Ron's New Toy

After breakfast and doing the barn chores, it was time to unload the backhoe.















Ron went to get the tractor while I started to undo all the tie downs and chains holding the backhoe in place on the trailer.















It didn't take Ron long to return with the tractor and help me with getting the backhoe free.















Once Ron placed the boards in place to make the ramp to get the machine off the trailer and brought the tractor up and attached the ball to the backhoe hitch it was time to gently take it off the trailer. 















Everything went smoothly, and Ron was able start it up and move the arm and see the range of motion and get familiar with the controls.















He is quite pleased with his birthday present and took it up behind the barn and covered it with a tarp to protect it from the elements.

Ron's New Toy Home

Today we are going to Gownstown, Ontario to look at a backhoe that Ron had found looking through various heavy equipment advertisements.

This small town is north of Listowel, which under ideal conditions this 153 mile (246km), would be a 3-1/2 hour drive away, but it ended up being just under 5 hours.
















Once we arrived, we were able to see the backhoe and Ron was pleased and willing to wait until the owner returned from work to make sure there were no problems once it was started.

The sun was just starting to go dawn when the owner arrived and they got it started and went over moving the arm and seeing that everything worked.
















Ron, was pleased to deal with an honest man, who represented his machine as it was and stated all the problems that it had (which were minor). After that, it didn't take long for Ron to pay for it, get his bill of sale and with the owner's help, get it loaded onto the trailer.

Now comes the long drive home, but it was well worth spending the day to go and get something he has wanted for a long time. I told him it is his birthday present and he agrees.