What an "earth moving" event! The inspiration came when Helene and I found ourselves saying, "let's rent a backhoe and teach ourselves how to operate it". We contacted friends we thought could help by supplying a tractor, and when that didn't work I drove to the local equipment yard to price a rental. For the large John Deere it was $380 a day plus $45 for every hour over 8 hours and fuel costs. Ouch! Especially for a beginner.
On my way home I stopped in at a local equipment retailer to find out if we could afford to buy a tractor. On credit the cost would be $340 a month. Could Babes earn that much a month using the tractor to make the payments? Risky...
When I got home I went to the field. My neighbor jokingly came out asking me if he should get the duck tape when I found my card. I told him about my idea to buy a Kabota tractor with a backhoe attachment. That's when I learned about Nate Kuenzi and his John Deere 3320 tractor with backhoe attachment! Just what we were looking for.
Diane
This is Nate instructing our production and marketing director, Mary - the Bone Mama. Many of you will recognize her as the emcee of our builders' workshops.
Nate started the class by explaining the mechanics of operating a hydraulic system. Did you know that if you move two levers simultaneously the hydraulics work more smoothly?
That's why we want to pull the bucket in at the same time we are lifting it up. Or move the bucket over at the same time we are stretching the arm out to dump.
Here, Roseland practices as she dumps her first load.
By the time Connie took to the wheel half of the class decided to join her.
It was pure focus and joy that truely paid off! We all just got better and better as the day moved on.
"Terrific class. Nate's a great instructor and it is powerful to do a participatory class where we can learn while getting a project done - allowed me to think about how I will use a tractor and backhoe on my perperty efficiently." -Jalene
Jalene dumps a big load. Everyone cheered and clapped every time someone was able to fill the bucket.
Here Preston is finding something to do while he awaits his turn. Putting the finishing touches on the roughly dug ditch.
Preston is a retired electrical engineer by trade who has three daughters living here. He recently joined them and has become an avid volunteer "Babe".
Preston was also our first "guy Babe" on the tractor. You can see how focused and patient our instructor is. Eager to help all of us gain a sense of mastery and accomplishment.
Here Cindy gives it a go.
"This class was awesome! Everyone I told about it was envious. Who wouldn't want to operate heavy machinery? Definitely a class for warriors! I can't wait to move more dirt." -Cindy
Marita exemplifies the attentive focus displayed by all.
Nate guided her hands with his as she smoothly moved the bucket and arm into and out of the ditch carrying a payload of dirt and rock.
Everyone cheered!
Now here's a tractor "Babe". Jair really surprised us with his first bucket load. Talk about getting right to it! Everyone aplauded and cheered him.
"It was a great opportunity to learn, and a wonderful group. Thanks to Nate for his patience and to Babes in Belts for their interest in supporting the community." -Jair
Justin followed with true committment and attention. Everyone did so well. The spirit of the day stayed high, as waiting for your turn became an opportunity to map the brain for success!
I have always known how to drive a tractor.
"Nate did a fantastic job of instructing!" -Justin
When two or three people had their turn at digging the ditch someone would jump into the drivers seat of the front loader and move the tractor forward about six feet.
Jalene looks like she has always known how to drive a tractor.
The attentive student takes instruction before action and her performance reflects what she has learned.
"I have wanted to learn to drive a tractor ever since I was a little girl." -Helene
After watching everyone else that morning Diane got on the rig fairly confident. It's a good thing this isn't a video! Two things at once?
See Nate's hands. Is that the "slow down, take it easy" pose? Of course she wasn't the only one to bounce that bucket around.
Oops! Don't forget Shawnah. Her skill as a heavy equipment operator gave her an edge that proved to be of great value to this earth moving event!
