Orchard Park had a bridge over a stream with a deep gorge just south of the park entrance. Our work consisted of a new bridge for the entrance and a cast in place culvert in the gorge to replace the old bridge. To feed the culvert portion a bench was cut into the north side of the gorge for the Lima 35-ton truck crane. To get it onto the bench, Dave had to back the crane down a steep ramp and turn the truck into the bench. Jim Holland was riding in the crane cab with all the boom we had for the crane installed. While backing down, the steering axle got light with so much weight in the boom. When it came time to turn onto the bench the steering would not respond. Now the average guy would naturally hit the brakes and pray. Not Dave. He accelerated, brought the front axle down to the ground, and steered the crane onto the bench. Jim started lowering the boom with hope to transfer some weight at the same time. It was a deep discussion on who saved the crane that day, but since Dave is still alive, I guess he gets the accolades.
Now back to my storytelling I said to Dave last week that I remember Jim telling me that Dave soiled his pants that day when Dave denied that part, I reminded him that I was the storyteller and we don’t need any living people correcting my future tales, life can be embarrassing
Dave Hoffman Jim Holland
Dave Hoffman
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