First day on the job

First day on the job

First day on the job


Location around Doboj BiH, somewhere in the field on the company's Integral highway project.

Unlike the any other regular working day I cannot say this is just another shift. Yes here are still engines roaring and machines moving all around the site, mud is everywhere people are busy and jobsite is pretty much alive as same as any other day. But for many old comers over here new morning is bringing unexpected site in front of the eyes. Confusion or disbelief mixed with respect for something not familiar with can be read on everyone's faces expressions. Some of them looks something like native people spotting steam engine for the first time in their lives. In contrary others would shaking their heads and hands in disbelief being afraid of what new ''stuff'' may bring for them. But one would probably ask after first impressions all settle down, what was all that ''mess'' about?

Unusual calmness on section of the road where Caterpillar motor grader ARO (Accugrade Ready) model M160 was working may be the right direction to look at for the answer. Machine was making its path forward leaving behind perfectly sleek surface of future road. Complexity of slopes and angles is done with surgical almost precision most of time from the first attempt only leaving it all ready for compactor final pass and paver to wrap it up in no time. Efficiency of this ''train'' made of machinery going instantly one after another was stunning and made it all self-explanatory even to inexperienced naked eye never been on the job site before. It was quite clear that something seriously is going on around here. Machine itself looks like ''decorated'' with attached rovers that site people immediately adopted a nick name for now known as ''mushrooms''. Together with its radio and display control box installed in machine it all makes operator's life easy as never before. His next morning is now nothing more than just a start of new ''dream day''. He is not supposed to be a motor grader virtuoso anymore in front of complex machine controls but only to make sure he is staying within project boundaries simply looking on the screen. Even site intendant on the other side was calmer knowing that he is not so dependent on the super skilled MG operators. His job now is more focused on what he really needs to make sure of through his working day, like to get material in time, quality and quantities, job is done and everything is in control under the schedule, safe and sound at the same time.  Surveyors are in control of the project and gap between ideas, intentions and what is on the ''blueprint'' is now perfectly placed on the ground in the matter of millimetres. Site positioning system consisted of base station, rover and controller is making sure it is all done within the package connecting offices and dirt with one string placed along in shape of so called Trimble 3D Dual GPS System or if coloured in CAT Yellow known as Accugade.

 

And for all that buzz created around one would ironically said '' there is nothing really extraordinary big about that'' except making customer mere 200% savings on the particular job...nothing more than that...