CONSTRUCTION
A paver’s assistants
Iowa-based Norris Asphalt relies on six Bobcat S650 skid-steer loaders for everything from milling pavement to cleanup … and just about everything in between.
There are some pieces of equipment that Phil See might consider parting with; however, the six S650 skid-steer loaders his company purchased in the spring of 2010 are among those that are not up for debate. As general superintendent for Norris Asphalt Paving Company, based in Ottumwa, Iowa, See manages all operational facets of the paving division, including equipment selection and purchases. When his then-current collection of skid- steer loaders started showing signs of irreversible wear, See began looking around for replacements.
20 WorkSaver | SUMMER 2011
“I was looking for something that was a little tougher than the brand of loaders we had at the time,” See says. “I was looking around at other options and since I have never heard anybody say anything bad about Bobcat, I contacted Capital City Equipment, the Bobcat dealer in Des Moines. I can tell you that after using them for a full year now, there is no way I would consider trading. There are just so many things they’re useful for in our operation.”
In addition to helping alleviate much of the manual labor involved with dozens of general cleanup chores — either on paving jobsites or around the asphalt plant — See is especially happy about the way the S650 performs with the planer attachment.
“The Bobcat machines operate the planer attachment so much better than the equipment we were using before,” See says. “It is used a lot for trimming
around edges of freshly poured asphalt, like around bridges, driveways and intersections, and it keeps a straight line better. Plus, the crews really appreciate the maneuverability that allows them to complete so much of the cleanup that is all part of the paving process. And just help in moving things around and picking things up in general, the heavy stuff. It is so much easier on our guys.”
In addition to pavement milling and cleanup, See and his guys also appreciate the Bobcat®
skid-steer
loaders’ ability to help out with prep work and grading. As See explains, much of what paving crews use skid- steers for is after the paving is done. “The Bobcat machines are great for shoulder work on the road after the pavement has been laid,” See says. “And any driveways we come to, we’re dumping a half to a full truck
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