In today’s economic environment, Superintendent Bob Brzezinski is constantly looking for ways to keep costs down while still getting his projects done. His solution: Buy Bobcat loaders and attachments to do the same work as larger, single-application conventional units.
Brzezinski oversees the maintenance and construction of approximately 50 mi. of roadway.
“We use Bobcat loaders for grading, sewer work, backfilling trenches, asphalt repairs, demolition, and disaster cleanup,” he said. “The Bobcat loaders make it so much easier when we’re doing construction work. They’re easier [to maneuver] than a big wheel loader on our job sites. We’re often working in congested streets and nearby areas, and parking is always an issue.”
First M-Series Loader
Atlas Bobcat sold Brzezinski the first M-Series loader — a T630 compact track loader — to complement the department’s S220.
“When we lay sewer pipe and the ground gets wet, the tracks make it easy for us to backfill,” he said.
In addition to the benefits of a rubber track undercarriage, Brzezinski said a number of M-Series loader improvements were noted immediately. Here’s what he had to say about four important areas:
• Visibility: “The visibility is great with the bigger windows. We can easily see the cutting edge on the bucket, and I like the larger window on top when we’re loading trucks.”
• Pressurized cab: “This is the first machine that I’ve ever owned with an enclosed cab with heat and air conditioning. It’s so quiet. We don’t hear the noise from the machine and the other noises outside, and the dust stays out completely.”
• More cab space: “I’m a big guy, so I like the added room and more space to operate the controls.”
• Pushing performance: Brzezinski said his department has a conventional wheel loader and the new T630 will out-push it. “It’s got a lot of power for the size of machine.”
Attachments Replace Dedicated Machines
Brzezinski believes in having an assortment of attachments rather than stocking larger, specialized single-use equipment. His attachment inventory includes the following:
• Augers
• Brushcat rotary cutter
• Buckets
• Dozer blade
• Hydraulic breakers
• Industrial buckets with grapples
• Planers
• Snowblowers
• Sweepers
“I try to buy attachments to minimize the amount of equipment in our department and the money we spend,” he said. “We don’t have the room to store the bigger equipment, so it’s better to have one loader and various attachments rather than a specialized piece. We work off of tax dollars, so we try to make every dollar stretch.” For example, Brzezinski said his department will use its asphalt planer to patch holes in the roads instead of contracting out the work.
Brzezinski has benefited from the Bobcat municipal program at a time when budgets are tightening. He’s strongly considering trading in the S220 for a new S630.
This story was reprinted with permission from Bobcat WorkSaver Magazine, Fall 2009 Issue.
