MONUMENT MOVE PART 1 12 1 2016

[@irishmanphill]

ron you and your crew in my opinion are top 5 best tow crew in the united states. very well done job guys.

[@shawnyoung7255]

As a owner of a Monument Company in Northwest Pennsylvania it is very hard to be able to own a crane truck big enough to move stones like this as they are not a usual size. I’ve had to hire different companies to move a handful of stones we little guys always appreciate the help from people like you. I love your videos I watch a few each night when it’s time to chill, keep up the awesome job you do

[@EezeeListen]

Riveting and exciting. I am impressed with your knowledge and ability to size up a situation, especially as this was a first for you. I am doing things sort of back to front, as I was so involved in this that I went straight to part 2 and watched that before realising I had not commented on part 1, so for both parts 1 and 2, absolutely wonderful work. One thing that impacts on me the most is that between yourself and Talon, there is no shouting or trying to impress, just getting on with the job and talking as and when necessary. Talon takes it all in, processing everything and quietly gets on with it - he has a wonderful teacher/employer. Best wishes to you both.

[@BulletNoseBetty]

Good job! Working in a cemetery is a very grave undertaking.

[@18meat]

From a old retired truck and wreaker driver. I want to thank you for showing folks how dangerous it is in recovery work sometimes. Very professional and informative videos. Be safe out there and God bless you and the rest of the crew.

[@RonPratt]

A very sincere thank you. I hope you continue to enjoy my videos. God bless

[@Quadflash]

Another solid, safe lift, Ron. I'm sure impressed with the ways you can make your rotator do whatever needs to be done -- safely.

[@RonPratt]

David Sonnen Thank you sir

[@TheCrewChief374]

Just saw the towman tv recovery roundup, and hope that this leads to Ron getting a towman of the year award from the annual towman's award banquet. Because, I have emailed the folk's at the hall of fame and museum about nominating Ron for this award. Hopefully, since my family spent 40 years in the wrecker, or towing business, that would still allow me to do that, due to the fact it that it has to be someone else that has been or is in the towing business to nominate another person for the award. It is going to have to be, I am the only member of the family left, after my dad past away in March! Moreover, I found out last month that my dad had been back in the business for a short time, until he got to ill to work.

[@asavage1576]

I'm a truck mechanic, and I love when we get one towed on because I love to stare and drool over the wreckers! Haha I love heavy wreckers, especially a rotator!

[@charlesthompson7155]

Lol

[@Victormassano]

ha ha ,you use your phone like I do,it's an instant camera for when you need to save the moment.Your videos are great , I'm always learning something new with your videos.Mr Pratt another great job.

[@RonPratt]

Victor Massano. Thank you. Yes I like to take pictures of jobs.

[@Victormassano]

I'm an Electrician by trade and I'm not a tow truck operator. But I was a firefighter, certified on the Jaws Of Life. I have the up most respect for your job with dangers and having to know rigging, load angles, weights by sight. Very difficult and requires lots of experience. Kudos to you sir, always a pleasure watching how you overcome challenges.

[@rickgriffin1124]

Ron, my friend, that part 1 was the most impressive thing I've ever seen in my life! You truly are something else. Rick

[@josedejesus6185]

We learn something new every day! Ice blocks! Good coordination between you and the rest of the gentlemen!

[@bigbearevans6576]

I'm fairly new to this channel I'm in Australia and it's great to see a tow truck driver that says how it is and humble then these wannabes that know crap all

[@mjcoppage]

Ron, I subscribed to your channel about a month ago, and I am addicted to it! Last weekend I was looking around your videos when I saw the word "monument". Besides watching KZbin, my other hobby is researching cemeteries. I always wondered how they set up those BIG monuments (or memorials as we call them). Fantastic video. (more to fiollow)

[@neillsmart213]

Necessity breeds ingenuity!! The is an amazing machine and an awesome group of people :)

[@josephdonnelly4824]

Ron I like watching your videos and I wish I had the money to start my own towing company I have been watching and learning what to do and thank you for what you do and God bless you and your family

[@pjsmitty1]

Was watching this in bed last night and had the sound low so my wife could sleep, when you mentioned the weight of your truck and your concerns about driving on the grass next to the road I though you said that your truck weighed 17000 lbs. My Hino 338 roll back wrecker weighs 18000 unloaded so Im thinking that cant be right. Later on I heard you say 70000 lbs. All was right in the world again lol

[@RonPratt]

Glad you are enjoying my videos. Thanks for watching and God bless.

[@paulweaver4297]

Yet more interesting videos from you Ron. I am really finding your videos interesting and this one is rather unique, well along with the other two.

[@RonPratt]

This was one of my all-time favorite jobs. Thanks and God bless.

[@michellebuendel5180]

And that was a truly different hauling job than any before‼️😃 Great job. I’m sure the family of that plot really appreciates u being able to move that headstone to the right spot after 71 yrs‼️😆 That hard to believe nobody noticed til now. Really⁉️⁉️😆

[@typashley5394]

What a fantastic piece of kit them rotaters are the only thing I had on the Diamond T I used to drive was a fixed jib and a 50 ton Garwood winch but what a tool that was with the Rolls Royce Eagle engine in it would pull anything cheers Ty

[@RonPratt]

Ty Pashley. I drove a Diamond Reo with a Holmes 750 split boom and a 50 ton Garwood deck winch when I was younger. Also had a Marmon long nose with a Holmes 750 and a first generation hydraulic Zacklift under-reach. Thanks for watching. Stay safe.

[@typashley5394]

Hi Ron , the first time I saw Holmes split boom was at a wrecker demonstration in the late 60s I thought it was the bee's knees and to the equipment you use today it's unbelievable. Them rotaters have certainly made the job a lot easier, seized to have to reposition for every pull with a fixed jib stay safe on them road's cheers Ty

[@Mass_hole508]

Amazing job guys as always i am highly impressed with your work.

[@Jack61]

Wears Valley!! Good grief Ron, I grew up 20 miles from there! Small world for sure. Beautiful area, all of East Tennessee.

[@captnhook236]

Ice Blocks for the WIN!!! Dang

[@rogerdavies6226]

I'd never thought of that, gonna have to remember that

[@terrik38]

That was very impressive and amazing, great job by you all " Great team work " 👏 👍👍👍👍👍

[@diannaf4821]

wow I learned some awesome thing in this vieo. Keep up the good work Ron and Talon

[@ahnbra]

Very interesting lift. Every thing went good and slow. I would say this was as close to textbook as any one could get.

[@DallasBoricua]

This was an interesting job. Certainly one for the books. I think it would make a great training video showing job problem solving skills. Hats off to all at Midwest.

[@RonPratt]

This was one of those jobs that I will always remember. It was interesting, unique, challenging, and rewarding. Thanks for watching and God bless.

[@suestoons]

@@RonPratt I'm late to the party for this video, but I've been watching your channel all night so here we are. I didn't know what the ice blocks were for so I tried Googling it. Hubby & Kidlet tell me I am the worst Googler ... ever. Hubby happened by and in frustration, I asked if he knew what the ice blocks were for and how would he go about searching for that information 'cause I can't find it anywhere. Standing behind my monitor, he can't see anything that I'm looking at, he says ... "The blocks are so they can take the straps out" " I wouldn't search, I'd find a monument company and send them an email and ask" and then, ... "Is that one of Ron's videos?" I'm sitting here, mind blown, mouth still agape. Himself and I do NOT have similar KZbin tastes but he guesses right off the bat what I was watching and who you were. ... Perhaps it's time to step away from the keyboard and go to bed. Right after I watch how you get the behemoth of the foundation out of the hole!

[@j.pierremalette4482]

WOW, versality is your speciality. Great job. I notice, SAFETY FIRST.

[@RonPratt]

Thank you very much.. I do try. Thanks for watching and God bless.

[@Joshua79C]

Considering the cost of these machines, it does not hurt to offer Odd Job assistance to make up payments when not needed for vehicle wrecker service. Seen some others do similar stuff Ron does for side work with the rolling rotator to pay the bills.

[@arbiter1]

Like old trucker addage, "if you are turning you aint earning". Truck don't pay for itself sitting at the shop, ton's of odd job's like this that a mobile crane like that can do.

[@jays106]

I love the old sepintine belt trick to make blocks easier to handle an awesome idea

[@daltonbeal1720]

When ever he said ice blocks I had to rewind the video to make sure I heard him right .

[@RonPratt]

Yep, pretty "cool" idea.

[@Big_T_Travis]

Ron Pratt is it actually ice? Lol dumb question

[@clydebalcom8252]

You heard right. Ice blocks are old school and they work.

[@lockedin60]

Those GoPro cameras have really good audio pickup. First time that I have heard your footsteps. Things are usually pretty quiet around cemeteries and not a lot of road/vehicle noises. Maybe another factor is audio on certain youtube videos are hard for me to hear so I use earbuds.

[@VespinKnot]

lol ive been watching this channel forever and i never knew that he was your son in law lol i feel stupid lol great video God Bless

[@EnriqueLopez-hb5jn]

Hey Ron,I thought you like challenges, and this is another challenge for you.👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@aldoagnellini756]

The ice cube idea is great. I imagine they have somehow guided the monument during the melting to avoid slippage or misplacements. I guess it's very true that you never end up learning something new every day.

[@RonPratt]

Thank you and yes, I do learn something new every day. My wife always says, "the day you stop learning and growing is the day you take your last breath." I suppose there is some wisdom to that. Thanks for watching and God bless.

[@rodgerterrey7171]

Ron , about the Anker 5200 battery pack is nice because there's a mesh bag that comes with it & I have wiretied to my bike helmet on opposite sides to counter balance the weght !!! These are awesome batteries , I have 6 & power anything else with a micro USB charge point !! As for the Garmin cameras I have three & work in conjunction to each other , but the SD card isn't removed for viewing , you can only view with provided C type USB cable but not a deal breaker & as for WiFi you can only view for setting up the shot but can't access during filming . Not a deal breaker .. These are great items

[@odc43054]

Nice work. Would never have thought about using ice to crib up a monument so it would easily and safely settle on the base.

[@RonPratt]

I didn't think about the ice either. I thought that it was a "cool" idea....lol. Thanks for watching and God bless.

[@houzepw]

Awesome job as always! ~ MWT to the rescue!

[@MrLordwrecker]

Well planned out expertly executed.

[@RonPratt]

Trucker Biscuit Thank you

[@ipaddlemyowncanoe.7441]

I'm going to have to remember that ice trick that was great 8 blocks hold 5 tons great work. 👍👍🇨🇦

[@rodgerterrey7171]

Ron , I Love your channel !!! In watching the monument move you mentioned cameras battery , I use Anker 5200 battery pack to backup ( candy bar size) for my GoPro style cameras . So I don't lose footage .. Also you might look into Garmin verb elite cameras ( I have 3) & have 2 hour battery life & when you turn on one camera the other Garmin cameras turn on at same time . They also have GPS , speed, temp angle distance & also have an editing software !look into this

[@RonPratt]

Thank you very much for the info. I will definitely look into it. Since filming this particular job, which was back in 2016, I have updated my GoPros. I now have a Hero5 and a Hero6 with 64Gb cards and spare batteries that I keep charged in the truck. On some jobs I'll have to change the batteries several time and perhaps the SD card once. For the most part I don't have as many issues now. The Hero4 gave me all kinds of problems with batteries and especially lost audio. Again, I will definitely look into your suggestions. Thanks for watching and God bless.

[@chasemartin7135]

Midwest trucks are so cool look at it is big I am your number one fan

[@RonPratt]

Thank you for being such a great fan. I appreciate that very much. I am also glad you enjoy the trucks and the videos. God bless you Chase Martin.

[@dorothrawalker1389]

ok first how did get on wrong grave for 72 years and 2 how did they fine out it was? Great job as always Ron God Bless.

[@RonPratt]

I can't answer those questions. That is simply what the people told me....most of which you could hear on the video. Thanks and God bless.

[@neillsmart213]

It happens more than people think :)

[@Simon-ho6ly]

Somewhat late here but it looks like the cemetery is laid out in rows, and the marker is one row out.. so my thought is possibly a mistake was made like someone copying the location put "row 23" instead of "row 22" or something... if the grave its over is from a family that doesnt visit or something having moved out of town after the burial.. Its possible the family that own the monument are not super local so never realised

[@bobcriss600]

That is a pretty cool ingenious way to get the straps out! Blocks of ice! Wow! Whoever thought of that was doing some serious thinking!

[@stevebrasher2708]

Ron what was the point of the ice blocks. ?? Awesome has always . God Bless.

[@gayle4804]

Great 👍 job 👌

[@TheCrewChief374]

By the way, the ice block, or ice cube method is used in setting steps that are made of granite, concrete, or stone, in order to get the straps out after putting them in place.

[@maxmoats2517]

Whoever came up with the idea of putting ice blocks under the stone is a genius. They are strong, easy to move, and they will melt in the sun. GENIUS!

[@RonPratt]

Thank you! God bless.

[@HenryLoenwind]

Actually, the sun is your enemy when your doing this. Blocks that get direct sunlight melt faster than those on the other side. So you need to cover them for an even melt. BTW, this trick is thousands of years old. Well documented since roman times. When you live near a glacier---where this happens naturally---it is quite obvious. ;)

[@smeeks7]

RoadDrive420 iI'm

[@Triple555nickel]

great move. ice blocks is one of the oldest tricks in the book. I am surprised the monument only weighed 10,000. I thought it would have been more. since I handle monuments all the time.

[@gravity422]

Awesome Job...

[@davidmerryman5565]

I know this is a old one and I m glad you got the new mic. I had to put my earbuds in to hear when I did I heared something that I did not expect I could hear you walking that was strange

[@RonPratt]

Great, glad you noticed the difference and it has been a positive one. God bless.

[@2H80vids]

Another fascinating video Ron. As a new subscriber, I'm kinda binge-watching them and have enjoyed every one so far. I haven't watched the next 2 parts yet so, apologies if my question is answered in one of them: what were you planning to do BEFORE the ice-blocks were suggested? All I can think of: cut the straps and leave the bits under the memorial. Apart from the obvious waste and cost, could you even cut those straps? It's good to watch how you interact with others; loved it when the cruiser took off after the guy who didn't "move over & slow down". Here in Scotland, the expression is: "What goes around, comes around" - very true in that particular case.☺ Keep up the good work and Stay Safe!! All the Best, Dougie.

[@RonPratt]

First, thank you for subscribing and I hope you enjoy the channel. If the ice blocks hadn't been used, we would typically use tapered wooden shims to place under the material, remove our straps, and then carefully tap the shims out. One strap is all we would have had to worry about. We would set one end down, remove that strap, then place the shims to remove the opposite strap. There are other methods as well, but this would have been how we would typically have removed the straps. Thanks for watching and God bless.

[@2H80vids]

@@RonPratt Thanks for your reply Ron, especially such a quick one. It's nice to find a channel where the host even READS the comments. As I suspected, the answer DID come-up in the following episode.☺ When that block starting sliding off the rollback, it REALLY started sliding. I bet you were relieved when the rollback pushed itself out of the mud too. I have a strange feeling you may hear from me again, stupid questions are a bit of a trademark of mine.☺ All the Best, Dougie.

[@nkystevep7007]

Ice blocks interesting. What if the sun is beating down on one side and melts it faster will the monument slide off? Not sure just wondering.

[@rayjones3212]

Who da thunk it - using ice to hold up the stone after being set in place. At first I was wondering how you could get your straps out after setting it in place. Kewl beans, Ron!

[@melvin2675]

Beautiful job 👍👌☝

[@kens.3729]

Very Interesting Move.

[@jimfishburn3364]

Ron while watching this I noticed that you said your Mom and Dad was on the way to Wears Valley here in East TN. Well brother that is just about 45 miles from where I am sitting right now. Realize the date is different. They will be off of Inez Burns Pkwy who was my history teacher in HS. Know they will love it here. Just FYI. Jim

[@RonPratt]

My parents own a second home there and travel back and forth between here and there. I love their mountain home. Even though it's only the foothills, it's close enough to drive to the park or over to Cherokee, Gatlinburg, wherever you would like to visit. I enjoy just sitting on the deck, drinking coffee, and watching the mist on the mountains. LOVE the mountains. God bless.

[@edgarmilson8686]

Another nice job done by Ron Pratt. Ron, are you any relative of a Parley Pratt from the mid 1800,s? All the best, Edgar

[@wssides]

Consider the equipment and techniques that were used 72 years ago to get that block out of the matrix, over to the carvers and placed where it was.

[@justinkredable9725]

Would a barrier lift be good in that situation

[@timrowland1490]

Part 1 Ron Pratt very well done with Talon!🙏❤️🇺🇸👼🏼😎🇺🇸

[@RegularTennesseeJoe]

Didn’t know you had family in Sevier County. Hope all is well with their home.

[@timmerritt2853]

WOULD LIKE TO COME RIDE WITH YA FOR A DAY IF THATS POSSIBLE, RETIRED/DISABLED TRUCK DRIVER, THIS STUFF FACINATES ME, I USED TO HAUL HEAVY EQUIPMENT AND ALOT OF OVERSIZE LOADS TOO

[@Mrfort]

ethan Thats pretty cool ,,"ice blocks"

[@terryroper2591]

I wish I would have thought about ice with some of the equipment I have moved. Thanks

[@normandyck7609]

New gloves for each job?😂 you must fall down a lot great videos

[@kd5nrh]

I thought he was getting out a brand new pair of dress gloves just because it was a cemetery.

[@bluedevil0072]

What is the light weight of the Rotator, fully Equipped and Fueled? I know my 76 KW and 45' Flatbed was 27,900 lbs.

[@RonPratt]

Right at 72,000 lbs

[@ryans.8144]

1. What does that emergency shutoff do? Like does it shut everything down or what? And 2. Are you hiring, if so what’s the requirements?

[@clydebalcom8252]

Just from your demeanor and bearing, I have to ask. Are you a veteran?

[@lerkzor]

Ron - I know it's far after the fact, but I recently discovered you channel and I am watching some of your older videos. For future reference, please do not use KZbin's image stabilization, it is Evil and should never be used! Thanks, and thank you for all the nice videos!

[@chasemartin7135]

God bless you too

[@RonPratt]

Thank you very much.

[@chasemartin7135]

Can you watch some of my video's

[@miltoncallan1471]

Now I have seen everything!

[@charles8801]

Ok I'm using earbuds and I can hear Ron's foot steps it kinda sounds like a steady heartbeat. Like " The tell tail heart " a Poe poem "

[@adrianspeeder]

Wrong plot? How does that even happen?

[@wishbringer5108]

Did that guy say he hired you because of an advertisement on tv ron?

[@joelgonzales8248]

Yes

[@officialchrisazrikam]

I know he's your son in law, but just out of curiosity why didn't he have a helmet on when working under the boom? Was it a dad thing? lol btw new subscriber to your channel love your videos. Stay safe.

[@RonPratt]

Yes, you are very observant and everyone is suppose to wear one. On occasion the adrenaline gets flowing and the focus is all about the recovery and the customer. Safety however, should always be first. Thank you for your subscription and for your concern and God bless.

[@Paladun100]

you Pratts are neighbors with yall being in the wears valley area

[@smartycummins2500]

Dude your a good guy. Love watching your channel. Love the attitude

[@friscohodge7431]

Ron just so you know frs channel one is the national emergency channel you need to use channel 2 or 3

[@MRHSDM316SD18186]

Great job as usual Ron, but that mic you are using makes it sound like you are talking in a cave in a bad way, even with headphones on it's a bit tough to hear what you are saying.

[@sandraguntorius1462]

Love ❤️

[@roberttuttle5963]

The ice thing I worked with a man in 1978 he had moved to Florida and had a job with the diesel repair shop he used to have a large machine and fab shop .. he told me he was down sizing his business as he got older and bought a lathe sight unseen. Which was Delivered to his house. When the truck arrived. The driver asked were the fork truck was to unload. he thought for a min how he was going to do it they went to the store and got some bags of ice the driver had to back up to his garage and had a tip bed and he tired a chain to the late and pulled it off the truck bed on to ice on the floor then the two men pushed it into place in the garage on the ice ... sorry for the long story but that came to mind with this vid.

[@raymondjacobs8429]

Were's the rubber? 4 the corners

[@Tailss1]

They should have planned to have you come do this when the ground was froze.

[@tinwizard6447]

What fun!! Ice blocks! Who Knew??

[@japnjim9684]

You know that I love your videos and I mean no disrespect but where in the Hell is Tallons Hard Hat? Just saying. Jim in Ca.

[@RonPratt]

He has a head that is far harder than concrete LOL . Just kidding. He has been much better wearing the hard hat these days. I may have won that battle. Very valid question sir. Thank you. God bless.

[@japnjim9684]

Lots of Laughs to you to. Jim in Ca. PS I have a hard to but I am 63 yrs. old and I earned my hard head! Just saying.

[@borderreiver3288]

been on the wrong grave for 72 years????????????????????? and they now decide to move it....

[@dorothyford6616]

Bet lawyers have been working on the paperwork for the past 25yrs!!! 😄😃😄

[@richardcline1337]

And breaking in a brand new pair of gloves!

[@charliee7142]

dam u r good .

[@RonPratt]

Thank you very much. God bless.

[@scottrjmatmsncom]

How do you place a head stone on the wrong spot

[@RonPratt]

They didn't give me details other than it was 70+ years ago.

[@burntsilverado]

Scott Marsh I set headstones for a living. memorials can be set in the wrong place very easily actually. it can sometimes take a year for the stone to be produced and set after death, by then the grass is back and green. the cemetery workers can sometimes place the foundation in the wrong spot. I actually had this happen last week, luckily I caught it before setting the headstone.

[@taymoor4389]

OMG NICE

[@geraldsmith5690]

Smith now that’s a good name. Lol

[@terrysickels9348]

Truck mic is very light hardly hear you ron

[@mdovideo1414]

I can see the tire tracks in the ground

[@whtelephant1]

Wouldn’t it have been easier to swap the coffin locations?

[@timmanus]

Arthur Jones you would think! This seems like a lot of work.

[@jdoggg1119]

Not necessarily, it would depend on the condition of the grave. The body has been in the ground nearly a century, no telling what condition the vault and casket are in.

[@jdoggg1119]

They get a lot more rain there, that would corrode the gravesite and make it more difficult. This is why exhumations are rarely done.

[@tulsaman0871]

Talon... son in law... mind blown

[@chasemartin7135]

did you grow up with that voice

[@RonPratt]

As far as I know, it has always been a part of me.....when I was younger it was a bit higher pitched....lol. Thanks for watching and God Bless.

[@antr7493]

i know his was about three years ago, but If you titled it tombstone move it might have gotten more views.

[@chasemartin7135]

Sometimes I pretend to drive a truck

[@Joshua79C]

When I was a kid I imagined i drove trucks, then when I turned 23 and before my 24th birthday I got by Class A CDL.

[@grandspringdale1564]

Makes you wonder how they managed to get a marker that big into the cemetery back in the 40's🤔

[@gerryvanwoerkom7241]

ice eh ... interesting

[@RonPratt]

I thought so as well.