Guts and the Job
This set of pictures was taken on November 18, 2013 at 10:23 AM.
The location was in Tyson's Corner, VA.
The "Take It!" came from a drive by of this act of bravery in my car while on a routine passage to my usual next stop. This is almost as much about engaging in the hobby of awareness, and
being able to process or interpret what one sees, as the act or item itself. This was one of those, I have to go back in order to really see what I think I saw. Thus a U turn was made and a
slow pass set of pictures taken of this what was to me an act of great courage, and quite probably to the welder repairing the tread on this very big Back Hoe - just a part of doing one's job.
I do not know if you can see the sparks reigning down from his welding unit ( I could not see if it was a gas torch or an arc welder ) but the squat position of the welder added depth to the
picture series. The question of just how far could he tip the machine up to work on it before it might tip over was in full display. His answer was about 4 feet off of the ground. The
reach out of the big arm with the back of the shovel/bucket resting flat on the ground also was a display of stability practice.
I would have enjoyed actually stopping and asking the welder to stand next to the machine showing the lifted tread for it would have made a stellar portrait. As it is, there are
several shots which are simply amazing.
The After Take: To those that I have shown these to, they all are just like me, in full disbelief of what they are looking at. For some there is an almost recognizable fleeting look
of " Would I have the guts to do that? No Way!! - some with a glimmer of - they could not even comprehend let alone contemplate doing such a thing. All seemed to admire this
worker's fortitude.
Viewing acts like this, can give us a mental imprint, that can be stored, and drawn upon, if ever an even vaguely similar circumstance occurs, when an emergency happens, where quick action is
called for, and a sample of "It can be done" can be translated into the initiation of response or its instigation.
I still am amazed at being privileged to take this set of photos. "Once in a lifetime" comes to mind.
Thanks for sharing in this sample of my wonder at what life offers us each day.
Bruce
PS: This is one of those "Cannot and do not want to choose a single representative photo presentation." Give it all, happened,
Write a comment
Gabe (Monday, 09 December 2013 00:20)
That looks very risky.
Sf1967 (Monday, 09 December 2013 00:21)
Ahhhhh, the jobs we do. Nothin like gettin your hands dirty.
Mike (Monday, 09 December 2013 00:24)
I've always wanted to drive one of those but I really don't think I'd want to be in charge of maintenance on it. I have two certifications for machinery, the license you need to use one of these big guys is pretty intense. Apparently there is a large amount of skill involved and they can be unsafe.
whutzzat (Thursday, 12 December 2013 00:42)
Mike: Congratulations on your earning certification for machinery - I have often taken sometimes more than a moment to watch one of these in action and marveled at the skill it takes to do the variety of jobs they do with them. I do not think those without great coordination last long. Best wishes to you.
Teri (Thursday, 12 December 2013 00:44)
My husband owns a D60, which is slighlty smaller than this one. Doesn't use it much but from time to time he has the opportunity to work with it. Looks like a blast.
Sarah (Thursday, 12 December 2013 00:44)
That looks dangerous!
Treehugger (Thursday, 12 December 2013 00:45)
Hopefully he was getting ready to dig up dirt to plant some foliage! I doubt it, but a girl can dream....
Jim (Thursday, 12 December 2013 00:46)
Looks like a freeze frame out of a Bud light or Dodge commercial.
Sally (Thursday, 12 December 2013 00:47)
EEEEK, you couldnt pay me enough money to get anywhere near that thing!