[MACHINERY SOUNDS]
We've got one very good thing going
for us right now and that's the-- the plans for it.
Everything around that is very scary.
NARRATOR: Rick is chasing his biggest ever gold target
with his smallest ever crew and without his new monster
dirt moving machine.
At the moment, I'm able to keep
things going, but my four 480.
The plan's running right now, but you know,
we're going to run out of pay.
And we're going to be dealing with a lot of overburden
this year, and machine I'm in right
now is not the machine for the job.
But the biggest problem that we've got right now
is my 750 excavator.
It need to be put together fast.
I mean, really fast.
Hey, Rick.
You got a copy, Rick?
Yeah, go ahead, Chrissy.
There's a fellow here, name of Torsten.
That's great news.
I'm-- I'm going to go up there and see it right now.
Thanks.
Copy that.
NARRATOR: Rick put the word out that he
needed a mechanic in a hurry.
Oh, man, finally a mechanic here.
- How's it going, Rick? - Good.
What's your name?
Torsten.
You-- YOU look young as [BLEEP]
I get that a lot.
Is your mom picking you up later?
Basically, pretty much.
[LAUGHS] Holy [BLEEP]
I can't even grow a beard yet.
[LAUGHS]
I wish, but--
Well, I'm glad you got a sense of humor about it.
I'm just busting your balls because I-- honestly,
I appreciate you coming because it's-- it's been
tough trying to find a mechanic this time of year.
Yeah, I'm a third-year apprentice mechanic,
so almost there.
So close to a mechanic.
Close to it, yeah.
One more year left.
Right on.
Well, we'll-- we'll test your skills for sure.
I've got a big excavator sitting in pieces,
not making me any money, so you can handle that?
Yeah, for sure. I can handle that no problem.
You look like you're ready to go.
Yeah, I'm good to go solo.
All right, man. I'll get right to it.
Thanks again, buddy.
Well, I asked for a mechanic.
I got an apprentice.
Let me see what these kid's made of.
[VEHICLE NOISE]
- You're pulling them right out? - Yeah.
- You're strong enough? - Oh yeah.
- Yeah? - I hope so.
Better take some protein shake.
Eat my Wheaties, eh?
You know, that's it.
NARRATOR: Now, the young 20-year-old apprentice
needs to prove he can build the million-dollar 750 excavator.
Do you want me to help you lift those pins down?
No, I'll be good.
Well, I've been working on stuff since I was,
I'd say, at least, like, 12 or 13 years old,
just working on stuff at home like snowmobiles
and dirt bikes and stuff.
I've officially gotten into the trade about three years ago,
so I've got all my schooling done.
I just need to get my hours now.
You know, Torsten seems like a good kid,
but at the same time, he's-- he looks like a damn kid.
An apprentice is an apprentice.
A mechanic is a mechanic.
Well, we got to put the boom on, get the bucket
on, and then widen the tracks.
NARRATOR: The 750 boom stick and bucket must be attached.
It's also being transported with the adjustable undercarriage
set to the narrow gauge.
To widen the tracks for the Duncan Creek terrain,
Torsten must undo the retaining bolts,
then use the boom to prop the excavator up
and drag the track into place with the 700.
OK, now, if you want to walk it in a bit.
OK.
[EXCAVATOR NOISES]
[HAMMER BANGING]
All the pins are in.
Looks good.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
All right, buddy.
What's the next step here?
Rig that 700 up to either end of this track frame,
and then we'll loosen off the bolts
and then start tugging her out and see if it goes well.
It should go pretty well if you have everything rigged up good.
All right.
Well, that's on you.
We're going to lift it.
Yeah, let's go on in between see where it kicks from.
Yeah.
That hook would be better to have the other way,
so flip upside down until then when the weight's on it,
it can't fall off.
Got you.
OK.
Let's get the impact out.
OK.
[AIR PRESSURE SOUND]
[TOOL BOLT SOUND]
The bolt is the same size as your wrist.
Right?
[LAUGHS] No.
Go back slowly.
[STEEL DRAGGING SOUND]
OK, stop right there.
The bolt holes are lined up perfect.
Good job, buddy.
[BLEEP] Yeah.
Right on.
NARRATOR: Now for the second track.
So this is the second piece of the puzzle
here are almost done.
We just got to pull this out.
Hopefully, it goes just as smooth as the last one.
[BOLT TIGHTER SOUNDS]
[STEEL DRAGGING SOUNDS]
Yeah, a little bit more.
OK, good.
NARRATOR: Now, the moment of truth.
Time to find out if the 20-year-old has got
Rick seasoned back on track.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
But still, it's [BLEEP] awesome.
You know the kid?
He-- he might just be an apprentice,
but he pulled it off, man.
He did a great job.
[EXCAVATOR WHEEL SOUNDS]
NARRATOR: The 750's bucket is three
times bigger than the 480s.
So far, that's the first bucket with the 750,
and there is no comparison with the 480.
This is-- this thing is [BLEEP] massive.
The bucket on this thing is just as wide as the box
of this truck here.
This makes things a lot more exciting for me.
This is what I've been waiting for.
This is some next-level [BLEEP] here.
Yeah.
Sup, guys?
Hey, how's it going?
I'm glad you guys got a fire going.
NARRATOR: At Duncan Creek, the Nest Crew Gathers
for the weekly gold way.
Sucks that Carl can't come up this year, eh?
I know.
If Carl was here, you know, the whole
screwfuffle with the pump there for, you know,
how many hours it was.
[LAUGHS]
You know, he would have went through that pump
before it even got out there.
You know, that-- that is going to be a problem for us,
you know, until we get a mechanic.
Really the bigger picture is just--
we just got to hope that he gets better, you know what I mean?
Like his health is more important.
It seems to be able to not let it bother him too much.
He's done some hard living, man.
I mean-- I mean, Torsten, luckily, he came in,
and he was able to put our machines together.
He did a great job.
He's a good kid.
I mean, he's quick.
Yeah.
Even if he could stay, I don't--
I don't-- what's he going to know about
wash plans and stuff like that?
You know what I mean?
Well, you guys ready to see we did for the week?
Yes sir.
NARRATOR: With just four crew and no mechanic,
Rick has only run for less than half a week.
See we did for the week?
20, 30.
NARRATOR: Last year, Rick averaged just over 70 ounces
a week.
70, 80, 90.36.
No way.
[BLEEP]
Of course we eat.
For one week, it's about a $160,000.
[BLEEP] Yeah.
That is [BLEEP] awesome, man.
Nice
Cheers to that.
- Cheers to that for sure. - That is--
Four people?
[LAUGHTER]
And a-- and a kid.
And a kid.
[LAUGHS]