More than 30 years ago, Dave Neiswonger started a small construction firm with one machine. These days, the firm, Neiswonger Construction & Mining Inc., Strattanville, Pa., is a father/son partnership that has grown considerably since it began in 1978.

Dave and his son, Vinnie, are 50-50 partners in the business, which expanded to include mining about seven years ago. That began, according to Vinnie, when they started doing some mining on their own property and quickly saw the potential for more. “It seemed like something that could work well for us, so we got into it from there. It’s gone very well ever since.”

In order to tackle what is arguably one of the more difficult tasks for a piece of iron, the Neiswongers purchased a Hyundai R800LC-7A from Highway Equipment Company, Zelienople, Pa., about four months ago. The venerable equipment distributor, which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2008, has been a distributor of choice for Neiswonger since the firm was in its infancy.

“We have a great relationship with them,” Vinnie said. “We’ve always liked them. They have good sales, service, parts.”

Randy Taylor, sales representative of Highway Equipment, agreed that there is a long, solid history between the two companies. “It’s been a long-term thing. Our branch manager, Dave Yohe, has been dealing with them for 25 years. I’ve been dealing with them for 10. We’ve become great friends and they are great customers.”

The R800LC has been right in line with the expectations that Neiswonger has for purchases made from Highway Equipment. “Dave said it was the nicest machine he’s run in a long, long time. He’s very satisfied with the machine, our dealership and the Hyundai rep, Kevin Murphy, as well,” Taylor said.

“Right now it is on our Gulli mine site. It’s used to dig through hard rock overburden to get down to the coal. It’s moving anywhere from 0 to 65 feet of overburden to get down to 3 feet of coal. It’s doing a great job,” said Vinnie.

The RC800LC is Hyundai’s largest excavator, powered by the new Tier-3 Cummins QSX, generating 460 net horsepower (343 kW) at 1,600 rpm. It has an advanced hydraulic system; energy saving features such as arm-in/boom down hydraulic flow regeneration system; Hyundai’s CAPO system and an operator-friendly cab designed for greater comfort, visibility and control.

Highway Equipment, according to Vinnie, gave Neiswonger the best of everything on this machine. “They gave us the best warranty we could find in the business. Best price, best financing, compared with all the competitors we looked at,” he said.

Dave echoed the sentiment. “I think I got the best machine on the market, and I’ve run a few,” said Dave, who has just purchased a Hyundai R450 from Highway Equipment as well.

(This story also can be found on Construction Equipment Guide’s Web site at www.constructionequipmentguide.com.) CEG

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