RDrancher's Photo Thread

[dave1949]

Yep, it was done right from the git-go. You can't see it in the pics, but there's a pond off to the side. They used the dirt from the pond to build up the roadway. Six culverts too.

Well, they made good use of the pond dirt.

 

[RDrancher]

I haven't been too good at remembering to take photos over the last couple of months, but here's a few more.

We removed a dirt-filled block retaining wall that was (of course) falling over. All but one of the blocks were in good shape, so my FIL took them to his house. There was really too much existing base, so I regraded for better drainage, used some of the excess to create a parking spot on the side of the shop and then topped it all with crushed limestone. Sprinkler relocation by the homeowner.


I'll be back at a later date to compact. I usually put a few gravel jobs together and compact them all in a day to save the customers money.

 

[RDrancher]

First official money making day for the TR320. First, a few poser shots.

The previous owner chained the front down through the handles, scratching the paint on the arms and cylinders. I'll be chaining through the tube brace on the loader, so I'll get it painted up.

Spreading 40 yards of 1.5" caliche road base. The landowner has yet to build his stacked-rock walls and planters. As I've said before, he's going to lose a few of the post oaks. He still wants to try and save what he can, or at least enjoy them while he can.

 

[DT86]

From looking at the first picture, dang that skid steer is huge! Nice looking set up all the way around. :thumbsup:

Now, about the second picture of the truck dumping. What the heck is that from the truck on the right? Never seen anything like it and can not figure it out.

 

[dave1949]

From looking at the first picture, dang that skid steer is huge! Nice looking set up all the way around. :thumbsup:

Now, about the second picture of the truck dumping. What the heck is that from the truck on the right? Never seen anything like it and can not figure it out.

Me either, wondered the same thing.

 

[RDrancher]

From looking at the first picture, dang that skid steer is huge! Nice looking set up all the way around. :thumbsup:

Now, about the second picture of the truck dumping. What the heck is that from the truck on the right? Never seen anything like it and can not figure it out.

Thanks! It's onlY 2.5" longer than the SVL75, but you're right...it does look huge on the trailer. It did take me a bit to get used to the extra bucket width today, and with the cab-forward design there's more out back to remember, but it does feel really balanced. Being able to see the bucket edge without leaning forward is a real plus.

The trailer you're seeing is a pup trailer. The driver dumps the pup, then jacknifes the setup and dumps the truck over the tongue. There's a rubber flap over the hitch so it's easy to clean off.

 

[DT86]

Ah ha, I thought we were looking at the @ss end of a second truck with an odd growth. Makes perfect sense now.

Nice looking work too, btw.

 

[kevin37b]

Where is that new bucket ?

 

[RDrancher]

Where is that new bucket ?

I have a little job going Saturday that I'll use the 4in1 on.

In the meantime, here's a couple photos of another exciting gravel driveway.

 

[kevin37b]

Man , you keep them edges tidy!

 

[two_bit_score]

Man , you keep them edges tidy!

Kind of amazing to me how he does that. But then again I always heard when you are really good at something you can make even the most difficult look easy.

I think us viewers of this thread need to request he post instructional video in addition to still pictures.

 

[kevin37b]

I will second that . How bout it John ?

 

[jinman]

The trailer you're seeing is a pup trailer. The driver dumps the pup, then jacknifes the setup and dumps the truck over the tongue. There's a rubber flap over the hitch so it's easy to clean off.

John, I think the action with the pup trailer must be pretty unique to our area. I was sure you would get questions when I saw your pictures. I've always been amazed at how accurately dumptruck drivers can jack-knife the pup trailers. I guess it comes from doing it thousands of times. Dumping the pup load and then jack-knifing and dumping the main bed's load right in front of the pup load is a talent that must be developed.

 

[RDrancher]

John, I think the action with the pup trailer must be pretty unique to our area. I was sure you would get questions when I saw your pictures. I've always been amazed at how accurately dumptruck drivers can jack-knife the pup trailers. I guess it comes from doing it thousands of times. Dumping the pup load and then jack-knifing and dumping the main bed's load right in front of the pup load is a talent that must be developed.

I think you're right Jim. On the West coast, transfer rigs are the norm and everywhere else seems to be tri-axles and quads. I wish we had more transfers, tri's and quad's here. There aren't many pup haulers that will take the time to unhook and back the truck into a jobsite. The guy in the photos will. He's a little more pricey than my regular hauling company, but he's worth it when the job calls for it.

And...to you guys wanting a video...I would, but the days I'm clean shaven, in clean clothes and coherent are few and far between! :laughing:

 

[madmax12]

John, I think the action with the pup trailer must be pretty unique to our area. I was sure you would get questions when I saw your pictures. I've always been amazed at how accurately dumptruck drivers can jack-knife the pup trailers. I guess it comes from doing it thousands of times. Dumping the pup load and then jack-knifing and dumping the main bed's load right in front of the pup load is a talent that must be developed.

Is there a big advantage to that setup, as opposed to the tractor trailer dump set up?

 

[RDrancher]

Is there a big advantage to that setup, as opposed to the tractor trailer dump set up?

The only times I can think of that a truck and pup works better is if you need part of a full load in one spot and part in another, if you need a split load like half rock and half base etc. , or if the dumpsite is off camber making it dangerous to dump an end-dump (semi.)

 

[madmax12]

The only times I can think of that a truck and pup works better is if you need part of a full load in one spot and part in another, if you need a split load like half rock and half base etc. , or if the dumpsite is off camber making it dangerous to dump an end-dump (semi.)

Thanks for explaining :thumbsup:

 

[LJH]

Transfers are great because you can haul a full 25 tons (or whatever's legal where you are) and still squeeze into a dump site that will only accommodate a 10-wheeler. Plus, dropping and re-hooking a transfer trailer is a cinch where with a pup, it's a major PITA. One of the few downsides to a transfer rig is you need a relatively flat and stable spot to 'transfer' and sometimes that is a bit away from the dump site.

 

[LJH]

And now you've got me all misty & nostalgic for my old blue girlfriend. I loved her so:

 

[RDrancher]

And now you've got me all misty & nostalgic for my old blue girlfriend. I loved her so:

Nice rig! I miss having transfers around here, that's for sure. There are a surprising amount of rural properties that don't have enough room between the ditches to get a pup trailer or end dump backed in. Good drivers are as scarce as hens teeth too, so I end up shuttling a lot of loads in from the road.