backhoe loader oyo

8/6/2019 Backhoe Loader Oyo

1/28

Special Issue ofONYOUROWNMagazine

7AEDC

Cat

C-Series backhoeloaders get even better

page 8

Ride Control is a big hit

with Louisville contractor

Cat

C-Series backhoeloaders get even better

page 8

page 4page 4

Ride Control is a big hit

with Louisville contractor


2/28

Now you can conquer any roadeven

when there isn't one. With our new advanced

Ride Control option and standard air-suspension seat,

the C-series backhoe gives you a smoother ride and better

load retention. Its superior visibility lets

you clearly see whats ahead. Contact your

Caterpillar dealer and discover how to work hard

and rest easy at the same time.

YOULL SEE EVERY BUMP IN THE ROAD, BUT YOU WONT FEELEM.

T h e C - S e r i e s B a c kh o e . H a r d W o r k . E a s y C h a i r .

www.cat.com1999 Caterpillar


3/28

IN THIS ISSUE

ON YOUR OWN

Backhoe Loader Focus Issueis a special issue ofOn Your Ownmagazine. It is published by Northbrook Publishing, a division of Randall Publishing Company, Inc., on behalf of Caterpillaand your Cat dealer. Every attempt has been made to assure featured equipment specifications are accurate. Because specifications are subject to change without notice, check with youCat dealer for latest equipment information. Northbrook Publishing, a division of Randall Publishing Co., Inc., 21420 West Greenfield Ave., New Berlin, WI 53146. Phone (414) 650-926

Printed in the U.S.A. 1999 Caterpillar Winter 1999 Editor, David Wolff; Publisher, Tim OBrien; Client Services Director, Vicki Dollar;Client Service Rep., Jenny Taglienti; Art Director, Pam Muth; Graphic Support, Brett Erdmann; Production Manager, Bob Quartucci .

4 Getting more doneHands-on profitability

6 Work tools help grow

your business

7 Racing BHL winnerColorado contractor places topbid for specially painted 416 ITracing backhoe loader.

8 1999 EnhancementsCat C-Series backhoe loadersget even better.

10 Canadian On SiteCat 426C takes on thefrozen tundra.

12 BHL inspectionSharpen your competitive edge

with a daily walkaroundinspection.

14 Simple formula for success

17 416C ITMaximum machine utilization iscritical to highway contractorssuccess.

20 Machine versatilityNot just your average Joe.

23 Staying powerQuality work keeps contractor in

business for 31 years.

26 Backhoe loader operatorefficiency tips

44

88

2323

1212

1717

77

1010

2626

1414

2020


4/28

At 33 years old, Tim Filiatreau would most cer-tainly be considered a young man. But the

managing member of Filcon ConstructionLLC, Louisville, Kentucky, brought more than15 years of construction experience to the compa-ny he started a little more than two years ago.

Filcon is a site preparation and utility contrac-tor, concentrating on commercial projects andresidential subdivision work that includes grading

and installation of storm and sanitary sewer andwater lines.

Our strength is the smaller job, Filiatreausays. In my opinion, theres more profit in jobsless than $500,000. We have more control overquality and scheduling because we can managethe projects hands-on. And, because we usesmaller machines, we dont have as much workingcapital tied up in larger, more expensiveequipment as a larger contractor. Backhoe loadersand smaller dozers fit the type of work we do.

In his last position, Filiatreau worked as a field

superintendent for a large contractor. He saw thatbigger companies shied away from the type ofprojects he goes after because they had to keep asizable workforce and large fleet of machinesbusy, even if the project didnt offer a reasonable

profit margin. Success at Filcon is based oestimating the job correctly and completing th

work as efficiently as possible.We try to be very aggressive and efficient i

our approach to the jobs we do, he says. Itimportant to stay on top of crews to make sur

were as productive as possible. Thats anothreason smaller work is better for us.

Run latest Cat 416C ITbackhoe loader

Filcon owns several pieces of Caterpillaequipment, including D5C, D6R and D5M Xdozers; 225D LC excavator; 953C track loadeand a 1997 416C backhoe loader. The contractois leasing a Cat 416C IT backhoe loader and considering the purchase of a 325 excavator.

Filiatreau demod the 416C IT earlier this yeaat Caterpillar Building Construction Producheadquarters in Clayton, North Carolina, an

was impressed with the Power Shift transmissioand new features like Ride Control.

Power Shift is very efficient, he says, and ita reliable, durable transmission. When aoperator is carrying material for any distance, thability to upshift with the flip of a switch is a replus. The machines moves along faster, a

opposed to the operator having to reacand shift gears. The result is that thmachine is getting back and forth fasteand more efficiently.

Caterpillars new Ride Control featuris a big hit.

Everyone likes it, Filiatreau contin

ues, and its made a big difference foseveral reasons. I can see where it wireduce wear and tear on the front of thmachine. Ive never seen a backhoe witthe front end loaded that wasnt bouncing and beating the machine whilroading on an uneven surface. WithouRide Control, travel is rough, which hard on the machine and operator. Timis money, and if our operators can wormore quickly thats to our advantage.

GETTING MORE DONE

4 ON YOUR OWN

Hands-on profitabilitySMALL CONTRACTOR FOLLOWS

EVERY PATH TO EFFICIENCY

Everyone

likes ride

control. Its

made a big

difference.

Tim FiliatreauFilcon Construction

LLC


5/28

Work tool versatility

Work tool versatility is the main rea-son Filiatreau selected the 416C ITbackhoe loader with an Integrated Tool-carrier linkage. A bigger bucket (1.25yards compared to 1 yard for the oldermachine) is more productive for movingbedding material, stone and pipe. Whenits time to carry pipe, the operator switch-es to the fork attachment, which iscompleted in seconds without leavingthe cab.

Operators have told me the visibilityis better with this new Cat backhoe, hesays. The parallel lift feature is impor-tant when were unloading pipe from atall truck; theres more reach. And, withan IT machine we can add more tools. Infact, were looking at a broom attach-ment.

Filcon finds the 416C IT to be theright size machine for the type of workit does.

We dont do a lot of heavy digging,

Filiatreau says, and when we do we usea Cat 325 excavator. The 416C IT isfaster and more efficient for jobs likefinish grading around buildings. For abusiness our size and the type of work wedo, a machine this size is a necessity. Wechose the IT option because it makes themachine so much more versatile. Oneday the 416C IT might be packingtopsoil and finishing around a building,and the next its packing rock, working

with a pipe crew or loading topsoil

on a truck.If Filiatreau keeps a machine for a

long period, he buys it. In fact, Filconhas been adding about three pieces ofequipment a year.

Ive always been a Caterpillar man, hesays. I have a lot of faith in their equip-ment and Caterpillar stands behind itsproduct. Thats worth a whole lot to me.

Filcon is too young a company tohave established a realistic equipmenttrade cycle, but Filiatreau wont let too

much age get on his primary machines.Downtime is too costly during the

peak work season, he says. I cant affordit. Were leasing the 325 excavator toreplace the 225. I dont want to dependon an older piece of equipment as a pri-mary machine. The new 325 will workday-in, day-out with no downtime.

Filiatreau has a long history withCaterpillar and his local dealer.

I know Ill do better with them, hesays. I know I get better service from

them than I could get with anyone else.

Contractor starts strong

Filiatreau got into the constructionindustry at age 18 as a laborer. For 11years he worked for a site and utility con-tractor, the final period as general super-intendent in charge of day-to-day fieldoperations.

Filcon was started in April of 1997.The company did $1.5 million in busi-ness its first eight months and $3 million

last year. Rev-enues for 1999are projectedat $4 million.

I saw dif-ferent ways ofdoing thingsto becomemore profitable, Filiatreau says. Italways been a goal that some day I woulhave my own business. We go afte

$300,000 to $400,000 jobs in thLouisville area and surrounding countieI dont see us growing a lot more; we wonadd much more than $1 or $2 million irevenue. I want a smaller company wherI can stay involved with whats happeninon a daily basis. Today, we have abouthree projects going on at once, and I usually see them every other day.

What are the keys to success? According to Filiatreau, its knowledgeable, experienced supervision and good, dependab

equipment.Estimating correctly is critical fo

any job to succeed, he says. On the onhand, weve got to keep work for oupeople; but on the other side we canstarve the company by doing work thaisnt profitable. Im not out here just tthrow a bunch of hours on equipment.

want to have something down the roadWere trying to build a future for everyone involved in this company. s

ON YOUR OWN

We chose the IT

option because it

makes the machine

much more versatile,

Filiatreau says.


6/286 ON YOUR OWN

WORK TOOLS

Versatility. Its the name of the game in todaysmarketplace. The more tasks your backhoeloader can perform, the fewer single-pur-

pose machines you need. With versatile, multi-task backhoe loaders

from Caterpillar, you can be more efficient oneach job, and youll be able to put more on thebottom line.

Caterpillar C-Series backhoe loaders are avail-

able with an Integrated Toolcarrier linkage andstandard hydraulic quick coupler. This innovativeconfiguration makes it fast and easy to takeadvantage of numerous Cat IT work tools. And,you can add a quick coupler to the backhoe end,too, for versatility on the front and rear of yourmachine.

Many work tool choices

The most common attachments used on thefront end of a backhoe loader are general-purposebuckets, multi-purpose buckets, pallet forks andbrooms.

The most common applications for GP buck-ets are earthmoving and grading. MP buckets areused for earthmoving, grading and stump anddebris removal. Pallet forks are used for unloadingtrucks and moving palletized material such asbricks, pipe, mortar mix and other constructionmaterials.

The most common attachments utilized onthe rear end of a backhoe loader are buckets ofvarious sizes, hammers, augers, and compactors.Bucket widths range from 12 to 60 and can bedesigned to handle a variety of materials. For

example, heavy-duty buckets are a more ruggeddesign than standard-duty buckets, extreme-ser-vice buckets are able to withstand highly abrasive

materials, and high-capacity buckets combine thdesign and construction of the heavy-duty bucke

with a longer tip radius, resulting in a bucket witincreased volume for more productivity in manmaterials.

Backhoe buckets can also be fitted witthumbs for pinching and grabbing, and are avaiable with ripping teeth along the bottom of thbucket for extra ripping action in frozen or com

pacted material. Swinger couplers or tilt-ditcbuckets assist in applications such as ditch cleaning. Hammers are used in road construction andemolition as well as in breaking concrete trepair water mains, bridges and parking lot

Augers can be used to dig postholes or holes foplanting shrubbery or trees. Compactors are useto help finish jobs by compacting material thahas been backfilled into a trench.

Cold planers are used to grind and removasphalt or concrete. Grapples are common ohydraulic excavators and are now available obackhoe loaders.

Versatility spells success

Versatility has always been critical to the success of backhoe loaders. As Caterpillar and wortool manufacturers expand the versatility of thesmachines, Cat backhoe loaders will continue tbe in high demand. The use of quick couplers othe front and rear of the backhoe loader will expedite the use of compatible work tools. Quichydraulic disconnects will speed the interchangof hydro-mechanical tools.

At Caterpillar, versatility is such a vital issu

that we have a dedicated group, Work Tools anServices, to focus on this business for BuildinConstruction Products. s

Let work tools help

grow your business


7/28

Gene Bonds was surprised and very pleased

when he was told he placed the winning bid forCaterpillars specially painted 416C IT racing

backhoe loader.I never imagined

Id win this machine,

he says, but now thatits part of our equip-ment fleet, Im going tobe pretty picky about

which of my operatorsgets to run it.

Bonds is owner ofBonds ConstructionCo., Durango, Col-orado. The contractor,in business since 1983,does excavating, road

building and commer-cial site preparation. And Bonds is no stranger to Caterpillar

machines. His fleet includes 426, 416C and416C IT backhoe loaders, 950E wheel loader,D3 and D5H dozers, 307 excavator with anarticulated boom and a 140G motor grader.The company is renting two 315B excavators.

I bought my 426 backhoe loader in 1990,he says. Its logged more than 10,000 hours

with no problems. I purchased a 416C ITabout a month ago, so I knew what I was get-

ting with this special racing edition machine.Caterpillar equipment is very dependable, andthe parts availability from my local Cat dealer isgreat. This new machine will fit right in, eventhough its bound to stand out.

The bid competition was in celebration ofthe production of Caterpillars 100,000th backhoeloader. Caterpillar will split the proceeds of the auctionof this 416C IT race backhoe between the Motor Rac-ing Outreach program and Special Olympics. s

ON YOUR OWN

And the winner is . . .Colorado contractor places top bid for speciallypainted 416C IT racing backhoe loader

NASCAR UPDATE

Gene Bonds, left, and

his wife, Lori, who

had an equal part in

the bidding process.


8/28

Caterpillar backhoe loaders are very versatileand popular machines because they combinemany features of a wheel loader and an excava-

tor. In fact, many contractors started their businesseswith only a backhoe loader because of its versatility,maneuverability, transportability, low operating costand overall value.

C-Series improvements continue

Since their introduction in 1996, the added ver-satility and comfort of C-Series backhoe loadershave been well received. The introduction of thePower Shift option a year ago further improved easeof operation and productivity. C-Series improve-ments continue with changes that provide you withbetter horsepower and hydraulic performance, asmoother ride and increased productivity.

A stronger backhoe with greater lifting capacity isthe result of many key changes. A larger bore boomcylinder gives the backhoe more lift capacity. Theheavy-duty boom structure provides greater strengthand durability. The new, open boom nose designprovides easier access for inspections in high-hour,severe applications. The backhoe Quick Coupler hasbeen improved for higher rotation and therefore bet-ter vertical wall digging capabilities.

A much smoother ride is very noticeable with thenew Ride Control option. Improved operator effi-ciency, better load retention and improved cycletimes will be achieved with Ride Control.Combined with the new, standard air-suspensionseat, operator comfort is significantly enhanced.

The advanced controls of the Cat load-sensinghydraulic system will continue to offer superior per-formance while saving you money in fuel andcomponent wear and tear. A new dual-setting torque

limiter automat-ically optimizesthe hydraul ic

system for back-hoe or loaderapplications.

Better lifting

backhoe

With the newlarger diameterboom cylinder,actual lift num-ber s have in -creased up to 20

percent over current C-Series machines. Thesmachines will provide industry-leading lift ca

while maintaining fast cycle times.

Improved boom design

The new heavy-duty boom structure dmatches the backhoes larger lifting loads andaggressive digging performance. This new desopen at the boom-to-stick pin bore and is suppby 30 mm (1.18 inch) thick solid steel boomrails. In addition, the new boom nose allowinspection and access for second-life repair onhour, severe-duty jobs.

Splined boom pins with longitudinal greastrap grease between the pin and bushing provmore lubrication in highly-loaded applications

Backhoe Quick Coupler

The improved backhoe Quick Coupler pro12 degrees more rotation for better vertical waging and easier changeout of tools without chabucket pins. This increases rotation to 175 deThe new Quick Coupler allows digging a deepetical wall while still being able to close the bucktruck loading. Clamping distance is improvedto 3 inches for the ability to close the buckloading materials like concrete or asphalt slabs

This coupler is a pin-grabber type, whichpick up all standard pin-on work tools such as ets, hammers, augers, cold planers and rippersimproved coupler not only offers the ease of cing work tools quickly, but also the added vamore rotation, eliminating the need to switclocations. Most work tools can be changed in one minute.

Ride Control System

The Caterpillar Ride Control System isavailable on all C-Series backhoe loaders. The sincorporates a nitrogen accumulator in the l

lift circuit to smooth the ride in all condiincluding load-and-carry, highway roading or gal maneuvering around the jobsite.

The system is easily engaged with a flip oswitch on the front console. On the Powermachine, the Ride Control switch offers threetions: On, Off and Automatic (on machines wiPower Shift, positions are on/off). In the autoposition, the ride control engages automaticatravel speed increases to 6.2 mph. At low speedthan 4.4 mph), the system disengages for loagrading or finishing applications.

1999 ENHANCEMENTS

Cat C-Series backhoe

C-Series

upgrades

enhance

an already

proven

winner.


9/28ON YOUR OWN

aders get even better

Ride Control benefits include smoother ride, which reducesmachine loping while roading, better material retention duringoad-and-carry operations, and increased operator comfort.

There is a Ride Control kit available for field installation or

etrofitting earlier C-Series machines.

Air-suspension seat

The exclusive Caterpillar air-suspension seat is standard on allCat backhoe loaders. The seat utilizes an air adjustment mecha-nism instead of the traditional mechanical linkage found in most

ackhoe loaders. This allows for a greater operating range anduperior ride in all conditions. By simply pressing a button, theeat can be tailored to offer support to different body weights. Theariable height and weight adjustments provide a wide range ofettings so every operator is comfortable operating the Caterpillarackhoe. The seat swivel has been improved for quieter and more

durable operation.

Hydraulic system improvements

Enhancements to the variable displacement pump in the load-ensing hydraulic system now provide better performance in bothackhoe and loader operations through a dual setting torque lim-

ter. The new pump torque limiter control improves powerdistribution to the hydraulic system during backhoe operationsnd optimizes power balance between the loader hydraulic circuitnd drivetrain during front loader operations.

The operator will notice this primarily when using the loader inproduction digging by providing more engine speed under load,herefore leading to more efficient production. The advanced con-

trols of the Cat load-sensing hydraulic systemoffer superior performance while reducing fuconsumption, component wear and coolincosts.

More product and

reliability improvements

Newly designed control kits reduce the laborequired for installation from approximatelfour hours to one hour. The improvement idesign from a multi-piece kit to a pre-assembled kit will facilitate quick changing of control patterns and at a reduced cost because o

labor savings. E-stick wear pad retention has been improvewith larger bolts to ensure that the pads stain place in the most severe applications.

Stabilizer cylinders have an improved seal sytem for long, leak-free life.

A new steering hand-metering unit providlower steering efforts and eliminates feedbacthrough the steering system if tires impaccurbs or other objects.

A new steering spinner knob is available as an option.

The heavy-duty axle is now standard on all-wheel-drive machine

This axle provides wider planetary gears and bearings for morendurance and durability.

The front axle oscillation bearing is now grease-free for reducemaintenance costs. Self lubricating and sealed for the life of thmachine, this improvement removes all potential for leaks.

Caterpillar Electronic Technician is standard on Power Shimachines. Electronic Technician allows for diagnostics and troubleshooting as they apply to the Power Shift system. Failures arlogged and retained up to 100 hours.

Versatile performance, proven value

Whether you dig, load, grade, trench, backfill or handle mate

rial, you can do it better with a backhoe loader from CaterpillaVersatility is one reason for this capability. You can easily anquickly change work tools on any Caterpillar C-Series machin

when equipped with front and rear quick couplers. And, Cat leadthe industry with state-of-the art design features like the excavator-style backhoe, load-sensing hydraulics, All Wheel Steeintegrated toolcarrier (IT) linkage and Power Shift transmission

These machines are designed from the ground up to help yotackle more jobsite chores and extend the range of tasks that youbackhoe loader can perform. No matter what job youre workinon, or which Caterpillar backhoe loader youre using, its built t

work as hard as you do, and be more than a machine, a partner. s

Ride control benefits include smoother ride, better material retention during load-and-carry,

nd increased operator comfort.


10/2810 ON YOUR OWN

Although Ken Palson Enterprises handles type of commercial excavation, the contractors cialty is environmental projects such as gas statank removal and site cleanup. His equipm

works al l year round throughout province, and as far as Thompson, 500 to north, so the frozen ground is a frequent advers

Six years ago, the company became one of othree firms issued a permit to haul contaminasoil. Now Palson has contracts with several moil companies.

This year, the company became only the toperation in Manitoba to receive a safety accredtion. Independent jobsite audits consistently foPalsons crews working safely and wearing hard hsafety glasses and boots.

Being safety conscious has gotten us into thecompanies, Palson says. We talk safety everyda

Integrity builds business

Another major reason for the companys sucis keeping its word.

If we say were going to be there, well be thePalson says. We have good equipment that doe

break down and good operators who know howdo a variety of jobs efficiently and productively. prefer to hire young guys and train them to opeequipment our way.

Ken Palson Enterprises equipment list inclufour backhoes, three wheel loaders, one track loaone dozer, three excavators and five tandem trucks.

Almost all their earthmoving equipmenCaterpillar equipment. We bought the first 426 backhoes in the province, Palson sCaterpillar stuck by me when I started this bness. I didnt have anything, and they financed

first pieces of equipment.

Need powerful machines

In winter, frost goes to depths of two to three However, its not uncommon to encounter froground seven feet below the surface. Taking on in these conditions requires a powerful machine.

We like the extra power of the Cat 426C, Pasays. It gives us plenty of extra force. Operathammers all day long in winter is very toughmachines, and our Cat backhoes havent let us do

Also, the curved boom on the C-Series gives us e

Digging a trench in mid-winter in Winnipeg,Manitoba, can be a job so tough that it takestwo Cat 426C backhoe loaders. One machine

hammers away at two to three feet of frozen ground,

while the other delicately digs around undergroundpipe and conduit.Working like this for 10 hours in winter is like

20 hours in summer when it comes to wear and tearon a machine, says Ken Palson, president of KenPalson Enterprises, Ltd. In summer, we just dig.Now were chopping and banging; its like diggingin concrete all day long.

Necessity is . . .

The beginning of Palsons commercial excavatingbusiness was inauspicious, but promising. Releasedby his former employer 11 years ago, Palson enter-

tained several offers from other construction firms.Ive been around equipment all my life, hesays, and Ive been in the industry so long I knowit inside and out. I decided it was time to go on myown.

Palson didnt own a machine his first year in busi-ness, opting to broker with independent contractors.I had five to 10 machines working and made $5 anhour with each of them, he says.

In 1988, Palson purchased his first Cat 426backhoe loader. Over the years hes bought 11; thelatest two were C-Series machines last year.

CANADIAN ON SITE

Since frozen ground can

extend to seven feet

deep, Palson says,

We like the extra

power of the Cat 426C.It gives us plenty of

extra force.

Cat 426C takes on frozen tundraB ACKHOE LOADERS POWER THROUGH FROST AND ICE X


11/28ON YOUR OWN 1

reach, which is important for loading trucks.Versatility is extremely important to Palson,

because oftentimes equipment must be traileredlong distances. The backhoes use buckets rang-ing from 12 to 36 inches, as well as smooth-edgebuckets for cleanup, frost hooks, compactors,

concrete breakers and custom-made snowplows.Ive probably got more than a dozen attach-ments, he says.

The Cat 426Cs are specified with optional all-wheel-drive.

In our conditions of ice and frozen ground,Palson says, wed spend the entire day spinning

without all-wheel-drive. Because of this option we can push material and load easily, and thatmakes these Cat backhoes all the more versatile.

Equipment is reliable

When Palson says he pushes equipment hard,

hes not exaggerating. In their first 10 months ofoperation, each of the Cat 426Cs logged morethan 2,000 hours.

In 10 years, he says, weve put more than75,000 hours on our Cat backhoe loaders andnever touched an engine or transmission. I thinkthat says something about Caterpillar machines;theyre being built right.

I find I get maximum trade-in value on themachines, he says, and I dont take a chance onhaving a major component failure that Id have topay for. I always add the extended service agree-

ments to take care of the little things. To providegood service to my customers, I have to havedependable equipment.

Oil analysis is partof the companys pre-ventive maintenanceprogram.

Oil sampling hasalerted us to somemetal particles in dif-ferentials, Palson says.If a machine pops anO-ring, for example,that just creates otherproblems if it goesundetected. Comparedto a major componentrepair bill of $3,000 to $4,000, whats the cost ofoil analysis? Weve always believed its easy to jus-tify its use.

Pride in performance

Ken Palson Enterprises built a reputation on itsability to tackle specialized work and do the job

well, even in frozen ground. This takes experi-enced operators and the right machines.

We do a lot of jobs no one else will touchbecause of the liability, Palson says. We firmlybelieve the key to our success is experienced oper-ators on reliable equipment. If a man stays on onemachine, he gets to know it. If there is a strangenoise he recognizes it; he can even feel an unusualvibration in the seat.

And dont forget the pride factor, he contin-ues. Our operators treat their Cat machines likethey are their own. And why not? Those backhoesare their bread and butter. If they look after themachines and take care of them, theyre working.If equipment is broken down, they stay at home.Theres no question that one of the reasons werethriving as a business after 10 years is the effort

weve expended to acquire experienced, talentedoperators and dependable, productive Caterpillarequipment. s

In 10 years

weve put mor

than 75,000hours on our

Cat backhoes

and never

touched an

engine or

transmission.

I think

that says something about

Caterpillar

machines;

theyre being

built right.

Ken PalsoPreside

Ken Palson Enterpris


12/28

EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT

12 ON YOUR OWN

On the track or on the jobsite, winners main-tain their machines. To expect peakperformance day in and day out, youve got

to take care of your equipment, says Mark Barden,customer service manager at Caterpillars BuildingConstruction Products division in Clayton, NC.

Ken Clymer, veteran operator at Caterpillarsproduct demonstration area in Peoria, IL, agrees.He says, The old advertising slogan applies: Youcan pay me now, or you can pay me later.

On Your Own interviewed these experts to getsome quick guidelines for a daily backhoe loader

walkaround inspection.

Lets begin

Barden begins his walk around the machine blooking for obvious problems such as damagehoses or where paint has been rubbed off the hoseprotective outer wrapping. He looks for dust o

hose fittings that indicates the beginnings of a leakBoth men pay close attention to tires. Prope

inflation is important, Clymer says, because creates an equal cutting edge for the front bucke

Low inflation also increases tire wear.Barden judges tire pressure by placing the fronbucket flat on the ground.

If one bucket edge is up, he says, I know thmachine has low tire pressure on one side.

Next, they check wheel lugnuts to ensure theare all on and tight.

The last stop on the initial check is a cainspection. They look for cracks or breaks in th

glass and make sure doors work properly. Thecheck lights and turn signals. And they checother safety items such as steps. Are they bolted o

tight, or are they bent? What is the condition othe grab handles?

On closer inspection

Taking a closer look at the machine, Clymevisually inspects all mechanical joints, hoses an

hose fittings and check their condition, looking foanything that might be broken, loose or leakingThey say its important to make a horizontal anvertical scan, not just an eye-level look.

At the front of the machine, Barden and Clyme

check for excessive wear on the cutting edge or en

bits. They inspect loader pins and the linkageWith the bucket flat on the ground, they check thbolts on the cutting edge.

The daily walkaround is a good time to loounderneath the machine for oil or other fluid leakthat might have occurred overnight.

Time to lube

When the visual walkaround is completed, ittime to check fluid levels. To do this properlyits very important that the machine is parke

A daily visual inspection includes walking around the machineto ensure that:

Hydraulic hoses and fittings are dry Electrical harnesses and connections look good Mechanical joints are well lubricated Tires are properly inflated and in good condition

Lugnuts are tight and valve stems intact Steps and grab handles are clean, straight and secureWork tools and GET are in good condition -- bucket tips and

pins are secure Pins are in place for attachments like E-sticks and quick couplers.LOOK FOR DAMAGE AND EXCESSIVE WEAR:

Signs of fatigue such as cracks, chaffed or chipped surface paint Signs of stress or exposure such as stressed or kinked hoses or

wiring harnesses Breakage -- cracked windows or mirrors Damage -- hydraulic cylinder

wear or scratchFLUID CHECKS:

Check engine oil cold Check transmission fluid hot

CHECK THE OPERATION OF:

Lights Parking brake

OTHER TIPS:

Check for concentrated duston hose ends

Check the ground under the machine after overnight parking Fuel and grease at night

T AKE CARE OF YOUR PARTNER

Sharpen your

competitive edge

Begin your walkaroundby looking for obviousproblems such asdamaged hoses.


13/28ON YOUR OWN 1

on a level surface.If the machine is not level, Clymer says, you

wont get accurate readings on dipsticks or sight

gauges.Check the hydraulic oil sight gauge on the left side

of the machine, Barden says. Open the hood and

check the rest of the fluids. Refer to the lubricationguide decal on the underside of the hood to help locatethe grease fittings. From the top step, check engine andtransmission oil, coolant and brake reservoirs.

At this point you could give your backhoe loaderits 10-hour lubrication. You could even find yourself

doing this more than once a day, but check the hourmeter.

Barden offers another pointer. I like to fuel andgrease the machine at the end of the shift, he says.

Fueling displaces moist air in the tank, and lubricantsflow better when joints and grease are warm. Also,lubrication will push any moisture out of the joints socorrosion cant develop overnight.

Its all right to lube and fuel atnight so the machine is ready to goin the morning, Clymer says, butstill do a walkaround inspectionfirst thing. Something could haveleaked overnight and you wouldnt

have seen it in the evening. Exceptfor the transmission oil, its better tocheck fluids when the machine iscold. That way youre sure to get thetrue fluid level. Sometimes oilsexpand when theyre hot, and you

wouldnt get a totally accurate checkat night.

Inside the cab

Inside the cab, Clymer and Barden advise operatorsto do their housekeeping. A clean cab is very impor-tant. Keep window areas and floors free of trash, rags,

grease guns, lunch boxes and anything else. Catmachines offer plenty of storage space, both inside andout, for such items.

Keep the floor free of debris so nothing obstructsthe accelerator, Clymer says, and most important,the brakes.

So remember, whether its racing or construction,a thorough daily inspection can give you thecompetitive edge to keep you out in front. Plus, a

well-maintained machine looks good and reflects wellon your business. s

To do an accurate walkaround inspection, Mark Barden says, Its very important that the machine isparked on a level surface. If not, you wont get accurate readings on dipsticks or sight gauges.

Check wheellugnuts to makesure they are all ontight. The

beginningsof rust may signalone is gettingloose.

Visually inspect all mechanicaljoints, hoses, hose fittings andcheck their condition.Its importantto make a horizontal and verticalscan, not just an eye-level look.


14/28

The father and son team of John and JoeMauris likes to keep things simple. These

Alpine, California, utility contractors stick tothe work they do best and maintain tight controlover their operation.

Staying small is the No. 1 reason for oursuccess, John says. We watch all our costs like

hawks and take very good care of our customers.John and Joe position themselves as subcontrac-tors. For them, the best way to generate repeatbusiness is to makesure general con-tractors are alwaysbusy. That meanstrenches are ready so

workers dont standaround.

We give ourgenerals an excellent

job at a very com-

petitive price, Johnsays. We have goodrapport with thecontractors we work

for, and thats the best way we know to generepeat business. Combine cost control and tmakes us successful. We find well-managed options get good contracts. Thats the name of game.

Modest beginnings

John, 63, started in 1967 with one backhoe. Tbusiness prospered, and by 1977 he needed h

Joe, 41, came on board. The pair gradually admachines and otequipment, includan excavator, trloader, motor graand a dozer.

Today, they wthroughout San DiCounty, going as fathe Imperial Cochil la val le

Projects are pmarily commertrenching for pluming and electrical uties and some grading. Their m

recent job involved 35,000 feet of utility trench atheadquarters of the US Navys Pacific Fleet in Diego. Containment pipes installed undergrou

will be used to separate oil from a ships bilge wa Years of experience with utility work o

many benefits to customers. Simply put, John Joe can easily identify problems before happen, which saves contractors and customconsiderable time and money.

We know how to correct a potential situatbefore it becomes a major problem, John says.theres a problem with the ground, we take carit. There are no surprises for our customers.

John and Joe say they have the option to small or get very large, up to 40 employees.

With too many employees, John says, wbe working for them instead of ourselves. staying small, we can watch every expense item also be selective on the jobs we do.

14 ON YOUR OWN

EXPAND YOUR BUSINESS

Simple formula foVERSATILECAT426CWITHPOWERSHIFT

KEEPS CONTRACTOR PROFITABLE

At right: John (left) andJoe Mauris watch all

their costs like hawksand take very good care

of their customers.

Below: The exceptionalmaneuverability of

the All Wheel Steercapability of the 426C

lets Joe work intighter areas.


15/28

Common pitfalls facing small contractors areoverextending themselves or bidding too low. Onthe Navy project, for example, John and Joesurveyed ground conditions ahead of time toidentify potential problems. They arranged withtrucking companies to have equipment available sohauling away material would not be delayed.

To submit an accurate bid on a job, John says,we have to acknowledge our limitations and makesure we have the equipment to do the work.

Machine versatility is critical

John and Joe have the equipment they need toperform efficiently on each job.Six machines may seem like a lot of equipment

for two guys, John says, but when we set up at ajobsite we can do anything.

In addition to several machines, there arenumerous attachments, including concretebreakers, compactors and pile driver.

We have acquired a number of machines overthe years, John says. We have what we need to dothe kind of work we specialize in.

Success for John and Joe is more than justadding equipment. Because theyre a small

company, they cant have everything. As a result,every machine must be very versatile.

The two recently purchased a Caterpillar 426Cbackhoe loader with a Power Shift transmission.This machine is expected to dig trenches, backfill,compact and perform many other tasks. It isequipped with a backhoe Quick Coupler, sochanging attachments is fast and easy.

The 426 is good for small and bigger jobs,John says. The additional reach of the 426 (onefoot compared to the 416C) is important to us. Sois some extra breakout force because were prepared

to handle unknowns at the jobsite. We want themost production from each of our machines, andthe 426C does the trick.

Power Shift breaks the tie

Joe has always operated Caterpillar equipment, while John was more experienced with anotherbrand. When the two decided to purchase a secondbackhoe, the Power Shift transmission was one ofthe reasons for choosing Caterpillar.

This option increases productivity and operatorcomfort because with one easy motion a singlelever controls speed and direction, as well as shift-

on-the-go under load. An additional gear wasadded between the normal working and roading

range for smooth modulation for a total of fiveforward and three reverse gears. And, operatorshave more floor space because a twist-grip on theforward-reverse lever replaces the conventionalfloor-mounted gear shifter.

With 4th forward gear selected, the Power Shiftcontrol system can shift automatically between 4thand 5th gears to maintain road speed. Whenhigher speeds are not needed, a manual 5th gearlockout switch prevents automatic shifts. This isespecially desirable during load and carryapplications.

ON YOUR OWN 1

success

The 426C was selectedfor its additional reach

(one foot compared tothe 416C) and some

extra breakout force.

CONTINUED


16/28

We were very interested inthis option, Joe says. We triedthe Power Shift transmission,liked it and bought the 426C.

We do a lot of load and carry,mostly picking up debris and

carrying it somewhere else.Instead of having to shift andmaking a jerky transition, oreven trying to watch thetransmission, my efforts arefocused on what Im doing thats what Power Shift lets medo. I just flick my wrist to shift.

With other machines, I had tostop to shift. With Power Shift,I can work faster and moreefficiently and there is less

fatigue over the course of mytypical 10-hour day. The 426C with Power Shiftis just easier and smoother.

Joe also appreciates the All Wheel Steer capa-bility available on the 426C. This option

includes: two-wheel steer for normal job con-ditions and roading; circle steer for tighter

loading cycles; and independent rearmaneuvering for crabbing to back-fillwhile driving parallel to a trench, grad-ing on a side slope with greater stabilityor negotiating the tightest turns in con-fined areas.

All Wheel Steer lets us work in tighterareas, he says, and when I have to get

material into a ditch I can square up themachine to get a straight bucket so the entire loadgoes into the ditch, not just a portion of it.Maneuverability is easy, so I get jobs done morequickly, which is a cost savings.

Newer equipment pays

John and Joe are convinced that newer, morereliable and dependable equipment is another keyto their success.

We try to stay with the latest equipment,

John says. Without dependable machines wecant deliver the goods. We cant afford break-downs because contractors dont want us if wedelay them. They cant afford to have their crewssitting around. My motto is: Why run a Model T

when I can have a new pickup?The 426C is specified with an enclosed cab,

rare in southern California. We need airconditioning in the desert, Joe says, and we staycleaner. We have a radio to listen to news or musicso the day goes better. Plus, it seems Im just notas tired at the end of the day. This Cat machine

has good visibility. I can see everything. Itanother feature we really like.

New technology and continually updatefeatures are another reason John and Joe choosCaterpillar machines.

I didnt grow up with Cat, John says, bumy experience tells me they have a great producThe 426C is my first Cat backhoe and I like very well. I just wish our other backhoe haPower Shift and All Wheel Steer. These newfeatures are why well stay with Caterpillar. Wcan work faster and do a better job.

Serviceability is important

Service sells. Chalk up yet another factor in thMauris decision to select Caterpillar.

If machines are unreliable or service from thdealer is poor, John says, word gets arounamong contractors. Service is a very, very important item, and Caterpillar is second to none. Wcan get parts anytime, even on Saturdays anSundays.

We had a job in Escondido, he continueand I needed a starter for our track loader. It waSunday morning. I called my sales representativ

and he met me at the dealership. I got the paand was back to work in just a couple of hourinstead of days. Thats another reason why I likCaterpillar. We like to work on our equipment o

weekends, and if we cant get parts it is a big factoin our equipment selection. Parts availability anservice are critical. We want to spend our fu

week working.Versatile, dependable machines, a strong wor

ethic and taking care or their customers is thformula that adds up to success for John and JoMauris.s

16 ON YOUR OWN

The Caterpillar Power Shift transmission provides a single lever tocontrol speed and direction.

All Wheel Steer (AWS).

The independently-

maneuvered rear axle

reduces the turning

diameter by more than

4 feet, giving the

tightest turning circle.

The three modes of

operation are:

(1) Two-wheel steer

(2) Circle steer

(3) Independent rear

maneuvering


17/28

ny takes the cost of each machine and determinesan hourly charge based on the time of each job.

Added to this is the cost of fuel and maintenance.Labor and parts are charged individually to each

machine.If we can generate more useful hours per

machine, Lorusso says, we can bring down ourcost per hour. The more hours we can put on amachine, the less the cost of operation.

Lorusso Corp. produces crushed stone and bitu-minous concrete. The company does municipaland state highway resurfacing and reconstructionand related site work in the eastern two-thirds ofthe state. There are 90 pieces of paving and con-struction equipment and 175 employees.

416Cs join the roster

Earlier this year, the company purchased fourCaterpillar 416C backhoe loaders. Already, two

machines have loggedmore than 500 hoursof productive opera-tion.

The addition of the416Cs was actuallybrought about byLorusso Corp.s expe-r i ence wi th twoCaterp i l l a r IT28

Integrated Toolcarriersit owns. We reallyliked the versatility ofthese machines, heavyequipment supervisorEd Kettell says, so

when the 416C wasintroduced, we knewit would be a greatmachine for us. Manyof our jobs are small

Oh, how times have changed since GerryLorusso bought his fathers constructionbusiness 18 years ago.

Its a difficult environment today, says the

president of Lorusso Corp., Plainville, Mas-sachusetts. We used to compete against anotherfamily business. Today, our competition is amultinational corporation. Its caused a realchange in how we compete for business.

Paving contractors like Lorusso need to behighly organized and must operate more efficient-ly. Part of this success formula means betterequipment utilization.

We must constantly refine our operation andbecome more efficient, Lorusso says. Theconcept of fewer machines using more tools thatcan do more jobs becomes very important.

To measure productivity, an hourly cost isassigned to every piece of equipment. The compa-


Cat 416C IT versatility

provides competitive edge

ON YOUR OWN 1

Maximum machine utilization is criticalto this highway contractors success

The 416

has power

to handle

everything

thats

there. Ed KettelHeavy Equipmen

Superviso

Lorusso Cor


18/28

CAT 416C IT VERSATILITY PROVIDES COMPETITIVE EDGE

enough that the 416 C ca n ha nd le everythingthats there.

The machines use general and multi-purposebuckets, a material-handling arm, pallet forks andbrooms; and each is equipped with theoptional Quick Coupler for fast tool changes.

If a machine is digging, Kettell says, it takesonly a few minutes to put on the forks and rundown the street to grab a pallet of material from atruck. From a time and labor standpoint, thesebackhoe loaders work out great.

Safety first

Lorusso says there is another major advantageof the 416Cs, a benefit that doesnt necessarilyshow up on the balance sheet. Take, for example,a subdivision job requiring a lot of pipe

installation. It could take three or four workerwith slings and cables to unload and lay out thmaterial. The same job is accomplished with on416C and its operator.

Its much safer to use a machine thatproperly equipped for the job, Lorusso says, a

opposed to two laborers wrapping slings arounpallets of pipe. Using the Caterpillar backhoes fothis task, no one is in an at-risk position with suspended load.

Other 416C features were important to thcompanys purchase decision. There is improvevisibility, increased by 40 percent due to thmachines sloped hood, divergent lift arms anlarger windows. Plus, comfort features such as aconditioning and an ergonomically-designed seahelp reduce operator fatigue.

The nimble 416C IT usespallet forks to transport

a manhole section in anew subdivision, thenquickly switches to the

backhoe to place thesection (page 17).

18 ON YOUR OWN


19/28ON YOUR OWN 1

Strict PM program

Lorusso Corp. strictly adheres to an alreadyprecise preventive maintenance program. Atmachine start-up, each operator is responsible forchecking fluid levels, completing a walkaroundinspection and filling out a daily report. Thecompany just started using a Caterpillar dealer

maintenance program on 20 machines.Our Cat dealer comes out any time of the day

or night to service our machines, Kettell says. Inour peak season, were running 12 hours a day.

With this program, we dont have to havemechanics come in late or send two guys out tothe jobsite to fix a machine. Our Cat dealer evengoes to the job and takes waste oil and filters withhim so we dont have to truck that around.

Lorussos Cat dealer recently extended certainservice intervals to 500 hours, but the companycontinues to perform regular SOS fluid

sampling every 250 hours. The contractorspecifies only genuine Cat parts and filters.

We changed over completely to radial seal fil-ters, Kettell says. Because this two-stage filter actsas an air cleaner and precleaner in a single unit, iteliminates a hood-mounted precleaner. Its a bettersystem and saves time. We used to change filtersinside compartments every winter. If there was aproblem before that, no one wanted to take thetime to pull out the old filter. With the radial sealfilters, we can change two filters in three minutes.

Exclusively Caterpillar

Looking down the list of Lorusso equipment,its nearly impossible to find anything other thanCaterpillar machines. We like to standardize onequipment, Kettell says. We probably wouldntbe so focused on Caterpillar equipment if it wasntfor our dealers high level of parts and serviceperformance. More and more highway work hasto be done at night, and machine availability iscritical to us. We simply cant afford downtime.

The maintenance program our dealer offers letsus operate without a double shift of mechanics.

Lorusso remains focused on a machines totaloperating cost, which includes resale value.

As our work shifts from period to period, hesays, we may find that we dont need as manyexcavators three years from now. Maybe we needmore rubber tired machines or dozers. If we havethe comfort level that when we buy a machine wecan get a good price at resale, it makes thepurchase of that equipment much easier. s

If we can

generate

more useful

hours per

machine,

we can

bring down

our cost per

hour.

Gerry LorussPresiden

Lorusso Cor

Excellent

maneuverabilityand improved visibilityhelp this 416C IT

operator load and carrybroken concrete out of narrow, sunkenrailroad bed to load

waiting trucks on abusy highwayup above.


20/28

Does this sound familiar? Young man graduatesfrom high school. Unsure of future but enjoysbeing around equipment. Buys backhoe

loader and starts own business. Earns a respectableliving but cant get to the next level.

This story line is played out day after day in theconstruction industry. What makes this profilestand out is that Joe Singleton did find success on alarger scale.

Joe, 34, graduated from high school in Sumter,South Carolina, in June of 1982. He started doingyard work, bought a backhoe loader and moved onto site clearing and grading.

As jobs got bigger,Joe was forced to sub-contract grading andpaving. It didnt takelong for problems todevelop. He would tella projects owner thatthe paver would bethere on Wednesday.Meanwhile, the sub-contractor had nointentions of adheringto that schedule. Joereasoned that to besuccessful, he had tobe self sufficient.

Self sufficiency

means control

Our customers only want to make one

phone call and haveone person be respon-sible for their project,he says. This is ourcompetitive advan-tage. When wereready to pave, wedont have to wait foranyone. We get ourclients projects com-pleted on time. For usto be able to promise

to meet deadlines, we have to be in control of facet of the job.

Joe Singleton Co. has 26 full-time ansubcontracted employees and 30 pieceequipment. Serving a 50-mile radius aroSumter, the operation posts annual revenu$5 million.

The contractor specializes in complete packof small- to medium-sized retail or office builprojects. This includes jobs from site clearindemolishing existing structures all the waasphalt paving.

Quality people with experience in every facthe project are critical to the success of a busthat wants to provide a total job, Joe says. Bepersonnel, we need good equipment to producresults were looking for. Machines must be aable all the time. If equipment goes down, geit back up is a key issue. We need the part the morning so the machine is back up and runn

We dont have the luxury of having a stable of sequipment. Every piece we have, we need.

Watching Caterpillar grow

Joe is not a lifelong user of Cateequipment. It was only in the last two years thpurchased a pair of 416C IT backhoe loaders.

I watched Caterpillar come into the bacloader market 12 years ago, he says, and havethe product mature. Caterpillar always seesensitive to the end user. I was impressed byeffort they put into eliminating areas that ledowntime. For example, theyve done a grearouting hoses to make machines more produand available. Cat also uses beefier pins hardware. Plus, their parts availability is fantas

At present, Joe has two 416Cs with IntegToolcarrier linkage and hydraulic quick couplertheir versatility. He uses forks, buckets anstacking rake on the front end of the machine

Our operators can drop a bucket right fromcab and pick up forks or the stacking rake and mpipe, he says. We call that a key play becausaves time and is more convenient. Jobs flow msmoothly if attachments can be changed quiand work quality is better because operators a

MACHINE VERSATILITY

Not just your average JoeKE E N B U S I N E S S S E N S E P R O P E L S

SO U T H C A R O L I N A C O N T R A C T

20 ON YOUR OWN

Singletons 416C ITs do

a little bit of everything.The controls are so

smooth and responsivethat operators can doa variety of tasks withthe backhoe.


21/28

stressed as much. Its little things like this that addup to the overall success of a project.

Versatile machines

Joes 416C ITs do a little bit of everything.Operators excavate with the backhoe and perform

load and carry tasks with the front. The rakeattachment is used for clearing small areas and alsohandles pipe. He expects to order a broomattachment soon that will circulate among crews toclean up jobsites.

The Cat 416C is sized right for the type ofwork we do, he says. We like the Integrated

Toolcarrier design because of its parallel lift featurefor material handling and higher lift and breakoutforces.

We currently have six backhoe loaders, hecontinues, and Caterpillar ITs are the way well begoing on future purchases because our options are

limitless. Instead of buying another machine, I canget an attachment that can be used among all themachines. I can justify adding work tools to myinventory, but I dont want extra machines sittingaround. Ive done that in the past and its cost me. Iwont do it again.

Joe purchased the first Cat machine and severalmonths later decided he needed another backhoeloader. His operators were worried that he mightreturn to the previous brand and talked him intorenting another 416C IT.

They really like Caterpillars cab design and theease of operation of the machine, he says. For mypart, Caterpillar machines are just built better.Thats how the second machine got here. We triedone, and when it came time to get a secondmachine my operators asked for anotherCaterpillar. Theyre more powerful and they roadbetter. Plus, as far as my operators are concerned,theres a real advantage to running a Cat machine.

The Cat 416C ITs were purchased withCustomer Support Agreements for maintenanceand service.

We want to focus on being the best at what wedo, Joe says. We dont want to be mechanics.

Were a one-stop-shop for our customers, and thats what we want from our Caterpillar dealer. Theirlevel of support is better than anything weveexperienced during our 16 years in business.

ON YOUR OWN 2

Hydraulicquick coupler

let operatorsdrop a bucketright from the

cab and pickup forks or astacking raketo perform

other jobsitechores.

Pictured with foremanWillie T. McFadden,

Joe Singleton (right)says, I watchedCaterpillar come intothe backhoe loader

market 12 years ago,

and have seen theproduct mature.

Continued


22/28

I just liked machines

Joe says he just always liked working outside.And, he really liked those big, yellow machines.

Credit Joes mother for his early venture intoconstruction. One day she arranged for him to

watch a crew construct a railroad crossing. He wasmesmerized watching the backhoes work, and bythe end of the day he was hooked.

That early fascination with equipment led tohis successful career as a site contractor.

It was fairly obvious to me that in order togrow and become more profitable, he says, I hadto continually move into areas that were tougherto get into. The payoff is greater profit potentialbecause the sheer quantity of competition isdecreased. However, I also learned that the qualityof competition increases because this field requiresexperience and business acumen.

Four steps to success

Joe developed a four-step program for success.His No. 1 priority is finding, training and keepingcompetent people. New, state-of-the-art equip-ment is step two, quality is step three andproductivity is step four.

The office might burn down and all myequipment could be stolen, he says, but as long

as my people are here Im still in business. If wetend to the first two steps, the next two willnaturally follow. Ive seen too many otheroperations that put productivity first at theexpense of human resources. This may workbriefly, but soon a contractor will be forced to

work with disenchanted crews, abused equipmentand on low budget projects.

Joe pays competitively and offers completebenefit packages including 401K retirementprogram, health insurance, two weeks paidvacation and paid holidays.

We never send an employee home with a shopaycheck in winter, he says, and we insist on safe work environment and equipment.

Joe says its important to let his people knotheyre appreciated and that the company careabout them.

This doesnt take a whole lot from me, hadds. Just a simple word of praise, showinconcern about an injury or asking about aemployees family lets people know we care abouthem, and that goes a long way.

Joe is a firm believer in momentum.Young companies can create a magnetism tha

attracts good people and retains them because thewant to be part of something thats successful, hexplains. At times, that can mean more than a fewmore dollars on a paycheck. Having the chance tbe on a winning team that has a future and your

contributing to it means a great deal these days.Controlled growth

Charting his companys growth plan, Joe wanto handle a larger volume of the same size jobs his doing today.

Too often contractors grow by tackling biggeand bigger jobs, he says. We have done this ithe past and it is very difficult. It requireconstantly expanding our personnel and fleets analtering our management style. In doing so, littlattention is paid to details. We are set up focertain types of projects and are becoming mor

efficient at this work. The 416C ITs, with themulti-task capability and ability to change wortools quickly from the cab are a good example oattention to detail. This may only save a smaamount of time, but it adds up.

Joe often explains his thoughts throuanalogies. This time the metaphor is car racing.

On the NASCAR circuit, he says, the leadedoesnt usually win by a mile. Victory is measurein car lengths or seconds. This is due to making goooverall decisionsand fine-tuning the

team. The same istrue for businessowners. We mustpay attention toour people and beknowledgeab leabout equipment.For us to win therace, we need tomake key moves inevery way, every-day. s

FOUR STEPS TO SUCCESS

22 ON YOUR OWN

A rake attachment is

used for clearing, pipehandling and othertasks.

Jobs flow

more

smoothly if

attachments

can be

changed

quickly . . . Joe Singleton


23/28

wont do it. Our base is eight inches. What I dontwant to have happen is my name associated withthat driveway on the day it breaks up. If we cantdo the job right, we dont do it. That philosophyhas worked very well for us.

J.A.M. is a full service excavating and paving

business with 14 pieces of construction equip-ment, 11 dump trucks and 30 employees.

Marshall has something of a captive audienceof customers. He confines his territory to a 15-mile-long, 5-mile-wide island that includes theboating headquarters and upscale community ofNewport. To call Marshall hands-on is an under-statement.

I touch everything, he says. I am involved inevery job. As good as my men are, there are alwaysdecisions that have to be made by the boss. My

John Marshalls career spans 31 years, and theMiddletown, Rhode Island, contractor seesno reason he couldnt remain in business

another three decades.My longevity is based on my reputation, the

president of J.A.M. Construction says. I do whatI tell my customers Ill do, and I make sure every

job is quality work. When business gets tough,and Ive seen that over the years, lesser contractorsfall by the wayside. For example, if a customer

wants a driveway with only 2 inches of gravel, we


ON YOUR OWN 2

Staying power

Quality work

keeps Rhode

Island

contractor i

business for

31 years.


24/28

being around actually speeds ujobs. My feeling is, if youve got aentire orchestra, they cant pla

without a conductor.

Switch to Caterpillar

J.A.M. relied on one backhmanufacturer for 31 years. Thcompany had a good experienc

with the product and had somhigh-hour machines. But its 199

and that make of machine is no longer availabl J.A.M.s parts inventory was rendered obsoletand initially, that was reason enough for Marshato switch equipment manufacturers.

Today, he says, the key to machine perfomance is comfort, speed and productionCaterpillar has more pluses than other backhomanufacturers, such as visibility, speed ansmoother operation. I also chose my 426C IT foits serviceability. Service access is easier than another machine I looked at.

Initially, Marshall shied away from the 426IT because of its multiple attachment features. Hdidnt want the Caterpillar backhoe because hthought several tools were just something more t

wear out. That impression lasted only until hspent five hours on the machine one Saturday.

I started onmachine 31 yeaago, Marsha

says. Its therapfor me to jumon one; an

whenever I can,do it. I couldnbelieve how quiand comfortabthe 426C IT ca

was, and hproductive I waThis backholoader is respon

sive and quick. Compared to my olmachine, this Caterpillar 426C IT like getting out of a compact and intoluxury car.

Until that day, Marshall had nevexperienced attachment versatility, so hdidnt see the value. His 426C IT usthe backhoe quick coupler system wit12- and 24-inch high capacity bucket

With its integrated toolcarriers frolinkage the machine is also useextensively with the broom and mult

With their new 426C IT,

J.A.M. Construction has

discovered true machine

versatility from

trenching with the

backhoe to load and

carry with their

multi-purpose bucketor site clean-up

with a broom.

24 ON YOUR OWN


25/28ON YOUR OWN 2

capacity of a largermachine and themaneuverab i l i ty I need.

Dealer support

When Marshallswitched toCaterpil lar, hefound much moreto his liking in addi-tion to equipmentperformance.

My Cat dealeris very easy to work

with, he says. Irented the 426C ITfor several monthsbefore I decided tobuy it. The terms

were very reason-able, and this ishow I plan to purchase most of my newmachines.

Service is another Caterpillar dealer advantage.Im a fanatic about preventive maintenance,

Marshall says, and my Cat dealers parts availabilityand service support is second to none. If a machine isdown, its critical to get it up and running as soon aspossible because I dont have extra equipment.

Looking back, does Marshall have any other

tips for staying in business 31 years?I have good relationships with customers and

do quality work, he says. Long-time employeesare a tremendous asset, too. We have customers

who want a certain operator on a job. And, I tryto provide value-addedservices. We always cleanup the site and leave the

job looking good. Thiskind of reputation meanseverything. s

purpose bucket attachment.Normally, a guy wouldnt change attachments

on our older backhoes because it was too muchwork and hed get his hands full of oil, Marshallsays. Thats not the case with the 426C IT.

Whats more, the job gets done faster because the

operator is using the right tools. For example, oneday were putting in 1,800 feet of gas main, so

were using the 12-inch bucket. That afternoon were in downtown Newport on sanitary sewerproject with a wider trench, and we can use thesame machine with a different attachment.

Marshall plans to add a grader bucket. Theresno end to what we can do with this machine,he says, and when I buy another Cat backhoeloader, the attachments I have now will be inter-changeable.

New-found versatility

J.A.M. never experienced such machineversatility.

With other backhoes, Marshall says, wedtry to do the job with an unsuitable attachment,or bring in another machine. It would take anoperator 30 to 45 minutes to change tools witholder machines. He might be alone, trying to lineup the pin and its never level. At the same time,there are laborers standing around waiting for themachine to get up and running. Today, time ismoney and we cant afford that. Im very happy

with the versatility of the 426C IT.

Marshall appreciates the amount of work hecan do with a smaller machine.We do a lot of res-idential work, he says, and there are backyard jobs

where turning radius is very important. The 426CIT is big, but its small; I have the reach and

According to Marshall,This backhoe loader isresponsive and quick.

Compared to my oldmachine, this Caterpillar426C IT is like getting outof a compact and into

a luxury car.

Theres no

end to what

we can do

with this

machine . . .

John Marshal


26/28

operations. Steady digging, asopposed to slashing deep to fill thebucket each time, makes you moreproductive because the cut is moreprecise the first time through.

Start digging short (method #2) speed and productivi-ty, dig short of the point you want

to reach, then gradually extend thestick. Using this method, the dirt isalways coming to you instead ofrolling away. You wont spend timecleaning up what youve alreadyexcavated.

Use the right stick for dig-ging in sandy soil or clay, the C-Seriesextendible stick option is ideal. But insevere digging conditions (rocky soilor early spring ground frost) or close-

crowding applications, its better todig with the E-stick retracted to avoiddamage.

Practice smoothness blend the four functions of the back-hoe loader (swing and boom control

with stick and bucket control) to cre-ate a smooth-operating machine. Fast,

jerky motions can result in sloppytrenching and can even damageequipment. Slowing your movements can makyour machines operation smoother and more productive.

Leave the bucket flat when using thfront loader, many operators angle the bucket fo

ward and attack the pile in a scooping action. Thcan cause you to lose traction and maybe even thload. It is also more stressful on the drive train. Itbetter to keep the bucket flat on the ground as yoapproach the pile when loading, then lift and skimthe pile.

Operating a backhoe loader can be a stressful

job. Often, youre working in tight spaces.So you have to be aware of whats going on

at both ends of the machine at all times. Seasonedoperators are able to plan their moves ahead oftime. And, they handle the controls with finesse.

The new C-Series Backhoe Loader and Inte-grated Toolcarrier from Caterpillar have several fea-tures that make these machines the easiest to oper-

ate ever. These include increased forward visibility,a boost in lifting capacity, greater stabilizer spread,better operator comfort and more.

Besides enhancements, the C-Series machinesalso kept several time-proven innovations such asthe excavator-style backhoe boom (a Cat innova-tion) that digs deeper and reaches over obstaclesbetter than a straight boom, plus smooth, load-sensing, variable-flow hydraulics.

But as operator-friendly as the C-Series may be,the machine cannot think for itself. This part isup to you. Here are several tips from an expertoperator that may help you and your backhoe

loader become an even more productive team:

Keep it clean wipe your machine downdaily, clean the windows and pick up any debris inthe cab. By keeping the exterior clean, you can eas-ily spot any fluid leaks before they get worse andresult in downtime. Debris in the cab could getlodged in the controls and cause a problem.

Check before you dig contact your localutility company for the location of any under-ground utilities or communication lines in the area.

Get a good stance before you dig, makesure the backhoe loader is stable. Your stance willvary according to terrain and the application, buta rule of thumb is to set out the stabilizers and thenraise the tires no more than three inches off theground. Also, set your loader bucket on the groundfor even more stability.

Dont grab it all (method #1) make con-sistent 3- to 4-inch deep cuts during trenching

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

26 ON YOUR OWN

Backhoe loader ope

Mike Taylor,

Cat

Demonstrator/

Instructor at

EdwardsTraining

Center near

Peoria, IL,

has been

around back-

hoe loaders

his entire

career.


27/28

strength with your machine in low gear. TheC-Series has 20 percent greater rimpull than theB-Series in second gear. So select the the gear that

will provide the proper rimpull without allowingthe tires to spin out.

Finally, although the C-Series backhoe loadersfeature all wheel drive as a valuable jobsite option,its best to stay in rear-wheel drive as much as pos-sible especially on hard surfaces. This will save wear-and-tear on the drivetrain and tires.

Like anything else, you get better with practice.Following the above tips from an expert backhoeloader operator can help turn you into a realsmooth professional. s

Drag the cutting edge in grading andleveling operations, its recommended that you roll

the loader bucket over, with the cutting edge to therear. Using the buckets top and cutting edge givesyou two leveling surfaces for better machine sta-bility and control. Also, when you backdrag, drag-ging the cutting edge minimizes gouging and theneed to grade an area a second time, as is common

with the more traditional bucket up and angledforward position.

Let the hydraulics do the work load-ing operations do not necessarily require brute

ON YOUR OWN 2

ator efficiency tips

Improving backhoe

loader operatingtechniques can boost

profits. Our dealership

has literature and

other ideas to

help you

increase your

productivity.


28/28

AN AGREEMENT TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY AND LOWER COSTS

Every Caterpillar machine is designed and built to provid

maximum productivity and operating economy throughout it working life. Maintaining that built-in value takes carefplanning and ongoing attention. When you have a CustomeSupport Agreement (CSA) with our dealership, you have mortime to do what you do best. Our highly trained technicians cathen do their part to maintain your machines and drive operatincosts down. In the end everyones goal is the same: getting mor

work done at a lower cost.

backhoe loader oyo

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