I didn't take one picture yesterday. It was a full day.
In a conversation with a friend the other day he complained about becoming little more than a parts runner since he started running crews. I happen to disagree with his position.
I believe that's what management is all about. Enabling workers to do their work. That means preparing them, the project, and the material stream so that the workers can work. It's only when workers are working that production proceeds.
Yesterday I was a manager. I not only had to insure that our materials were on hand and in place for yesterday. I had to have the weekend's stuff lined up too.
Then about four o clock while dispensing concrete for the filling in along the planter wall my temperature alarm went off in Iris, the skid steer.
I got her out of the pond and parked out of the way as best I could before shutting her down. I'd lost the lower radiator hose. She was still shooting water out of the breach in the hose when I stopped so I don't suspect damage to much more than the hose and my disposition.
However, the closest JCB dealer is in Texarkansas. They couldn't help me with a hose without the serial number of the tractor at five minutes to closing time. They're open today so hopefully I'll be able to have one on the way and on site by Wednesday next week.
I do have my local great guys at my favorite parts store bringing in a couple of hoses that picture wise might be put together to make me a hose for the short term.
And I called my guys at Rent All in Wylie to see if they had a Bobcat I could rent for the weekend and maybe longer until I'm back up and running.
Those guys are the greatest. But they're shutting down the end of October. In fact the skid steer I got last night is for sale. It's a S130 with less than eight hundred hours on the hour meter. It's tight and they said it could be mine for around twelve thousand. So if you're interested in buying a Bobcat this might be a bargain.
This morning I'll be picking up eight laborers. Pearson stone will be delivering tons and tons of rocks. My washout supplier is scheduled to bring in a hundred ton or so of material.
I've got to get the deck framework finished for the rock deck. Which has grown from ten by twelve to twelve by about twenty four with nineteen to twenty feet out over the water. Once the framework is complete I've got to form up and pour about four yards to finish out the column supporting the deck out over the water.
Tomorrow I've scheduled a JCB 506C to come in and do the lifting of the sandstone slabs into place on the deck. They weigh from a couple of hundred pounds to a ton. The 506C is the best tool for the job I believe.
This project has evolved into the most fun I think I've ever had. And this last week the fun has reached the point of being almost a drug.
When it's done we'll get to sit back and wonder how it all happened.
With a smile I hope. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
