Mr. Jerry, I sincerely hope you understand the admiration you generate just by being the man you are. This might be because of your age, but much more so because you remind most of us of men gone before us who did their jobs, stood tall and were honorable because it was who you are, not who was watching. Being only a year or so different from you, we were surrounded by WW I and WW II veterans who had seen the worst and came back to become the backbone of American life and families. Congratulations on bringing the very best of America's Finest Generation to this time and place; we all salute you being a benchmark for generations to come.
I've been watching Jerry on a doozer for a short while but my favorite is watching him on a pond in time lapse. It is easier for me to see what he is doing with the soil. Moving and shaping it. I can tell he is a pro at it. Much respect for Jerry!
I loved every second of this episode. Cannot wait to have him back. I’ve recently lost several “Jerry’s “ of my own. Cherish this man, we can only learn from him now. Once his knowledge is gone we just wish we could have learned more from him. The wisdom he holds he doesn’t even know, he can tell you how to live, not just run a blade.
The more you hear from Jerry, the more you want to hear. His simple, humble demeanor and the life's experience he speaks so easily with is a very rare and special treasure. Thank you for having him on, and thank you Jerry, for taking the time.
Really enjoyed the chat with Jerry on this one. I came up the same way and excavating with a great mentor like Jerry and appreciate how a young operator can learn from an experienced guy. Also like Jerry, I spend a lot of time on a scraper in my early days and it's just a great machine to learn about moving dirt. Thanks for a great episode and I hope to meet Jerry someday.
Jerry has a shed load of experience, pleased he warmed up to the camera and now this podcast!!! I'm sure he could unleash a huge amount of stories, you will need Diane there to keep him in check !!! Could tell how appreciative you are of Jerry giving you a hand when he can, you should send Matt along with him for a week to learn what he can !!!
Now that was a piece of history that was captured and would never have been seen if Jerry hadn't been willing to share, I just wish more old skilled people would be willing to sit down for a look back at where they came from and that younger people would take it in, for being honest even we older ones when we were young never quite believed just how hard life was during the time of our fathers and grandfather's I wish I had as I am now 62 and truly wish I knew more about what my parents went through and had to do just to keep family together and fed. Thank you jerry for appearing on the podcast, you will not be forgotten because of it, hope Diane appears with you, it is never to late to learn.
Although I'm within Jerry's age range (68), I respect and admire his work ethic, humor and humility. He has a lot of experience to share and I would hope that all the younger viewers would listen and take into account. In this day and age we need more people with hands on experience and where do you get that experience? From people like Jerry!
Jerry reminds me of the guy that got me started in excavation. A great operator, a good teacher, and gave me the opportunity to learn. I love working with an older guy like that who knows the ins and outs and has a great sense of humor. It makes going to work a lot of fun. Great podcast. Thanks Jerry for doing it.
I am sitting here at 4am watching this excellent discussion. I was born at 5:25 AM eighty one years ago. Jerry's aren't being made any longer, today the art of Learning how to work. I started working at age seven, that was how I had a seat at the dinner table. I do anything that I had to do to get through the day. Good Luck and God Bless Jerry in good health.
Watching your channel DP.....brought on a whole new meaning to the word "operator"......you have to SEE the final product.....to know how to make the machines do your vision , as the "boss" on the job site. I believe Jerry sees the vision. He sees how it can happen as you describe the task at hand. Sooo much more to keeping the "clients" vision on the forefront...interpret...and make it happen. When you sculpt 4 acres to make a 1.5 acre pond ya gotta have the proper VISION right DP? I must involve another name DP.....Chris of letsdig18...another earth sculptor artist. You and him have afforded me MANY hours of joy. Shucks.....kept me outta the bars and glued to me 42 inch screen lol....done ratchet typin/ jawin.................................................😃
Jerry is def the man. I enjoy watching him and mike work togather.. def makes a good team.. def reminds me of my uncle that was more of a dad ran a dozer tell 2 mounths from passing at 78 years yough as he put it. Would do anything for someone needing a hand.
I brewed a fresh pot of coffee for this and was not disappointed. Jerry may not read this but if you do, Thanks for being a hard working true grit man that helped build and make this area what its known for.
I worked 10 inside US Steel for a subcontractor that dug the stage pits on the furnaces, and 992's were the loaders. We had custom built trailers hooked to HD Mack's that weighed 50 tons empty and we hauled 70 to 90 ton with 8 units 7 /365.The most I ever grossed was 187.5 tons!
Jerry is the man, legend, old-school legit operator. Best I've ever seen, as I've said before. Guys like Jerry are few and far between anymore. I like to sit down, watch gain all the knowledge that I can while I can. Thanks for finally getting a living legend for a podcast Mike, great job. We gotta learn all we can from these guys while they are still around, GPS don't have anything compared to the Jerry's still out there.
Jerry, “Thee guy”..., 70yrs young... you say..., well he is just getting going..., a spring chick if you will... Mike, this was an awesome interview...! From the first time you eluded to an up coming interview of Jerry, I was sooo looking forward to it... Thank you sir. And a thank you to Jerry for giving the interview... Holy cow..! “Diane” would ultra awesome...!
An experienced operator and thorough gentleman through and through. One can only learn from Jerry in many ways. Well done Dirt Perfect and Jason Works a Lot.
It'd be great to see Jerry and Diane on the podcast. It was a pleasure listening to Jerry and what he had to say. The problem with the workforce of today is that it's lacking too many Jerry's to show not just how to do the job but to be the example of work ethics and the way of life in general. It's always great to see and hear you on the camera Jerry!
I rarely comment, but I have to say any video with Jerry in it sharing his experience and humor is top notch. I laughed when I saw the big wrench on the table next to Jerry, I'm guessing he's using it to keep y'all in line. Lol
Jerry is a perfect example of a hard working American who made this country what it is. We need more Jerry's in the world. We love ya Jerry and glad to see ya with DP.
I love Jerry I wish I could learn from him he is the best operator and such a cool guy very funny and a great man keep going Jerry keep the guys inline I have operated dozers could never compare to you I found my machine was the front end loader
Thank you for having Jerry on your podcast. I'm a few years older than him but, we learned doing things the same way. The background of running things like tractors, gave us the confidence to be able to run just about anything. The one thing Jerry brought up many times was you have to be able to work as a team. That goes with anything you do.
Thank you for sharing Jerry with us, it is hard to find operators who just take pride in their work, and to quote a great operator, "i was just good at it ". Thank you for sharing , pete Australia
That’s a great video with Jerry I just turned 64 retired from HVAC work with Johnson Controls but had my own little dozer and drove trucks but Jerry is great Buster Bailey East Tennessee
I don't normally like watching anyone's podcasts, but I loved this. Jerry is a true living legend, it's great to seeing him coming to terms to being on camera. I look forward to seeing Jerry and Diane on here !
Awesome podcast, I am glad that Jerry took the time to come on and talk. I love listening to the older guys talk about the old days. I have much respect for him. Looking forward to seeing him on another podcast!!
I don’t mean this as a disparaging remark but there is no way that an operator for as much as 20 years could possible understand the experience that Jerry has. I appreciate and love this guy.
“How do you get experience?”, ---“you make mistakes!”, ---“how do you not make mistakes?”, ---“it comes from experience!” Loved the interview with Jerry.
Interesting and nice to see DP being so humble about the experience Jerry have... like a mentor... DP’s TH-cam channel and company are made of special individuals. You are all so different but together a fantastic team... Love you all...
Jerry reminds me of my grandfather he was a Cat skinner for 40+ years in southern Oregon. started with Holt tractors logging redwoods near Brookings Oregon and went to Robert Dollar/Glendale Plywood building logging roads and logging with the cats. If he didnt like a new cat the company didnt get them. he was a joy to watch work, he could look at a slope and tell you where the road was going to be put in. love your work Jerry your a joy to watch like i was a kid again watching grandpa work.
Jerry is the man. If you never get a chance to work with men like Jerry then your missing a big part in life. Cat D-6 C 10k is 1 of my favorite dozers to have run. Great podcast Mike 👏
A big thank you to Jerry for sharing his thoughts and experience with us. Respectfully, once he warms up, please allow them whatever time required to share their history. Thank you Mike for the walk down memory lane. As capital intensive as this industry is, it still boils down to having good people!
Thank you Jerry for taking the time. I grew up looking up to the older men around me. You have earned the respect you receive through years of hard work younger people these days expect to receive it un earned. It is obvious that Mike respects you. The cool thing is through his videos you can influence a new generation. Stay young and enjoy your retirement which you have most definitely earned. Your are a man of few words but they are worth listening to.
I enjoy all of your videos but this one was special. It was nice to learn a little more about Jerry The Open Cab Operator TOCO it makes him out to be more human than seeing a robot operating a piece of equipment. Don't get me wrong he is an exceptional man and a great operator.
When I finally got a good job that was something I thought of as part of something that meant something was a crew of 28 and we were responsible for water, sewer and gas distribution on a military installation. About 90 percent were much older, lots more experienced in everything from life’s experience to the pranks pulled at work. Of course I was the butt of the pranks because of the new/young guy but took it in stride and laughed with them all. It was the best time of my working career and enjoyed every minute laughing, learning from those guys. What a honor it was to pull wrenches, wade in the mud, joke and even have a few arguments with those men. Wish I could do it all again.
Dude I love it jerry is old school and I love the old school dudes ain't many left thank u so much Dp and jw and jerry just awesome to hear some old construction stories like I remember thanks 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thank you Mike and especially Jerry what a way to start the new year I could sit all day in front of the TV or in a lawn chair and watch Jerry work. Things are so much different now than they were back then I am the same age as Jerry 70 years old and that's all I ever wanted to do was run heavy equipment but it was so much of a different world back then. After I got out of high school I went and found a home builder in the Portland Oregon area it was a blur back then everybody was building housing and I walked up to a builder that had 12 houses 12 Lots he only Dozer but had no time he taught me how to do push outs with a 450 B John Deere and how to grade Lots that's how I got my start Back in 1970 then after the summer doing push outs and Grading around completed houses I met a contractor who is putting subdivisions in from the clearing City Utilities it was just him and his brother he had a 25 lot subdivision I Came Upon him and asked if you needed any help and I work the next summer with him and his brother. Back in the early seventies houses were going up as fast and as many as a dog's hair on dog's back. It was relatively easy if you wanted to be an equipment operator to go for it. The next year I bought a rubber-tired backhoe side sewers and housing projects. And then they were breaking ground on a huge huge mall called Washington Square I spent a year-and-a-half there. Then I ran into a contractor from California and he was building not one but two Holiday Inns. They had a carpenter that work for him that had a backhoe and travel with them and get all the Excavating work after the site was already completed oh, that guy decided to stay in California and start his own excavation company. And I happened to walk into the general contractors office the head guy said he try me out for a week. Later I found out that they had hired somebody but he backed into the general contractors motorhome and he was fired on the spot the excavator. One in Portlands South and another one in Portland North I work for that general contractor for two solid years. Back in the early 70s it was easy to start excavating company but then towards the end of that the rental companies Oregon begin to Branch out Excavating equipment. And that's when it started to get harder to get into the business from 18 years old to 65 and I loved it every minute
I have so much respect for a man like Jerry. The world would be a better place with more like him !!
A dying breed for sure!
Mr. Jerry, I sincerely hope you understand the admiration you generate just by being the man you are. This might be because of your age, but much more so because you remind most of us of men gone before us who did their jobs, stood tall and were honorable because it was who you are, not who was watching.
Being only a year or so different from you, we were surrounded by WW I and WW II veterans who had seen the worst and came back to become the backbone of American life and families. Congratulations on bringing the very best of America's Finest Generation to this time and place; we all salute you being a benchmark for generations to come.
Very well written, I believe as a society we yearn for more men like that. Values and morals seem to be somewhat lost in these modern times.
I've been watching Jerry on a doozer for a short while but my favorite is watching him on a pond in time lapse. It is easier for me to see what he is doing with the soil. Moving and shaping it. I can tell he is a pro at it. Much respect for Jerry!
I loved every second of this episode. Cannot wait to have him back. I’ve recently lost several “Jerry’s “ of my own. Cherish this man, we can only learn from him now. Once his knowledge is gone we just wish we could have learned more from him. The wisdom he holds he doesn’t even know, he can tell you how to live, not just run a blade.
The more you hear from Jerry, the more you want to hear. His simple, humble demeanor and the life's experience he speaks so easily with is a very rare and special treasure. Thank you for having him on, and thank you Jerry, for taking the time.
Would definitely enjoy having both Diane & Jerry together.
When jerry said “that was the biggest mistake of my life” when he was talking about offering help to run a dozer was awesome 😂. Love him
Hey Mike, love Jerry’s sense of humor. He would be easy to work with and a great knowledge source
Not a single bleep! Jerry has taken to the filming! Honestly everyone can learn work ethics from these skilled operators!
A national treasure People like Jerry are few and far between Happy New Year to all
Best episode ever. Thank you Jerry for agreeing to sit in with Mr. Perfect and Jason.
Jerry is a wealth of knowledge, I could listen for hours. That older machinery was some awesome stuff.
Really enjoyed the chat with Jerry on this one. I came up the same way and excavating with a great mentor like Jerry and appreciate how a young operator can learn from an experienced guy. Also like Jerry, I spend a lot of time on a scraper in my early days and it's just a great machine to learn about moving dirt. Thanks for a great episode and I hope to meet Jerry someday.
Thanks Neil!
Guys like Jerry are our true national treasure. Just love listening to them. God bless
Boy old Jerry still sharp as a tac. Thank you Jerry for the podcast. Getting to know you a little better. God bless
Jerry has a shed load of experience, pleased he warmed up to the camera and now this podcast!!! I'm sure he could unleash a huge amount of stories, you will need Diane there to keep him in check !!!
Could tell how appreciative you are of Jerry giving you a hand when he can, you should send Matt along with him for a week to learn what he can !!!
It was very enjoyable listening to Jerry. Thanks Mike & Jason!
Thank You for being on the show Jerry. Great to hear your background. Always enjoy your candor and watching you run equipment. 👍🙂
What a great interview with Jerry. Your certainly blessed to know him and learning from him.
Jerry keeping order with the big wrench close by lol
Now that was a piece of history that was captured and would never have been seen if Jerry hadn't been willing to share, I just wish more old skilled people would be willing to sit down for a look back at where they came from and that younger people would take it in, for being honest even we older ones when we were young never quite believed just how hard life was during the time of our fathers and grandfather's I wish I had as I am now 62 and truly wish I knew more about what my parents went through and had to do just to keep family together and fed. Thank you jerry for appearing on the podcast, you will not be forgotten because of it, hope Diane appears with you, it is never to late to learn.
Although I'm within Jerry's age range (68), I respect and admire his work ethic, humor and humility. He has a lot of experience to share and I would hope that all the younger viewers would listen and take into account. In this day and age we need more people with hands on experience and where do you get that experience? From people like Jerry!
Jerry is truly one of a kind ! What a great guy.
Always a privilege to be in the presence of a very humble but willing too share there experience a real pleasure to watch
Jerry reminds me of the guy that got me started in excavation. A great operator, a good teacher, and gave me the opportunity to learn. I love working with an older guy like that who knows the ins and outs and has a great sense of humor. It makes going to work a lot of fun. Great podcast. Thanks Jerry for doing it.
I have become a Jerry fan. His finesse and control of the big horse is enjoyable to watch.
Jerry is the man ,thanks for getting with him he seems like a great guy to learn from and be around
I am sitting here at 4am watching this excellent discussion. I was born at 5:25 AM eighty one years ago. Jerry's aren't being made any longer, today the art of Learning how to work. I started working at age seven, that was how I had a seat at the dinner table. I do anything that I had to do to get through the day. Good Luck and God Bless Jerry in good health.
Happy Birthday, Terry!
Jerry was a great! Love listening to old cat skinner stories.
OJT on the job training,you learn by doing.Its a huge plus if you can see the finish job before you start.Its a gift given to the few.
Watching your channel DP.....brought on a whole new meaning to the word "operator"......you have to SEE the final product.....to know how to make the machines do your vision , as the "boss" on the job site. I believe Jerry sees the vision. He sees how it can happen as you describe the task at hand. Sooo much more to keeping the "clients" vision on the forefront...interpret...and make it happen. When you sculpt 4 acres to make a 1.5 acre pond ya gotta have the proper VISION right DP? I must involve another name DP.....Chris of letsdig18...another earth sculptor artist. You and him have afforded me MANY hours of joy. Shucks.....kept me outta the bars and glued to me 42 inch screen lol....done ratchet typin/ jawin.................................................😃
Such an awesome video! Jerry a true character and a hard worker. His knowledge is priceless and you’re very fortunate to have him in your life.
Interesting interview, what a gentleman he is they are few and far between. 👍
Jerry is def the man. I enjoy watching him and mike work togather.. def makes a good team.. def reminds me of my uncle that was more of a dad ran a dozer tell 2 mounths from passing at 78 years yough as he put it. Would do anything for someone needing a hand.
I brewed a fresh pot of coffee for this and was not disappointed. Jerry may not read this but if you do, Thanks for being a hard working true grit man that helped build and make this area what its known for.
Thanks and will pass on
Thanks and will pass on
Thanks and will pass on
Most requested podcast interview and he didn’t disappoint. Hopefully he’ll be back with Diane sooner than later.
Jerry's a national treasure!
I worked 10 inside US Steel for a subcontractor that dug the stage pits on the furnaces, and 992's were the loaders. We had custom built trailers hooked to HD Mack's that weighed 50 tons empty and we hauled 70 to 90 ton with 8 units 7 /365.The most I ever grossed was 187.5 tons!
Great episode
Thanks buddy
NICE TO SEE JERRY IN PODCAST.
A really good show.
Gotta say this one is my favorite so far.
So nice to spotlight Jerry, he is a heck of an OPERATOR.
Glad to see Jerry on your podcast he's got a good sense of humor.
Jerry is the man, legend, old-school legit operator. Best I've ever seen, as I've said before. Guys like Jerry are few and far between anymore. I like to sit down, watch gain all the knowledge that I can while I can. Thanks for finally getting a living legend for a podcast Mike, great job. We gotta learn all we can from these guys while they are still around, GPS don't have anything compared to the Jerry's still out there.
Great hearing from Jerry
My second time watching this and as before it made me feel good. Thanks again.
Great podcast with Jerry , experience is hard to come by we all can learn from people like him
This conversation is hilarious and informative plus it’s friendly
Jerry,
“Thee guy”..., 70yrs young... you say...,
well he is just getting going..., a spring chick if you will...
Mike,
this was an awesome interview...! From the first time you eluded to an up coming interview of Jerry, I was sooo looking forward to it...
Thank you sir.
And a thank you to Jerry for giving the interview...
Holy cow..! “Diane” would ultra awesome...!
An experienced operator and thorough gentleman through and through. One can only learn from Jerry in many ways. Well done Dirt Perfect and Jason Works a Lot.
It'd be great to see Jerry and Diane on the podcast. It was a pleasure listening to Jerry and what he had to say. The problem with the workforce of today is that it's lacking too many Jerry's to show not just how to do the job but to be the example of work ethics and the way of life in general. It's always great to see and hear you on the camera Jerry!
Glad you got Jerry on your channel very interesting about his experience
Now that's some good talk!!!
I rarely comment, but I have to say any video with Jerry in it sharing his experience and humor is top notch. I laughed when I saw the big wrench on the table next to Jerry, I'm guessing he's using it to keep y'all in line. Lol
Jerry is a perfect example of a hard working American who made this country what it is. We need more Jerry's in the world. We love ya Jerry and glad to see ya with DP.
Yes been waiting on this for a long time I could listen to Jerry all day
This is my favorite episode! Jerry is awesome
I love Jerry I wish I could learn from him he is the best operator and such a cool guy very funny and a great man keep going Jerry keep the guys inline I have operated dozers could never compare to you I found my machine was the front end loader
Just came home from my mentors visitation he was 93. Good podcast.
Thanks
Jerry would make a great teacher getting his knowledge and experience to all the newcomers out there
I spent my time running scraper and dozer.
The cold winters in a open cab terx was brutal.
Thank you for having Jerry on your podcast. I'm a few years older than him but, we learned doing things the same way. The background of running things like tractors, gave us the confidence to be able to run just about anything.
The one thing Jerry brought up many times was you have to be able to work as a team. That goes with anything you do.
I had so much fun listening to you and Jerry, I didn't realize that almost an hour had gone by. Take care guys and thanks for the laughs
I really enjoy watching these interviews..great questioning technique, Mike..you make it all smooth and natural… looking forward to more,
Thanks
This is great! The knowledge and skill of a fella that has operated for 40 plus years is unimaginable.
Thank you for sharing Jerry with us, it is hard to find operators who just take pride in their work, and to quote a great operator, "i was just good at it ".
Thank you for sharing , pete Australia
Thank you for sharing brother
God bless you and your's
Just saying
Thank you Mike, Jason and Jerry.
Enjoyed this very much DP 🇺🇲
People like Jerry make the world go around. Thanks!
As a retired general contractor that is 75 yers young I enjoy Jerry and your dirt perfect policy of doing business
Thanks
Jerry you and Mike have a great relationship on and off work. That's awesome
5 minutes in. And I know I won't be disappointed tomorrow when I listen to the rest lol.
That’s a great video with Jerry I just turned 64 retired from HVAC work with Johnson Controls but had my own little dozer and drove trucks but Jerry is great Buster Bailey East Tennessee
I don't normally like watching anyone's podcasts, but I loved this. Jerry is a true living legend, it's great to seeing him coming to terms to being on camera. I look forward to seeing Jerry and Diane on here !
Thanks
I agree the world need more boys and girls like Jerry. 💚
Awesome podcast, I am glad that Jerry took the time to come on and talk. I love listening to the older guys talk about the old days. I have much respect for him. Looking forward to seeing him on another podcast!!
I don’t mean this as a disparaging remark but there is no way that an operator for as much as 20 years could possible understand the experience that Jerry has. I appreciate and love this guy.
I love these podcasts ❤ only recently found out about them from DP channel. But it was 1:20am. when I found out Jerry was on the podcast.
Great job everyone love the stories from the old operators
“How do you get experience?”, ---“you make mistakes!”, ---“how do you not make mistakes?”, ---“it comes from experience!” Loved the interview with Jerry.
Interesting and nice to see DP being so humble about the experience Jerry have... like a mentor... DP’s TH-cam channel and company are made of special individuals. You are all so different but together a fantastic team... Love you all...
Jerry reminds me of my grandfather he was a Cat skinner for 40+ years in southern Oregon. started with Holt tractors logging redwoods near Brookings Oregon and went to Robert Dollar/Glendale Plywood building logging roads and logging with the cats. If he didnt like a new cat the company didnt get them. he was a joy to watch work, he could look at a slope and tell you where the road was going to be put in. love your work Jerry your a joy to watch like i was a kid again watching grandpa work.
Jerry is the man. If you never get a chance to work with men like Jerry then your missing a big part in life. Cat D-6 C 10k is 1 of my favorite dozers to have run. Great podcast Mike 👏
that was great haveing jerry on he is a great fella. have a nice day guys. cheers.
best one yet, thank Jerry for this its awesome
Im with You Jerry, I gravitate to the Dozer too. I just enjoy it. Unless Im on a Rock Garden...Jerry has a Great Sense of Humor... Great Video...
A big thank you to Jerry for sharing his thoughts and experience with us. Respectfully, once he warms up, please allow them whatever time required to share their history. Thank you Mike for the walk down memory lane. As capital intensive as this industry is, it still boils down to having good people!
Thank you Jerry for taking the time. I grew up looking up to the older men around me. You have earned the respect you receive through years of hard work younger people these days expect to receive it un earned. It is obvious that Mike respects you. The cool thing is through his videos you can influence a new generation. Stay young and enjoy your retirement which you have most definitely earned. Your are a man of few words but they are worth listening to.
That was really good!
I see the little MITS (Man in the shop) sign still stuck Lt. Dan's AC condenser
I enjoy all of your videos but this one was special. It was nice to learn a little more about Jerry The Open Cab Operator TOCO it makes him out to be more human than seeing a robot operating a piece of equipment. Don't get me wrong he is an exceptional man and a great operator.
When I finally got a good job that was something I thought of as part of something that meant something was a crew of 28 and we were responsible for water, sewer and gas distribution on a military installation. About 90 percent were much older, lots more experienced in everything from life’s experience to the pranks pulled at work. Of course I was the butt of the pranks because of the new/young guy but took it in stride and laughed with them all. It was the best time of my working career and enjoyed every minute laughing, learning from those guys. What a honor it was to pull wrenches, wade in the mud, joke and even have a few arguments with those men. Wish I could do it all again.
Dude I love it jerry is old school and I love the old school dudes ain't many left thank u so much Dp and jw and jerry just awesome to hear some old construction stories like I remember thanks 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Superb video
Thanks
Great interview with the master dozer operator! Thanks for sharing. It is very interesting how Mr. Jerry got started in the construction business.
Wow!!! One class man. ND YES YES got to get Dianne on with him. Great stuff guys
Love Jerry DP!!! Great podcast guys. Love Jerry’s dry sense of humor. Happy New Year guys.
Thank you Mike and especially Jerry what a way to start the new year I could sit all day in front of the TV or in a lawn chair and watch Jerry work. Things are so much different now than they were back then I am the same age as Jerry 70 years old and that's all I ever wanted to do was run heavy equipment but it was so much of a different world back then. After I got out of high school I went and found a home builder in the Portland Oregon area it was a blur back then everybody was building housing and I walked up to a builder that had 12 houses 12 Lots he only Dozer but had no time he taught me how to do push outs with a 450 B John Deere and how to grade Lots that's how I got my start Back in 1970 then after the summer doing push outs and Grading around completed houses I met a contractor who is putting subdivisions in from the clearing City Utilities it was just him and his brother he had a 25 lot subdivision I Came Upon him and asked if you needed any help and I work the next summer with him and his brother. Back in the early seventies houses were going up as fast and as many as a dog's hair on dog's back. It was relatively easy if you wanted to be an equipment operator to go for it. The next year I bought a rubber-tired backhoe side sewers and housing projects. And then they were breaking ground on a huge huge mall called Washington Square I spent a year-and-a-half there. Then I ran into a contractor from California and he was building not one but two Holiday Inns. They had a carpenter that work for him that had a backhoe and travel with them and get all the Excavating work after the site was already completed oh, that guy decided to stay in California and start his own excavation company. And I happened to walk into the general contractors office the head guy said he try me out for a week. Later I found out that they had hired somebody but he backed into the general contractors motorhome and he was fired on the spot the excavator. One in Portlands South and another one in Portland North I work for that general contractor for two solid years. Back in the early 70s it was easy to start excavating company but then towards the end of that the rental companies Oregon begin to Branch out Excavating equipment. And that's when it started to get harder to get into the business from 18 years old to 65 and I loved it every minute