Everyone is waiting on No. 5 to get into position for the next sweep. Nos. 1, 6, and 2 (hidden behind 5) are ready to go an No. 5 is almost there.
These drivers would pretty much do this all day long. Drop the pad, sweep, lift the pad, drive forward a few yards, drop the pad, sweep,… over and over again.
The line mechanic – seen here in the center of the picture with one of his offsiders behind him – would rotate one vibrator out for the spare for maintenance checks and to give the driver a break.
But unless something went wrong, or challenging terrain had to be navigated, this was it. Day after day.
The yellow wheel hub on number 5 would haven been scavenged from an old, retired Mark III or even a Mark II birdwagen as a spare – we didn't have any yellow Mark IVs.
