What pays for your Horse addiction

[ClassicTractorProfessor 5,314]

Seems with winter coming on there have been several threads started to get to know each other better...from other hobbies and interests to how our usernames came up...I thought it might be interesting to see what we all do for a living.

 

I work as a truck driver in the oil fields of Oklahoma. My job consists of hauling the waste drilling fluids from the rig and spread it on nearby pasture or farm ground. We pay the landowner so much per barrel of mud to spread it on his/her land, and it benefits their land as well if done properly. 

 

This is one of the rigs we service, and a picture of the mud I speak of

 

And this is the truck I drive every day

 

And if BRF picture wasn't enough to scare everybody here I am geared up and ready for the day

[KC9KAS 4,741]

I don't have any photos, but I am an industrial waste water treatment operator at Jasper Engines & Transmissions in Jasper Indiana.

We use a hydroxide precipitation treatment process to get the solids out of the cleaning process waste water. We also have oil skimmers to remove the oil that is cleaned off of and out of the drive line components.

Our discharged water goes to the city for additional treatment before it is discharged to the Patoka River.

[wallfish 16,983]

I was a communication contractor (Voice, data, satellite, CATV, CCTV, WIFI, Ect. Ect.) since 1988. Basically if it had a wire going to it, we installed it on everything from 600' towers to complete underground systems. Then completely changed careers at 53 years old just recently back in May '17, which was quite a bit scary because of risking EVERYTHING we had and then some, but things are going very well so far. I bought a small Radon Mitigation company and now install those systems in Central MA. The website which needs updating is massradon.com . Wearing every hat involved with a new business doesn't leave much time for anything else.  

[953 nut 55,062]

I grew up on a dairy farm doing a little of everything and have have changed occupations several times. Some of them have been: journeyman electrician, hydroponic greenhouse manager, and most recently. nuclear power plant operator. I departed Florida Power and Light a dozen years ago and find that Retirement is the most satisfying occupation yet!

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,300]

  I was an electrician from 1986 to 2010. Then like many of you I made a career change at 44 years old. I now work for a defense contractor as a project manager installing submarine trainers for the Navy. Its a great job with quite a bit of travel to any naval base that has subs. My farthest trip was to Guam to install a navigation trainer. The last few years I have also been involved in building security systems for submarine training buildings on bases, both intrusion and access control. Talk about a mess of rules!!

  I still keep my Connecticut electrical license up to date....just in case  .

[Jerry77 1,218]

I am a retired Indiana State Trooper..got done with that and worked in construction for a few years and went to trade school for welding - then went to work for Kaiser Aluminum as a maintenance welder - worked my way up to line foreman, then maintenance foreman and eventually plant superintendent...retired 21 years ago and love every minute of retirement...due to my age, I can't physically work with stuff like I used to....sure would like to tho.....that's why I like following the work you guys do..living vicariously...

[rmaynard 15,427]

From 1972 to 2007 I was in the office equipment sales and service business, owning my own copier company from 1991 to 2007. Then I sold out and went into home improvement, which led me into Radon Mitigation just like @wallfish . I'm now retired, but feed my tractor addiction by buying and selling Wheel Horses and parts, and making and selling brake band linings for the horses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 14, 2017 by rmaynard

[dclarke 4,032]

I retired a little over a year ago but I drove these for a fertilizer and chemical company since 1989. 

Now I work for these guys. 
 

Edited December 14, 2017 by dclarke

[cleat 5,809]

I am a Millwright (Industrial mechanic) and work for DuPont.

We make Freon 123 which is for large commercial chillers.

 

Unfortunately we can't make it after next year because of environmental concerns so plant is shut down at the end of next year.

 

There are two mechanics at our plant (including me) and our main ingredients are Hydrofluoric acid and PCE (basically like a dry cleaning fluid).

 

Raw materials come in on rail cars.

 

They are mixed together and heated with a catalyst at 500 PSI and the end result is freon 123 and HCL.

 

The HCL is separated out in distillation columns and basically given away as it is a waste stream.

 

HCL is loaded onto rail cars, 123 is loaded onto rail cars, tanker trucks, and ISO containers.

 

My job is to do all maintenance required to keep the plant running including the rebuild of valves, pumps, piping systems, columns etc.

 

I also maintain the company vehicles and snow removal equipment.

 

Also maintenance hooks up the rail cars and makes sure they are safe to send out on the rails.

 

Because of the toxic nature of the materials (especially the Hydrofluoric acid, a lot of the work is done in a fully encapsulated acid suit with breathing air.

 

That is not a lot of fun at -20 when all you have on your hands is 2 layers of rubber gloves and your face mask fogs and sometimes frosts up so you can't see.

 

Because of the breathing air or respirators that require a good seal to your face, you must be clean shaven at all times.

 

Cleat

Edited December 14, 2017 by cleat

[BaySide1 138]

Self Employed Medical Equipment Repair Technician

Specializing in Table Top Autoclaves

[Achto 27,502]

I grew up farming and work as a farm hand. After high school I worked as an Auto body Mechanic for 10+yrs. Then I moved on to be a Harley Davidson mechanic for another 10+ yrs, during this time I also did custom painting on bikes as a side job. Wrenching during the day & painting at night led to very long days, some times getting only a few hours sleep each day. For the last 14yrs now I have been working as a test technician on large scale generators. Our facility builds generators from 200Kw - 2,000Kw. A boring test is a good test here but there is enough trouble shooting and repairs to keep me interested in the job.

 

Below is a pic of one of our 2,000Kw units. It has a V16 65.4L diesel engine, holds 145gal of coolant, 190qts of oil. The engine produces 3,050hp at 1800RPMs and sips a mere 150gal of diesel per hour at full load. Full load at 480v is 3007amps at .8 power factor. There is a 20oz Coke bottle sitting on one of the valve covers as a size reference.

Edited December 14, 2017 by Achto

[ericj 1,578]

I grew up working on farms and helping dad part time farm a couple of acres. went to work in factories, then moved into warehousing and working on trucking docks. In the mid 90's I realized  that there was no real future in that, so I went back to school for HVAC working for various residential and commercial companies. In 09 when the economy tanked I took a job in Maintenance at a school district as the plumber / refrigeration mechanic. took a $ 3.00 an hr pay cut and lead to believe that I could get most of it back eventually. Well after 6 year only got less then $ 1.00 back. In 2015 got hires on through the pipe fitters union and went to work with Johnson Controls as a service tech. That went okay till earlier this year when we slowed down on the commercial side that I was working and they laid me off in Oct. took a couple of weeks off and worked on projects that have been laying around for far to long, didn't get all done but made some progress. Then went to work through the union hall, as a pipe fitter,  at a local gas fired power plant that they are building real close to where I grew up, might say in my back woods. They don't want me mentioning the name on social media so I can't tell you exactly where but if you live by me you know. I was working 5 ten hour days, next week going to 5 nine's. showed up for work this morning and punched in and they told us to go home becuase of the 1" snow fall last night. the contractor in charge is 100 % over budget and we are going on over 24 months into the original 18 month project and still have supposedly 18 more months to go, they are having major lay offs now. not sure if I'll get it or not since this is my hall's job, and they still have to finish the plant. A lot of guy's get layoff and turn right around and come back through the gate wearing a different color hard hat.

 

 

 

Been hearing rumors from the guy's that there is big money to be made in NJ and Philadelphia, was planing riding this job out to hopefully near spring and getting back into service work now not sure what I'm going to do. Guess I'll have to wait and see what comes up. 

 

 

 

 

eric j 

[Sarge 3,463]

Worked for quite a few years at several different shops turning wrenches on everything from small cars to diesel trucks and trailers and even some welding . Worked in a custom cabinet shop for a few years until they ran it into the ground and moved on to being a Utilities Locator running 5 counties and 5 different utility companies we contracted for - then they sold out the company . Figured out real quick that was a dead end industry with too many changes so I went in the Laborer's Union - almost got 20yrs in now as a Journeyman . Mostly heavy highway and used to do a lot of the local Nukes and other power plants . Will probably retire out at the end of next year and move on once again - depends upon the politicians and if they actually ever put any money into our crumbling roads . Last range of years since '09 has been really lean with a lot of time off so been doing as many others have in the Trades a lot of side work with welding and repairs to keep us afloat . Might go to a local small welding shop that always needs help but my eye sight is going to keep me limited to basically a shop rat - I guess it could be worse . Doubt I'll ever really retire as our pension funds have taken such a bad hit over the years and our membership is dwindling - but who knows ....I'm sure ready for it .

 

Sarge

[pfrederi 17,662]

Spent 28 years in the Army.  Most of the time managing Health Care dollars.  But some of my favorite times were in field units playing with trucks...

 

Been retired a long time now (no kids). Started out playing with an M-37 and an M-274.  Went on to full size old tractors Case DC, VAC and Farmall M.  Then Picked up on the wheel Horses starting with my fathers L107.

 

To tie back to first post I live on a dirt road in the Marcellus Shale gas fields.  last winter 800-1000 of those tri-axle water truck were going up and down it. Had to be careful pulling out of the driveway  making sure you were in the convoy serial going the right way.  Road was narrow in parts they had a 24/7 guy in  a pick up truck batching up the tankers sending them through in serials.

[ClassicTractorProfessor 5,314]

1 hour ago, dclarke said:

I retired a little over a year ago but I drove these for a fertilizer and chemical company since 1989. 

Now I work for these guys. 
 

I've logged several miles in a machine like the one in your second picture...sister company of the one I work for buys a lot of those, and replaces the box with a 70 bbl tank and a vac pump. That's what the non-CDL guys spread with. 

 

This was my wheels yesterday...had to wash out the frac tanks we were using for slop mud storage. This truck has a gear pump on it that when coupled with a 2" hose and fire nozzle will put out more pressure than most people want to hang on to...This tank was one of the worst I have ever seen

[ClassicTractorProfessor 5,314]

@dclarke here is one of their converted machines

[JPWH 6,032]

I work for an electrical contractor. Same field for 37 years. Worked my way through from apprentice to master electrician with 6 contractors. I was field superitendant for my current company for 5 years then changed to safety director and quality control. I've been doing this for 8 years and have been with this company for 19 years.

[19richie66 17,500]

I have been a mechanic for the Mouse for the last 30 years. I've worked on landscape equipment, heavy equipment, vehicles, a couple of attractions for about a year and now work in a golf cart shop. Still kickin' it. Hope to be North Carolina bound in 3-4 years. I'll find something up there to do to make some tractor money. 😁

[dcrage 627]

Cleat

 

3 hours ago, cleat said:

main ingredients are Hydrofluoric acid

 

I don’t think most people on here can appreciate how “nasty” this stuff is!! I am truly impressed that you have made a career of handling HF.  As a lifelong chemist this is the type of chemical you were glad you didn’t have to deal with!

Edited December 14, 2017 by dcrage

[Daddy Don 905]

I worked for a company call Buzzi Unicem . They are a company out of Italy. We produced and sold cement to contractors and the oil field.. I retired after 30 years seven years ago. I now make jig heads and sinkers when I am not fishing. This is my hobby.

[cleat 5,809]

1 hour ago, dcrage said:

Cleat

 

 

I don’t think most people on here can appreciate how “nasty” this stuff is!! I am truly impressed that you have made a career of handling HF.  As a lifelong chemist this is the type of chemical you were glad you didn’t have to deal with!

And we work with pure Anhydrous HF. Any moisture and it fumes and reacts like crazy.

 

If, heaven forbid, the HF makes contact with a person then it quickly tries to absorb all the calcium from your body.

 

We have the treatment kits on site and at the local hospital just in case.

 

Keep it dry and it can be stored in regular steel storage tanks.

 

Once the reaction in the process happens then the corrosion rate goes way up so at that point everything is made from Hastelloy C276.

 

The HCL when it first comes out of the columns is also pure Anhydrous until we run it through a pair of 7 story tall water cooled Absorbers and convert it to aqueous. That is what is loaded and shipped offsite.

 

A year before I started (1988) there was one fatality on site due to a release of HF. There were no treatment kits here then and he died shortly after arriving at the Hospital.

 

He was walking past the base of the first separation column when a threaded instrument failed putting a cloud of HF vapours into the air. That is why he did not have on the acid suit.

 

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,295]

Most of my work life I worked as a purchasing agent in the following fields ,retail grocery, banking, health insurance ( I really hated that 18 months) and spent 18 years at a Law Firm as the Head of Purchasing . I like spending other peoples money Retired in 2006 when a ladder slipped from under me when coming off my roof. Now I collect my drunk neighbor's beer cans and sell for scrap. Collect my Social Security  and check out Red Square daily.

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,268]

I'm an Architect with IBM Cloud specializing in SAP applications, but I take care of a website here and there for kicks.

[ebinmaine 67,265]

I have a great position in my company as a CDL-B driver and equipment operator.

We supply pretty much anything for the outside of a building.

My usual truck is a 22 flat bed with a demountable Moffett forklift.

Occasionally a box truck.

 

I do also drive our crane/boom truck.

It's a similar truck to this but blue.

And it has this crane.

HUGE responsibility and I really enjoy it.

 

[cleat 5,809]

2 hours ago, nylyon said:

I'm an Architect with IBM Cloud specializing in SAP applications, but I take care of a website here and there for kicks.

At work, all my work orders and equipment history is handled by SAP.

 

I muddle through it but am not an expert in it by any means.

 

SAP is a very complex program.