As a kid, I always wanted to operate heavy equipment. So much so that on my 13th birthday my dad rented a Bobcat skid-steer for me to run. Since then I’ve had the chance to get behind the controls of many tractors and dozers including skid-steers, a Caterpillar 990H wheel loader, and a D11. But not for any significant amount of time. I'm not really a heavy equipment operator. I'm more of a driver.

Anyway, over the weekend I had the chance to actually operate a John Deere 4630 with front wheel assist. I got to organize and move a bunch of large round hay bales in a field. It took a couple hours but it was fun operating the levers and pedals while stabbing the bales with the front and rear bale forks. I can't believe people get paid to do it! Anyone need some free help harvesting this year?