Platinum equipment, shop, work pics

[PlatinumLandCon]

I just thought I'd post a few pics of my stuff and a few jobs.

First off, I'm 17 and this is my first year of business. 2 years of research and a ton of savings has lead up to the purchase of my truck and the jump to full-on hardscapes.

My "shop" is simply a 3 car garage in my parent's home (well, I only get 2 spots). I ordered a dumpster and just cleaned out the garage last weekend, so don't mind the mess and disorganization.

[PlatinumLandCon]

This was my first job ever. Lets just say I learned a ton and have improved greatly.

[Junior M]

Even if it was your first it still looks pretty good!

[PlatinumLandCon]

more of that job..

First retaining wall.

[PlatinumLandCon]

First full driveway

[PlatinumLandCon]

Another job:

The rest of the pics are from my blackberry, thats why they suck.

[PlatinumLandCon]

And another job.... more BB pics

[PlatinumLandCon]

More of that job...

[PlatinumLandCon]

I've done a few more jobs, will grab pics if I'm in the area.

What do you guys think? Critique as you see fit.

[Junior M]

I see a few lines that could be straighter but over all that is some nice work, I cant say much I have never done pavers...

Nice work!

Do you rent equipment, no matter what, when you need it?

[PlatinumLandCon]

I see a few lines that could be straighter but over all that is some nice work, I cant say much I have never done pavers...


There's more than a few LOL :dizzy:


Nice work!

Do you rent equipment, no matter what, when you need it?

Thanks! I use a friend's Deere 325 for cheap. I own my compactor and hand tools... thats about it. Looking into a Dingo and dump trailer for next year though.

[Junior M]

There's more than a few LOL :dizzy:



Thanks! I use a friend's Deere 325 for cheap. I own my compactor and hand tools... thats about it. Looking into a Dingo and dump trailer for next year though.
Like I said I didnt look real hard because I hate reading the hardscaping forum and the persons work is being picked apart, so I dont look for mistakes...

[Danielslawnservice]

man that looks sweet good job lets see some of the equipment!!!!

[TXNSLighting]

You do some good work for your first year!

[deere615]

Nice work, how did you learn how to do hardscapes?

[PlatinumLandCon]

man that looks sweet good job lets see some of the equipment!!!!

Thanks! You saw all the equipment I own LOL. Maybe I'll dig up one with my truck pulling the 325.

[PlatinumLandCon]

Nice work, how did you learn how to do hardscapes?

Thousands of hours of research. It took years but I think its paid off.

[RedMax Man]

Looks awesome. I like all the natural rustic block and materials. Your work and craftmanship should give you a good reputation and put confidents in prospective customers.

[02DURAMAX]

Great Work!! Unilock Right?

[PlatinumLandCon]

Looks awesome. I like all the natural rustic block and materials. Your work and craftmanship should give you a good reputation and put confidents in prospective customers.

Yeah man, its all business building at this point. Hopefully I'll have a website up next year and start to build systems and branding. I hope to remove myself from the field a few days next year to see how things run. I want to get another truck (26k gvw) in 2010 to get a fully independent crew.

[PlatinumLandCon]

Great Work!! Unilock Right?

Permacon (Belgard) and Hanson. My dealer doesn't sell unilock and I've developed such a great relationship with them, I'd rather stick with them instead of finding a Unilock dealer.

[agm]

Very nice work! For your first year I'd have to say you are doing pretty damn good for yourself. Hop all goes well for you in the future!

[mrusk]

The work sucks! HAHAH :laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:



JUST KIDDING.

Your doing way better then I was when I was 17. At the rate your going you will be doing 250k jobs by 19.

[PlatinumLandCon]

The work sucks! HAHAH :laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:



JUST KIDDING.

Your doing way better then I was when I was 17. At the rate your going you will be doing 250k jobs by 19.

I don't know if I'll make the jump that quick, but I definitely want to grow.

Matt, any advice you can give me to prep for the bigger jobs? I don't have the equipment now, any suggestions on what and how to get the right tools for the big jobs? Send me a PM if you like :waving:

[merrimacmill]

Nice work. I'm very impressed. I did my first walk way this summer, but nothing like that. Again, looks great.

[Lawn Freak]

I wish I had as much storage as you

[flairland]

Nice to finally see some pics of your work!! You like bordering ashpault with pavers eh? Looks good! Nice work.

[PlatinumLandCon]

Nice to finally see some pics of your work!! You like bordering ashpault with pavers eh? Looks good! Nice work.

Yeah man, I never had a decent cam before.

I don't know if I like the borders or if I'm stuck with a tight budget:hammerhead:. I do my best and I think it turns out quite well.

[KrayzKajun]

very nice work! im thinking about venturing into the hardscape world

[J&R Landscaping]

Very nice work!

[PlatinumLandCon]

New job, few updated pics. Armourstone wall along driveway, stone steps, new driveway in the front & back, StoneRox facing.

I'll post pics next weekend when I finish up.

Pic1: My rig

Pic2: Keys to a productive day

Pic3: Boulders & steps

Pic4: The 216 I used, LOVE the controls compared to the JD 325 and Case 85XT I've used.

Pic5: 4' path, boulder step at the end.

[PlatinumLandCon]

Couple more...

Pic1: StoneRox, front step area

Pic2: Steps at the end of side path pictured in last post.

Pic3: End of a long day... (always use chains)

[NewHorizon's Land]

Question in the "first full driveway" Why did you use so many big pieces? I am sure with your thousands of hours of research you know that those big pavers can be twisted by tires. Not bashing just curious

[doubleedge]

They look really good to me.

[PlatinumLandCon]

Question in the "first full driveway" Why did you use so many big pieces? I am sure with your thousands of hours of research you know that those big pavers can be twisted by tires. Not bashing just curious

Thats actually the first time I've ever heard that about the big pieces. I used them all in even percentages.

[NewHorizon's Land]

The best interlock for driveways is a 4x8 herringbone 45 or 90 either are equally as good. Tires can cause the big pavers to twist because the amount of the tire surface on one paver. Do you see what I am saying? It looks good though not good for the interlock. Next time dont use the big ones. I think you are on the right track and everything looks good. Have you gotten ICPI certified yet? If not try to this winter. It will probably help you understand interlock for driveways better.

[PlatinumLandCon]

The best interlock for driveways is a 4x8 herringbone 45 or 90 either are equally as good. Tires can cause the big pavers to twist because the amount of the tire surface on one paver. Do you see what I am saying? It looks good though not good for the interlock. Next time dont use the big ones. I think you are on the right track and everything looks good. Have you gotten ICPI certified yet? If not try to this winter. It will probably help you understand interlock for driveways better.

Closest course is at the Landscape Ontario head office... 50 miles from my place. Plus, the courses are during the day when I have school (senior year in HS).


I understand what you're saying, but you can only go so far with a 4x8 herringbone driveway.

[Junior M]

I would put the forks sideways on the front of the trailer, and then load it with the bucket on, its would be alot safer, not bashing just trying to help you out...

[mrusk]

Platinum- Ignore new horizon. This is not 1980 anymore. We don't do driveways in 4x8 herringbone anymore! Large pavers twisting from the car tires?? WHAT?????? There are alot of things to worry about when you are doing a paver driveway, and that is not one of them.

[NewHorizon's Land]

You are right about going so far with 4x8's. You can also do 6x9's in herringbone or modified herringbone or I pattern. Just dont do the running bond(the worst for driveway interlock)


So matt you dont worry about the large parvers twisting?

[PlatinumLandCon]

I would put the forks sideways on the front of the trailer, and then load it with the bucket on, its would be alot safer, not bashing just trying to help you out...

To be honest, I changed the position 3 times because I couldn’t figure out the best way.

Platinum- Ignore new horizon. This is not 1980 anymore. We don't do driveways in 4x8 herringbone anymore! Large pavers twisting from the car tires?? WHAT?????? There are alot of things to worry about when you are doing a paver driveway, and that is not one of them.

That’s what I was thinking man… they’re interlocked, how the hell will it twist?

You are right about going so far with 4x8's. You can also do 6x9's in herringbone or modified herringbone or I pattern. Just dont do the running bond(the worst for driveway interlock)


So matt you dont worry about the large parvers twisting?

How are they going to twist???? You must do some totally basic driveways in that case.

[Junior M]

To be honest, I changed the position 3 times because I couldn’t figure out the best way.



Thats the way we have always loaded them, just have to be careful the forks will tip over, the other alternative is put the bucket on the front of the trailer, as in loading it from the side same thing with the forks, and I am not sure if that machine is anything like the 773 we used to have but we would have to back up the ramps...

If that is your trailer and it is within the legal width I would look into some fork pockets, basically just c-channel that bolts to the underside of the trailer and you slide the forks in to them, and then strap them down however you would like, just make sure you never put them on a deckover trailer that is 102in wide:nono: because you will be over legal width..

[kreft]

Good advice juinor!


You could just put the bucket on top of the forks and connect the forks to the skid.

[Junior M]

Good advice juinor!


You could just put the bucket on top of the forks and connect the forks to the skid.
You could but imo it isnt as safe that way, metal on metal is like putting that bucket on ice, it will slide all over the place if not tied down right, We do it that way with the grapple though because you can get the bucket inside of the grapple and clamp down and it wont go anywhere.

[kreft]

Throw a strap over it and your good to go!

[Junior M]

Throw a strap over it and your good to go!
Uh-oh, not straps again! Better not let the guys over in the Heavy equipment and paving hear that! :nono: :laugh: Dont worry I am still using straps! :laugh:

I was just giving a little constructive critisism, in the end my opinion really isnt worth a dam anyways, its all how he decides to do it...

[STIHL GUY]

wow nice work keep it up

[kreft]

Uh-oh, not straps again! Better not let the guys over in the Heavy equipment and paving hear that! :nono: :laugh: Dont worry I am still using straps! :laugh:

I was just giving a little constructive critisism, in the end my opinion really isnt worth a dam anyways, its all how he decides to do it...

True that.

[mrusk]

Larger pavers are thicker then the standard 2 and 3/8s thickness pavers. They are thicker because if they weren't the aspect ratio would means that they are not pavers.

To be called a paver the ratio between width, length and thickness has to be between a certain tolerance. That is called a aspect ratio. I don't know what the # acctually is, but its not important since no manufacture would sell anything that did not meet the requirements.