Mark Gibbons and Jeff Maclean
demands — from an ultra-compact Bobcat 463 loader (just 36 inches wide with bucket) to the larger M-Series T590 and T630 compact track loaders. He keeps a mix of both skid-steer loaders and compact track loaders of varying sizes to best match the jobsite conditions and soil types. Smaller loaders are utilized for construction projects that have limited access. “When we’re working next to a fi nished house, pouring concrete instead of renting a pump, digging footings in tight areas, working on small additions or backfi lling pools in hard-to-get-to areas, the smaller machines are much more convenient,” Watson says.
As Bobcat developed and expanded its line of compact track loaders, Watson added the machines to his equipment mix for improved performance and productivity when working in sandy soil. “We work in counties where the soils are very loose, and compact track loaders make more sense. In soft soil conditions, the Bobcat compact track loaders are three times faster when grading. The tracked undercarriages on our Bobcat loaders have held up well,” he says.
30+ YEARS … ONE BRAND Bobcat has been a familiar brand name for Watson, for more than 30 years, when he says his company had some of the fi rst Bobcat loaders in south Florida. “I saw the value they brought to the table, as far as maneuverability, accessing confi ned areas and completing small jobs,” Watson says. “My fi rst machine was a 743, then a 751, and upgrading from there to today’s machines.”
His current Bobcat compact equipment lineup includes a T590, a T650 and fourteen T190 compact track loaders; an E32 and two E42 compact excavators; and multiple skid-steer loaders.
Replacing manual labor with compact equipment has proved to be benefi cial for business owners like Watson, who make their living in the dirt. “In the old days, the guys dug the footings by hand,” he explains. “We switched from manual labor to Bobcat loaders to improve our productivity. A task that previously took a crew of workers a couple of hours to complete can be done in 30 minutes or less with a Bobcat loader and an attachment. Bobcat loaders are so versatile and can be used in any application we perform. For example, we can complete some bigger work, like loading a dump truck, without needing a larger front-end loader.”
A new cab-forward design on M-Series loaders puts operators closer to the work area and improves their productivity. Operators have a better view of the cutting edge of the bucket, which allows them to be more precise. Watson and his operators pair a smooth-edge Bobcat bucket with their loaders for grading. “The improved visibility makes our operators more effi cient in our applications,” Watson says. “We’ll operate a Bobcat
Theft protection
John Watson says theft is a big problem in south Florida, which is why he purchases his Bobcat® compact equipment with the keyless start option. “It helps us because we can assign different codes and leave the machines on the jobsites,” he says. “It has dramatically reduced our theft problems.”
In addition to theft protection, Bobcat deluxe instrumentation offers machine monitoring for attachment usage, messages and warnings in seven languages, function lockouts to prevent misuse or damage, a digital clock and resettable job clock.
compact track loader and go between all of the pipes and grade the foundation to prepare for concrete. It’s on the money when grading. Operators appreciate the bigger M-Series cab, too.”
UNMATCHED DEALER SUPPORT “Everyone gives us equipment to use to try and get our business,” Watson says, “but as far as we’re concerned, between the reliability and quality of the machines and our operator preferences, we decided to continue buying Bobcat compact equipment.”
Watson and his business partners purchased their equipment from Bobcat of Palm Beach, which has two locations along the east coast of Florida. “The support we receive from our local dealer is unbelievable. Not only do they care about selling machines, they care about the product, always asking how they can do something better. You can buy equipment anywhere and get promises, or you can buy Bobcat equipment that holds up with a dealer there to support you with any issues. That’s why my relationship with Bobcat of Palm Beach has worked so well,” he says.
Watson recognizes the efforts of his employees as contributing to long-term success. “Without the guys, the fi eld superintendents and the operators, it wouldn’t be possible. Everyone plays an integral part in the company, and that’s how we’ve been successful and able to get through the recession,” he concludes.
FALL 2013 WORKSAVER 23
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40