Rotator Assists with Restoration of 19th-Century Cemetery

Jeswald Auto Truck Service recently used one of its heavy-duty rotators to assist with the restoration of a historic 19th-century cemetery entrance in North Jackson, Ohio.

The company was contacted by a local fabrication shop involved in rebuilding the cemetery’s entrance gates and stonework. Jeswald’s was tasked with lifting and positioning two large stone pillars weighing an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 pounds each.

Chris Jeswald said the company used its 60-ton Jerr-Dan rotator mounted on a Kenworth T880 chassis to complete the delicate placement.

Crews carefully rigged the textured stone pillars using heavy-duty fabric straps before slowly lifting them from a trailer and setting them onto prepared bases while workers applied mortar.

The narrow roadway and aging cemetery driveway created additional challenges, requiring traffic control during the operation.

“We like the oddball jobs,” Jeswald said. “It’s nice getting to do different things.”

The restoration project is helping preserve a cemetery containing graves dating back to the mid-1800s. Source: TIW Interview with Jeswald