Work got cut short today

[Big_Dave]

Had 7 of us hauling to 'feed' 2 TerraGators. Roughly a 65 mile round trip.

I had just arrived at the lowboy with my 3rd load when I found out that Borgy had rolled his TerraGator over with a load on. :wow:

Unfortunately, I didn't get any pics since I had left my camera at home. :wtf: Borgy didn't get hurt too bad......just banged up his shoulder a little.

He said that he didn't see how steep the edge of the field drive was due to the tall grass and he had gotten a little too close. The TerraGators are pretty top heavy when loaded with 18-20 tons of ag lime.

Of course, it dumped about 80 gallons of diesel into the ditch along with the entire load of ag lime.

Won't know how much damage was done to the TerraGator until tomorrow when I go in to work. I've got my camera in my lunchbox now, so I'll snap a couple pics in the morning.

[BeetleBailey]

Don't feel bad Dave I haven't worked a full week in nearly a month . boss says he can't find any work so we been working 2 or 3 days a week an some of those are half days.It's gotten bad enough that I'm considering going back otr even went and looked at a K.W. friday.

[Kranky 1]

Dave, I guess the main thing is that the guy didn't get seriously injured.

Hopefully the Terragator isn't too f'ed up, so you guys can get the rest of your spreading done before the snow flies.

.

[Big_Dave]

Dave, I guess the main thing is that the guy didn't get seriously injured.

Hopefully the Terragator isn't too f'ed up, so you guys can get the rest of your spreading done before the snow flies.

.
I hear ya! Equipment can be replaced, lives can't.

We still have 3 other TerraGators. We've been using the 3 'big ones' all season. We've kept the 'little one' in the shed, ready to go if needed. Looks like it may get used for at least a day or two.

Beetle.......that sucks not working, or only working just enough to not make enough money to live on. :wtf:

Working part time like that only screws up any chances of collecting 'rocking chair money' (unemployment).

To be honest, with the way freight is out there, it wouldn't hurt my feelings one bit if I were to be laid off for the winter. Then I could concentrate on working on my hobbies. :ninja:

I wanna dig out my wood working tools and build me a nice gun cabinet. :cool:

[Rockjockey]

Does your employer even offer the unemployment option, Dave? I thought he bought road tractors so he didn't have to do that.

[Big_Dave]

Does your employer even offer the unemployment option, Dave? I thought he bought road tractors so he didn't have to do that.
The construction guys use the same flat top, small bunk trucks for otr as they use pulling a belly dump. We do have some otr trucks with larger sleepers for the guys that do otr year round.

As for the unemployment option, no, he doesn't offer that to us. I'm hoping that with freight the way it is (slow to none), that he will offer us lay-offs. I do know that option has been discussed recently.

[PartTimeDweller]

Working part time like that only screws up any chances of collecting 'rocking chair money' (unemployment).

Obviously you guys haven't gotten the memo on how to effectively scam the unemployment system.

Once you go on unemployment, any hours worked get "banked" to be paid once you go back to work. For example, you go off unemployment in the spring and work short weeks, as it isn't overly busy yet, say 30 hours, your boss then adds 10 hours of banked time so you get paid 40. It is a win win situation, he has labor available when needed and you start the season out with some extra $$.

It works quite well, and saves having to go on and off unemployment several times over the winter.

Seeing it has been so slow this fall, many operators and dump drivers I know and work with are already on this program.

[snoope]

PTD,

Keep that "Secret" under your hat......one of "ours" opened his big mouth and we've been under a micrscope since ( no banking unless manager approved).....or with times this tight they are asking "locals" to grab OTR till spring...seems CR.E is up here promising $45-50k a year:nenernener::nenernener::nenernener:...

If we get that slow and its just cold ,no snow........my Florida "vaca" will extend till whenever:36_1_24[1]::36_1_24[1]:.......

S

[Big_Dave]

I know the concept of banking hours very well. Problem is, my current employer refuses to let us do that. :wtf:

Anyways, I wasn't able to get any 'before' repairs pics, but you can still see some damage in the 'after' repairs pics.

In this pic, the tool box, mirrors, mirror brackets, air intake and air filter canister have been replaced. If you look close enough, you can see the side of the hopper is buckled and the render above the rear wheel is crinkled also.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j236/Big_Dave_2006/TerraGatordamage004.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j236/Big_Dave_2006/TerraGatordamage003.jpg

Another view of the hopper side. See the seam just above the lifting eye? The top 2' of box was added on once they bought the TerraGator and brought it home back in August. Gotta have the 'volume' ya know. ;) It's no wonder these things tip over easily. :rolleyes: Raised center of gravity (hopper addition and added weight capacity), low air pressure floatation tires, no suspension........... ;)
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j236/Big_Dave_2006/TerraGatordamage001.jpg


Overall, the damage wasn't as bad as I figured it'd be. :noclue: Rolling over with a load on (roughly 16-20 tons of material), I kinda thought that maybe it'd be much worse than it was.

This machine was back in use today (Tuesday).

[Kranky 1]

What the hell has that thing got for a motor, Dave?

Looks like it must be something pretty good sized, judging by the diameter of that air intake pipe.

Glad to see they got 'er all fixed up again, how's the operator doing?

[Big_Dave]

What the hell has that thing got for a motor, Dave?

Looks like it must be something pretty good sized, judging by the diameter of that air intake pipe.
That particular TerraGator has a Cummins in it. Don't know what size or model it is though. The other 2 "big 'uns", both have Cat 3406E motors in them. The 'little' TerraGator has a 3208 Cat motor (the 'throw away' motor). Believe it or not, all 4 of them have either a 13 speed or 18 speed transmission in them, but I do believe that they are 'under drive' trannys. Max speed is about 45 mph.

Glad to see they got 'er all fixed up again, how's the operator doing?
Well, Evan (VP) was pretty pissed that Borgy laid over his TerraGator, but he'll get over it. :rofl:

Borgy's doing fine. He was a little stiff and sore for a day or so, but he's back to normal now.