Got called out for my 'gentle touch' with the cutter head last month

We were working a sandbar job on the Missouri, pulling up mostly soft material. My old foreman, Hank, watched my screen for about ten minutes and then just said, 'You're treating that thing like it's made of glass. It's a rock eater, not a kitten.' I realized I was babying the controls, worried about shaking the whole rig. He made me switch seats and showed me how to really lean into the swing, letting the teeth bite and the pump do its job. The next load came up twice as fast and the pump pressure stayed steady. I've been running it with a lot more confidence since then, and we're clearing sections in half the time. Anyone else have a boss or coworker give you a simple tip that totally flipped your approach?

3 comments

Log in to join the discussion

Log In

3 Comments

caseys306mo ago

Honestly, I always thought being super careful was the right way to go. Like you're saving wear and tear, right? But that story about Hank is spot on. It's a tool built to take it, and not using its full power just slows everything down. Makes you wonder how many other jobs we're all being too timid on without even knowing it.

1

jaken236mo ago

Totally, @caseys30, I learned that the hard way too.

4

calebw505mo ago

That thing about saving wear and tear got me thinking. I used to ease into every pothole on the road until a buddy told me you're actually harder on the suspension by braking and creeping than just taking it at speed lol.

0