Power in Unity: 500,000-Pound Dragline Recovery in Florida

On July 17, 2025, a high-stakes recovery operation unfolded in Florida, when a 500,000-pound dragline slipped off its loading shelf inside an active mining facility. The sheer size and weight of the equipment meant this was not just another job—it was a potential environmental and operational disaster.

The Call That Started It All

The call first came into Dennis’s Garage in Jasper, Florida. Brice Dennis quickly realized this was not a one-rotator recovery. One of the massive crawler tracks had dropped off the edge of the loading shelf, leaving the dragline teetering dangerously. Recognizing the magnitude of the situation, Dennis reached out to longtime friend and trusted industry veteran, Kevin Goodyear of Goodyear Towing & Recovery, operating out of the western Florida Panhandle.

Together, they formulated a plan that would span hundreds of miles and pull together some of the heaviest equipment in the industry.

Assembling the Dream Team

Within hours, the site transformed into a coordination hub of recovery experts. Dennis’s Garage deployed two Century 1150 rotators, while Goodyear Towing answered the call with a Century 1075 rotator, two dedicated winch boxes, and a fully stocked rigging box. The scene continued to build as additional reinforcements arrived:

• A Century 9055 from Parkway Wrecker in Tallahassee, FL
• Another Century 9055 from Tri County Towing in Chiefland, FL
• A Century 5130 brought in to supplement winching and anchoring
• And two D8 dozers, critical for repositioning and stabilization

With a total of 36 lines rigged to the dragline’s structure and tracks, the operation resembled a spider web of tensioned steel—each line precisely placed and calculated to distribute the immense weight.

18 Hours of Precision and Grit

Under the weight of pressure—literally and figuratively—this elite team of towers, operators, and dozer drivers spent 18 continuous hours executing the recovery. Day turned into night, and the scene lit up under work lights, revealing the tension, coordination, and power in play.

Each recovery unit was choreographed like a symphony—line pulls, coordinated lifts, tension releases, and slight track nudges were all timed to precision. And in the end, it worked.

The dragline was successfully recovered without structural damage, and—most critically—an environmental disaster was avoided.

A Testament to the Industry

This operation stands as a shining example of what can be accomplished when true professionals unite under a shared mission. Rival companies became allies. State lines disappeared. Ego took a backseat to teamwork.

In an era where cooperation sometimes feels rare, this recovery reminds us all of what the towing and recovery industry represents: grit, skill, and unity under pressure.

They weren’t just lifting steel. They were lifting the entire industry together—one inch at a time.”