From the moment he saw its machines at ConExpo 2011, Tim Wilson knew he wanted to learn more about LiuGong Construction Machinery. Wilson is the president of TTS Engineering Inc., a Southern California based general engineering contractor that specializes in site development.
He was looking for high-quality equipment at competitive prices that would allow him to keep his operating costs in check due to the tight budgets on today’s construction jobs.
Earlier this year, TTS Engineering became the first company in California to purchase a piece of LiuGong equipment through Westrax Machinery, the local LiuGong dealer. LiuGong is the 17th largest construction equipment manufacturer in the world and is the global leader in the number of wheel loaders manufactured each year.
Wilson’s company earned this distinction when they bought a LiuGong 922D excavator and an 842 III wheel loader.
Wilson’s firm completes site development in Orange County, Calif., including site clearing, grading, underground utility work and concrete and paving operations. Like most construction companies, TTS was hit by the sluggish economy, but Wilson could foresee better days on the horizon and wanted to have the right equipment in place when the recovery began.
Wilson had a long-standing relationship with Westrax Machinery, an equipment dealership based in Rancho Dominguez, Calif. Dennis McShane, the sales manager of Westrax, had told Wilson in 2010 that they were taking on the LiuGong line and that it might offer the perfect combination of quality and price he was looking for.
“We had been talking to Westrax about this new line called LiuGong, and I have to say I was intrigued,” Wilson said. “Once I got to see their equipment for myself at ConExpo, I was definitely interested.”
But in a surprising development, McShane refused to sell Wilson any LiuGong machines. At least at first.
McShane explained, “I told Tim we were going to stock a number of LiuGong units and put a few of them into our rental fleet. We wanted to make sure the machines were as high quality as we thought before having a customer invest. Thankfully the quality was as good as we anticipated, so we quickly worked with TTS on the sale.”
Wilson said the LiuGong 922D excavator has been a hit with TTS Engineering from the time they purchased it in January 2012. The 922D has been successfully used for site development work at Park Place in Irvine, Calif. TTS used the 922D to load more than 10,000 cu. yd. (7,645 cu m) of dirt and to excavate a new 15-in. (38 cm) sewer system on the project.
Standard features like a closed cab with heating and air-conditioning enable Wilson’s crews to work year-round in comfort. The unit has one of the widest cabs on the market for added operator comfort, as well as a large color LCD monitor with a user-friendly interface and simple operation.
The excavator has a Cummins QSB6.7, 155 horsepower engine and a travel speed of up to 3 mph. The machine has a maximum digging depth of 21 ft. 8 in. (6.6 m) and an operating weight of 50,500 lbs. (22,906 kg) for solid results across a variety of uses. The standard bucket capacity is 1.31 yd. (1.2 m) and the fuel capacity is 108.8 gal. (412 L). Climate control, AM/FM radio and an adjustable suspension seat are just a few of the standard features offered on the 922D.
The 842III wheel loader was Wilson’s second and most recent LiuGong purchase which was finalized in May 2012. The 842 has spent time in the field working at Fashion Island, an open-air retail development in Irvine.
“We were doing preliminary work for a new retail building pad,” Wilson said. “The 842 was used to perform excavation and re-compaction work for a 25,000 square foot building pad. And I have to say, this loader has been a real workhorse.”
The wheel loader has a Cummins QSB6.7, 193 gross horsepower engine with a net horsepower of 186. The Loader has a standard bucket size of 3.5 cu. yds. (2.7 cu m) and an operating weight of 33,601 lbs. (15,241 kg). The standard bucket’s breakout force is 30,574 lbs. (13,868 kg). The standard dump clearance is 9 ft. 9 in. (3 m).
Some of the features that Wilson and McShane admire on the 842 III is its easy engine access, a diagnostic system that gives fast, accurate maintenance support, a wet disc braking system and a reversible cooling fan for easy cleaning.
“The LiuGong machines have performed up to or better than our expectations,” said Wilson. “They are very effective in completing the work that I bought them for. And as far as the daily costs versus competitive units considered, LiuGong has been great. We’re very pleased.”
TTS Engineering was established in 1996 in Huntington Beach, Calif. The company provides site preparation work to public, private, commercial and industrial entities for specialties like underground utilities, excavation, grading and demolition.
Westrax Machinery sells and supports the LiuGong product line in Southern California from its home office in Rancho Dominguez, Calif. The company prides themselves on living up to its slogan “Out Of This World Customer Service.”
LiuGong Construction Machinery has been producing construction equipment for more than 50 years and is growing globally.
LiuGong produces more than 50,000 wheel loaders a year, making the company the largest manufacturer of wheel loaders in the world.
For more information on TTS Engineering, call 714/840-6346 or visit www.ttsengineering.net.
For more information on Westrax, call 888/537-5458 or visit www.westraxmachinery.net.
For more information on LiuGong, call 281/579-8882 or visit www.LiuGong.com.
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