Almost done with this phase ... almost .....

So close.
We are so close to finishing our Fill & Compaction phase, but alas, some things just take time - Especially repairing a dozer.
All that remains on this phase is getting some additional material from the mine site to the property. Building up the parking area and also the material needed for once the Platea is completed so we will have fill material here on the property. 
  There is a plan to get this phase completed, but the part we replaced on the dozer has developed a crack in the weld joint. This is the part that takes a huge strain because it is what attaches the "ripper" to the machine and resists the force of teeth digging into the ground behind the machine as they tear up and loosen the sandstone fill. We could possibly continue without repairing it and be able to finish before it ultimately fails, but it is better to go ahead and get this part repaired.  

Here is the crack in the weld ...

  I returned to the States over the weekend to attend the Solid Rock board meeting, so it was a quick "welcome back, we have a problem" start to the day yesterday. After some difficultly the mechanics managed to get the part off of the machine and took it to their shop to repair it by re-welding and adding an additional piece for strength.  
  Hopefully we will get the part back on the machine today and be able to wrap up the stockpiling of fill material. Unlike when my Roanoke friends were here and we bolted a new part on, this time we disconnected to ripper attachment in order to remove the part, so getting a big clunky accessory re-attached out in the field might take some time ...

The problem - this part is cracked in the upper left 

Trying to get the part off ... at least in shade!

The Ripper attachment is disconnected ...