"Day
in the Dirt"
Moves earth
and hearts in Tucson
by Cameron
MacMullin
Do
you remember pushing dirt around your back yard with your old
toy tractor and dreaming of doing the same on a real machine?
Remember how that dream faded, but the desire to get in a tractor
and move some dirt never did? For 42 Caterpillar enthusiasts the
dream and desire were realized on September 30th as they came
from far & wide to gather under the Arizona sun and make their
fantasies a reality at the first ever "Day in the Dirt".
David
Hull of Oregon puts a D6R through its paces.
The
event was orchestrated by Classic Construction Models (CCM) of Beaverton,
Oregon, a small company that has built an international reputation
for producing museum quality scale models of construction equipment.
Their unique products have created a diverse global customer base
comprised of heavy construction equipment fanatics who are devoted
most notably to the industry's leading innovator, Caterpillar Inc.
CCM teamed up with the worldwide enterprise to give a small number
of "wannabe" operators an unprecedented first hand opportunity
to experience the machines that move the earth at the Caterpillar
Tinaja Hills Demonstration & Application Center in Green Valley,
AZ. It was a notable first time experience for the enthusiasts and
their hosts from Caterpillar as never before had a group of individuals
without direct affiliation to Caterpillar been allowed such an intimate
look at this exceptional facility.
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The adventure
began Thursday, September 29th as the crew from Classic Construction
Models welcomed the group to Tucson with an evening of food,
drink and an opportunity to get to know each other. Also present
were the equipment trainer/operators from the Tinaja Hills
center that would spend the next day training the group for
what was arguably the most alluring aspect of the trip: hands-on
"stick time" running Cat equipment. Perhaps it was
the anticipation of what was to come or perhaps it was a common
thread of admiration for the models and the equipment, but
whatever the reason, there was a pervading sense of comradery
that night which carried seamlessly over to the next day.
Linda
Jaquemet of Switzerland
gets the hang of a 320 excavator.
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Bright and early
Friday morning, the group assembled again for a full buffet breakfast.
Included were an orthopedic surgeon from Texas, a retired professor
from Pennsylvania, a former John Deere associate from California,
a dentist from Canada, two construction collectors from Japan, a
husband and wife from Switzerland and an electrical engineer from
Ireland! Not to be forgotten were a couple celebrating their wedding
anniversary. No question this eclectic crew was as impressive as
the machinery that brought them together!
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At 7:30
am the bus departed the hotel, turned south on Interstate
19, and Tucson was quickly left behind. The scenic 45 minute
trip delivered the group to the Tinaja Hills Training Center
- a true oasis in the 6134 acre desert spread utilized by
Caterpillar but shared with an unexpectedly large variety
of plants and wildlife.
Meeting
and orientation at the
training center meeting room.
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The Cat Demonstration
& Application Center does the prestigious company it represents
justice. The modern facility blended comfortably with the natural
beauty of the surrounding area and strategically placed machinery
cloaked in that familiar yellow stood guard, giving the campus a
fortress-like air. The friendly and accommodating Cat staff, however,
quickly made it clear that although this was a tightly run operation,
the attitude was anything but military.
After an opportunity to explore the central facility (and familiarize
themselves with the generous pastry and refreshment table), the
party was treated to an informative presentation by Ric McDaniel,
Caterpillar Trademark Merchandise Licensing Program Manager. Ric
detailed the history and current state of the Fortune 50 Company.
After Ric advised the group they were the first individuals not
affiliated with Caterpillar to be given this opportunity, Oregonian
David Hull exclaimed, "I feel like a prototype!"
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Following
a short safety video and the umpteenth reminder to keep drinking
water, a short bus ride took everyone from the cool air of
the state-of-the-art meeting room to the open desert terrain
at the equipment demonstration site.
An
up close and personal review of a 163H Grader.
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Soon seated
in the grandstands overlooking an impressive dirt playground were
42 of the happiest Cat enthusiasts that ever lived. With a Mexican
mountain range looming in the background, Mike Berry - Supervisor
of Tinaja Hills Demonstration & Application Center - described
the capabilities of more than 40 machines that rolled and rumbled
by as the Tinaja operators executed eye-popping choreographed machine
demonstrations. From 908 wheel loaders to 420 backhoes, the team
of six flawlessly operated every piece of equipment. Just moments
after a 777 Klein water truck with 20,000 gallons of very welcome
dust suppressing water rolled by, a 785 mining truck with a 120
ton payload stopped from full speed within the length of the truck
itself. More than one participant said this demonstration was impressive
enough to be deemed the highlight of the action-packed day.
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As soon
as the machines were parked and the operators thanked for
their show with a long round of applause, the crowd headed
down to "stage level" for a photo-op with the cast.
Fortunately all the machines were gracious enough to pose
for the camera, but no autographs were given.
The
"Top Gun" operators from
the training center.
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Climbing
up, down, and round this jungle of giants in the intensifying
sun stimulated an appetite that the Tinaja Hills staff cured
with a large lunch including all the trimmings. Knowing what
came next, the group made quick work of the meal.
Kenichiro
Tsuchida of
Japan operating a 320 excavator.
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The group then flocked back to the demo grounds like children to the
tree on Christmas morning. Awaiting them sat six of the biggest
toys Santa ever squeezed down the chimney. Arranged in working
groups were two excavators (a 320C and a 321C), two tractors
(a D6R and a D6N) and two wheel loaders (a 924G & 930G).
The carefully constructed schedule, another first for the
Tinaja facility, ensured all participants ten minutes of stick
time on each type of machine. Somehow, order prevailed over
chaos despite the eagerness of everyone involved to have their
turn. People took their places and four hours of pushing,
digging and piling dirt ran its course without a hitch.
A
924 Loader and 320 Excavator hard at work.
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Talk about
fun! Engines roared, dirt flew, and emotions soared. Smiles
were abundant as long held dreams came true. Although most
everyone there was an inexperienced operator, their lack of
skill was overshadowed by adrenaline and nervous energy. Excitement
and dust filled the air as the group enjoyed over four hours
putting the machines they admired to the test. Occasionally
an individual was understandably reluctant to give up the
controls, but fortunately the instructors never once had to
pull anyone forcefully from a machine. Everyone got the time
they came for and the time they deserved.
David
Lebovitz of Illinois enjoys the
view from atop a 994D Wheel Loader.
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As the
day came to end, these new Cat operators headed back to the
central facility for the grand finale: A feast fit for a king!
The Tinaja team presented a delicious meal replete with a
mariachi band! There was a consensus among the exhausted group
that the day had exceeded even the highest expectations. David
Becker noted that "The hospitality and presentation were
phenomenal." Peter Duggan - who came all the way from
Ireland for the day - called it "The fulfillment of a
childhood dream." Stephen Smith gave the food and overall
experience an "A+", although he admitted he really
wanted to operate a D11R or 797. Lofty goals, but as everyone
there would agree, well worth pursuing. Every participant
surveyed expressed an unequivocal interest in returning if
given the opportunity.
Timely
refueling kept the
show running smoothly.
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After
a day more successful than either CCM or Cat hoped for, it became
clear that this first time event had laid the foundation to
become much more. In the eyes of this writer, it could be the
beginning of a tradition for both companies; a rite of passage,
so to speak, for equipment & model enthusiasts everywhere.
The only problem might be getting those who've been there to
surrender a spot for those who are still dreaming. |
Amy
and David Becker of Illinois enjoying
the veranda at the training center
- great food, music and company.
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Graduating
class of 2005 Day in the Dirt.
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