Roy Erikson Outdoor Maintenance, Crestwood, Ill., relies on Bobcat skid steer loaders and attachments to operate a successful landscaping and landscape maintenance operation for Chicago-area customers.

Erikson’s most recent skid steer loader purchase was a K-Series S185 from Atlas Bobcat. Erikson said he quickly noticed some big advantages.

“It runs like a champ … these new loaders are the Cadillacs of the industry.”

Much of Erikson’s business comes from homeowners who hire him for landscape renovations, but he said he also works for Fortune 500 corporations that have headquarters in the area. Having such companies as customers says a lot about Erikson’s success.

He uses Bobcat skid steer loaders to remove grass, grade, seed, and place sod, reducing Erikson’s overall labor needs.

“A Bobcat loader makes my life so much easier,” he said.

“It takes the place of three to five employees. We quickly and accurately accomplish a lot of work with Bobcat loaders. They are very mobile and can get into spots other equipment can’t.”

Snow Removal Generates Additional Revenue

When winter arrives in the Windy City, Erikson converts his landscaping business into a snow removal operation, putting his Bobcat equipment to further use.

He previously operated larger wheel loaders for snow removal, but eventually sold them.

“The wheel loaders were difficult to operate and transport, so we switched to Bobcat skid steers,” he explained.

Erikson said skid steer loaders also are faster than his plow trucks.

“The Bobcat S185 runs circles around my trucks moving snow in parking lots … it makes them look foolish,” he said. “When we put a snow pusher on the front of the loader, we triple our productivity in a medium-size parking lot, and we do a cleaner job. Essentially, we can do more work in less time.”

Erikson buys his equipment from Atlas Bobcat.

“I’ve had Bobcat equipment since I started in this business,” he said. “Today, we have three Bobcat skid steer loaders — an S250 and two S185s. I’ve had a good relationship with Atlas Bobcat over the years. Anytime I need something, I call the dealership and I have it immediately.”

Over almost three decades, landscape contractor Roy Erikson has depended on his equipment to keep his business going strong.

He looks forward to continued success in years to come.

For more information, visit www.bobcat.com/snow.

(This article was reprinted with permission from Bobcat WorkSaver magazine.)

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