A few projects I have done recently

[AMBMike]

The cool part is we use our GPS rover to measure the quantities in the field and can show where the rock is in relation to the overall site.

So easy to get before and after documentation and quantities. This is one of the things I love about this technology. We got it for machine control and discovered so many benefits like this that we didn't know we needed.

 

[Oxbow]

So easy to get before and after documentation and quantities. This is one of the things I love about this technology. We got it for machine control and discovered so many benefits like this that we didn't know we needed.

Same here.

 

[crane operator]

Glad your independent is working out. The iron doesn't feed you or your guys if it isn't running.

 

[smifwal]

Found some rock on the office/warehouse job. Rock removal/excavation is always excluded in our contracts then added back in as a unit cost per CY depending on how much is encountered

I have a rock clause, I charge $150/hour plus the daily rental rate for what ever it takes to get to my depth. I don't feel if it pays enough but I charge rent for the things I own(hammers for the skid and mini, generator and the hand Jack Hammer. It always put me behind schedule and it doesn't equate to the amount of money digging by the foot.

 

[CM1995]

So easy to get before and after documentation and quantities. This is one of the things I love about this technology. We got it for machine control and discovered so many benefits like this that we didn't know we needed.

X2 - same here.

So many benefits with the tech we have now. No telling what's in store for the future.

Uploaded a set of plans for a fast food joint today in GPT to test it out to see if it could do a detailed civil take off and within seconds it gave us a detailed list of -

Pipe - lengths, sizes and types
Structures - type, size and depths from inverts to finish grade
Finish surfaces - curb, concrete, asphalt - both heavy duty and light duty

This would have taken a good estimator with a program at least 20-30 mins on the quick side to do the same takeoff. AI did this task in seconds..

Of course it all needs to be double checked however the plans are to scale with all the data clearly stated on each PDF stage. Time will tell.

It's a brave new world. I don't understand a fraction of it nor sure I'm ready for it but it's coming regardless.

 

[CM1995]

Glad your independent is working out. The iron doesn't feed you or your guys if it isn't running.

Thanks - We've been looking for a while with a few that were busts. This guy may be the one.

Gotta run all the newer iron and the older iron on occasion to make it all work. We aren't mechanics, we move dirt and lay pipe for a living so a dependable wrench is a must have.

 

[Oxbow]

X2 - same here.

So many benefits with the tech we have now. No telling what's in store for the future.

Uploaded a set of plans for a fast food joint today in GPT to test it out to see if it could do a detailed civil take off and within seconds it gave us a detailed list of -

Pipe - lengths, sizes and types
Structures - type, size and depths from inverts to finish grade
Finish surfaces - curb, concrete, asphalt - both heavy duty and light duty

This would have taken a good estimator with a program at least 20-30 mins on the quick side to do the same takeoff. AI did this task in seconds..

Of course it all needs to be double checked however the plans are to scale with all the data clearly stated on each PDF stage. Time will tell.

It's a brave new world. I don't understand a fraction of it nor sure I'm ready for it but it's coming regardless.

That's impressive!

We turned in a proposal today for a project in which we have to provide a technical as well as business proposal, and past performance/references. There is a fair bit of writing involved, but we try really hard to keep it as short and concise as possible. I would hate to be on the other end having to read all this stuff from all the contractors that are bidding. Anyway, my wife was not pleased with the wording of a particular paragraph despite having written it several different ways - it was just awkward. She tried chatGP (I think) to see what it would come up with, and it was better. I think it is pretty easy to tell if an entire document is written using AI, but it sure has its place. I guess I need to get on the band wagon and out of the dark ages and learn to take advantage as well.

 

[AMBMike]

Of course it all needs to be double checked however the plans are to scale with all the data clearly stated on each PDF stage. Time will tell.

No doubt it's another tool in the box.

It still needs double checked by someone competent.

On a recent project we did a special order manhole was apparently missed by AI, the estimator, the estimator's supervisor, the PM, and the Super. Somehow nobody caught it before the utility crew showed up...
The project plans were clear, to scale, and all necessary data was plainly visible...

 

[CM1995]

No doubt it's another tool in the box.

It still needs double checked by someone competent.

On a recent project we did a special order manhole was apparently missed by AI, the estimator, the estimator's supervisor, the PM, and the Super. Somehow nobody caught it before the utility crew showed up...
The project plans were clear, to scale, and all necessary data was plainly visible...

Without a doubt it still needs to be checked by a human. Like anything computer wise - garbage in = garbage out.

Still a very useful tool.

 

[CM1995]

Filling the large slope out on the office/warehouse project.

Cutting in the last bench.



The Bell 30 has been a good truck for a rental. Still don't like all the buttons on the main joystick - just too complicated.







Looking back towards the road way.

 

[CM1995]

Finishing out the slope with topsoil that was stripped and stocked at the beginning of the job.



The crew moved around 8K CY onto this slope.



The fill material is obviously rocky so we'll have some cleanup to do with a mini-ex around the headwall.



Some of the previously hammer rock was placed at the toe of the slope. Spec's called for grouted rip-rap so that's what we did.

I think the natural rock looks much better than the limestone rip-rap.

 

[Oxbow]

Nice quality work as always CM, and thanks for sharing! Nice dirt job there.

 

[CM1995]

Nice quality work as always CM, and thanks for sharing! Nice dirt job there.

Thanks!

We'll be transitioning to the storm water portion of the project next. Couple of ponds and several 100 feet of 18" HDPE with some curb inlets.

All the building pads are to subgrade however the owners swapped PEMB manufacturers so the concrete guys are waiting on new structural drawings in addition to the utility guys coming in to run water, sewer and fire service.

The job is about to get congested which works out OK for us as we need to leave for a week or so to finish up our day spa project.

 

[smifwal]

Last few commercial job I have done(power& communication) I have been the only one on site or away from the action, it has been great!

 

[CM1995]

Finally wrapped up the lube skid build and the re-purposing of the '19 3500 from a crew truck into it's semi-retirement being a service truck and spare.

Fit's in there pretty well. This was all my guys design and build.



Repainted an L-tank we had on the yard and cobble an air compressor together using an old Dewalt gas compressor engine and tanks. The compressor puked its self years ago. Was able to salvage the Honda engine and tanks.

Bought a belt driven compressor from china freight, fab'd it together and it works very well. I posted that build back up thread IIRC.

Mounted the shop built compressor on a stand that straddles the L-tank.





We had the oil pump, reel and metered gun from a previous service truck. Ordered a Goodyear of makes pump for the hydro tank and bought a reel from Northern Tool. NT has a higher quality product than CF and is still reasonably priced.



They designed it to be user friendly because they are the ones who will be using it.

 

[CM1995]

Had to fill in and do some fine grading at the college for some concrete flatwork. An afternoon worth of work max.

We've been having intermittent issues with 279D 02's A/C fan blowing fuses. Not all the time just every now and then. Chocked it up to a loose wire or raw wire somewhere however it's been running fine for the last 2 months.

Of course Murphy rears his ugly ass head and sho' nuff today the fan quit working. Tried a few fuses after running the machine around but no go.

Tried running it for 20 minutes or so and that's all it took to feel like I was breathing warm soup. We are currently under a heat warning with 100 degree temps and high 90's on the humidity. I'm too old for this ****.

Cat is running 0% for 60 on CTL's....

Scratch that thought... we are on the newly found wrenches list.

 

[AMBMike]

I had the same experience 2 years ago in a 299D3. Grading dusty rock... No way to get a good cross flow going in those cabs and it doesn't really matter anyway when the humidity is so high you have to use a can to dip a hole so you can breathe...

 

[CM1995]

No way to get a good cross flow going in those cabs and it doesn't really matter anyway when the humidity is so high you have to use a can to dip a hole so you can breathe...

That was today.

 

[smifwal]

I will never own a machine with out a/c after having it.

You can order the ventilated seat in the new cat, and don't forget the key fob so you don't have to put in a code just saying

 

[CM1995]

Just paid off the D3 and all the older iron goes on medical leave..

Can't get ahead.

Did not know they offered ventilated seats in the CTL's.