is about the same size but isn't as long. The R replaced the D and the 80 Replaced the R so the R's and 80's are about the same tractor.

You are a Deere aficionado my good man, it's a AR model.
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3425.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3426.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3427.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3428.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3429.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3431.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3430.jpg

And the other reason I was there.
I stripped the tin siding off the barn, as much as I could reach:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3411.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3412.jpg
Getting ready, getting my camera ready for the money shots:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3413.jpg

The roof was too damn tall to reach to the top, so I worked my way around the walls and floor and let gravity do the rest:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3415.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3416.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3418.jpg

They had some seriously heavy support posts, these are actually thick walled, flanged pipe for high pressure water/gas/oil:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3422.jpg

Nothing but wood now, basically 1/3 it's original size:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3423.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3420.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3419.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3433.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3435.jpg

I have 3 triaxle bin trailers coming tomorrow, all 1 hour apart, we estimated 14 loads in total.

[bobcat_ron]

Walk through of the barn, music by the Jim Carrol band, "People who died".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca1_V01ckjM

[bobcat_ron]

And another one just came up, this was the loafing barn, 3 rows of comfort stalls, the steel work was the only thing really holding the barn together:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mddnpdowrqI

[bobcat_ron]

And the last one, this one made me sweat a little.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmSlTVlvv2U

[bobcat_ron]

Got 9 loads hauled away, 80 cubic yards x 9 loads x $850 per load.
First truck:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3436.jpg
Second truck:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3438.jpg
Third truck:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3440.jpg

Pile got a whole lot smaller:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3441.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3442.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3443.jpg

And it's getting a whole lot uglier:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3444.jpg

Next week the silo comes down, my brother wants to use the wrecking ball, should be fun, then he can hang his balls back up on the Christmas tree again.

[Danny Boy]

Does 850 include the dump fee or is it a fixed price for everything (trucking and dump fee) just curious is all:drinkup:
Demo like that sure looks like fun:)

[bobcat_ron]

Does 850 include the dump fee or is it a fixed price for everything (trucking and dump fee) just curious is all:drinkup:
Demo like that sure looks like fun:)

I think that is a minimum charge, the Cheam land fill is cheaper and not as picky, but the Vancouver site is pickier and longer of a drive.
It all varies.

We got hit by vandals while we were gone. As soon as I catch that fat bastard, I'm going to rip him a new one.


http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3448.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3446.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3447.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3449.jpg


Here's a trucker with balls, Sterling hauling a Volvo A40 ADT:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3451.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3452.jpg

[Gravel Rat]

I sure hope its not a white guy hauling that Volvo on a tag that is a :nono:

That should be on a lowbed not on a tag because its a accident waiting to happen.

Why didn't you write on the wall " wanted big blond dutch woman " :laugh:

[bobcat_ron]

I just got this in my inbox, this was one of the family's video of me taking down the barn:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DT--vJ_MIc

[bobcat_ron]

Some update pics on the week long demo job, all buildings are down and wood is hauled away, now the tear up of the concrete begins.
The roof trusses from the manure pit and hay barn were salvaged, less wood for us to screw around with:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3459.jpg

Concrete silo is coming down tomorrow, 8am, please pray for us (seriously) my brother will do it with the wrecking ball, and it's been a long time since we did on this way:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3460.jpg

Since my machine didn't have a thumb, I chained the wrecking ball to the bucket:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3469.jpg

And I went mad with power:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3470.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3473.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3474.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3477.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3478.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3479.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3476.jpg

3 tons of steel dropped from 15 feet, it put a divot in the 8" thick concrete:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3475.jpg

[Junior M]

How hard is that wrecking ball on the machine?

[bobcat_ron]

How hard is that wrecking ball on the machine?

Look for the video in the next 48 hours, at full reach, it will tip the 320CLU, and it destroyed the 4 point lifting chain hooks, I only had 3 of the 4 hooks on the ball and it mangled them.
If I did it all day, I would use a heavy truck tire between 2 chains to act as a shock absorber.
The swing gear also takes some abuse, the swing motor was always going over relief, so I had to swing ahead of the ball's motion to get it just right.

[Junior M]

Look for the video in the next 48 hours, at full reach, it will tip the 320CLU, and it destroyed the 4 point lifting chain hooks, I only had 3 of the 4 hooks on the ball and it mangled them.
If I did it all day, I would use a heavy truck tire between 2 chains to act as a shock absorber.
The swing gear also takes some abuse, the swing motor was always going over relief, so I had to swing ahead of the ball's motion to get it just right.
So the wrecking ball on the plane jane 320 is how the silo is coming down? ;)

What are other methods?

[bobcatuser]

Where did you guys get the wrecking ball from?

[bobcat_ron]

So the wrecking ball on the plane jane 320 is how the silo is coming down? ;)

What are other methods?

The other method we use is a jack hammer on a skid steer, we nibble out a wedge like falling a tree, and a skid steer must be used because if something goes wrong, the skid steer can back away faster than a mini excavator.
The excavator will side swing the ball, but the other 320CL with the cab guarding will do it, again, just "in case" something goes wrong, and there will be a few spectators there too.

[Danny Boy]

That should make for some great footage, looking forward to seeing it...

[bobcat_ron]

Where did you guys get the wrecking ball from?

The demolition company in Vancouver that owns the crushers gives it to us, then we haul it where we need it on top of a skid steer tire and chained 3 ways from sun down, that is one ball you do not want to have roll off your flat bed.

The first ball he had cast years ago was filled with lead shot, then someone used it and it split apart and a million lead BB's went every where, this one is a solid cast with molten lead inside, he has had this one for over 5 years.

[bobcat_ron]

That should make for some great footage, looking forward to seeing it...

Freaking AWESOME footage, even the farmer I was working with got some action as I clipped a 4' high wall with 20 feet of side swinging distance, then the concrete splashed manure on him, talk about sh*t in your eye. :laugh:

All on video too.

[Junior M]

split apart and a million lead BB's went every where.

That'd be awesome to see! :laugh:

How much does one of those wrecking balls cost?

[bobcat_ron]

That'd be awesome to see! :laugh:

How much does one of those wrecking balls cost?

Not sure, but it's worth the cost, we used to just pound the concrete with the toothed buckets, but now the oldest 320CLU needs all new bushings in the main boom, this after only 5500 hours, and the 320CL is showing signs of slop.

If the Canadian dollar is going to keep going up, my brother wants to start looking at a new machine, he's already got the Volvo dealer with a new 305 (30 ton ZTS) excavator in the works, but they are shifty dealers when trading in a Cat against a Volvo, but time will tell.

Even I am considering making a deal too, as 2 years ago the dollar was strong and I saved mega bucks on my skid steer.

[Gravel Rat]

The CND dollar is getting pretty good it is making the US dollar look like a Mexican Peso :laugh:

Myself I would have a long cable attached to the top of that silo and pulling with the other hoe. Your brother knocks out a birds mouth and then start pulling with the other excavator.

I doubt your brother will be getting any sleep the night before :laugh:

[bobcat_ron]

The CND dollar is getting pretty good it is making the US dollar look like a Mexican Peso :laugh:

Myself I would have a long cable attached to the top of that silo and pulling with the other hoe. Your brother knocks out a birds mouth and then start pulling with the other excavator.

I doubt your brother will be getting any sleep the night before :laugh:

The silo came down.
Stay tuned for the videos later.

[bobcat_ron]

As promised, I was with my brother at the Volvo dealer to look at the next purchase, so I used the time to upload the vids.

60 foot silo, 21 feet across:
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3480.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3481.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3482.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3489.jpg
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa284/philly_hill_billy/Pictures3491.jpg

The vids, first, another episode of "Flying Skidsteer":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVJikJVrep0

Using the wrecking ball to destroy the pit walls:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsR9aZf0MWM

Dropping the silo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pyjrfv8CbuU

Dropping the silo for those of you with ADD:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTioubVlGpk

[stuvecorp]

I watched the ADD version, that was wild.

[bobcat_ron]

I watched the ADD version, that was wild.

I was going to use Slayer-"Angel of Death" but it was too long of a music track. Oh well, next time.

[Danny Boy]

I was wondering about this all day and how it would turn out, that was a very clever and controlled demo, very nice work guys:clapping:

[bobcat_ron]

I was wondering about this all day and how it would turn out, that was a very clever and controlled demo, very nice work guys:clapping:


Thanks, silo demolitions get easier after you do a dozen or so, this is #27 in the past 15 years.
Now we are trying to get the crusher lined up, he is 2 days behind schedule, I've got 3 other sites to do with the crusher while the concrete at this demo site gets pulled up and piled.

[bobcat_ron]

Here's another point of view of the silo coming down:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzUqLTl4QYg