Davidson and Bryce on the Richter Scale
Earthquakes bring in added business for New Zealand Fencing Contractor
The Christchurch earthquake of 2010 was bad enough, but the latest to strike New Zealand two weeks ago which again measured 7.8 magnitude, has caused widespread disruption to the country’s infrastructure. After the Christchurch quake, a major reappraisal was undertaken by the civil engineering industry regarding ground strata to ascertain its suitability for building and construction.
Professional fencing contractor Jim Davidson runs a Bryce Magnum Post Driver, a machine renowned for its hitting power and other unique features. After the 2010 quake Jim got the opportunity to drive piles for ground stabilisation. Initial trials were so successful that Jim quickly became very sought after by all the civil engineers on new build projects. The latest earthquake two weeks ago has turned into a much increased work load. Jim’s latest contract was for a block of eight houses driving 3m x 150-200mm diameter piles into near ground level. He had just driven 60 piles in three hours and that is motoring by anyone’s standards. The Bryce Magnum is also fitted with Quadshift which gives Jim the added versatility for reaching into more awkward corners. Resistance tests have to be carried out by the engineers to determine that piles have reached a firm base – all the rules have changed on building constructions Jim says. Jim also erects stock and deer fencing and installs livestock handling systems to the highest of standards and is ably assisted by his wife Sandra who between them, cover a large area which includes Wellington and the Wairarapa. The 2012-2013 droughts brought in extra business too for Jim’s high performance post driver when he was called in to assist other contractors who were struggling to drive posts into the drought stricken land. Jim says ” everyone is blown away when they see the Magnum in action, nothing else out here can touch it”. Jim continues by saying how it is noticeable that climate change is resulting in long dry spells becoming more prevalent. When working in these severe conditions all posts are rock spiked before been driven.
On the subject of earthquakes Jock Bryce had an interesting experience while working on a hill farm research station. The officer in charge received a phone call from the Scottish Weather Centre at Eskdalemuir asking if any earthquake tremors had been noticed on the farm as they had picked up trace readings on their seismograph. It transpired Jock had been driving in straining posts in close proximity to an earthquake monitor sensor with his Bryce built post driver using a 500 kg hammer while working under hard hill ground conditions !
In conclusion Jim says there have been approximately 5,000 aftershocks in the last nine days, 250 of which would have been felt inside buildings including Jim and Sandra’s house. Uncertain times to say the least but for this successful couple for the time being it’s a case of “out of bad comes good” as far as work is concerned.
Jim & Sandra Davidson, Precision Finishing Ltd, Greytown, New Zealand.
www.brycesuma.co.uk
