Setting record time & making it look easy.Badger was approached by a previous client needing a yacht transported from storage to Geneva Lake. The boat was newly built, mainly in the storage facility; once it was 90% built, the owner wanted it transported to the water to add the finishing touches, for an unveiling in June. This was not any other yacht; it was designed to look like an 1890 Lake Geneva steamboat. It is currently the largest boat on Geneva Lake. The yacht has state of the art computer controlled mechanical and electrical systems. In addition to sails, it is battery powered and driven by electric motors. It also has a gyro stabilizer to prevent the boat from rocking side to side. This project was also a testament to providing quality work that creates repeat customers. As our client put it, “Mel and his moving team set record time and made it look easy (we all know it wasn’t half as easy as they made it look).” Importantly, Heritage Movers also assisted us with this move; we are appreciative our expert colleagues who are willing to lend a hand! Lake Geneva Yacht Move Profile: Distance traveled: 4 miles Yacht height: 15 feet Yacht length & width: 80 by 16 feet Yacht weight: 67,000 pounds
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"Pull! Pull! Pull!" Making history & giving back to the Penfield Children's Center.Built in 1904, the moving of The Bosch Tavern and Restaurant saved an important piece of Hales Corners' history. Our company prepped the building for the move by setting it on 8 cross beams and 2 main beams. Setting the mains on 6 Hevi-Haul International skates, it was moved close to its final location using hydraulic push rams powered by a skidster. The last 2 feet to move The Bosch was saved for the Tavern Tug. In the Fall of 2016, our company, Rick Putlitz (owner of The Bosch and organizer of the Tavern Tug), Gene Mueller from WTMJ and hundreds of spectators watched the tavern move from the muscle power of 200 people pulling on three ropes gathered to watch as 200 'tuggers' pulled the 150 ton Bosch Tavern to it's new home about 25 feet away from its original location. Each tugger paid $10 to grab a hold of the rope and pull, and all proceeds went to the Penfield Children's Center. Enjoy the videos and pictures of this historic move below. Bosch Tavern Project Profile: Distance Traveled: 2 feet by manpower! Tavern height: Tavern length & width: Tavern weight: Estimated 150 ton Vacant historical train deport recycled as part of community park.The Sussex train depot was built in the late 1800s. Not wanting the historic train depot to sit and waste away, the Village of Sussex came up with an innovative idea: turn an old 16 mile rail-trail into a walking and biking trail with the train depot as the trailhead. Called the Bugline trail, this innovative idea brings the community together to enjoy getting active outdoors and engage with history. The American Trails documented the move here. Sussex Train Depot Project Profile: Distance moved: 1 mile Depot height: 20 feet Depot length & width: 76 X 24 feet Depot weight: 70 tons Let's get the mill grinding again.The historic Messer Mayer Mill was built in 1856 in Richfield, WI. The mill still has all original components, making it the only fully complete mill in Wisconsin. The Richfield Historical Society has been working hard to restore and make improvements to all of its original parts, with the goal of making it the only fully complete and functional mill in Wisconsin, so that future generations could enjoy its historical significance. This included Badger Contracting Inc's role: we came in shored (held in place) the mill and redid the crumbling foundation. This lofty endeavor made the project oversight so important and Badger Contracting Inc was up to the task. No one wanted to lose the mill to its crumbling foundation! Interesting fact: the old, original stone was removed to add new, reinforced concrete. Each individual stone was documented, labeled, and placed back exactly as they were originally. That's quite a job! Despite the monumental success of this project, Badger encountered a few challenges: . 1) The mill sits over a creek, where the foundation drops 26 feet down - all of it was crumbling; 2) Badger had a free span of 48 feet; and 3) Badger had to secure the historic hurst structure (holds millstone), which rested on the foundation, too. Messer Mayer Project Profile: Mill height: Stone foundation walls 26 feet (down from the wood building); 28 feet tall Mill length & width: 60 X 30 feet Mill weight: Estimated 100 ton; shored up about 70 ton |
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MISSION STATEMENT: As a second-generation, family-owned business, our mission is to preserve and protect buildings through professional moving, lifting, and new foundation installation that saves history, reduces waste, strengthens structures, and improves flood resilience—all delivered with exceptional workmanship at fair, competitive prices. |
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