Nothing is cooler than watching a skilled operator do skilled operator stuff. #betterdirtworld
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Aaron Witt
These are the best posts from Aaron Witt.
14 viral posts with 21,317 likes, 861 comments, and 474 shares.
11 image posts, 0 carousel posts, 3 video posts, 0 text posts.
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Best Posts by Aaron Witt on LinkedIn
Meet Larry Ames
It’s not every day that you see the owner of a large construction company holding a grade rod.
Larry’s the son of Dick Ames, who founded Ames Construction in 1962. Naturally, Larry grew up working for the family business for thirty years as he led some of the biggest earthmoving projects in the US, including moving over 100,000,000 CY of dirt for DIA.
In 1995, as Ames continued to grow into the billion-dollar behemoth that it is today, Larry wanted to step back and stay true to his roots of moving dirt without the politics of a large company. In 1995, he bought a scraper spread and started Bemas Construction.
This man lives for moving dirt. He doesn’t have an office or a chair in the company headquarters. Despite being in his 70’s, he’s on projects 6-7 days a week doing anything from running scrapers to checking grade.
He didn’t start the business to chase riches or power. He did it as a means to do what he loves—moving dirt.
Check out our new Podcast “Dirt Talk” on Apple, Spotify, and Google!
It’s not every day that you see the owner of a large construction company holding a grade rod.
Larry’s the son of Dick Ames, who founded Ames Construction in 1962. Naturally, Larry grew up working for the family business for thirty years as he led some of the biggest earthmoving projects in the US, including moving over 100,000,000 CY of dirt for DIA.
In 1995, as Ames continued to grow into the billion-dollar behemoth that it is today, Larry wanted to step back and stay true to his roots of moving dirt without the politics of a large company. In 1995, he bought a scraper spread and started Bemas Construction.
This man lives for moving dirt. He doesn’t have an office or a chair in the company headquarters. Despite being in his 70’s, he’s on projects 6-7 days a week doing anything from running scrapers to checking grade.
He didn’t start the business to chase riches or power. He did it as a means to do what he loves—moving dirt.
Check out our new Podcast “Dirt Talk” on Apple, Spotify, and Google!
KNOCKING THE POT
Slag is a by-product of steel production. As furnaces melt iron ore, scrap metal, limestone, and other elements, impurities separate from the molten metal, forming slag.
At some mills, the 2,500-degree F (1,500 C) slag pours directly into enormous pots for transport away from the furnaces.
The pots are cast steel. As hot slag hits cool pots, a film forms, allowing the cast steel to radiate the heat of the slag.
Pot carriers, like this one from Kress, step in to haul the molten slag to processing areas. The front half is a Cat scraper, while the back is entirely custom.
After a short trip, the operator backs into a tip area to pour the liquid slag out for cooling. Then they knock the pot against a block, ejecting the “cooled” slag.
Once the slag returns to a solid, crushers turn it to fine stone. #betterdirtworld
Slag is a by-product of steel production. As furnaces melt iron ore, scrap metal, limestone, and other elements, impurities separate from the molten metal, forming slag.
At some mills, the 2,500-degree F (1,500 C) slag pours directly into enormous pots for transport away from the furnaces.
The pots are cast steel. As hot slag hits cool pots, a film forms, allowing the cast steel to radiate the heat of the slag.
Pot carriers, like this one from Kress, step in to haul the molten slag to processing areas. The front half is a Cat scraper, while the back is entirely custom.
After a short trip, the operator backs into a tip area to pour the liquid slag out for cooling. Then they knock the pot against a block, ejecting the “cooled” slag.
Once the slag returns to a solid, crushers turn it to fine stone. #betterdirtworld
I got some.
I spent two days with Jocko and the amazing Echelon Front team in northeast Washington last week to learn how to lead more effectively. What a wild opportunity…
What did I learn?
Leadership’s a skill. Even though it’s overwhelming how bad I am at leadership, if I put in the work, I can improve.
Good leadership is counterintuitive to what most think leadership is. It’s not yelling and always being right — it’s about listening and caring for people.
Leadership is a responsibility and a gift. I have the opportunity to lead a growing team of remarkable people.
Every problem is a leadership problem. Whether it’s business or personal life, every problem I run across comes down to leadership.
Leadership takes work and time. There’s no magic to it.
Leadership is essential. Since we have big goals at BuildWitt, I NEED to develop my sense and understanding of leadership.
Leading is about checking my ego and putting others first. Boy, do I need more regular ego checks.
Want to learn how you can lead more effectively in the Dirt World? We’ve got a solution for that — BuildWitt Leaders is coming soon.
Check out our Podcast “Dirt Talk” and YouTube here https://linktr.ee/dirttalk
I spent two days with Jocko and the amazing Echelon Front team in northeast Washington last week to learn how to lead more effectively. What a wild opportunity…
What did I learn?
Leadership’s a skill. Even though it’s overwhelming how bad I am at leadership, if I put in the work, I can improve.
Good leadership is counterintuitive to what most think leadership is. It’s not yelling and always being right — it’s about listening and caring for people.
Leadership is a responsibility and a gift. I have the opportunity to lead a growing team of remarkable people.
Every problem is a leadership problem. Whether it’s business or personal life, every problem I run across comes down to leadership.
Leadership takes work and time. There’s no magic to it.
Leadership is essential. Since we have big goals at BuildWitt, I NEED to develop my sense and understanding of leadership.
Leading is about checking my ego and putting others first. Boy, do I need more regular ego checks.
Want to learn how you can lead more effectively in the Dirt World? We’ve got a solution for that — BuildWitt Leaders is coming soon.
Check out our Podcast “Dirt Talk” and YouTube here https://linktr.ee/dirttalk
“We need to make this industry cool again.”
I hear that phrase all the damn time, and the more I hear it, the more I hate it.
Why?
It’s already cool. How is coming to work and running one of these not cool?!
We don’t need to “make” it cool. We need to show how cool it already is.
Check out our Podcast “Dirt Talk” on Apple, Spotify, and Google!
I hear that phrase all the damn time, and the more I hear it, the more I hate it.
Why?
It’s already cool. How is coming to work and running one of these not cool?!
We don’t need to “make” it cool. We need to show how cool it already is.
Check out our Podcast “Dirt Talk” on Apple, Spotify, and Google!
New year, same mission.
2020 was the best year of my life. Plenty of wins and nut kicks. What an adventure.
As my dad says, the present day, week, holiday, or entire year is the best of his life. It’s how I aspire to live.
I’m sure 2021 will be even better than 2020, and it’ll keep on repeating if God continues to give me a chance, no matter the trials, failures, or successes. Every day and year is what you make of it.
Regardless of the year, our mission, values, and intensity are the same. We’re here to make the Dirt World a better place, and there’s an endless amount of work to do on that front.
Check out our Podcast “Dirt Talk” on Apple, Spotify, and Google!
2020 was the best year of my life. Plenty of wins and nut kicks. What an adventure.
As my dad says, the present day, week, holiday, or entire year is the best of his life. It’s how I aspire to live.
I’m sure 2021 will be even better than 2020, and it’ll keep on repeating if God continues to give me a chance, no matter the trials, failures, or successes. Every day and year is what you make of it.
Regardless of the year, our mission, values, and intensity are the same. We’re here to make the Dirt World a better place, and there’s an endless amount of work to do on that front.
Check out our Podcast “Dirt Talk” on Apple, Spotify, and Google!
Group photo op with the new 798 ultra class electric drive haul truck. This truck is so big that I had to run a mile or so away to get the whole thing in one frame.
Check out buildwitt.com for more!
Check out buildwitt.com for more!
WORKFORCE SHORTAGE
You can look at the Dirt World’s workforce problem from one of two perspectives.
The first, which is the most common, is a negative one.
You can blame competitors for stealing your people, colleges for luring kids to higher education, and millennials for being lazy. All the while, your business drifts further from reality. The worst part is that most haven’t seen the consequences yet.
The second, is one of excitement and opportunity.
You take ownership of the problem. You invest everything you have in caring for and developing your people, define your business’ higher purpose, recognize people for their hard work frequently, train your people on leadership principles, and build entry-level career pathways.
If you’re a leader in the industry, the workforce shortage is the single greatest opportunity of your career. It’s up to you. Are you going to play the victim or take responsibility?
If you’re a young person starting in the Dirt World, I promise there’s no better time than now. The opportunity is endless. If you show up, work hard, and keep your word, the world is your oyster. #betterdirtworld
Check out the Podcast “Dirt Talk” and my Vlog on YouTube here https://linktr.ee/dirttalk
You can look at the Dirt World’s workforce problem from one of two perspectives.
The first, which is the most common, is a negative one.
You can blame competitors for stealing your people, colleges for luring kids to higher education, and millennials for being lazy. All the while, your business drifts further from reality. The worst part is that most haven’t seen the consequences yet.
The second, is one of excitement and opportunity.
You take ownership of the problem. You invest everything you have in caring for and developing your people, define your business’ higher purpose, recognize people for their hard work frequently, train your people on leadership principles, and build entry-level career pathways.
If you’re a leader in the industry, the workforce shortage is the single greatest opportunity of your career. It’s up to you. Are you going to play the victim or take responsibility?
If you’re a young person starting in the Dirt World, I promise there’s no better time than now. The opportunity is endless. If you show up, work hard, and keep your word, the world is your oyster. #betterdirtworld
Check out the Podcast “Dirt Talk” and my Vlog on YouTube here https://linktr.ee/dirttalk
All aboard one of the world’s largest mining loaders—the Caterpillar 994K!
Mining operations choose loaders over shovels for their flexibility. A rubber tire machine can move way faster, allowing it to help clean up or dig different areas throughout the day.
It has over 1,700 horsepower, can lift 60 tons, and can hold up to 1,500 gallons of diesel. #betterdirtworld
Mining operations choose loaders over shovels for their flexibility. A rubber tire machine can move way faster, allowing it to help clean up or dig different areas throughout the day.
It has over 1,700 horsepower, can lift 60 tons, and can hold up to 1,500 gallons of diesel. #betterdirtworld
It’s time. Welcome to CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023, everyone! I’m stoked to see you all!!
#betterdirtworld
Check out the Podcast “Dirt Talk” and my Vlog on YouTube here https://lnkd.in/ggbuuJuv
#betterdirtworld
Check out the Podcast “Dirt Talk” and my Vlog on YouTube here https://lnkd.in/ggbuuJuv
Dan: “Where do you want us to park up tonight?”
Me: “For what?”
Dan: “For the photo tomorrow with all the equipment.”
Me: “Uhhhh... *looking around atop a landfill pretending I know what I’m doing* How’s that dirt mound work?”
Dan: “Sounds good to me.”
The next morning...
Thanks to the crew at Berg Construction, LLC for the fancy park up!
Check out our Podcast “Dirt Talk” on Apple, Spotify, and Google!
Me: “For what?”
Dan: “For the photo tomorrow with all the equipment.”
Me: “Uhhhh... *looking around atop a landfill pretending I know what I’m doing* How’s that dirt mound work?”
Dan: “Sounds good to me.”
The next morning...
Thanks to the crew at Berg Construction, LLC for the fancy park up!
Check out our Podcast “Dirt Talk” on Apple, Spotify, and Google!
Grade checkers — the unsung heroes of any earthmoving operation.
When I first saw large scale dirt work, I wondered how the operators knew where to pick up and place the dirt.
The answer? These guys. Grade checkers run around the cuts and fills with GPS rovers, wood lathe, eye levels, ribbon, and sharpies to guide scraper, excavator, haul truck, and dozer operators on how to build the job precisely per plan.
They’re exposed to the elements, and they have a top-notch understanding of the job as a whole. It’s the opposite of mindless. They do nonstop mental math while keeping their heads on a swivel to avoid being run over in the cut.
I have a ton of respect for these guys, and there’s arguably no better place to learn large-scale earthmoving than by checking grade with your boots on the ground!
Check out our Podcast “Dirt Talk” on Apple, Spotify, and Google!
When I first saw large scale dirt work, I wondered how the operators knew where to pick up and place the dirt.
The answer? These guys. Grade checkers run around the cuts and fills with GPS rovers, wood lathe, eye levels, ribbon, and sharpies to guide scraper, excavator, haul truck, and dozer operators on how to build the job precisely per plan.
They’re exposed to the elements, and they have a top-notch understanding of the job as a whole. It’s the opposite of mindless. They do nonstop mental math while keeping their heads on a swivel to avoid being run over in the cut.
I have a ton of respect for these guys, and there’s arguably no better place to learn large-scale earthmoving than by checking grade with your boots on the ground!
Check out our Podcast “Dirt Talk” on Apple, Spotify, and Google!
