Bridge Deck Failure
Apparently there is a reason why we have weight restrictions on bridges. – image borrowed from my Facebook news feed
QBall’s Tales
Airbag Blowout
About all that can be said is “oops!” Suspension system airbags take a beating all day. Every now and then one will simply give up and blowout. This perticular one was on the front drive axle of my dump truck until it suffered a catastrophic failure.
Gooseberry Falls – Frozen
During the month of November the North Shore of Lake Superior can and often does become a very hostile environment. As winter approaches the weather starts to cool and the storms begin to build. My family has begun a new tradition of visiting the North Shore close to Thanksgiving. This late season trip is the … Read more
Monday Blues
Today in South Central Minnesota the weather can only be described as perfect duck hunting weather. That is to say it’s completely overcast, cold and rainy. This type of duck hunting weather is not conducive to bituminous asphalt paving. However, occasionally that’s exactly what is expected of a construction dump truck driver. Today we had … Read more
2018 Fall Fertilizer Season
My 2018 fall fertilizer season was extremely short. Actually, I only worked one day covering for a coworker that wanted to go deer hunting. His hunt was unproductive and my hauling fertilizer was cut short due to rain and muddy field conditions.
Beautiful Sunrise
Sometimes it’s important to take a moment or two to enjoy the beautiful things created by God. Sunrises and sunsets are perfect examples of this. The breath taking splendor often only lasts a fleeting moment and then it’s gone forever only to be created again tomorrow only totally differently.
Rock Checks
When the weather decides to turn rainy, a construction company may consider using a simple thing to save time and money. You might want to put a few rock checks put in place. A rock check is simply a line or pile of rock strategically placed to prevent rain water runoff damage. This is especially … Read more
The DEA Agent
A DEA officer stopped at our farm yesterday, he said “I need to inspect your farm for illegal growing drugs.” I said “Okay, but don’t go in that field over there.” The DEA officer verbally exploded saying, “Mister, I have the authority of the Federal Government with me!” Reaching into his rear pants pocket, the … Read more
Crushed Case
Well heck! I haven’t crushed a case this bad in years. I was sitting at my bench cranking out one loaded round after the next. Reloading is repetitive by nature and one can find themselves simply going through the motions rather than staying keenly focused. However, one should really remain totally focused on the task … Read more