This all started when one of our workers "Cope" noticed that an awning had gotten hit at an abandoned gas station on Kearney Street in Springfield Missouri, near his home. Apparently a semi truck had hit it and knocked it half over, the damage was obvious. We immediatly suggested the bosses check out the details. With in a few days, Melvin was off for a permit from the city, and the crew was on the site. Two trucks, a hauling trailer, the Torch trailer, and some hammers.
Miami called in the Eeore tow truck, complete with twin cables and hoist. The Driver was having the highlight of his day, because he was going to do something out of the ordinary. We filled him in on the situation and we began to prep as well. As Harry, our wrecker mechanic got to work hooking up the cables, Miami called the local PD. This was for traffic control, to help divert traffic as the awning came down. this was to prevent an accident from debres flying into the road.
Soon an officer was on the scene, talking about how he had noticed it and that it was definitly a hazzard. We chatted for a bit about how there will be people missing it, as taxi's as well as officers have used it for many years as shelter from the sun. In minutes the plan was made, and our officer called in a support truck to set up road cones to block off the inside lane.
Once everyone was ready and in place, our truck operator Harry let the cables do the work. He had the idea of hooking a second cable to the inner edge to pull in a second direction. This was suggested, as we had pointed out that the building needed to be safe during the drop. His idea, to prevent the awning from hitting the building, also helped to shuffle the structure to the ground.
With in just a few minutes it was down and at a good height for us to get to work. It went off without a hitch. The entire site was cleared up in about 8 hours, 2 torches, a sledge and a couple of hammers with a crow bar thrown in for fun.
Awesome!
SUICIDE SCRAPPER TIP: (Prevent getting sick working outside in Xtreme HEAT!)
Started at 10am and the job was completed by 6:30pm. It was HOT! A good tip here for cutting or moving massive loads in the heat of the great midwest, you need to eat an drink in slow intervals to prevent dehydration. Do not drink too much cold liquid at once it will make you sick. Be sure to eat a trail bar every hour or two, this is because your body is burning calories to absorb liquid as well as keep you going and cool.
