The last two weeks:
I've been at it for 4-years now. We are digging six ponds from 0.3 to just over 2-acres. We currently own a Cat 235B Excavator, John Deere 690B excavator, DJB 350C six wheel articulated dump, and a John Deere 850 dozer. This story happened last week and is typical of the struggle.
Decided to change the bucket pin on the 235B, because it had been very loose and wouldn't hold grease. Pulled it out and it was in pretty bad shape. Ordered the bearings and had the pin made (about $600). Cat quoted $2,200 to line bore the end of the stick. We got another quote for $850. A mechanic friend decided to try it with my help. Still cost $700. After a week without the machine and about 30-hours of labor, we finally had the new pin in last Saturday at 10 PM. Went down Sunday morning ready to finally get some work done. Hauled one truck load and filled the truck again (40 yards total). Heard a pop and looked behind me and saw that I had blown a 5,000 PSI hose on the excavator (nice rainbow, though). Since the truck was full I still had to haul the sand and dump it. On the way back I started to smell a sweet odor and finally realized it was anti-freeze. Popped the hood on the truck and saw that the radiator hose had blown. Down for the rest of the week and another $350 on hoses and several special tools, not to mention daily grease and oil baths. Finally managed to get some work done this weekend except that after replacing the radiator hose on the truck it wouldn't start because it has a broken throttle cable (this week's project). If I could afford it, I would have had someone else do the work. My permits expire at the end of the year and its going to be close barring any more major break downs. If anyone wants some lessons, we feed well and always find time for fishing (but the pay stinks).
