The Mechanic. Maintenance Manager. Equipment Manager. Shop Foreman. Technician. These hard working individuals go by many titles and while they are one of the most important members of the team, they often go forgotten. They come in early and leave late. They are required to wear many hats throughout the day and are pulled in a million directions. Without them, job sites would come to a screeching halt. Here’s to you. I’m making 2020 about you and your sacrifices. This series will feature the hard working individuals that make up the beating heart of the construction & trucking industries.
8 Tips for Getting Started as a Technician by Kheldon Stapley
Interviews
Cory
Cory Watson – Owner, President, & Mechanic at Green Wrench Heavy Equipment: Follow him on Instagram – @green_wrench
Watch our interview on YouTube: HERE
Listen to the dialogue on the podcast: Audio Coming Soon
Christian
Christian Beyer – CAT Dealer Technician for Fabick CAT: Follow him on Instagram – @christianw.beyer
Check out Christian’s YouTube – HERE
Watch our interview on YouTube: HERE
Listen to the dialogue on the podcast: https://soundcloud.com/the-oil-lady/maintenance-team-interview-series-christian-beyer
Mike
Mike Dahlen – VP of Operations IL/IN for Alta Equipment: Follow Alta Instagram – @altaequipment
Watch our interview on YouTube: HERE
Listen to the dialogue on the podcast: HERE
See Mike and Alta at the NYSE: HERE
Mike Dahlen, VP of Operations at Alta Equipment is the true American success story. He began his career by working for the local union before starting his own company, Elite Heavy Equipment Repair. He used every penny to his name to start Elite and worked his first jobs out of their family suburban, which sometimes doubled as his hotel between jobs. Eventually the business grew into a successful fleet of 24 field service trucks/technicians and in 2018 he was purchased by Alta Equipment where he is now the VP. I wanted to interview Mike because he sets a great example for mechanics and shows that you may start as a mechanic but you don’t have to stop there. This is my first in-person interview since Covid and we bring his story to you from the comfy leather chairs in his modest Spring Grove office, which was formerly the headquarters for Elite.
Melissa
Melissa Petersmann – Heavy Equipment Mechanic Level III for Honnen Equipment: Follow her on Instagram –@diesel_queen96
Watch our interview on YouTube: HERE
Listen to the dialogue on the podcast: HERE
Read Melissa’s interview with CED HERE
How much does oil and the use of different lubricants effect your job day to day?
“People underestimate the importance of oil. When you have a $79,000 motor or $20,000 transmission – oils and your maintenance intervals, and the quality of the oils you’re using, can make the difference between a motor lasting 3000hrs and a motor lasting 13,000hrs. It’s completely dependent upon how you take care of it. The oil and regular servicing is one of the most important parts to that equation.”
Kheldon
Kheldon Stapley – CAT Dealer Technician for Wheeler CAT: Follow him on Instagram – @ravenlocke13
Caterpillar Behind the Iron Interview with Kheldon – HERE
Watch our interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qq1CuhetmsY
Listen to the dialogue on the podcast (skip 1 min of intro music): https://soundcloud.com/the-oil-lady/maintenance-team-interview-series-kheldon-stapley
How much does oil and the use of different lubricants effect your job day to day?
Kheldon: “A lot! It is without a doubt, the most critical thing ever. One of the things I like to tell people is that at the end of the day, everything out there just becomes a giant paperweight without the engine, and the key part of an engine without a doubt, 100%, absolutely critical, is lubrication.”
Bonus – Listen to Aaron of Buildwitt’s interview with Quinton Galbraith of Peterson CAT and the Infamous @caterpillarwrenching!
