Tucked away in the hills of southwestern Pennsylvania, Dave Roman Excavating is hard at work installing water and sewer lines for the new Glendale Valley waste water treatment facility, on time and on budget with a Hyundai R380LC-9 excavator and two HL757 wheel loaders.
Dave Roman, owner of Dave Roman Excavating, runs the 32-employee company that works on 15 or more projects at any given time. Roman took over the business from his father, who started it more than 55 years ago and has since grown the company in size and capabilities including site and public utility work. Roman oversees the entire operation from bidding to billing projects and visits every job. At the Glendale Valley project, he is running three crews a day for the next year.
“The Glendale project consists of 100,000 feet of sewer pipe installation with manhole connections,” said Roman. “The sewer lines will feed the newly constructed waste water treatment plant.”
Roman enlisted Highway Equipment, the local Hyundai Construction Equipment dealer, to provide the proper equipment needed to complete the job. Roman had purchased a Hyundai HL757 loader from Highway Equipment a year ago and the loader has outperformed since, so he asked Highway Equipment for another HL757 for the project along with a construction class excavator, a Hyundai R380LC-9.
Roman’s operators are using the Hyundai HL757 wheel loaders with both buckets and forks on the project. The wheel loaders are supplying all three crews with gravel, concrete manholes and pipe.
“Our current staging area for gravel, pipe and other material is located in the middle of the project right now,” said Roman. “Our two wheel loaders grab what they need from the staging area and run it up the street to the crews.”
The HL757 is powered by a fuel-efficient, low noise Cummins Tier-III QSB6.7 engine that is electronically controlled for optimum fuel to air ratio and clean, efficient combustion. The loader offers the flexibility of three engine modes (power, standard or econo) which range from full power to reduced fuel consumption.
Roman’s operators are enjoying the fast cycle times and easy-to-operate loaders along with their large, roomy, quiet cabs with excellent visibility and creature comforts such as air suspended seats and AM/FM radio/MP3 interface/USB ports, according to the company.
The HL757 loaders also boast advanced color monitors with 5.7 in. wide color LCD screens, mounted on adjustable swivel-mounts for reduced glare, allowing the operator to easily control the machine as well as AC/heat, heated rear-view mirrors, hands free phone and personal storage space.
Roman’s pipe installation crew has been cutting the deep sewer trench through the Glendale Valley, which is mostly through a residential area that consists of hills, valleys and some wooded areas. The Hyundai R380LC-9 has been providing the crew with the power and stability needed for the soils in the valley.
“The depth of sewer trench varies up to 24 feet deep,” said Roman. “The 380 has no issues excavating the trench to these depths and through the soil.”
The R380LC-9 weighs in at 84,220 lbs. (38,201 kg) and is powered by a Cummins Tier III QSL engine that boasts 271 hp (202 kW). Bucket digging forces range from 45,190 to 49,300 lbs. with the boost function on. The maximum dig depth ranges from 22 ft. 5 in. to 36 ft. 10 in. (6.8 to 11.2 m) depending on arm length.
“We use the 380 for just about everything,” said Roman. “Excavating the sewer trench, filling the trench with gravel, lifting and installing the sewer pipe, moving the trench box around… the list goes on. It’s been a real workhorse for us.”
Roman’s excavator operator takes pleasure in operating the R380LC-9 finding it really smooth to operate and powerful enough to get the job done. He’s also enjoying the spacious, comfortable cab that offers more standard features than one would expect.
“We’ve had no issues with the Hyundai equipment and are expected to meet our completion deadline,” said Roman. “The combination of reliable construction equipment like Hyundai, backed by great dealer service has made this project run very smooth.”
“At Hyundai we focus on customer satisfaction, and testimonies from customers like Dave Roman Excavating are how we measure our success,” said Shane Sirmons, sales and product support manager of Hyundai Construction Equipment. “On Time and On Budget is a philosophy our customers build their businesses on and we are excited to offer reliable products that help them meet their goals. Hyundai and our team of high quality, customer satisfaction oriented dealers are always available to assist customers and fill their equipment and service needs.”
For more information on Dave Roman Excavating, call 814/894-5628.
For more information on Highway Equipment, call 800/222-8798 or visit www.highway-equipment.com.
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