MS Lime Quarries company I worked as Contractor for had a Mobile Machinist on retainer, likely could have owned his company and equipment some three or four times over for the amount of moneys they paid he and his field hands. That ended as were bought out by a larger concern that did not keep machines into Forever Status as did themselves. FRU CO or Fruin Colnon/Fred Weber Companies was bigger into newer machines, trade ups, trade outs and scrapping those that had little remnant value even as still working. Never understood that mentality either.
KNEW MS Lime had spent over $100k in 1983 dollars for line bore weld and machine work on machines I did the disassemble and reassembles on in 83. Mobile Machine shop cut way back in 85, closed house in 86, the owner went to work as a welder for a different concern until retired in late 90. Did not ever ask why could not keep the company or why worked as a employee last four and half years, he died in 92 at 67yo.