Wanted Tour - Finning Canada

“When Richard Bedierfinishes using his greasegun, his 966 is packedwith two inches of the stuffand looks like a horrible mess,but that’s what it takes to get15,000 to 20,000 hours ofperformance without doing anyother maintenance.”after tightening the nut, observed Bedierin action. “He was an incredible operator.He thought nothing of making 42loads a day when other people wouldaverage 22 or 23.”Babuick describes Bedier as the sortof operator “who, once he trusts hismechanic, hovers over his shoulder andasks questions – because he intends toperform as much preventive maintenanceas possible in the field.”But what inspired Bedier’s dedicatedmeticulousness? Bedier shrugs and mutterssomething about common sense,but Babuick theorizes: “It cost Richard alot to buy that machine and his dreamwas to be a one-man show, so he couldn’tafford any downtime.”Babuick chuckles at the memory ofa peeved Bedier visiting the Finningshop a while back. “He had snagged astick which snapped a hydraulic line,and it was one of the rare times he hadforgotten to pack spare lines in hiscab,” Babuick says. “Richard was angrybecause the mistake forced him to coolhis heels for a mere 90 minutes, the onlydowntime he had in three years.”Although Bedier, who is married buthas no children, leads a modest life, hewill go to extravagant lengths to preservethe integrity of his loader. Case in point:when the time came for him to replaceits tires three years ago, he discoveredthat the cross-tread he preferred was nolonger manufactured in North America.With access only to two new tires anda new spare, he ordered a fourth tire tobe made by a company in Japan, thenwaited five months for its delivery.So numerous are the anecdotesregarding Bedier and his 966 that he andBabuick sometimes question distantmemories. For example, Babuick insiststhat 15 years ago, Bedier ordered himto change the loader’s o-rings, a majortask that can cost $40,000. “And thenhe went off for a three-week vacation inHawaii without a care in the world,” saysBabuick. “That’s the way he is – as longas I’m the guy working on his machine,he’s happy as a clam.”Bedier bursts out laughing inresponse. “I don’t remember that incidentat all. Yes, I’ve gone to Hawaii onvacation, but for a job that massive I preferto be by Lyle’s side.”One thing is certain: at a time when1970s-era 966Cs are selling on the internetwith disclaimers that the machines“need major repair,” Bedier soldiersonward as if time has stood still. Is retirementin the cards anytime soon? No,he says emphatically. “There’s no suchthing,” asserts Bedier, “because the billsdon’t stop coming in. As for my 966, Imay use other machines in the future,but I can’t imagine ever selling myloade r. It’s like the old saying: I’ve takencare of that machine, and it’s taken careof me for 30 years. In spades.”www.finning.ca Spring 2006 • TRACKS & TREADS 19