Big Boys and our Toys

I've gotten certified on a bunch of Heavy Equipment while here at Alamosa NWR, but haven't had much opportunity to utilize the certifications.

That changed this week when we started reworking an RV pad in anticipation of another couple arriving at the end of the month. The existing pad is tiny and covered with deep loose gravel. It needs to be expanded and covered with firm road base.

So I got to jump into the backhoe and start on the new pad. After spreading out the old gravel, I began hauling road base from a stockpile several miles away. It will take a few buckets of base to complete the new pad, but we decided it is easier to carry it over in the backhoe bucket than to get a dump truck.

Driving over with a load of base

I loaded up the bucket and "roaded" it over to the RV site on a refuge road. The trip takes about ten minutes each way, but the backhoe has an air conditioner and a radio, so it's not a bad ride.

Once at the site I drop the load in small piles and then spread it evenly. Teri is my spotter and helps me get the base where I need it.

Dropping base

Empty bucket

This is good practice for me and a good project for the refuge. We'll finish it next week.

Mark