01.
3 pieces totaling 35,000 lbs. of blue steel; John LeClare, VCRS Material Handler/Plant Manager, orchestrated the move, including recruiting VCRS volunteers and professional, big-load movers who made moving this hunk possible. Kopperud Co. provided the "Cat" and moved the heavies - baler and conveyor (center and left pieces) from truck bed to entranceways to VCRS bldg.

HARRIS BARRACUDA BALER
     The Barracuda baler from Harris is being marketed as a small, economical baler specifically designed to process nonferrous metals, steel and aluminum cans, secondary fibers and PET and HDPE plastics. The full ejection, cross-cylinder baler offers a 31-second cycle time and a large 45-inch by 56-inch hopper. The bale size produced measures about 45 inches wide by 30 inches deep and 60 inches long. The Barracuda also features Harris' EZ TIE system.

02.
The chains played a pivotal role, I noticed.  They started w/ the baler (ctr piece),  and wishful thinking that 2 chains attached to Cat forks could lift the baler's 35,000 lbs. It didn't work, so after much deliberation, discussion, and adding more chains (and then some more chains), they finally got her in the air.


The crew that made all of this happen was truly amazing and I was very impressed with their focus and the intelligence it takes to get those big machines where you want them without killing anyone.  I was so nervous when they put their arms and legs underneath that baler and moved it around.  Oh my gawd!  I kept thinking, this must be a dream come true for these guys, thinking about all those erector sets that boys loved so much - those little machine toys they use to play with, and now they get an opportunity to play w/ the much bigger ones. Then I thought maybe that was sexist, and remembered the summer job I once had working at a brickyard (only 2 women out of the brickyards 3-shift union of 99.9% guys:) and how much I enjoyed the job.  I had a lot of fun moving and driving stuff around w/ the forklift.




03.
"almighty chains" 
John LeClare, VCRS Material Handler/Plant Manager






04.
"cool, we've got lift-off!"
VCRS Volunteer Coordinator Teslin Phillips and volunteers observe
baler being moved from truck bed.





05.
Okay, moving the conveyor was a "piece of cake", back to moving the "Barracuda" inside. >From left to right:  John LeClare (VCRS Material Handler/Plant Manager),
Larry Fagnani (VCRS Board Member), Joe Brawford (VCRS Volunteer), Molly Boyer (VCRS Executive Director)





06.
The baler and conveyor are inside; today's mostly volunteer work is complete. Amazing! Next phase, they have to weld all the parts together.






07.
Enthusiastic, passionate, and serious recycling gals: Mollie Boyer, VCRS Executive Director, Teslin Phillips, VCRS Volunteer Coordinator, and an unidentified VCRS Volunteer






Pamela Thompson is a freelance photographer and writer who resides in an undisclosed location in Alaska. She may be contacted at pamela@insurgent49.com.