Remember when you had to pick between a lattice boom and a hydraulic?

Back in '98 on the I-5 bridge project, the foreman gave me a choice: stick with the old 25-ton lattice boom I knew inside out, or try the new 30-ton hydraulic they'd just brought on site. I went with the lattice, thinking its reach was better for the tricky spots over the water. Honestly, it was the right call for that job, but I spent the next decade playing catch-up on hydraulic rigs. Anyone else make a choice like that and feel it shaped your career path?

3 comments

3 Comments

mason_fisher29d ago

Ever have a job where the old way just clicked? I was running a lattice boom truck crane for years, knew every squeak and rattle. Then a site super offered me a shot on a brand new rough terrain with all the fancy controls. I turned it down because the lattice felt like an extension of my arms. It worked for that pour, but man, I was the last guy in my crew to get comfortable with the joysticks. Felt like I was learning to walk again on the next big site.

kelly63829d ago

Makes you wonder if @mason_fisher's crew lost some old tricks for good.

reese_bennett2529d ago

Yeah, that "learning to walk again" feeling hits hard. It's wild how one choice to stick with what you know can put you years behind on the tech everyone else is using.