“Be Prepared” is the motto for the Boy Scouts, but it also could be the motto for a huge project currently underway by officials in San Diego, Calif., and John Deere equipment is playing a major part in making it a reality.

The city of San Diego’s Water Authority is building an 11-mi. (17 km) and 8.5 ft. (2.6 m) wide pipeline designed to carry water from the San Vicente reservoir to a vital pumping station in San Diego in the event of a major earthquake or other emergency. In the event of a catastrophe, the reservoir’s water could supply the city for up to six months.

A project of this importance and magnitude required the best equipment for the job. Traylor Brothers Construction Company, which was chosen for the project, called on John Deere. The company purchased three John Deere 744J loaders to handle the material from the excavation once it was topside and also a John Deere 332 Skid Steer for cleanup work on the job.

But the key equipment Traylor specifically needed was an excavator that could be lowered into the narrow 70-to-90-ft. (21 to 27 m) deep shafts where the boring machines deposit material. The John Deere 225C LC RTS (reduced tail swing) excavator fits the bill perfectly since its 5.5-ft. (1.7 m) turning radius and 7.25-ft. (2.2 m) arm can maneuver perfectly in the confines of the shaft. The tunnel is approximately 12-ft. (3.6 m) in diameter, with depth ranging between 50 and 600 ft. (15 and 182 m) underground.

“The reduced-tail-swing excavator fits the project like a glove,” said Richard Dotson, equipment manager for the project. “It was purchased specifically for this project and was the largest machine we could lower into the shafts. It has worked perfectly for our needs.”

The $200 million Emergency Storage Project is expected to be completed by late 2008. Much work is yet to be done, but Traylor’s project manager for the pipeline isn’t worried about Deere equipment not performing. “The equipment will be required to perform flawlessly as we go forward,” said Mike Jatczak. “We have every reason to believe our expectations for the Deere equipment will continue to be met.”

For more information, visit www.johndeere.com. CEG

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