bobcat cutter vinyl

Fall 2012 • www.bobcat.com
Bobcat machines
working at
Miami tunnel project
Tradition continues
at N.D. family farm with
bobcat loaders
Pensacola’s
Port of Call
gets a makeover
INSIDE: Tips for cold - weather loader operation
CONTENTS
SUCCESS STORIES
Fall 2012 • www.bobcat.com • Vol. 36, No. 4
STAFF
Publisher
Leroy Anderson
Editor
Ryan Johnson
Graphic Designers
Emily Shendelman and Laura Stewart
Photo Editor
Chad Halverson
Production Coordinator
Alicia Prendergast
Print Production Manager
Melissa Alto-Kintigh
Dealer Coordinators
Kali Andersen and Michael Ten Clay
Contributing Writers
Paul Posel, Randy Happel, and Debbie McClung
Contributing Photographers
Ernest Feland and Brett Neal
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5 | Agriculture
A commercial hay operation improved its
productivity when it switched from another
brand to a Bobcat® T870 compact track loader.
Two brothers from North Dakota are carrying on
their family farm tradition, with some help from
a new Bobcat T750 compact track loader and
attachments.
8 | Buildings and Grounds
6
Grounds maintenance professionals at the
University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and the
University of Michigan have an arsenal of Bobcat
machines and attachments to handle year-round
tasks. An A770 all-wheel steer loader is at the
center of the UNO equipment lineup, while more
than two dozen ToolcatTM machines keep a Big Ten
campus looking its best.
12 | Construction
At one of the largest infrastructure projects in
the United States, Bobcat compact excavators,
loaders and utility vehicles are center stage,
helping with the Port of Miami tunnel project.
Concrete meets its match when contractor
Bernardo Flores breaks it with his Bobcat
excavators, loaders and breaker. At a new library
in North Bend, Neb., a Bobcat compact track
loader helps install a geothermal heating and
cooling system.
10
20 | Industrial Products and Services
It started with an M444, and for more than 40
years, a Bobcat skid-steer loader has played a
part in a Rhode Island recycling center, helping
the family-run business remain successful and
celebrate 100 years in business.
22 | Landscaping
Lanoha Nurseries has become one of the
premier landscape supply and installation
companies in the Midwest. Read about its
history and use of Bobcat compact loaders,
excavators and attachments for landscape and
hardscape projects. A trio of Bobcat equipment
— compact excavator, compact track loader
and mini track loader — was instrumental in
giving Pensacola’s Port of Call a new look. In
the tree service business, Bobcat skid-steer
loaders are workhorses, complementing larger
tree care equipment.
28 | Rental
Armando Margan turned a one-man rental
company into a thriving independent rental store
in the New Orleans, La., area. Today his fleet
of compact equipment consists of 32 Bobcat
excavators and loaders.
16
24
29 | Recipes
30 | Bobcat Pause ABOUT THE COVER
A Bobcat E50 compact excavator helps
finalize the interior of the new Port of
Miami tunnel.
31
FALL 2012 | WorkSaver
3
From the WorkSaver
NEW: Bobcat
It’s been three years since the first Bobcat® M-Series compact
excavators and loaders made their debut. Customers are
impressed with the many benefits of the latest generation
of Bobcat compact equipment. In each of the major market
segments covered in WorkSaver®, customers are sharing their
successes, due in part to their M-Series excavators and loaders.
Find out why M-Series loaders and excavators are leading the
industry in operator comfort, visibility and productivity.
Visit www.MyWorkSaver.com/M-Series
Updated attachment section on www.Bobcat.com
Visitors to the attachment section on www.Bobcat.com will notice
some major changes. The overall
appearance of the attachment model
pages has been improved with a
better layout, additional content
and more attention to Bobcat
Advantage for Attachments videos,
which show why Bobcat attachments
are designed and built better than
other brands. A new search tool finds
attachments by product line, carrier
model, task or application. Lastly, you can now request a demonstration
for a specific attachment.
Bobcat
Web Guide
More information
about Bobcat
products is just
a click away.
www.MyWorkSaver.com/build
www.MyWorkSaver.com/literature
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www.MyWorkSaver.com
www.youtube.com/Bobcatcompany
www.BobcatAdvantage.com
www.MyWorkSaver.com/training
www.Bobcat.com/email
4
WorkSaver | FALL 2012
goes social
Bobcat Company
recently released
its social media
platform with
six options to
follow and share
information.
You can keep
up on Bobcat
activities/news
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These social media
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Configure your machine and get a quote from
your local Bobcat dealer.
Request literature by mail or download a PDF.
Complete the online form to request a
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Start a subscription to WorkSaver,
update an address or add an email.
Visit the Bobcat Company channel to watch more
than100 videos. Subscribe to our YouTube® channel.
Watch head-to-head excavator and compact
track loader comparisons.
Find safety videos and Bobcat training resources
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YouTube® is a registered trademark of Google Inc.
Making hay deep in
horse country
agriculture
A Bobcat M-Series compact track loader keeps a North Carolina
commercial haying operation on the cutting edge
To be successful in the business of supplying feed hay to horse
farms, you need your own workhorse. Last winter, Greg Overcash
replaced a competitor’s high-maintenance loader and switched to a
Bobcat® T870 compact track loader.
With his new M-Series workhorse, he has gained the productivity,
versatility and confidence he needed to keep his commercial
haying operation on the cutting edge after 30 years.
Versatile hay harvesting
Located in the heart of Tar Heel horse country just north of
Charlotte, N.C., Overcash Farms and Hay Company is a secondgeneration operation that grows 500 acres of hay crops, including
alfalfa, orchard grass and fescue. Overcash and a handful of
employees bale most of it into large and small bales. They also
wrap and store a portion of them in haylage, primarily for beef and
some dairy customers.
When demand for hay ramps up in winter, Overcash supplements
his inventory with weekly hay deliveries from a supplier in New York. Between the two sources, Overcash can serve
customers in an 80-mile radius year-round. With beef cows in the
mix, the T870, purchased from R.S. Braswell Company, has seen
a steady routine of heavy lifting for haying, as well as feed and
material handling.
A Bobcat T870 compact track loader has greatly improved Greg Overcash’s
productivity at his commercial hay operation near Charlotte, N.C.
strong machine,” Overcash says, adding, “it’s such a workhorse,
you can load that thing up like you can’t a lot of others.”
The machine’s ability to perform multiple chores allows Overcash
to stretch his labor resources. “We try to do as much as we can from
the seat of the equipment,” Overcash says. “The majority of our hay
can be handled automatically, and we try to keep it that way.”
Tackling vertical challenges
Overcash also puts the T870 through its paces overhead. The
machine’s vertical lift path can help operators grab bales from 12foot high stacks. “You have to have sufficient lift height in order to
get those stacks down,” Overcash says.
The T870’s value grows exponentially through its compatibility
with a wide variety of attachments that are extremely useful to
haying operations — from buckets to bale forks to grapples. “The
thing that convinced me to go with this machine was its total
versatility,” Overcash says.
The only downtime this T870 and its operators know is Sunday.
Until then, it’s all work, but Overcash isn’t complaining. “It has
Selectable Joystick Controls for steering that work very well for
us. And, the cab has a lot more room than previous Bobcat models.
I’m six-foot-one, so that means a lot for me,” Overcash says.
Another feature that showcases its versatility and speeds up
Overcash’s productivity is the loader’s hydraulic pressure-release
quick couplers for easy attachment
changes. “You can release hydraulic
pressure and it’s not such a fight to
get your attachments hooked up,”
Overcash says.
The machine is also tasked with
unloading the semitrailers. According
to Overcash, the machine easily
transports 15 of the 70-pound
compressed bales or conventional twostring bales at one time. “It’s a very
Top of its class — the T870
Watch the Bobcat® T870 and its rubber-tire counterpart, the S850, in
action. Scan this QR code with your smartphone to watch a video.
If you don’t have a smartphone, visit www.MyWorkSaver.com/T870
to watch the video.
FALL 2012 | WorkSaver
5
agriculture
Tips for cold weather
loader operation
Continuing a
family farm tradition
with
• Select engine oil viscosity to match the expected temperature range
• Use low-temperature grease for proper lubrication on pivot points
• Use fuel rated for colder temperatures — Some areas provide
winter fuel that is blended or refined
for the region to improve flow
Bobcat loaders
“Our Bobcat loader is the one
piece of equipment that we
use daily.”
LEFT: A new Bobcat T750 helps handle round bales for Michael and Patrick Cox
and their cow-calf operation. ABOVE: Brothers Patrick (left) and Michael depend
daily on their Bobcat compact track loader for farm chores.
Rarely a day goes by that the Bobcat compact track loader isn’t
operated at Cox Farms. “Our Bobcat loader is the one piece
of equipment that we use daily, no matter what we’re doing,”
Michael Cox says. “We use the Bobcat loader to lift and carry
objects, like hay bales, and do the daily chores such as feeding the
cow-calf herd. We grow, cut and bale alfalfa, and then we grind
the alfalfa with some straw, beet tailings and silage, before we
feed it to the cows.
“I really like the versatility of Bobcat loaders and all of the
attachments that I can use. It seems like there’s an attachment for
everything.” Michael and Patrick own a Bobcat bucket, pallet
fork and snowblower. The snowblower comes in handy during
the winter for clearing snow at the farm.
Cab comforts
The cab-forward design with more cab space, available on Bobcat
M-Series loaders, has impressed Michael.
Only one brand of compact equipment is suitable for two North Dakota row crop
and cow-calf operators, and that brand is Bobcat. Now on their third Bobcat loader,
brothers Michael and Patrick Cox are loyal to the skid-steer loader pioneer.
6
There’s only one brand of compact loader that suits farmers and
brothers Michael and Patrick Cox — Bobcat. Michael and Patrick
operate Cox Farms, a family farm near Devils Lake, N.D., where
they have about 2,500 tillable acres for corn and soybeans, as well
as a cow-calf operation with 700 acres of pasture.
“My feeling is that Bobcat was the first skid-steer loader and has
always been the best,” he says. “We have a very good relationship
with the local dealer. We purchased our first Bobcat loader about
five years ago, an 873, and then added an S650. Now we’re on our
third Bobcat loader — a T750.
Michael and Patrick took over the family farm when their father,
Barry, passed away in 2011. Together, the brothers and their
mother, Judy, are carrying on the family farm and its traditions,
with some help from a Bobcat® T750 compact track loader and
attachments. The M-Series T750 is the third Bobcat compact
loader they’ve purchased from Bobcat of Devils Lake, and for
Michael, it’s the only brand that matters.
“We decided that rather than use a Bobcat skid-steer loader
with over-the-tire steel tracks, we would buy a Bobcat
compact track loader. It’s nice to have the rubber-track
undercarriage in the spring when it’s wet, for extra traction
and flotation, and the rubber tracks enable us to go into
buildings and drive on concrete.”
WorkSaver | FALL 2012
“The new loaders have much more room in the cab,” he says,
“which is a big improvement from our first loader, and I feel that
the visibility is much better. Also, I don’t feel cramped when
I’m operating, and I can be in it for a long time and it still feels
comfortable. The radio is a nice option, too. We have an enclosed cab
with heat and air conditioning for our T750. It’s the only way to go.”
— Michael Cox, Cox Farms
Handling seed
Michael and Patrick are in their third year as a Pioneer seed
dealer. They’re selling corn, beans, sunflowers, and canola and
alfalfa seed to area farmers. Again, the Bobcat loader helps the
brothers with the task of handling heavy materials.
“We handle a lot of totes, and we unload all of them from the
semitrailers with the Bobcat loader and pallet fork,” Cox says.
“Once they’re unloaded, we use the Bobcat T750 to move them
around and load feed tenders.”
Faster travel speeds
On a large family farm like Cox Farms, big distances can be
time wasters. That’s why every Bobcat loader that the family has
purchased has the two-speed travel option. The option allows
operators to get from Point A to Point B faster. And when you
start to add up the minutes saved, it can quickly turn into hours
and days.
With the versatile and dependable equipment supporting them,
Michael and Patrick expect to carry on the family farm. “I’ve
been involved in farming ever since I could walk,” Michael says.
Now he can do much more work in less time with his Bobcat
compact loaders and attachments.
Travel farther, faster
Bobcat compact track loaders have a travel
speed advantage over other brands. Scan
this QR code with your smartphone to watch
the travel speed challenge video.
If you don’t have a smartphone, visit www.MyWorkSaver.com/travel
FALL 2012 | WorkSaver
7
buildings and grounds
LEFT, RIGHT … LEFT RIGHT LEFT
“The A770 loader is an all-purpose, versatile
machine. In fact, all of the Bobcat equipment
we have here at UNO makes campus
maintenance and landscaping tasks a breeze.”
— CJ Brown, the University of Nebraska at Omaha
A Bobcat A770 loader with both all-wheel steer and skid-steer capabilities
is always on duty and is the workhorse of the hilly, historical and
immaculately maintained University of Nebraska at Omaha campus
In explaining the challenges his landscaping and grounds
maintenance crews encounter on the three hilly campuses of the
University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), supervisor of landscape
services CJ Brown is delighted that his sales associate with
Bobcat of Omaha recommended the Bobcat® A770 all-wheel
steer loader. The A770 is part of the newest generation of Bobcat
skid-steer loaders — the M-Series.
After spending 34 years behind the wheel of the big rigs as
a cross-country driver, Brown decided he’d grown tired of
the extended time away from home and the inherent risks of
operating an 18-wheeler. Yet the Montana native, who was raised
in Big Sky country, wasn’t quite ready to retire. So he answered
an ad for a grounds crew position with UNO and ended up getting
the job. Brown’s good-natured optimism, leadership and strong
work ethic have been recognized in recent years by university
officials with the coveted “Employee of the Month” award.
“I felt I still had a few good working years left, and here I am,”
Brown says. “I grew up on a farm and love being outdoors, so I
thought the job would be a good fit for me. I guess the university
thought so, too. I’ve been here 18 years now and am having the
time of my life.”
University of Nebraska at Omaha employee CJ Brown leads the
grounds maintenance effort, helped by an army of Bobcat compact
equipment and attachments.
UNO is composed of three separate campuses that encompass
more than 150 acres of beautifully landscaped terrain. There are
10 miles of roads, 30 miles of sidewalks, scores of mature trees
and more than 90 acres of turf.
“When I arrived here, the university didn’t have any Bobcat
equipment,” Brown recalls. “Today we have three Bobcat skid-steer loaders and a Toolcat™ utility work machine. The most
recent addition to our fleet is the A770 loader with all-wheel steer
capability. We are a green campus and do a lot of recycling, and
the A770 is great for picking up and unloading recycling bins.
The all-wheel steer lessens the impact on both turf and pavement,
and minimizes tire wear. It is a productive, secure and easy-tooperate loader.”
All-wheel steer; all-around use
Brown is one of two grounds crew supervisors at UNO, and was
first exposed to Bobcat equipment in the 1970s while growing up on his family’s Montana farm. His primary responsibilities
include all landscaping activities — flower beds, plantings, tree
trimming, weeding — and road/sidewalk maintenance and repair.
University workhorse
The seasonal changes of the often unpredictable Midwest
climate of extremes — along with the rolling, picturesque terrain
of the UNO campuses — have been the ideal setting for the
A770 loader, what Brown now refers to as the workhorse of the
university. Spring means turf work: fertilizing, tree care, flower
beds and various plantings … all of which require a tough,
versatile and agile machine, yet one that is gentle on fragile, often
moist turf areas created by frequent spring rains. Brown explains
that as the seasons change, so do the chores and tasks his crews
rely on the A770 loader to complete.
“The steering works really well for the varying terrain and ground
conditions of our campuses, and our crews appreciate how easy it
is to switch from all-wheel steer to skid-steer as needed. I really
like being able to set the speed when operating at a specific grade
for leveling out land areas. You can really get it right down fine,
where the machine isn’t moving so fast, without bouncing. It’s got
so many different features.”
User-friendly
Brown’s crew of grounds maintenance professionals —
described by him as ‘fairly young guys’ — were quick studies
on how to operate what he calls the most user-friendly loader he
has driven.
“Getting the knack of operating the A770 was a little harder
for me because I was more used to two levers than a joystick,”
Brown says. “These younger guys are more familiar with
joystick operation. Actually, it’s pretty simple once you take
some time to get comfortable with it. The visibility is great and
it’s a really comfortable machine to operate. All the guys around
here just love it. They think it’s one of the greatest pieces of
equipment we have.”
Extending the versatility of the four Bobcat models in the UNO
fleet is a collection of labor-saving Bobcat attachments, including
an auger, angle broom, buckets, grapple, pallet forks, snow blade
and snowblower.
“The A770 loader is an all-purpose, versatile machine,” Brown
says. “In fact, all of the Bobcat equipment we have here at UNO
makes campus maintenance and landscaping tasks a breeze. There
would be a lot of back-breaking chores that would be difficult
for us to complete without the Bobcat loaders. If we had to use a
shovel and manual labor, it would take 20 guys to do what we can
do with a Bobcat loader in 20 minutes. We use them all the time.
They are the workhorses of the campus.”
Visit www.MyWorkSaver.com/AWS to learn more about the exclusive
Bobcat all-wheel steer loader.
Minimize turf damage and tire wear
The Bobcat® A770 loader — with both all-wheel steer and skid-steer capabilities —
provides an efficient and effective alternative for customers who desire a loader with so
many attractive features. In the all-wheel steer mode, the wheels articulate to minimize turf
damage and reduce tire wear. The inside tires turn at a different angle and speed than the
outside tires to allow for smooth, tight-radius turns. In skid-steer mode, the tires counterrotate on the opposite side to achieve maxmum maneuverability.
8
WorkSaver | FALL 2012
FALL 2012 | WorkSaver
9
buildings and grounds
Toolcat utility work machines
stay busy
on
big ten campus
Toolcat 5600s and Bobcat attachments help maintain
the University of Michigan campus
How many ToolcatTM utility work machines does it take
to maintain a 3,200-acre property? At the University of
Michigan campus in Ann Arbor, the answer is 26.
The plant building and ground services
Sprinkled among the traditional Michigan colors of
maize and blue is a small army of Toolcat 5600s. That’s
because the small city that is the University of Michigan
has 538 major buildings and a student and staff
population of about 114,000. Three departments use the
Toolcat 5600 machines for a wide range of jobs — from
snow removal to delivering packages.
• More than 26
department by the numbers
• 18 utility work machines and dozens of attachments
million square feet of property
• More than 12 million square feet of turf
• 171,000 square feet of annual and perennial beds
• More than 2 million square feet of planting beds
• 3.7 million square feet of sidewalk, plaza and specialty paving surfaces that require snow removal
Room for two
Toolcat™ utility work machines from Bobcat offer seating
for an operator and a passenger. Employees, like those
at the University of Michigan, can quickly get from Point
A to Point B to complete grounds maintenance tasks.
Additionally, Toolcat 5600 machines have a spacious cargo
box to store tools, supplies or mount a Bobcat® salt and
sand spreader for snow and ice removal projects.
1. Easy access and good
side visibility.
4. Easy-to-read
instrumentation panel.
2. Comfortable operating conditions in enclosed cab.
5. Loader joystick and fingertip control of attachments.
3. Tilt steering and adjustable seat for enhanced comfort.
Here is how two departments utilize the Toolcat units purchased from Diuble Equipment.
Parking Maintenance
The employees of the parking maintenance
department work in shifts so their duties
are covered 24 hours a day. Every April 15,
the personnel rotate to another shift for the
next year.
The Toolcat utility work machines are
plenty busy after a snowfall. The parking
department is responsible for 27,000
parking spaces throughout the campus
(with the exception of the athletic
facilities). That’s more than 100 surface
lots and 14 structures (ranging from four to
seven levels).
attachment on the front as we apply a de-icing product from the rear.
“The parking ramp decks are not smooth,
so if you plow with a truck, snow remains
in the pores of the concrete, then melts
and freezes,” he says. “The angle broom
allows us to clean out the pores and cracks
in the concrete.”
The rest of the year, each of the three daily
shifts gets plenty of work out of the Toolcat
machines. The day shift (7 a.m. to 3:30
p.m.) uses the 5600s mostly for campus
cleanup, including picking up debris and
power-washing. The afternoon shift (3
to 11:30 p.m.) maintains the surface lots,
working when most of the vehicles are
gone. The Toolcat machines are used for
sweeping and herbicide application. The
night shift (11 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.) works in
the parking structures, using the 5600s for
sweeping and cleaning.
“The Toolcat units are assigned to the
parking structures,” says Scott Harrington,
parking maintenance manager. “They are
stored in a heated building near the medical
center because that area is our first priority. Athletic Department
The athletic department is responsible for
Six of the structures are connected to the
all of the maintenance at 17 sports venues
medical facilities.
— from one of the nation’s largest football
“One 5600 is stationed at the
stadiums to the golf course on the edge
cardiovascular center and its helical (spiral) of the campus. “Our initial machine was
ramp,” he continues. “We need to keep it
purchased to help maintain the baseball and
clear at all times and that is a challenge
softball fields,” says Chris Onsted, athletic
because there are two open and exposed
department facility manager. “Since then
corkscrew ramps, one going up and one
we have added four more 5600s.”
going down. When they are coated with
All of the facilities have parking lots that
ice, vehicles slide up and down. The 5600
need to be cleared by 6 a.m., so the utility
can get closer to the wall than a truck.
work machines are kept busy handling
We remove snow with the angle broom
snow with attachments such as angle
brooms and snow blades. They are also
used to clear snow on the football field and
outdoor track prior to events.
After the snow season, the 20 members of
the athletic department maintenance staff
operate the Toolcat machines to handle a
variety of projects, including:
• Moving soil, removing brush and hauling away stumps and trees from
the golf course.
• Removing sod with a bucket and
installing new sod on the baseball
and softball fields.
• Handling all department deliveries
— mail, packages and larger items —
that come to the two receiving
locations and taking them to the
appropriate destination.
• Carrying materials with pallet
forks, digging postholes with an
auger, cleaning parking lots and
streets with the angle broom and
sweeper attachments, and much more.
Toolcat utility work machines and
attachments are kept busy at the parking
and athletic departments at the University
of Michigan, 365 days a year.
Visit www.MyWorkSaver.com/Toolcat to read
more about Toolcat utility work machine features
and more than 40 compatible attachments.
University of Michigan parking and athletic departments put more than two dozen Toolcat
machines to work to maintain the campus structures, parking lots and athletic facilities.
10
WorkSaver | FALL 2012
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11
construction
Concrete
busters
Often difficult, dirty and demanding, construction applications require
durable Bobcat compact excavators, loaders and attachments for a
Maryland concrete and masonry specialist
Construction is a way of life for Bernardo Rene Flores.
He’s spent much of his adult life working in concrete
removal, and excavating and grading, and today he and his wife are the owners of B & R Concrete and Masonry,
Fort Washington, Md., with four pieces of Bobcat® compact
equipment and attachments.
holes where I’ve dug. The controls of the E50 make it easy for
me to place the plates. It’s very smooth.
Although much of his previous work involved residential
concrete, his growing niche in the construction market
surrounding the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area is road
repairs, specifically breaking concrete and trenching with two
Bobcat excavators.
More power, dig depth and reach
When Flores upgraded from his 3-metric-ton 331 to the
5-metric-ton E50, he benefited from a boost in digging forces,
dig depth and reach. With an 11.6-foot dig depth and 19.5-foot
reach (at ground level), there’s minimal repositioning of the
excavator when Flores is digging.
A history with Bobcat loaders
Flores’s first experience with Bobcat equipment was a 743
skid-steer loader, a popular model in its day, followed by a 763.
He put thousands of hard-earned hours on those loaders before
purchasing an S250 and T190. His use for each loader depends
on the ground conditions: rubber tires for roadways, rubber
tracks for established surfaces like grass or paving blocks, or
for final grading tasks.
Eventually, to complement his Bobcat loaders, Flores
purchased a 331 compact excavator, replacing a backhoe
attachment. He has since upgraded to a newer and bigger
M-Series E50 excavator, followed by a second E50 in 2011 —
both purchased from Metro Bobcat Sales.
“The E50 is a good size, with lots of power to break concrete
and dig trenches, yet it’s small enough to fit on a 14-foot
trailer,” Flores says. “I use it to lift and place steel covers
(plates). Each plate weighs about 3,200 pounds. I use the
excavator and a chain to lift and place the plates to cover the
12
WorkSaver | FALL 2012
“If I have hard work to do, like breaking concrete or lifting
heavy objects, I prefer to have a durable Bobcat machine,” he
says. “I trust my Bobcat machines.”
“If I have hard work to do, like breaking
concrete, I prefer to have a durable Bobcat
machine. I trust my Bobcat machines.”
— Bernardo Rene Flores, B & R Concrete and Masonry
The auto-idle feature lowers the engine
RPM when idle for about four seconds and
makes it possible for Flores to have better
conversations with his employees. “Auto
idle is convenient because it saves on fuel,
which makes them even more efficient
than larger equipment,” he says.
Breaking concrete can take its toll on
the machine and the operator, which is
why Flores appreciates the newer cab on
his M-Series excavators. Flores says the
machine is easy to get into and exit, has
more room in the cab and he has good
visibility to all sides of the machine. “It
doesn’t vibrate much, and the joystick
controls are easy to operate,” he says.
Having dependable and durable Bobcat
equipment, backed by a full-service
dealer, ensures Flores is ready to take on
any construction project. “It’s important
to have a good dealership and salesman,
because when I need to rent or purchase
a machine, they have it in stock,” Flores
says. “And they always return my calls.”
Visit www.MyWorkSaver.com/MX to learn
more about the many advantages of Bobcat
M-Series excavators.
Able to
out-lift other
excavator
brands
Scan this QR code with your smartphone
to watch a video that shows why Bobcat
has a lifting advantage over other
excavator brands.
If you don’t have a smartphone, visit
www.MyWorkSaver.com/lifting to
watch the video.
Maryland contractor Bernardo Rene Flores takes a bite out of concrete with
his Bobcat E50 excavators, Bobcat compact loaders and attachments.
“My newer mini excavator can reach more and has better
flexibility than some larger pieces of equipment, and it’s a
better fit for the type of work that I do,” he says.
Speaking of size, the minimal-tail-swing E50 suits Flores just
right, especially when he is working on roadways or next to
existing structures or buildings. “I feel comfortable setting my
E50 next to a building when I’m digging,” he says. The E50
has just 0.6 inches of tail swing overhang, making it a popular
choice over traditional tractor loader backhoes.
M-Series excavator benefits
Among the many benefits of M-Series excavators that Flores
appreciates are the fingertip boom swing control, auto idle
and comfortable cab, with good visibility. On many projects,
Flores demolishes concrete with a hydraulic breaker, and then
lifts and loads the concrete with the Bobcat bucket and clamp.
He can easily rotate the excavator boom with the fingertip
controls instead of a foot pedal. He loads the material directly
into a truck or into the bucket of his Bobcat skid-steer loader.
FALL 2012 | WorkSaver
13
construction
Bake sales
for bookshelves
Small Nebraska community
pitches in to fund new library;
installs an energy-efficient
geothermal heating and
cooling system using a Bobcat
compact track loader
The project was officially launched in
2007 with a bake sale and a dream. Today,
after more than five years of fundraising,
planning and ongoing community support,
the vision of a few dedicated residents
(a.k.a. Friends of the Library) has
become a reality. Construction of the new
library building in the eastern Nebraska
community of North Bend (pop. 1,200) is
now complete. So it’s back to the books,
searching the Internet, attending book
readings and scheduling events to be held in
the library’s spacious community room.
“There had been conversations about
building a new library for years before a
group of local women finally got the ball
rolling,” says Jana Post, chairperson of the
North Bend Library Foundation. “After
completing a survey that showed great
interest in updating our existing library
facility, things took off. Not surprisingly,
with all of the great cooks we have in
the area, and this being a small, rural
community, the first fundraising event was a
bake sale.”
An initial assessment of the existing library
building was initiated to confirm what
most had suspected — the present structure
(completed in 1913) would not be able to
accommodate desired expansion plans. The
current building lacked adequate meeting
space, an inside area for children’s programs
and the ability to provide access for all
North Bend residents, especially the elderly
and those with special needs.
Steve Dvorak, owner of Dvorak Well, uses a Bobcat T300 compact track loader with backhoe
attachment to dig pits and trenches, necessary components for drilling wells and installing geothermal
loop systems.
14
WorkSaver | FALL 2012
Going green
The committee selected a former high
school grad, now an architect with an
Omaha-based firm, to design their new
library. Although the original plan specified
a conventional heating and cooling system,
the plans were later amended after concerns
about utility expenses were levied by
city officials. After a cost analysis that
projected a savings of $2,000 per year
in operation and maintenance expenses,
the project committee deemed the
geothermal system would be the most
prudent approach.
Dvorak Well Inc., another locally
based company, was selected to install
the geothermal system. Specialists
in well drilling and installing ground
source geothermal loop systems, the
company was founded in 2003 by
Steve Dvorak, a North Bend native
who had been involved in the well
drilling business for several years
before starting Dvorak Well.
Enhanced productivity
The loop capacity required for the system
designed to heat and cool the 7,100-plussquare-foot library building specified
16 6-inch diameter holes, extending
approximately 300 feet deep, in order
to accommodate the loops that circulate
fluid to and from a heat pump. Yet
underneath the dark fertile topsoil of this
agricultural-rich community — lurking
not far beneath — are layers of sand,
shale and rock; conditions that presents
challenges on nearly every drilling job
Dvorak has completed in the area.
Dvorak is adamant in his belief that good
equipment is the key to productivity,
and relies on his Bobcat® T300 compact
track loader to complete a wide array
of tasks and chores on most every job
he tackles. Dvorak especially likes the
variety of attachments — bucket, pallet
fork and backhoe — that extend the
versatility of the loader, while reducing
labor and enhancing productivity.
Dvorak appreciates the maneuverability, versatility and reliability of his Bobcat T300 compact track
loader that allows him to work in tight, confined spaces. A wide variety of attachments also extends
versatility, allowing Dvorak to perform a variety of tasks more efficiently.
“For me, the compact track loader is
indispensable on a jobsite,” Dvorak
says. “We use it for so many things. We
use the backhoe attachment to dig pits
and trenches for the circulating fluids
essential while we’re drilling. And
the loader is much smaller and more
compact than an excavator and allows us
to get into much tighter places. It really
has been a huge asset for me, especially
for digging pits.”
Given that North Bend is located in the
heart of the Platte River Valley, a region
known for its plentiful underground
irrigation and well water supply, the
water table can often be quite high,
especially during the spring months. The
area is also a designated floodplain, so
thousands of tons of soil were hauled
in to raise the elevation of the library
building as a precaution. While the
increased elevation will likely serve as
a prudent proactive flood prevention
measure, the transformed moundlike site — raised nearly 10 feet as a
result — created a mound that posed
additional challenges for Dvorak during
setup and periodically throughout the
drilling phase.
“I continue to be amazed at how
maneuverable the machine is, especially
on elevated landscapes,” Dvorak says.
“The track undercarriage is also a
requirement because in the well-drilling
business, especially in our area where
we’re often in sandy, soggy and muddy
conditions, we need a track loader that
will plow through any conditions and
not get stuck. We can have a heavy
pallet of sand on the front end of the
loader and it just picks it up and runs
with it. I love it.”
FALL 2012 | WorkSaver
15
construction
Tunneling under
“The 3400XL is our contractor’s vehicle of
choice for getting in and out of the tunnel.
Because there’s a five-degree grade and
the lowest point is 120 feet below sea level,
we needed something quick, durable and
reliable.”
— Chris Hodgkins, MAT Concessionaire, LLC
the ocean floor in
southern Florida
Bobcat compact equipment delivers the
right size, power and speed to the Port
of Miami Tunnel project, to alleviate
congestion and allow for more growth
Nearly 16,000 vehicles travel through the Port of Miami
daily, clogging downtown streets, creating safety hazards and
restricting the port’s growth. With little land available above
ground to expand roadways and bridge structures, the Port of
Miami tunnel project will help relieve some of the congestion
with the construction of twin tunnels. The total construction
costs are estimated to be $607 million.
“Constrained space is the primary challenge for this
project,” says Moneiba Hernandez, surface superintendent,
Bouygues Civil Works Florida, the design-build contractor
for this project. Providing compact equipment — including
attachments — for support functions inside the tunnel boring
machine and around the equally tight jobsite on shore, a
Bobcat® T300 compact track loader, E50 compact excavator
and nine 4x4 3400XL utility vehicles work in tandem on the
24/7 operation. The Bobcat machines and attachments were
acquired from the local dealership, Bobcat of Metro Dade, in
Hialeah Gardens, Fla.
Work began in 2010 and currently Bouygues Civil Works
Florida is excavating under the ocean floor with a massive
tunnel boring machine, manufactured in Germany and
shipped to Florida, consisting of a four-story cutter head
mounted on a body longer than a football field. It cuts a path
between 23 to 43 feet a day, making way for the placement of
a series of precast concrete segments.
These concrete walls form the rings of a 42-foot diameter tube
that — when completed in 2014 — will contain two traffic
The Bobcat 3400XL utility vehicle
pictured here was one of nine Bobcat
UTVs driven at the Port of Miami
tunnel project, helping transport
employees and materials in the
tunnel and surrounding jobsite.
lanes, curbs and walkways connecting Watson Island and the
Port of Miami beneath Government Cut, the main shipping
channel in Biscayne Bay. Once the tunnel boring machine
reaches the southern side of the cut, it will be repositioned
to cut an identical 4,200-foot tunnel back to the mainland.
Altogether there will be four traffic lanes, two in each
direction, to improve the traffic flow between Watson Island
and the Port of Miami.
Maneuverability and efficiency
underground
Despite its gigantic size, the workspace for support
functions behind the cutter head varies from only 13- to
20-feet wide, and must be shared with water trucks, service
vehicles and construction equipment. Also commanding
real estate is a conveyor system that carries approximately
1,200 tons of excavated spoil per hour beyond the entrance.
The compact E50 excavator’s small stature — only 18 feet
long, 6 feet 4 inches wide and 8 feet 3 inches tall — allows
it to easily remove spoil that drops beneath the conveyor
without disrupting other traffic.
Bobcat 3400XL utility vehicles add more site maneuverability
in the confined tunnel, says Chris Hodgkins, president of
general contractor MAT Concessionaire, LLC. The company
purchased their own 3400XL to transport crews, inspection
teams and tours of visiting media and dignitaries — including
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. The utility
vehicle’s trim design also provides better mobility and fuel
efficiency than pickup trucks, and has a top speed of 30 mph.
continued on page 18
16
WorkSaver | FALL 2012
FALL 2012 | WorkSaver
17
construction
TOP: Inside the tunnel, a Bobcat E50 compact excavator helped with finishing the dirt removal,
left by the tunnel boring machine. BELOW: Port of Miami officials celebrate the arrival of Harriet,
the tunnel boring machine.
It can accommodate up to six passengers,
depending on the seating configuration.
“The 3400XL is our contractor’s vehicle
of choice for getting in and out of the
tunnel. Because there’s a five-degree grade
and the lowest point is 120 feet below sea
level, we needed something quick, durable
and reliable,” Hodgkins says. Adds
Hernandez, “They’re also very useful
because you can park everywhere and
they’re efficient.”
The T300 is helping spread a cementtreated base and grading approximately
100 linear feet per day, which Hernandez
says will eventually form the permanent
road surface. “It is a very constrained
space but the Bobcat® loader is good
because it can also move fast despite the
restriction,” Hernandez says.
Compact productivity
On the mainland, the compact track
loader is typically fitted with a bucket,
a pallet fork or a sweeper to perform
a variety of earthmoving and cleaning
roles around the tunnel worksite’s limited
space. Frequently, it is tasked with
grading areas prior to crews pouring
slabs or building service roads. Another
daily function is removing backfill from
an earthen wall. It also cleans the truck
wheel washer bay, transferring multiple
loads of accumulated site mud and debris
to a spoil basin.
Get your equipment
ready with
genuine Bobcat
parts and
accessories.
®
Versatile excavation
The versatility of the E50 compact
excavator’s attachments, including a
hydraulic breaker, allows Bouygues
Civil Works Florida crews to break up
rock and existing pavement. The E50’s
12-inch trenching bucket and advanced
hydraulics are used to dig trenches for
the simultaneous installation of up to
three utilities.
The powerful E50’s high breakout force
assists operators in building a berm
around the site’s spoil basin. It also is
excavating a bed for the construction
of site ponds, and is called upon again
to perform the ponds’ finish work.
“It is a versatile piece of equipment,”
Hernandez says.
Beat the elements.
The performance of Bobcat compact
equipment on confined jobsites is
measuring up to its reputation above and
below ground in Miami. “The Bobcat
brand is well known everywhere,”
Hernandez says.
Get better performance.
• Hard sided and removable vinyl cab enclosures keep the elements out
while keeping you dry, warm and comfortable.
• Heater kits keep your cab comfortable while you work.
• Bobcat wiper blades and assemblies increase safety by
providing a clear, streak-free view.
Bobcat polypropylene bristles give you
more hours between changes and better
sweeping of more types of debris; our
heavy-duty bristles contain 15% or more
poly than most competitive wafers on
the market.
Extend the service life of
your machines with seasonal
maintenance prep.
Bobcat heavy-duty batteries deliver optimum
power while withstanding extreme conditions.
Top-quality Bobcat antifreeze and coolant, available in ethylene
glycol (EG) or propylene glycol (PG), prevent your engine cooling
system from freezing, overheating, rusting and corroding.
Bobcat synthetic oils offer better fluidity in colder temperatures
to help engines and hydraulics systems run smoother.
Bobcat Diesel Delux diesel fuel treatment contains detergents
that clean injectors for better fuel economy and superior
performance over a wide range of fuels; increased cetane
numbers improve startups; the treatment gives erosion/corrosion
protection for vehicle systems and stability protection for
reduced sediment and less filter plugging for maximum filter life.
™
More information available online
The Port of Miami tunnel project has its own website,
with many pictures and details about the construction
venture, including the tunnel boring machine. Visit www.portofmiamitunnel.com to learn more.
18
WorkSaver | FALL 2012
Your local Bobcat equipment dealer has a wide selection of genuine Bobcat accessories and
maintenance products that are ideal for working in all weather conditions.
Winter’s coming:
BE
PREPARED
“The T300 is the kind of machine
that you can put everywhere and it’s
so fast. It does a lot of work for its
size,” Hernandez says. Hernandez has
confidence in using the agile 81-hp compact track loader for any job
involving earthwork, partly due to the
track system’s combination of flotation
and traction in mud and other challenging
soil conditions. “The tracks help with
maneuverability because the soil is
sometimes sandy,” Hernandez adds.
www.Bobcat.com/partsandservice
Bobcat® and the Bobcat logo are registered trademarks of Bobcat Company in the United States and various other countries.
©2012 Bobcat Company. All Rights Reserved. | P124D-1
FALL 2012 | WorkSaver
19
industrial products and services
Inside,
outside
and even
painted
Pictured is a copy of the actual bill of sale for
the M444 purchased by Berger and Company
on November 19, 1965.
The newest Bobcat loader — an
M-Series S750 — easily handles
scrap metal with a Bobcat industrial
grapple and bucket.
“The bigger machines — the S300s
and the new S750 — have the
power to handle scrap metal with
ease. They take a beating, but are
extremely durable.”
— Adam Sinel, Berger Recycling
on a wall
Bobcat skid-steer loaders are everywhere at
a Rhode Island recycling center, providing
reliable service for a family-run operation
celebrating 100 years in business
A giant mural painted on the side of one
of its buildings celebrates the 100th year
of Berger Recycling in Pawtucket, R.I.
The artwork, 100-feet long and 15-feet
high, highlights local landmarks along
with the people, processes and equipment
that have made the family-owned
business so successful.
Among the items pictured in the mural is a
Bobcat® skid-steer loader, a fixture on-site
for almost half the time the company has
been in business.
“Bobcat equipment has been important to
us, so it’s only fitting that we include one
of the loaders in the artwork that illustrates
our history,” says Adam Sinel, vice
president of operations. “We don’t think
any other machines would stand up to the
abuse we put our loaders through. This is
a very tough work environment, and for
decades our Bobcat loaders have been
exceptionally reliable.”
As a result of the long record of
dependable performance, the company
currently owns six Bobcat skid-steer
loaders to move materials around
20
WorkSaver | FALL 2012
the 3-acre recycling center — a new
M-Series S750, two S300s, two S130s
and a 753, along with attachments such
as an angle broom, pallet forks, industrial
buckets with grapples and snow/light
material buckets.
Four generations old
Today the firm is owned by Sam and
Charles Sinel, grandsons of the founder,
Hyman Berger. Their father, Abe, ran
the business until his unexpected death
in 1958. At that point, their mother
Edith took over and spent about a
decade in charge until her sons joined
the business. Adam, son of Charles, is
the fourth-generation family member to
work at the company.
When asked about Berger Recycling’s
history with Bobcat equipment, Sam
readily produced a bill of sale dated
November 19, 1965, when Edith
purchased an M444 Bobcat loader for $3,120.
“Since that day, we have never used
another brand,” Adam says. “Other
manufacturers have tried to sell us
machines over the years, but just by
looking at their loaders, we knew they
wouldn’t hold up as good as Bobcat
equipment. Just one example — the
Bobcat tailgate is as rugged as they come;
the others looked like they would rip off
or puncture in a second. It’s just not worth
it to have anything other than Bobcat
loaders working in these conditions.”
docks has a very narrow turn so the S130s are To maximize uptime, Bobcat M-Series
loaders have hydraulic pressure-release
valuable in navigating through that area.
quick couplers integrated into the loader lift
“The bigger machines — the S300s and the
arm, and a guard provides further protection.
new S750 — have the power to handle scrap
Additionally, the M-Series model has a lower
metal with ease,” he continues. “They take a
rear frame that extends past the tailgate
beating, but are extremely durable. We also
to protect the loader from damage, which
use them with the angle broom and water kit
is especially beneficial in harsh operating
to clean up, both inside and outside.”
conditions such as recycling facilities.
Better visibility, improved uptime
The M-Series S750 has more than met the
expectations of the owners and operators. The
sealed, pressurized cab not only keeps out
dust and noise better than other machines, its
forward-design cab offers a wider view of the
work area. And the cab has more space for the
operator to improve comfort and productivity.
“It a phenomenal machine,” Adam says.
“My family has seen firsthand how Bobcat
machines have improved for 47 years, and the
S750 certainly continues that trend.”
Visit www.MyWorkSaver.com/M-Series to learn
more about the newest generation of Bobcat skidsteer loaders — the M-Series.
And when it comes to work, the
machines are kept plenty busy around the
recycling facility.
Material, including scrap metal, waste
paper, plastic, electronics, wire, textiles and batteries, are brought in six days a
week, often dumped on the ground, sorted by the loaders, and then carried to
the conveyor system that delivers it to the
balers. The final products are bales ranging
from 1,000 pounds to 3,000 pounds.
“We use the S130s to handle the lighter
material such as paper,” Adam says.
“Those smaller machines are fantastic.
At times we use them to go into a truck
box and grab containers of waste paper
and loose cardboard. One of our loading
About the
M444 loader
The M444 skid-steer
loader was manufactured
by Melroe Company,
inventors of the world’s
first skid-steer loader,
from 1963 to 1972.
It replaced the M440
and was the company’s
first loader to feature
pressurized lubrication
of its clutches and drive
chains. It was one of the
first models to feature the
white paint scheme and
the Bobcat® brand.
Pictured left to right are Charles, Adam and Sam Sinel of Berger Recycling. Charles and Sam are
grandsons of the founder, Hyman Berger, and Adam is a fourth-generation family member who
works for the company.
FALL 2012 | WorkSaver
21
Landscaping
Landscapes, hardscapes,
waterscapes, all scapes
1977,” says Lanoha, “everything we build,
construct and install we typically also
maintain. It takes many types of versatile
equipment completing a wide variety of
tasks to keep everything running smoothly
here. We’ve owned other machines over the
years, mostly acquired though auctions, etc.,
but Bobcat® equipment has always been the
core of our business and the backbone of
our equipment needs.”
During the busy spring and summer
months, it isn’t unusual for Lanoha to have
as many as 35 crews scattered throughout
the heartland working on different types
of “scape” projects. With design/build
landscaping and hardscape projects
comprising the bulk of their
commercial work, Lanoha says
the company’s Bobcat skid-steer
loaders and compact track loaders
have become the workhorses of
his operation. And with more than
70 different Bobcat attachments,
there are few chores his crews can’t
complete using Bobcat equipment.
Downtime is likened to a swear word here. But thanks to a dedicated and experienced staff of
landscape professionals, an armory of versatile and reliable Bobcat equipment and a responsive,
supportive dealer, the many diverse jobsites of Lanoha Nurseries remain void of cursing
Every year, when Old Man Winter
succumbs to spring’s resurgence, the soil
begins to warm and landscapes erupt in
color, Chris Lanoha and the more than
300 landscaping professionals on his staff
launch into what Lanoha describes as
controlled chaos — and they wouldn’t have
it any other way. Yet despite what many
consider a seasonal business, by divesting
into other ventures, Lanoha is able to keep
the majority of his 300 employees engaged
year-round.
cut our people’s hours or their pay during
slower times. One of the many things
I learned from my dad is that loyalty is
everything. It’s how he established and
grew the company and has given us a big
competitive edge. It’s a philosophy that
adds a lot to the grand scheme of things.”
From humble roots that began with a
pickup truck, a couple of lawnmowers, a
few landscaping implements and a vision,
Lanoha Nurseries
was founded in
1974 by Lanoha’s
“We’re not a
father, Dave, on a
seasonal company,”
modest 10-acre plot
says Lanoha, vice
president of Lanoha
of land in an area
now considered
Nurseries and one
central Omaha.
of several family
With the Missouri
members currently
River comprising
involved in the
business. “Essentially Chris Lanoha, vice president of Lanoha Nurseries. the eastern border of
this thriving business
we do everything
under the sun here
mecca and separating
the cornhusker state from Iowa, the senior
and are committed to our people. There
are many facets of our company that keep
Lanoha anticipated Omaha’s growth would
us busy throughout the year. And we don’t likely move in a west/southwest direction.
22
WorkSaver | FALL 2012
So like the resilient pioneers who settled
this vast, rich-soil frontier, Lanoha, too,
expanded west.
Diversity keeps seasonality in check
Lanoha Nurseries grew to become one
of the largest landscape companies in
the Midwest and a leading commercial
and residential landscaping entity largely
by divesting. Over the years, Lanoha
expanded operations by establishing
other divisions, including commercial
development, landscape construction,
grounds maintenance, retail garden centers,
irrigation systems and recycling/mulch.
Now situated in the far western edge of
Omaha, this landscaping leader has more
than 1,400 acres of fertile Nebraska soil
dedicated specifically to growing their own
stock — an approach that assures quality
and hardiness with plantings that will not
only survive, but thrive, in the often harsh
Midwest climate.
“We started growing all of our own
trees, annuals, perennials and shrubs in
“Lanoha Nurseries is a 24/7 facility,”
Lanoha says. “I’ve got select Bobcat skidsteer loaders that run all day and all night.
We have four skid-steer loaders dedicated
to harvesting our own trees using Bobcat
tree spade attachments. We will then swap
out the tree spade with a set of forks and
load them onto semitrailers, using the same
skid-steer loaders, ready to dispatch for our
early morning planting crews. It is a highly
efficient, around-the-clock operation.”
“‘Downtime’ is a term that’s not in our
vocabulary here,” Lanoha says. “We simply
cannot have downtime, and our dealer,
Bobcat of Omaha, knows that. They keep
us up and running, regardless of what’s
involved. There has never been an issue as
In addition to the reliability and
dependability, Lanoha also appreciates the far as helping us out. They also understand
operational simplicity of Bobcat equipment, the needs of our business. All I have to do is
make a phone call and they’re here.”
which makes training operators easy.
24/7; 365 days a year
When spring madness begins to
subside, work activities shift to
other areas. The Lanoha Nurseries
maintenance division maintains most
of the landscape, hardscape and
waterscape projects its crews have
completed in the area … and over
the years, that number has grown
substantially. Lanoha relies on his
fleet of Bobcat equipment — 13
skid-steer loaders, three compact track
loaders, two compact excavators, a
Toolcat™ utility work machine and
a telehandler— to keep the operation
running smoothly 24/7, 365 days a
year, snow, sleet, rain or shine.
“We’re known in our area for
doing really creative and elaborate
hardscape design projects,”
Lanoha says. “We do a lot of
natural stone and large limestone
walls and use Bobcat skid-steer
loaders exclusively for all of that
work. We’ll attach a hydraulic
breaker to size the stone then
swap the breaker out with a pair
of forks to pick up and position
the heavy stones and build these
massive walls. Using the same
skid-steer loader, we’ll attach a
bucket to grade the site after the
wall is completed. All of the Bobcat
attachments we own extend the
loaders’ versatility, which is crucial
in our business.
“We also do a tremendous amount of
grading,” Lanoha says. “Dirt work
and grading has always been the core
of what our skid-steer loaders do. I
have crews dedicated specifically
to grading — what we consider our
operating core group.”
Down with downtime
Once “controlled chaos” commences
each spring, there is no time for downtime.
And with several of the operating units of
Lanoha Nurseries in operation around the
clock, equipment reliability is essential.
them 10 to 12 hours a day. Many of these
guys take great pride in having operated
the same machine for 6,000 or 7,000 hours
… something that is almost unheard of for
a skid-steer operator in the landscaping
industry. They’re like compact battle tanks!
Landscape specialists from Lanoha Nurseries
operate Bobcat loaders and excavators at
their many installation sites in the Omaha
metropolitan area.
“Bobcat equipment makes it easy to train
new operators,” says Lanoha, “and it’s also
very safe. I have guys in various divisions
who have been dedicated to their own
Bobcat machine for many years and operate
“We don’t have a down period,”
Lanoha says. “It doesn’t matter if it’s
raining or snowing, or whatever …
we are out there working. If Bobcat
ever wanted to test its machinery,
we would be the place to do it. Our
equipment gets used continuously
and is worked hard virtually around
the clock. Our service and equipment
maintenance staff takes good care
of all our machines, but we also run
them hard and they are used nonstop.
Diligent maintenance is the rule here,
but it also helps knowing we have a
responsive and supportive dealer that
has the parts we need when we need
them, and is willing to go the extra
mile for us. I attribute a big part of
our company’s success to our dealer
and the reliability and versatility of
Bobcat equipment.”
Visit www.MyWorkSaver.com/landscaping
to read more about Bobcat tool carriers and
attachments for landscaping professionals.
FALL 2012 | WorkSaver
23
landscaping
landscaping
Pensacola’s
new port of call
A trio of Bobcat machines
and attachments helps
transform an eyesore into a
new landmark
At the water’s edge of one of the oldest settlements in the
United States, Pensacola Bay, Fla., has welcomed visitors to its
port by sea for more than five centuries. After construction of
a sprawling waterfront development, the city is now drawing
visitors by land, and Bobcat® equipment helped pave the way
with an extensive streetscape remodel.
Muscle for stunning streetscape
Wallace Company’s Bobcat E42 compact excavator and
T870 compact track loader, along with an MT55 mini track
loader, formed a powerful compact welcome committee
to beautify a road-narrowing project and build impressive
pedestrian paver plazas to greet visitors at the new Vince
Whibbs Sr. Community Maritime Park.
The seaside destination became a reality when the City of
Pensacola purchased and remediated the bay area’s formerly
polluted industrial fuel storage site. That transformation
laid the groundwork for a spectacular 27.5-acre mixeduse development featuring a 5,000-plus-seat multi-use
stadium that is also home to the Blue Wahoos, Pensacola’s
new minor league baseball team — Double-A affiliate of
the Cincinnati Reds. Other anchors include a conference/
education center, retail space and a large public park and
amphitheater overlooking the ocean.
Bordered on the north by historic Main Street, the four-lane
roadway that once whisked drivers past a weed-infested
field, underwent its own facelift. Architects redesigned a
five-block stretch of the thoroughfare to create a lush twolane boulevard with a spacious green median and 10-foot
wide sidewalks serving as a gateway into the park. After
years of dreaming, debating and planning, only a 75-day
window remained before the Blue Wahoos’ ceremonial first
pitch of its inaugural season opener.
Digging on deadline
The scope of the project for Wallace Company included
landscaping with trees, shrubs and bushes, installing a
drip irrigation system, burying electrical conduit for street
lighting and hardscaping three entryway plazas. Assessing
the challenging timeframe, Wallace Company Vice President,
Victor Wallace, reassured himself he had the right equipment
to meet the deadline.
TOP: A Bobcat mini track loader with 36-inch auger attachment
dug holes for the new trees. BOTTOM: Wallace’s E42 compact
excavator dug trenches for new utilities.
24
WorkSaver | FALL 2012
The Bobcat E42 dug a series of 36-inch deep trenches to
bury multiple utilities and plant vegetation. Using a slim
bucket, the operator could carefully maneuver around
shallow fiber-optic trunk lines that feed downtown. The
Victor Wallace, vice president of Wallace Company, combined
the unique features of three Bobcat machines to complete the
new community park for the City of Pensacola.
narrow bucket also minimized spoil
handling. “With that bucket size, we
saved time by not having to move so
much dirt,” Wallace says.
Wallace’s crew excavated for maximum
efficiency, not only to meet the
aggressive deadline, but to accommodate
hectic traffic and other crews in the
confined worksite. The first installation
was a series of interlocking panels that
formed a vertical root barrier system.
Upon its completion, the E42 set a 2-inch
electrical conduit in place to house
power for new streetlights. It returned
fill dirt to Wallace’s specified elevation
and installed an extensive drip irrigation
system. “We made the most of each hole
we dug,” Wallace says.
Greening the streetscape plan was the
planting of 120 oak trees spaced 25
feet apart in the median and the rightof-way trenches. Like a skipper calling
up his closing pitcher, Wallace brought
in a Bobcat mini track loader equipped
with a 36-inch auger attachment. The
auger re-entered the trenches, shaping
holes for the 48-inch root balls. Wallace
assigned the E42 to work in tandem with
the MT55’s auger due to the roadway’s
challenging subsoil conditions. While the
road contractor removed several layers
of asphalt — at times 18 inches thick —
the heavy-duty Bobcat auger tackled the
existing base rock and unearthed some
unexpected building supplies.
“We used the MT55 and the auger for
the added cutting power through old
ship ballasts that date all the way back to
Pensacola’s port days when ballasts were
taken out of the ships and used to build
out the coastline,” Wallace says.
People-pleasing plazas
The T870 compact track loader stepped
up to the plate to haul more than 80,000
brick pavers for the construction of
eight separate walking plazas. Flanking
each entryway street corner, the highprofile plazas totaled 22,000 square feet,
and were topped off with seating walls
and raised paver planters. Engineered
with a rated operating capacity of more
than 3,500 pounds and wide tracks that
increase flotation under demanding
loads, Wallace says the T870 easily
transported base rock and pallets of
decorative brick through the congested
worksite — a distance of six city blocks
roundtrip for each load.
“With the strength of the T870, we could
move two pallets of pavers at a time
instead of the older, smaller machines
that could only pick up one. Its speed and
efficiency were key,” he says.
Compact victories
By the time the Blue Wahoos’ opening
pitch crossed the plate, all of the
hardscapes had been wrapped up for
several days due to a dedicated work
ethic and Wallace’s smart equipment
choices. Adds Wallace: “Being compact,
we were able to stay working the entire
time alongside the road contractor and
the paving crews.”
And the game? A capacity crowd of
5,038 fans saw their first Blue Wahoos’
homerun in history, resulting in an
exciting 3 – 1 win!
Visit www.MyWorkSaver.com/M-Series to
learn more about the T870 and M-Series loaders
from Bobcat Company.
Scan this QR
code with your
smartphone to
learn more about
the extra inches
and the unmatched
digging capabilities
the Bobcat® auger provided to Victor
Wallace’s landscaping projects, watch
Bobcat augers compete with other
brands and see who comes out on top.
If you don’t have a smartphone, visit
www.MyWorkSaver.com/augerdig
to watch the video.
FALL 2012 | WorkSaver
25
landscaping
The right fit:
Tree care specialists
and compact equipment
Bobcat skid-steer loaders and attachments are a good match for tree care professionals,
complementing larger equipment and improving productivity and employee morale
“A skid-steer loader is perfect for our
business. It fits together like a doughnut and
a cup of coffee.”
— John O’Connor, The Lumberjacks Tree Service
ABOVE: Patrick O’Connor (left) and brother
John O’Connor say their Bobcat S185 skidsteer loader helps improve their tree service
productivity and loads their remote-controlled
brush chipper.
“Then we find other ways to use it,” says
John, “and it fundamentally changes
the way we do our work. Now when we
estimate a job, we know exactly what
we can do with our equipment, and that
allows us to bid jobs differently. One
thing we know for sure: We can get jobs
done faster.”
Six years ago, the brothers, who own The
Lumberjacks Tree Service, Ann Arbor,
Mich., decided a skid-steer loader would
help improve productivity and employee
morale. “At that point,” says Patrick, “we
In the tree care industry, a dependable and
compact machine that picks up and delivers figured we might as well buy the best one
branches and other trimmings directly into on the market. That’s why we went right
to Diuble Equipment and ordered a Bobcat
a brush chipper and carries logs from a
S185 skid-steer loader.”
backyard jobsite to truck or trailer parked
in the street can make a big difference.
Firms that added that type of equipment — The first job for the new loader was picking
up logs with the grapple attachment and
a Bobcat® skid-steer loader — report:
loading them into a truck or trailer. What
• Better employee morale
used to take four or five hours was done in
• Fewer injuries and accidents
15 minutes.
• Jobs completed faster
• Improved productivity
“Our life instantly became easier,” John
says. “We made money with the loader
“A skid-steer loader is perfect for our
beginning with the first job.”
business,” says John O’Connor, coowner of a Michigan tree care company.
“It fits together like a doughnut and a cup Later, they trimmed trees along the streets
in a manufactured home community. The
of coffee.”
S185 followed the crew, gathered up the
Tree work completed faster
trimmings and dumped each load into their
Every time John and Patrick O’Connor
remote-controlled brush chipper.
purchase new equipment for their tree
care business, they have expectations as to The same scenario was repeated at a 100unit townhome cooperative.
how it will benefit the company.
26
WorkSaver | FALL 2012
“That project probably accounted for 25
percent of our revenue in one year,” John
says. “Our employees don’t have to pick
up wood and don’t have to haul anything
out of backyards. Instead they can use
their skills to operate equipment instead of
being brush draggers. We have virtually
eliminated the possibility of our workers
getting hurt handling wood.”
The loader also enabled the brothers to add
profit-making services.
“For example,” says Patrick, “when we
previously removed a stump, we left a
big pile of mulch behind. Now we offer
a service we call ‘stump rehab’ where we
use the loader to scoop out all the mulch,
level the area, bring in topsoil, rake and put
down grass seed. For about 15 minutes of
work we can typically add $300 onto the
bill. That’s a perfect niche for us.”
There are other ways they earn additional
income with the loader:
• If there are paths around the property,
they offer to spread chips after the tree
work is completed.
• They pick up most of the tree debris on
the ground with the grapple attachment
and feed it directly into the chipper,
thereby eliminating the nuisance of
raking up.
• When the tree work slows down, they
rent out the S185 with an operator.
A few years ago when the economy was
driving tree care firms out of business,
the O’Connor brothers looked for ways to
lower prices and, at the same time, become
more profitable.
“We decided having a big brush chipper
and a nimble Bobcat loader with a
grapple attachment gave us a huge leg
up on the competition,” John says. “That
equipment allowed us to become incredibly
productive immediately and provided us
with the results we were looking for — the
ability to charge our customers less and
elevate our profitability at the same time.”
Land-clearing projects pay off
For long-time tree care professional Dan
Dietrich, a change in strategy that took him
out of one phase of the business and into
another is paying off in three ways. That’s
three as in receiving income three times for
the same work.
The owner of Dan Dietrich Tree Service
LLC began his career 38 years ago trimming
trees in the Pittsburgh area. A veteran
climber, he eventually found his niche —
clearing land for developers. Less climbing
and more income is a combination that
Dietrich finds hard to beat.
“Instead of getting paid one time by a
homeowner for trimming or removing
a tree, the land-clearing part of the
business offers a much greater financial
opportunity,” he says.
Dietrich is paid per acre for clearing the
property, plus he sells the logs to sawmills
Turning trees into useable lumber
and firewood to homeowners. “Income from
wood chips is not significant,” he says.
His business has really picked up during
the last year due to increased drilling
throughout the Marcellus Shale natural
gas geologic formation, which extends
throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia
and southern New York.
“We have been hired to clear land for
pipeline rights-of-way and for drill pads,”
he says. “This is a high-pressure project
because of its size and tight schedules. We
have to complete our work before others
can begin. It seems like we are always in
someone’s way.”
ABOVE: Dan Dietrich, owner of Dan Dietrich Tree
Service, recently purchased a new S770 skidsteer loader. BELOW: With his Bobcat S770 skidsteer loader and industrial grapple, Dan easily
lifts and carries this massive chunk of wood.
Among the equipment Dietrich relies on to
stay ahead of deadlines is a pair of Bobcat
skid-steer loaders — an S770 and an S220,
both purchased from Bobcat of Pittsburgh.
“I’ve had many people ask what we are
going to do with a Bobcat loader on
a land-clearing job,” he says. “When
we are finished, they have a lot more
respect for what a small machine can
do. Our loaders are very productive
in many phases of the job, including
helping the larger tree equipment.”
“I previously operated another brand of
loader,” he recalls. “It was constantly
breaking down. One day I called someone
to come out and push the machine up onto
my trailer. He did it with his Bobcat loader.
A week later I had my own Bobcat loader.
I’ve been a loyal Bobcat owner ever since.”
He uses his skid-steer loaders for premowing the site, removing brush with a
Bobcat forestry cutter attachment (using the
S770), prepping piles of logs for the grapple
skidder machine, hauling smaller limbs and
branches to the brush chipper with a grapple
attachment and cleaning up.
Dietrich put 6,000 hours on his first
machine and now has a similar amount
of hours on the S220. Hours are piling
up on the S770 as well. He says the
industry-leading visibility and spacious
and comfortable cab of the M-Series loader
provide a superior work environment for
someone who often spends eight hours a
day in the driver’s seat.
“The more work we can do without
handling the wood by hand, the greater our
efficiency,” Dietrich says. “That’s why I
need all my equipment to be reliable. The
reliability score for my Bobcat loaders has
been very high.”
Visit www.MyWorkSaver/M-Series to find the
latest product specifications, pictures and videos
about M-Series loaders from Bobcat.
For John and Patrick O’Connor, owners
of The Lumberjacks Tree Service, the
value of a Bobcat® skid-steer loader
extends to another of their enterprises.
The brothers are partners in the
Urbanwood Project, a cooperative
that markets completely reclaimed
hardwood lumber.
“When we take down a tree that can
be turned into furniture-grade lumber,
we are able to lower our price to
the customer because there is likely
to be a good market for the wood,”
Patrick says. “We use the S185 with
the grapple attachment to move logs
and with pallet forks to handle the
lumber as we work with our partners
to create a wide variety of green
products.”
FALL 2012 | WorkSaver
27
recipes
rental
One-man
show
Armando Margan has been a believer
in Bobcat compact equipment for
more than 20 years, and today he
owns more than 30 pieces of Bobcat
machinery for his rental business.
¾ cup butter-flavored shortening 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
owner had only one employee — himself
day rate,” he says. “Same with weekly
rentals. Some would last three days and
I would have the equipment in someone
else’s hands the rest of the week. My
customers were very accommodating.
They did not try to drag jobs out.”
“I did everything: delivering and picking
up equipment, cleaning and servicing
machines, and when I had a skid-steer
loader available I would handle my own
landscaping jobs,” he says. “When I went
out I locked up the store.”
“When I had a loader available, I would
take on a landscaping job,” he says. “If a
rental customer called, I would stop what
I was doing, deliver the machine and
finish my job later when another loader
came back.”
As an early user of cellphones, Margan
was always on call.
hire my first employee to give me a hand
with deliveries and servicing. Shortly
thereafter I purchased two more compact
track loaders.”
Today Margan still has only Bobcat
equipment — 24 compact track loaders
(ranging from T180s to T770s) and
eight excavators (E80, E42s, E50s, 335s
and 337s). He also has many Bobcat
attachments. “The attachments are just
as durable as the power units,” he says.
“They never wear out.”
Compared to his early years, Margan
has an army of employees — six. They
operate two delivery trucks and three
service vehicles. The
Margan was able
“If Bobcat equipment wasn’t extremely reliable, I
customer mix has
to operate as a
changed somewhat as
one-man show then
would have been out of business. I could not have
well. The regulars are
because he had five
done this without machines that kept working day
still with him, but he
reliable Bobcat
after day.”
now has enough loaders
machines for rent
— Armando Margan, Margan Equipment
and excavators to meet
— four skid-steer
the needs of some of the
loaders and one
Much of the credit for his early success
larger contractors in the area.
Bobcat compact excavator.
was due to Bobcat machines and his
dealer, Duhon Machinery.
At times all of his machines are rented;
“I had a large advertisement in the
however, most of the time the utilization
Yellow Pages,” he recalls. “If you looked
“If Bobcat equipment wasn’t extremely
rate is a solid 65 to 75 percent, down
me up in the phone book you would think
reliable, I would have been out of
from the days when he was renting a
I was a big company. But in reality, I was
business,” he says. “I could not have
machine twice on the same day.
juggling those five machines around. If a
done this without machines that kept
unit was out and the customer was done
working day after day.”
One thing that hasn’t changed is his total
with it, I would pick it up early in the
reliance on Bobcat equipment.
morning, check it over and deliver it to
Compact track loaders
the next job. I usually had a three-hour
build business
“I have had them since day one,” he
window to move a machine from one
Margan added two Bobcat compact track
says. “From the early years, through
customer to the next. I was doing a lot of
loaders to his fleet in 2004, which more
Hurricane Katrina when I had a dozen
running around, a lot of sleepless nights.”
or less forced him to add an employee.
machines out working 24 hours a day,
right up to today, Bobcat products have
This system enabled Margan to build a
“As one of the first in the area to have
never let me down.”
utilization rate of 125 to 200 percent on
compact track loaders for rent, the
those five machines.
business really took off,” he says.
“If a customer rented a machine for a
day and finished early, I would take it to
another customer who would also pay the
28
WorkSaver | FALL 2012
“My existing customers liked the track
machines right away, and I picked up
new renters as well. At that point I had to
Submitted by Coralin Davelaar (and sons Noah and Andrew),
Wayland, Mich.
Cookies
For years, this successful rental store
Who needs sleep when there are Bobcat®
loaders to deliver, excavators to pick up
and landscaping projects to complete?
Certainly not Armando Margan — at
least for his first 17 years in the rental
business. From 1987 to 2004, he was
the owner and sole employee of Margan
Equipment, Belle Chasse, La., near New Orleans.
Delilah’s Frosted Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
Visit www.MyWorkSaver.com/rental for
more details about Bobcat products for rental
companies.
1 cup white sugar
2½ cups all-purpose flour
2 eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon salt
1. In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and white sugar
until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the milk and
vanilla extract. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; stir into
the creamed mixture. Cover dough and chill for at least one hour.
Made with Bobcat loader cookie cutter
2. Preheat the oven to 400° F. Lightly grease cookie sheets or line
with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to ¼-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie
cutters. Place cookies 1½ inches apart on cookie sheets.
3. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes. Remove cookies from baking sheets and cool on wire racks. Cool completely before frosting.
Frosting
1 tablespoon butter
2½ cups confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons milk
2 drops food coloring, if desired
1. In a small bowl, beat the butter, vanilla extract and confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Mix in milk one tablespoon at
a time until a good spreading consistency is reached. Stir in food coloring to desired shade.
2. Decorate cooled cookies and set on waxed paper to harden.
Quantities will vary, depending on cookie cutter selection
Cart Wheels
Submitted by Isaiah Guida, Park Rapids, Minn.
1½ cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons milk
½ cup butter, softened
About 1 cup pie filling or jam
(any flavor)
¼ cup powdered sugar
½ teaspoon baking powder
1. Preheat oven to 375° F.
2. Mix flour, butter, powdered sugar, baking powder and milk
until the dough forms.
3. Divide dough into 6 equal parts. Shape each part into a ball.
Place on an ungreased cookie sheet; flatten slightly. Make an
indentation in center of each flattened ball.
4. Fill each indentation with pie filling (or jam).
5. Bake until the edges begin to brown (20 to 25 minutes).
Makes 6 to 7 cookies
Have a favorite recipe? Submit your own recipes
(with a picture) via email to WorkSaver@Bobcat.com
or mail to WorkSaver® magazine, 106 E 6th Street,
Des Moines, Iowa 50309. We may publish yours in an
upcoming issue. Individuals who submit
recipes with a picture will receive a
complimentary Bobcat loader-shaped
cookie cutter.
FALL 2012 | WorkSaver
29
Bobcat Pause
“We bought a T190
compact track loader
from Bobcat of St. Louis.
It is the most comfortable
track loader that I have
ever driven.”
from WorkSaver readers
This delicious and impressive-looking
Bobcat birthday cake picture was
submitted by Elizabeth Tyers from
Pitt Meadows, British Columbia,
Canada.
New Bobcat merchandise
available for holiday shopping
Available this fall is an expanded line of Bobcat® kids’ clothing. Choose
from 10 different t-shirts and one-piece jumpers for the special little
people in your life. Also available for children are Bobcat backpacks,
cookie dunkers and bibs.
— Wilhelm Marten, Stonefort, Ill.
In addition to the new kids’ clothing, Bobcat continues to offer many
styles of official licensed Bobcat apparel for adults. Choose from men’s
or women’s apparel, as well as an assortment of warm fleece products
and outerwear.
“I have dealt with Bobcat
for years. They have good
sales reps, good products
and are reasonably priced.”
If you’re a fan of collectibles, don’t forget about Bobcat die-cast scale models, remote-control models or excavator and loader toys with lights and sounds.
— Kevin Savage, Ironton, Mo.
Visit the Bobcat store online at www.BobcatStore.com to place your next order!
E35 compact excavator lights and sounds toy
“Our Bobcat® compact
excavator has worked out
great for us. The rotating
grapple we have for it is a
thing of beauty.”
Bobcat UTVs purchased for
Tampa security detail
— John (Town of Little Rice),
Tomahawk, Wis.
“Thanks for building a
reliable machine. My
Bobcat equipment takes
all the hard work we
give them.”
Cub Scouts get Pinewood Derby help from a Bobcat fan
Mark Robison from Forgan, Okla., helps Cub Scouts in Texas, Oklahoma and
Kansas. He organizes Pinewood Derby workshops where he helps child-andparent teams by providing tools and cutting out car shapes with a scroll or
band saw. Pictured is a Bobcat 753 skid-steer loader that he made.
— Nathanial Good, Croghan, N.Y.
“We have two Bobcat skidsteer loaders, including
an S650 that has a lot of
improvements. The heat
and air conditioner work
much better, and the
optional advanced control
system makes it easy for
operators to choose their
control preference.”
Bobcat Die-cast Scale Model Collectibles
Collect Them All!
— Zachary Laubenthal, Swea City, Iowa
“Bobcat” is a registered trademark of Bobcat Company. | 30158
30
WorkSaver | FALL 2012
BobcatStore.com
Units purchased in preparation for 2012 Republican National
Convention in Tampa, Fla., for use by members of the SWAT team
Bobcat® utility vehicles came out on top as the brand of
choice for the Tampa, Fla., police department. The department
purchased 18 Bobcat 3400XL utility vehicles for security
purposes during the 2012 Republication National Convention,
held in Tampa August 27–30.
the vehicles through the National Joint Powers Alliance
cooperative, a municipal contract purchasing agency.
Read more, see pictures and find specs about Bobcat utility vehicles
at www.MyWorkSaver.com/UTV
Bobcat of Tampa assisted with a demonstration of the
Bobcat 3400XL. The model was compared to two other
brands. After a three-hour demo, the Tampa police
department selected the Bobcat utility vehicle because of its
tilt steering, nerf bars (running bars) and storage capacity
in the cargo box. The tilt steering ensured the SWAT team
had enough room to comfortably sit and drive the vehicles
in their protective gear. They also tested to make sure the
kennel of Tampa police department’s police dog could be
loaded into the rear storage area.
The Tampa police department operated the Bobcat utility
vehicles for crowd management, safety and security duties
during the convention. The City of Tampa used a U.S.
Department of Justice grant for the purchase, and bought
3400XL
FALL 2012 | WorkSaver
31
Sent to you compliments of:
MAIL TO
Need to update your address? Visit www.MyWorkSaver.com
TAILS
E
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E
E
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INSIDE
O
PAGE 2
This offer ends November 30, 2012!
Hurry in today, or check www.bobcat.com/offers for all models, terms and conditions.
*Limited time offer. Available at participating and eligible dealers only. Offer may vary by product type, series, model and select units in dealer inventory. Offers available on new equipment in US and Canada only. Some restrictions apply.
Length of contract may vary. Prior purchases not eligible. See dealer for details. Financing provided on approval of credit by authorized Bobcat finance providers to well qualified buyers. The rates listed herein do not take into consideration
any administrative fees and are subject to change based on the amount of such fees (which may vary). Offer not available to government accounts, national accounts and municipal/utility bid customers. Bobcat Company reserves the right
to extend or discontinue any of these programs at any time without prior notice. Bobcat® and the Bobcat logo are registered trademarks of Bobcat Company.
Doing the math
proves that
owning a loader
pays for itself
A Pennsylvania business professional is saving
money by removing snow himself with a Bobcat
skid-steer loader and attachments
For insurance agent Peter Zaphiris,
owner of nine commercial buildings, the
economics of snow removal have looked
a lot better since he purchased his own
equipment, including a Bobcat® skid-steer
loader with attachments, dump trucks and
a dump trailer.
Zaphiris’ company, Great Lakes Insurance
Services Group LLC, is in Erie, Pa.,
where 150 to 200 inches of snow falls
in a typical winter. With buildings in
other parts of northeast Pennsylvania
and southwest New York, he knows what
it’s like to write large checks for snow
removal. His office in Clymer, N.Y.,
usually sees 200-plus inches of snow
each winter.
“In a normal year, it would cost me at
least $25,000 to handle snow around the
nine properties I own,” he says. “One year
at my headquarters in Erie, I paid almost
$16,000 to have the snow plowed and
hauled away. I can justify the equipment
expense because I have been paying the
money to someone else to take care of the
snow. Plus, I can do the snow work at my
convenience and have the benefit of using
the equipment for other projects in the
off-season. The money I save in the winter
covers the cost of all my equipment.”
A Bobcat S650, purchased almost two
years ago from Bobcat of Erie, is kept
busy doing snow removal. Zaphiris pairs
his S650 with a bucket to load snow
onto his trailer and truck, while the
Bobcat snowblower attachment helps
him clear sidewalks.
“During the winter I use the loader
to not only handle snow at my own
properties, but to help keep the
sidewalks open around two nearby
schools, at buildings of non-profit
organizations and some insurance
clients that may need assistance,” he
says. “Three of us operate the machine,
and in a normal winter we can put on
plenty of hours.”
Excellent visibility
The M-Series loader has features
that make it very valuable in snow
removal applications.
“The cab-forward design and window
size offer excellent visibility, the cab is
exceptionally comfortable, the suspension
seat is easy on my back and the controls
are fast and precise. Compared to my
previous Bobcat loader (a 763), the
M-Series S650 is vastly superior.”
What advice would Zaphiris give other
business owners who face the annual
winter challenge of removing snow from
their property?
“Do you want to outsource your snow
removal or do you want to do it with your
own loader that you can use for many
other functions throughout the year?
Having a loader and other equipment
allows you to control costs. Once the
equipment is paid for, snow removal gets
very inexpensive. I don’t worry about
clearing snow anymore.”
Peter Zaphiris purchased a Bobcat skid-steer
loader to remove snow from his commercial
properties rather than pay someone else.
Excavator complements loader
In addition to using his S650 skidsteer loader for projects throughout
the year, Peter Zaphiris owns a
Bobcat® E35 compact excavator that
has proven to be a money-saving
option for jobs maintaining his nine
buildings.
“With a wide range of work —
tearing out driveways, digging
foundations, installing new
drainage — the excavator is perfect
for doing these projects myself,”
he says. “I don’t have to hire
contractors, making it easier to
manage my expenses.”
The E35 is an M-Series excavator
that provides Zaphiris with more
than 10 feet of dig depth, along with
superior comfort and visibility.
“Every chance I have to justify a
piece of equipment, I consider
buying it,” he says. “And since I like
doing construction work, whenever I
can operate a machine myself, that’s
an added fun bonus.”
FALL 2012 | WorkSaver
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Choose from nine Bobcat snow removal
attachments to efficiently clear snow and
ice from established surfaces
While much of Canada and the United States got a pass last winter, a repeat is not likely. Be prepared this year with the attachments
and implements available from your local Bobcat dealer. If you’re moving snow or ice, Bobcat has an attachment for that!
If you’re in the snow removal business or just needing to keep your
parking lot and sidewalks clear, Bobcat machines are always in season
Product key
CT: compact tractors
CTL: compact track loaders
MTL: mini track loaders
SSL: skid-steer loaders
TC: ToolcatTM utility work machines
TH: telehandlers
UV: utility vehicles
One thing is for sure: You can’t predict the weather. But you can plan your snow and ice removal strategy — and it’s never
too early to get started.
Bobcat has winter-ready machines and the industry’s widest selection of snow-removal attachments to clear sidewalks, trails,
parking lots and streets. Do the job from beginning to end with just one Bobcat® machine customized to meet your business’
demand, or swap your attachments between machines to really ramp up productivity and maximize your investment. No
matter what the terrain or the accumulation, there’s a Bobcat tool carrier to handle it.
1. Angle broom
• Compact design and durable poly
bristles make it perfect for light snowfalls
• Adjust the sweeping angle hydraulically
from inside the cab using fingertip controls
• The broom has a quick-change rotor
design for fast bristle replacement
CT, CTL, MTL, SSL, TH (V417 only), TC
Compact tractors
Choose from front-mounted, loadermounted or 3-point hitch implements for
Bobcat compact tractors to clear snow
and ice from parking lots, driveways, trails
or sidewalks. Add an enclosed cab for
improved operator comfort and productivity.
New for this year’s snow removal season,
Bobcat front-mounted angle brooms, with
widths of 54 and 70 inches.
Compact loaders
Telehandlers
Versatile loaders are ideal for snow removal.
Choose a radius lift path machine for great
all-around snow-pushing performance. Or
select a vertical lift path model for maximum
reach when loading trucks. With a heated
cab and good all-around visibility, you and
your operators will work in comfort around
the clock.
Bobcat telehandlers can move large
volumes of snow and pile it higher than a
one-yard wheel loader. And with an 18-mph
travel speed, you won’t waste any time
getting from one site to the next.
Toolcat™ utility work machines
Utility vehicles
These hardworking Toolcat utility work
machines can clear snow and spread salt
or sand in one pass. Offering outstanding
winter performance, Toolcat machines
combine all of the best features of a loader,
pickup truck, utility vehicle and attachment
carrier in one machine. All-wheel steer
provides a tighter turning radius than most
ATVs for unmatched maneuverability in
tight spaces.
Paired with its exclusive RapidLink™
attachment system, the Bobcat 3450 utility
vehicle makes short work of maintaining
paths, sidewalks and trails, and offers a great
ride across pavement and other terrain.
4. Scraper
• Self-sharpening cutting edges slide
along the ground, making easy work of
clearing hard-packed snow and ice
• The 36- and 45-inch models leave a
smooth surface for walking or driving
CTL, SSL, TH (V417 only), TC
CHECK IT OUT!
Clearing snow has never
been this easy
Scan this QR code
with your smartphone
(iPhone®, Blackberry®
or Android™),
using a QR code
reader application
available from your
favorite app store.
If you don’t have a smartphone, visit
www.MyWorkSaver.com/snowatt
to watch the video.
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WorkSaver | FALL 2012
7. Snow V-Blade
• Allows fingertip adjustments of five blade
positions to plow through the deepest snow
• Use it as a V-Blade to clear a path through
deep snow; as a scoop blade to scoop,
push or pile snow; a straight blade to pile
large amounts of snow; and as an angle
blade to push snow to the right or left
• Available in five sizes
CTL, SSL, TH (V417 only), TC
2. Bucket (snow)
• Clear parking lots, driveways, sidewalks
and walkways with speed and efficiency
• Customizable buckets offer waffle-type
skid plates that back up the cutting edge
and add strength to the bottom of the
bucket for longer life
CT, CTL, SSL, TC, UTV* (3450 only)
5. Snow blade
• Five standard-duty models and three
heavy-duty models
• Moldboard angles hydraulically 30 degrees
left or right for preferred snow placement
• Optional end-wing kit and create a highproduction snow pusher for open areas
CT**, CTL, MTL, SSL, TH (V417 only), TC,
UTV (3450 only)
8. Snowblower
• Clear paths through deep snow, 36 to 84
inches wide
• Rotate the chute without leaving the cab
and blow the snow where you want it to go
• 3-point-hitch version for compact tractors
and Toolcat™ 5610 utility work machines
CT, CTL, MTL, SSL, TH (V417 only), TC
*Bucket and snow blade are approved for use with the 3450 utility vehicle and RapidLink™ attachment system.
**Available in front-mount or loader-mount. Loader-mount requires front-end loader with Bob-Tach® mounting
system and front auxiliary kit.
3. Push broom
• Sweep light snow with ease and efficiency
• A push broom attachment is 20 to
30 times faster than hand sweeping,
dramatically reducing snow removal costs
CTL, SSL, TC
6. Snow pusher
• 96- and 120-inch free-floating blades
efficiently remove snow from uneven
surfaces, protecting the integrity of stones,
decorative concrete and sloped sidewalks
CTL, SSL, TH (V417 only), TC
9. Spreader
• Three different models quickly distribute
sand and salt
• To save even more time, load the hopper
from the back of a dump truck
• Control the variable speed and adjust the
spreading pattern from 4 to 40 feet
• Add a rear spreader for the Toolcat 5600
SP5: CTL, SSL
HS8: CT**, CTL, SSL, TC
SP12: TC (5600 only)
FALL 2012 | WorkSaver
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Avoiding
the second
question
Replacing another brand of compact equipment with Bobcat loaders and attachments
has proven to be a wise decision for a snow removal expert in Michigan
Based on his experience in the snow removal business, Chris
Beckett believes the most important question clients ask is, “Is
it done?” If they get to the next question, “Why isn’t it done?”
you’ve got a problem, he says.
“When they have plenty of other options, why push them to that
point?” asks Beckett. He and
his wife, Heather, are owners
of Compass North, a Macomb
Township, Mich., company
with several large commercial
snow removal accounts. “There
are not many second chances
in this business, so if your
employees show up and your
equipment works, it shouldn’t
be that complicated to keep
customers happy.”
Most of his crew works in
construction — jobs they return
to at the conclusion of the snow
season. Beckett pays them after
each snow event, which, he
says, is unusual in the business.
“That’s a big incentive for being
on-site on time,” he points out.
Focus on commercial accounts
As a third-generation landscaper, Beckett has been involved in
snow removal for several years. At one time he plowed snow at
about 4,500 properties that were in foreclosure. That experience
caused him to narrow his focus to commercial sites where
he can park his equipment for the winter, have one person
cutting the check and have the opportunity to secure multiWorkSaver | FALL 2012
His customers include an automobile manufacturer, several big box retailers, a few smaller shopping malls and some condominiums.
“I try to stay away from
businesses that are open
24 hours a day and have
multiple traffic patterns,”
Beckett says. “You can
waste a lot of time on
sites. Not having moving
vehicles around when we
work is a big advantage.”
Bobcat compact track and skid-steer loaders play an important role in
Chris and Heather Beckett’s snow removal business in Michigan.
A year ago, Beckett replaced another brand of compact
equipment with multiple Bobcat® skid-steer loaders and
compact track loaders. “Not only is the local Bobcat dealership
(Bobcat of Motor City) easier to work with, the new machines
performed flawlessly,” he says. “The S750, S770 and T750 are
amazing loaders.”
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year contracts. Another part of his plan: Use skid-steer loaders
instead of bigger machines.
That’s not to say he
doesn’t have some
challenges on the job.
For example, at the
automobile manufacturer
his skid-steer loaders have
to maneuver around many
obstacles, including gas
docks and million-dollar
prototype vehicles.
“The M-Series loaders, each equipped with a Bobcat 10-foot
snow pusher or snow and light material bucket, really work
well in snow removal,” he says. “The forward design of the cab
offers superior visibility. In fact, working in the cab for several
hours at a time is a pleasant experience. Fatigue is not an issue.”
Having right-sized equipment has helped Beckett secure and
maintain his snow removal contracts, as well keep his operators
refreshed in comfortable operating conditions.
Visit www.MyWorkSaver.com/snow to learn more about Bobcat compact
equipment for snow removal Once you’re on the Web page, click on the link
for tips for snow removal specialists.