This Cat 6060 is one of the largest machines currently operating in the state. It arrived at the mine in 24 truckloads and took 6 Western States Technicians to assemble. Our team documented the entire process!
Our podcast team spent a day in North Idaho with Mason Logging. What stood out most while working on this podcast episode was hearing a crew talk about working alongside their brothers, sons, and nephews. We also enjoyed listening to them compare the old days of hand falling, chokers, and manual bucking to today's tether logging, bunchers, processors, and grapple skidders.
A lot of good discussion around:
We'd love to hear other experiences. What's been the biggest change you've seen in the woods during your career?
Western States Cat first shared this project last August as it got underway. Since then, the work has kept moving. Initial conversations started in May 2025 and as discussions progressed with the Custer Economic Development Committee, it became clear that in addition to equipment, the project needed the right technology and more structure to move forward.
Our team stepped in to help fill that gap, working across partners to organize the job and build out a plan that could be executed in the field.
The team used drone surveying to capture existing site conditions and build a working model. That gave the team a clear, accurate view of the site before any dirt moved. Operators were then able to work from a defined plan and adjust for the realities of the site. As Worksite Solutions Sales Manager, Justin McEwen, put it “the value comes from having a clear, accurate model upfront. It reduces guesswork in the field, limits rework and allows operators to execute with more confidence. "
Another technology essential for the project was 3D Grade Control. Operators could see target grades in the cab and make corrections as they worked.
A baseball field has tight tolerances. It’s essential to have the right slope for proper drainage. Similarly, surface consistency affects how the field plays and how it holds up over the years. In the case of the Challis baseball field, the site had over a year’s worth of stockpiled material. By adjusting the model, the team reshaped the field using what was already there. No additional material was needed to meet those precise slope and drainage requirements.
Grade control helped the crew hit those targets without overworking the site. Operators knew where they were at each pass and could stay on grade without stopping to check.
This field will serve Challis High School, local youth leagues, and adult teams. It gives the community a shared space that will see steady use.
During construction, it was clear people were paying attention. The support showed up in conversations on site and at local events. The project meant something and the Challis community was energized by seeing the visible progress at the site.
Hydroseed will be sprayed down for the outfield followed by netting installation. Custer County hopes the players will take to the field in fall of 2026.