Don Mills was professional and really knowledgeable. He’s a good down to earth person who taught me some good things in a light and sometimes funny way. I never felt pressured by having him shadow me. I thought the idea of having a headset each to establish communication all day was a great idea. He made the week go by like a breeze. He could tell EXACTLY what I was doing with my blade just by following me and kept on giving me some guiding points. We also exchanged a lot on different day to day conversation with a good joke once in awhile making each day go by quickly and stress free.
He taught me a few things that I didn’t know, like how to build the corners at an intersection, and where to get your material from when it seems like the only option would be to call a truck full of gravel. He also taught me new ways that worked really well on wide roads, as well as narrow ones, going from 4 passes all the way to 6 passes. Eliminating crowns in curves is a must and he taught me how to make sure it doesn’t happen. How to cut hills, whether it’s going uphill or down hill, yes, there’s a difference. How to perfectly match a gravel road to a concrete bridge or a cold mixed dust control. How to make irrigation run offs on hills so the gravel doesn’t get washed off in heavy rains.
All those things sound basic, but they’re all things that I had never thought of doing before. His way of cutting roads with an upright blade brings up more fines and packs the road better which in return gives a nicer result and most of all should make the roads last longer between blading.
It should also make grader blades last longer and consume less fuel.
I truly believe that perfecting these methods are meant for operators with at least 3-5 years experience in the seat, my personal opinion! I have 10 years experience with the MD and 2 years prior to that running grader. I got to a point where I couldn’t really learn anything new anymore because I was used to doing “what worked” and what “ I was comfortable with” I got to do the same thing over and over again and it came like second nature to me so I would have never thought of trying those new techniques on my own.
On the other hand, a grader operator with less than 3-5 years would probably not be experienced enough to grasp the “why’s” and execute what was asked of you right away. When Don asked me to do something, I was able to do exactly what he had asked right away and I could tell by myself why it made so much sense too, he didn’t have to explain even though he did, I knew right away why he wanted me to do certain things just by the results I was leaving behind the grader.
To sum this up, I would recommend this “course” to any grader operator with 3 to 35 years of experience. I thought it was great and I will put what I learned into practice every day for the rest of my career.
Guy from the MD of Bonnyville
Our Director of Infrastructure and the Superintendent of Public Works met Don Rude at an AMSA Conference, and after speaking to their piers and hearing their testimonials, decided to bring Don down to train two operators and myself with the Level 1 training. All three of us were blown away with the training and techniques Don taught us. His four-pass system, where you cut the crown into the road and build up the shoulder of the road is the most consistent method ever taught to any of us. It was amazing how little tweaks to the machine, and slight blade manipulations made cutting and spreading the road much easier.
Don’s patience, teaching technique, knowledge of the roads and machines, and his passion for improving the roads is very infectious. Don is a very friendly guy that likes to shoot the breeze and I would imagine could get along with anyone. Being able to train three different personalities with differing skill levels in the machine is not an easy task. I spoke to the two other operators in our organization that took the training, and they have the same opinion on what we learned and their opinion of Don is the same as mine.
I would highly recommend this training for any grader operator that wants to improve their skills, and to any organization that wants consistency throughout their Municipality/County. The fuel savings, extended blade life, less tire wear, and making machines last longer with less wear and tear is a wise investment. I am very happy that my supervisors and council approved this training, and am looking forward to putting all of my operators through his Level 1 training as well as the Level 2 and Level 3.
Roly from MD of Willow Creek
The County of Wetaskiwin had realized an opportunity for formalized training with regards to its motorgrader & road maintenance operations. We were introduced to Don Rude by some highly regarded recommendations. After conversations & meetings with Don, we quickly became confident that D/K Blade Services was going to be extremely helpful to our goal of a County-wide standard of rural road maintenance. Myself - being a Foreman, a construction grader operator, and a patrol/beat operator were fortunate enough to partake in Phase 1 of Don’s training program. Myself being trained with the D/K program was of utmost importance to learn the safe & ultimately effective operation of motorgraders. The 4-pass technique was not new to our County, however the need for ‘tweaking’ of current practices became evident very quickly. By “cutting the crown” with confidence into our roadways & performing more even spreads across the entire road surface will help to ensure positive drainage off said road surface. Don’s moldboard manipulation training was of equal importance (I won’t give away the secrets). He made a daunting task of operating a grader seem easy. I am still amazed that after a few hours, I was performing correct road maintenance in a half-million dollar motorgrader with confidence. By using his techniques, I am certain will achieve our goal of uniformity throughout the County of Wetaskiwin’s gravel roads. We hope to continue the roll-out and eventually have all of our operators trained. Thanks again, Don & I look forward to subsequent training sessions.
Dallas from Wetaskiwin County
From my experience with Don as an operator was very knowledgeable. He teaches you little techniques for intersections and washboard that make it effortless and timeless. His grading technique is one the best ways I have seen and done in the past. His way makes it easier to blade a road and to achieve a crown on a road that is wider. Don teaches you how to control and finesse the gravel while spreading even with sod or lumps. The method if followed give you even blade wear through out the moldboard. Highly recommended. From a Supervisor's stand point I would bring Don back every change I get. He has dropped my fuel consumption by 30%. The blades are lasting 100 plus hours. He pay for himself in no time. The operators attitudes have changed towards blading roads, they want to be out there more so now. This course will help experienced operators become finishing operators.
Colby from Starland County
Overall this training has been very beneficial and the road maintenance procedures which have been introduced are sure to have a positive impact in my daily activities. Specifically the found point blading techniques and a few other blading tips and operation methods which will efficiently support improvements in my work.I have been in this line of work for some time (17 years), feeling like a seasoned operator, however this training has opened my eyes to new techniques I hadn't realized about and which will greatly improve my working methods. I have been impressed with some points of this training specifically:
- the ability of these methods for improved fuel saving (35%+)
- duration of blade wear substantially increased
- it is clear that the machinery is working with ease and efficiency resulting in less wear and tear
- confidence of the operator in the quality of work
With this training I have observed the before and after effect on the roads which I work, and found that the gravel has been rejuvenated in a way I was not sure was possible. In addition, we have been able to acquire 8-9 meter road top after completion. These methods also have helped to maintain a consistent shoulder throughout the road and most importantly to achieve and maintain a necessary crown, 4%+, which positively effect the durability of the road.
If my colleagues have the opportunity for this training I would only hope that they would find as much value in it as I have. As an instructor, Don was very capable, knowledgeable and he easily adapter to teach new methods to an "old" operator. It was especially easy to discuss these techniques with him as it was clear he had extensive experience in this type of work.
Butch from Leduc County
Don is very knowledgeable and easy to learn from. I gained lots of knowledge about how to achieve better roads and intersections. He taught me pressures and how to achieve those pressures to get the most of the grader. I saved fuel and blade ware everyday. I enjoy blading roads more now then ever before cause his method is more achievable. I highly recommend Don. He is a great guy.
Ron from Starland County
My experience with Don was he taught me how to put a crown on a road with 4 passes and how to fill in intersections.Also, speed and tire pressure is a factor of how the road will turn out. He showed me how to cut out washboarded and what to do with the gravel. So all and all I learned a lot from Don.
Arnie from Starland County
I started on the grader with no previous grader experience or schooling. With Don’s guidance I was able to feel confident with what I was doing. He never overwhelmed with to much information at once. He had a process where he first taught me the basic techniques and then when I was confident with that, he educated me on the ‘finesse’ techniques so that I could execute the job better and more efficient. Once I had my technique, he also taught me a system with the different seasons of the year where I could pre-plan my work with purpose, so that I would be ready for the upcoming season. Instead of being reactive with my grader beat, I could be proactive. This meant more efficiency and ultimately less to no action requests from taxpayers.
Don was an excellent, patient teacher, I felt comfortable and learned easily, much like when my dad would teach me things! Don’s personality is fun, yet professional. He is friendly, personable and easy to relate to.
One day when I was having an extremely frustrating day, nothing seemed to be working right for me, I was plainly making a mess. He came along and calmed me down, reassuring me I was doing a good job and gently gave me constructive criticism that I applied immediately and it worked. I specifically remember that day and have always thought since then that Don has that special gift, the ability to be an effective, excellent teacher.
Jessica from Mountain View County
I worked with Don while I was the Director of Operational Services at Mountain View County (now retired). Don is reliable, honest and always thinking about better ways to do things. He is an excellent equipment operator and trainer. He has a unique way of passing on his knowledge to others without stressing them out. He starts out with things like tire pressures and quick tips on how to save fuel and blades. Don ran his own machines for years so knows the ways to save wear and tear on any machine. Even seasoned operators seemed to appreciate Don’s advice. Don started the “Rip and Chip” program at the County which involves ripping old chip seal, fortifying the road with gravel, recompacting and rechipping. This has now become a yearly funded program. If you hire Don, much of his fee will be covered just by the amount of fuel and blade costs he can save you or just on his method of clearing snow at intersections. As a former Director, I was always reluctant to hire equipment trainers, especially when it involved teaching the already experienced operators but Don showed me first hand that it can be done effectively without offending anyone.
Ron from Mountain View County