CalContractor - 2025 Grading & Excavating

Issue 12 - 2025

MAGAZINE

60 Years Serving California Contractors & Municipalities with Exceptional Construction Equipment, Service & Support

GRADING & EXCAVATING

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CONTENTS 2025 Grading & Excavating

NIXON-EGLI EQUIPMENT CO.

06 60 Years of Excellence and a Bold New Generation of Leadership

PUBLISHER: Kerry Hoover khoover@calcontractor.com EDITOR: Brian Hoover, Senior Editor ART DIRECTOR/GRAPHIC DESIGNER Aldo Myftari

SUKUT CONSTRUCTION

18 Advances Major Earthwork and Storm Drain at Rancho Mission Viejo Planning Area 3 – Phase 6

LB3 ENTERPRISES

26 Delivers Precision Mass and Finish Grading for Trumark Homes’ Saddleback Development in Temescal Valley

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER: Gerald De Guzman FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION: Please call: (909) 772-3121 CalContractor is published 12 times each year by Construction Marketing Services, LLC. Copyright © 2025. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

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34 INDUSTRY NEWS www.CalContractor .com 06

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C A LCO N T R AC TO R .CO M

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NIXON-EGLI EQUIPMENT CO.: 60 Years of Excellence and a Bold New Generation of Leadership

By Brian Hoover Photos provided by Kerry Hover, CalContractor Magazine & Nixon-Egli Equipment Co.

L to R (Sitting): Cameron Heckman, CFO, James Nixon, COO, Gavin Singleton, Vice President of Construction Sales.

L to R (Standing): Mike Burns, Vice President of Product Support, Greg Schmidt, Vice President of Municipal Sales.

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or James Nixon, selling construction equipment has never been a job description or a career path. It has been the landscape of his life. Long before he carried a business card or negotiated a crane purchase, he was sweeping floors after school, pulling parts from the bins in the warehouse, watching lowbeds roll into the yard at dawn, and absorbing conversations between mechanics, managers, and customers who came in with needs that needed attention. Although 6

he never met his grandfather, the company he helped build in 1965 was the place where James grew up, an environment filled with hustle and bustle and a sense of purpose that surrounds a busy equipment dealership.

“I don’t remember a version of my life where Nixon-Egli wasn’t part of it,” James says. “I grew up in the yards, in the parts rooms, watching machines get unloaded.

I listened to the conversations my dad had with customers. The business just seeped in.”

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Now, as Nixon-Egli Equipment Co. marks its 60th anniversary, James is leading the company into a new era as Chief Operating Officer, carrying forward the values of two generations while adapting the dealership to the demands of the modern equipment world. Over the past decade, as Steve Nixon began to gradually step back from day-today operations, James became the force guiding Nixon-Egli’s growth, shaping its culture, strengthening its product support, and redefining how a modern dealer supports uptime.

C A LCO N T R AC TO R .CO M

“Equipment has changed, the state has changed, and customers have changed,” he says. “But what hasn’t changed is the core of this business. You still win by showing up, being honest, and protecting the customer’s uptime.

That was true in 1965, it was true in 1985, and it’s still true today.”

James grew into leadership naturally, working through every major department, including parts, service, shipping, sales, territory management, municipal and

Top Left: Nixon-Egli Equipment Co. headquarters located at 2044 S. Vineyard Ave., Ontario, CA 91761.

Top Right: Julian Arroyo assisting a customer with parts at Ontario headquarters.

Above: Entrance to Northern California branch offices located at 800 E. Grant Line Rd., Tracy, CA 95304.

CALCON TRAC TOR.CO M

construction accounts, before ever touching the operational side of the company. The most important lessons, he says, were absorbed long before he realized he was learning them.

“My dad never sat me down and gave me a checklist on how to run a business,” he says. “I learned by listening. I learned by watching him handle problems. You learn a lot when you hear real conversations about real challenges, people issues, machine issues, customer issues. That was my education.”

His leadership style blends generational wisdom with modern pragmatism. He is candid, grounded, and unafraid to challenge outdated habits. Yet he is deeply committed to the principles that have shaped Nixon-Egli for 60 years: honesty, loyalty, real relationships, and an unwavering commitment to customers.

“You can’t run a dealership today like you did when my grandfather started this company,” he says. “But you also can’t forget the values that got us here. My job is to carry those forward while adapting to today’s business environment.”

FOUNDATION BUILT FROM THE GROUND UP: THE FIRST GENERATION The story of Nixon-Egli begins in the early 1960s, when Jim Nixon and Paul Egli were both working

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Above: James Nixon, COO and third-generation leadership, Nixon-Egli Equipment Co.

for subsidiaries of American Hoist & Derrick. Jim traveled seven western states selling asphalt equipment, while Paul represented the American Crane line. Both were hardworking, straightforward salesmen who believed deeply in customer service.

In 1965, Jim approached American Hoist & Derrick’s president about the possibility of opening a dealership in Northern California. The opportunity was there, but the company insisted that Jim partner with Paul to balance outside and inside operations. Jim agreed, and Nixon-Egli Equipment Co. was born. The new dealership opened in an 8,000-square-foot building in Emeryville and began selling cranes, trenchers, rollers, asphalt plants, and sweepers.

Their early years were hard. The markets were competitive, and the dealership was small. But Jim and Paul believed in slow, steady, relationship-driven growth. They believed in telling the truth even when it cost them the sale. They believed in treating customers like partners rather than transactions.

These beliefs became the foundation on which the company still stands.

8

Above: Steve Nixon, CEO and second-generation leadership, Nixon-Egli Equipment Co.

I’ve been employed at Nixon-Egli for twenty years, and for me, it always comes back to the people. When someone joins the company, we hire for culture first. If you fit our culture, you become part of the family, and that’s exactly what this place feels like. We know each other’s families, we celebrate milestones together, and many of us spend weekends together. It’s rare to go to work every day and genuinely enjoy the people around you, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything. Our customers feel it too. In our industry, downtime means lost money, so service is always our top priority. Our job is to keep them up and running, because if they’re not making money, neither are we,” says Singleton. “I started here when I was twenty years old, sweeping the floors in the service department. I worked my way through parts, warranty, municipal sales, key accounts, and eventually into leadership roles. After two decades, I’m proud of where I started, proud of where I’ve landed, and proud to be part of a company that still feels like family.”

Gavin Singleton, Vice President of Construction Sales, Nixon-Egli Equipment Co.

The founders built the framework.

The second generation would give it depth and resilience.

REINVENTION AND RESOLVE: THE STEVE NIXON ERA When Jim Nixon passed away in 1978, his son Steve stepped forward to carry the company into its next chapter. Steve had worked summers at Nixon-Egli since his youth, but life had taken him on a

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winding journey. He served nearly two years in Vietnam, traveled across Europe afterward, studied history at San Francisco State, and eventually realized that his temperament and skills were better suited for business than academia.

Steve’s earliest memory of the equipment industry goes back to when he was five or six, sitting on a Ford tractor his father was [ Continued on page 10 ] C A LCO N T R AC TO R .CO M

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I started at Nixon-Egli 13 years ago in the Parts Department. From day one, this company has felt like family. They’ve given me countless opportunities to grow, to learn, and to move up through the ranks. What I appreciate most about Nixon-Egli is that even as we’ve grown and expanded, we’ve never lost that small-family atmosphere. It still feels personal here. People look out for each other. It’s a place where you’re supported, valued, and able to build a real career. That’s why I’m here, and why I’m proud to be part of this team.”

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Greg Schmidt, Vice President of Municipal Sales, Nixon-Egli Equipment Co.

{ Continued from page 8 }

trying to sell to keep the household afloat. That moment lit a spark that would eventually turn into a lifelong career.

What Steve inherited after his father’s passing was not a seamless operation but a company on the brink of upheaval. American Hoist & Derrick represented most of Nixon-Egli’s business. When the manufacturer exited multiple sectors, Steve found himself with a bare product portfolio and a tough road ahead.

He rebuilt the company with a combination of strategy, integrity, and tenacity. He diversified into new lines, added paving and milling machines, pursued crane partnerships, and made sure no single manufacturer would ever 10

again represent such a dominant share of the business. Wirtgen, Vogele, Hamm, Kleemann, LeeBoy, and Link-Belt became cornerstones that shaped the next four decades.

Steve also built a culture of loyalty, hiring people who stayed for twenty, thirty, even forty years.

He believed the company owed loyalty to the individuals who had given so much of their lives to Nixon-Egli. “Doing what’s right when no one is looking” was the standard he held himself to, and it became the standard for everyone around him.

His leadership strengthened the company and positioned it for a future he hoped one day his son would continue to mold and shape.

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THE THIRD GENERATION EMERGES: JAMES NIXON’S ERA BEGINS By the time James took over day-to-day operations, he had already lived and breathed the business for most of his life. His progression through parts, service, municipal sales, construction sales, and management gave him perspective that no classroom could teach.

“Every role I had showed me what we needed to do better and what we needed to protect,” he says. “If you don’t understand what the parts guys do, what the service techs go through, what the sales team hears every day, you can’t make the right decisions.”

Over the past decade, James has guided Nixon-Egli through a C A LCO N T R AC TO R .CO M

I’ve been with Nixon-Egli for six and a half years, and what keeps me here is the balance you rarely find in a company our size. We’re a large, rapidly growing organization, but we still operate with the closeness and connection of a small family business. We stay deeply connected to our customers and to our employees in ways most companies our size simply cannot or will not. It makes the work fun; you get the excitement and scale of big-company operations while still knowing everyone by name, says Heckman. “Over my time here, we’ve grown roughly thirty percent in both revenue and head count, and we’ve done it the right way. Every dollar is reinvested back into Nixon-Egli, which is why we can keep expanding, improving, and adding the inventory and equipment that best serve our customers. That mindset changes everything.”

Cameron Heckman, Chief Financial Officer, Nixon-Egli Equipment Co.

period of generational transition, facility growth, product-line expansion, and operational modernization. He has held fast to the foundation laid by the first two generations while reshaping the company to compete in a world driven by data, connectivity, turn-around time, and complex regulatory requirements.

“You can’t fix today’s problems with yesterday’s tools,” he says.

“But the values are timeless. The values are what carry you.”

UPTIME AS A MISSION, NOT A MOTTO Few industries are as unforgiving as roadbuilding, milling, and lifting. When a crane is down, the pick stops. When a paver is down, the asphalt cools. When a mill is down, the entire jobsite comes to a halt. Nixon-Egli serves industries where downtime is not an inconvenience, it’s a disaster.

James approaches uptime with the urgency of someone who has spent his life watching job-critical machines break at the worst possible times. He expanded the product support specialist team, turning highly experienced mechanics into proactive technical advisers. He embraced telematics not because it was fashionable, but CALCON TRAC TOR.CO M

Top Right: Wirtgen milling, mixing and recycling machines lead the industry.

Middle Right: Hamm rollers and soil compactors for asphalt construction and earthwork.

Right: Vogele mini, compact, universal, highway and special class pavers.

because it allowed his team to read fault codes, prepare diagnostics, and bring the right parts before ever stepping foot on a jobsite.

And he invested heavily in one of the most critical, and costly, areas of dealership support: parts inventory.

Under James, Nixon-Egli now carries the equivalent of six to seven million dollars in parts inventory. Much of this consists of slow-moving but vital components that many dealers avoid stocking because of the financial burden.

James views the investment differently.

“I’d rather have a gearbox sitting on the shelf for eleven

months than have a customer’s crane sitting idle for eleven hours,” he says. “You can’t support uptime if you don’t have parts. It’s as simple as that.”

This philosophy ensures that Nixon-Egli can respond immediately to emergencies, not with hope or apologies, but with parts in hand. It is one of the company’s greatest differentiators, and one that customers repeatedly cite as a reason for their loyalty.

“Speed matters. Preparedness matters,” James says. “Customers don’t care about spreadsheets.

They care about whether their machine is running tomorrow morning.”

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THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RIGHT LINES Among the strongest threads in the Nixon-Egli story is the company’s long-standing partnerships with some of the most respected manufacturers in the industry. The Wirtgen Group lines, Wirtgen, Vogele, Hamm, and Kleemann, have become pillars of the paving, compaction, milling, and crushing markets. LeeBoy remains the paver of choice for small and mid-size contractors throughout California. Link-Belt continues to be one of the most trusted names in cranes.

James evaluates manufacturers not by their marketing pitch but by their real-world performance and their commitment to support. He is clear about what matters most.

“If the machine doesn’t perform and the factory can’t support it, we’re not going to represent it,” he says. “Our customers trust us.

We can’t break that trust.”

This philosophy has attracted top-tier manufacturers to Nixon-Egli, not the other way around. In many cases, factories approach the dealership first, recognizing its stability, integrity, and presence in the California and Nevada markets.

RELATIONSHIPS THAT SPAN GENERATIONS Equipment can be bought anywhere. Relationships cannot.

Nixon-Egli’s story is deeply intertwined with the stories of its customers. Many families have bought equipment from the dealership across two or three generations. Some still run machines that Jim or Steve sold decades ago.

One of James’s favorite experiences is seeing long-standing partnerships continue into a new generation. “It means a lot when a customer tells you that their dad bought from us and their grandfather bought from us,” he says. “That kind of loyalty isn’t 12

Nixon-Egli has always been a familyoriented business, one hundred percent.

It truly feels like family here, and in many cases it literally is. We hire family members, and leadership supports that,” says Burns. “I started here 35 years ago as a shop mechanic. Over the years I moved into field service, then parts manager, sales manager, Wirtgen product line specialist, and today I serve as Vice President of Product Support.

This company has grown, but the family culture has never changed. That’s what has kept me here all these years.”

Mike Burns, Vice President Product Support, Nixon-Egli Equipment Co.

I have been with Nixon-Egli for 27 years.

I started in the parts department and eventually worked my way to parts manager. We work for great owners here at Nixon-Egli that treat you with respect, and like a part of their family,” says Arroyo. “The best part of working here is being able to help our incredible customers every day with their parts needs. We stock six or seven million dollars in parts inventory and have parts that other equipment dealers just won’t have on their shelves. If we don’t have it, we can get it as soon as the next day.”

Julian Arroyo, Parts Manager, Nixon-Egli Equipment Co.

My first job at Nixon-Egli was in the shipping department. From there I moved to become an apprentice mechanic, to field mechanic for 20 years, on to shop foreman and now I proudly serve as the service manager. For me, it’s all about the people. Those that a I work with every day and the customers that we serve.

That is where I get my satisfaction. Taking care of our mechanics and our great customers,” says Ramirez. “Working out in the field for so many years has allowed me to assist our customers with troubleshooting advice over the phone to keep them up and running out on the jobsite without even having to do a service call.”

Luis Ramirez, Service Manager, Nixon-Egli Equipment Co.

automatic. You earn it every time you answer the phone, every time you show up on a jobsite, every time you fix a problem.”

He views Nixon-Egli as more than a dealer. It is a partner in every customer’s operation.

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“When their machine is down, their whole job is at risk,” he says.

“If we don’t show up, they don’t forget that. And when we show up, they don’t forget that either.” [ Continued on page 14 ] C A LCO N T R AC TO R .CO M

CONGRATULATIONS,

60 YEARS STRONG! Celebrating Six Decades of Excellence in Construction Equipment

LeeBoy proudly salutes Nixon-Egli Equipment Co. for six decades of exceptional sales, service and partnership. Together, we supply the machines that help shape the roads connecting our communities.

Performance You Can Count On. CALCON TRAC TOR.CO M

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13

{ Continued from page 12 }

A DEALER EVOLVING—BUT NEVER LOSING ITS IDENTITY Equipment dealers today face pressure from every direction: automation, telematics, emissions standards, supply chain volatility, hiring challenges, corporate consolidation, and increasing customer demands. Yet James sees opportunity where others see obstacles.

“The technology will evolve, but the fundamentals won’t,” he says.

“Customers don’t buy machines.

They buy support, uptime, and trust.”

The dealership’s expansion into Nevada reflects this measured, values-driven approach. Nixon-Egli did not move into the state impulsively. The decision came after years of manufacturer invitations, customer demand, and careful evaluation. The Las Vegas branch has grown steadily since opening and is now preparing to move into a new purpose-built facility designed to mirror the functionality of the California locations.

“We grow when it makes sense,” James says. “Not too fast, not too slow. We grow the same way this company always has, deliberately.”

60 YEARS STRONG—AND JUST GETTING STARTED As Nixon-Egli Equipment Co. celebrates its 60th anniversary, the milestone is more than a testament to longevity. It is a testament to the people who built the company, the customers who believed in it, and the values that carried it through challenges, reinventions, expansions, and generational transitions. For James, those values are inseparable from the idea of family.

“This company has been part of my family for three generations,” he says, “but the truth is, it’s bigger than that. The people who work here, the people who buy from us, and our valued vendors, they’re all part of the Nixon-Egli 14

15 years ago, I joined the Nixon-Egli family as the receptionist. I’ve stayed and worked my way up in the company because I feel at home here. We really do have a familial atmosphere within our company and I appreciate the comfort of knowing that we have the support of our colleagues as well as our organization as a whole. I am very lucky to come to work each day knowing that I get to work with amazing teammates, customers, and vendors.”

Keri Jensen, Asset Manager, Nixon-Egli Equipment Co.

After nine years with Nixon-Egli, it still feels like home. I started in the service department, sweeping the shop and over time I’ve been able to grow into roles I never imagined for myself. I am grateful to be part of a workplace that genuinely invests in its people. The family-like culture, the support from my team, and the strong relationships we’ve built with our customers, are what make Nixon-Egli stand out. For me, it’s never been just a job, it’s about belonging to a team that cares, encourages growth and shows up for one another everyday.”

Jamie Metcalfe, Tracy Parts Manager, Nixon-Egli Equipment Co.

After 29 years with Nixon-Egli Equipment Company, I can genuinely say I’ve stayed because this place truly feels like a family. Hard work, integrity, and a genuine commitment to both employees and customers have always been at the heart of this company. I’ve grown here, been supported here, and every day I’m reminded why I’ve chosen to spend nearly three decades building my career at Nixon-Egli.”

Sunil Bali, Tracy Service Manager, Nixon-Egli Equipment Co.

family too. We don’t just work together. We take care of each other. That’s something my grandfather believed, something my dad believed, and something I believe with everything in me.”

James sees that sense of family reflected everywhere, in the employees who have been with the company for decades, in the customers who return

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year after year, and in the manufacturers who choose Nixon-Egli because they know its culture is real, not a slogan.

“A lot of companies talk about being family-oriented,” he says.

“We actually live it. People stay here because they’re valued.

Customers stay because they’re treated with respect. It’s personal for all of us.”

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Above Left: Link-Belt Cranes is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacturing of telescopic boom and lattice boom cranes.

Above Right: Rosco (LeeBoy) distributors for seamless and uniform asphalt distribution.

Looking ahead, James feels a deep responsibility to honor that culture as the company continues to grow.

“We’re only here because our customers have stood with us for 60 years,” he says. “Our job now is to continue to support them at the highest levels so that we can be here for the next 60. That’s how we honor our past, and that’s how we protect our future.”

Then, with the same sincerity that has defined three generations CALCON TRAC TOR.CO M

of leadership, James sums up what Nixon-Egli has always been, and what it will continue to be.

“We’ve always been large enough to serve,” he says, “and small enough to care.”

For more information on Nixon-Egli Equipment Co., please visit their website at www.nixonegli.com or call their Ontario headquarters at (909) 930-1822. Cc

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Left: Matt Bahnsen, Estimator & Project Manager, Sukut Construction (left) and Garett Henderson, Foreman, Sukut Construction.

Right: Sukut’s Cat 657 scrapers performing fill placement on Rancho Mission Viejo project.

R

ancho Mission Viejo (RMV), referred to by many as simply “The Ranch,” stands as one of California’s most ambitious and thoughtfully executed master-planned communities. Its rolling terrain, deep canyons, and layered geologic formations have challenged contractors for decades. Sukut Construction, LLC (Sukut Construction) has been a central part of that transformation, shaping multiple neighborhoods and infrastructure corridors across the development. Today, the company is engaged in one of its most substantial assignments to date: 18

Phase 6 Rough Grading and Storm Drain Improvements in Planning Area 3, commonly referred to as PA 3.6.

Sukut Estimator and Project Manager Matt Bahnsen, who has spent a decade with the firm and much of that time on RMV projects, describes PA 3.6 as both a massive earthwork undertaking and a meticulously sequenced operation designed to deliver build-ready land for future residential construction. “We broke ground September 8th, and our scope runs through February 2027,” Bahnsen explains. “When we finish, the site will be ready

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for the homebuilders to begin construction. Our job is to deliver the mass grading, remedial earthwork, and backbone storm drain system that sets the stage for everything that follows.”

The terrain of PA 3.6 consists of a network of peaks and canyons that require major reshaping.

Although the elevations are not considered mountainous, the relief is significant. The deepest cut planned on the site measures approximately 124 feet, while the highest fill will reach nearly 122 feet. Two primary canyons and two smaller ones run through the project, forming the natural low C A LCO N T R AC TO R .CO M

Advances Major Earthwork and Storm Drain at Rancho Mission Viejo Planning Area 3 – Phase 6

By Brian Hoover / Photos by Kerry Hoover, CalContractor Magazine and Sukut Construction

points that must be filled to create usable development pads. The overall strategy focuses on lowering high points and raising low points while adhering to a strict balancedearthwork requirement.

For Rancho Mission Viejo, balanced design is not optional.

It is an established planning principle tied to both environmental commitments and the economics of long-term development. No dirt may be imported to or exported from the project, which eliminates trucking impacts and allows the owner to avoid millions of dollars in hauling costs. To make that possible, extensive design work CALCON TRAC TOR.CO M

Right: Aerial View of entire Rancho Mission Viejo Phase 6, Area 3 rough grading and storm drain improvements project where Sukut is moving approximately 9.7 million cubic yards of cut and fill.

Above & Left: Sukut’s Cat D9 and D10 dozers ripping in the cut for the 657 scrapers. The Cat dozers are able to work on the steepest slopes where the Cat 657 scrapers cannot operate safely.

occurs before contractors ever mobilize. According to Bahnsen, “By balancing the site internally, the owner avoids millions in hauling expenses. Even free dirt comes at a cost once you factor in trucking.

Their design teams spend more upfront, but it pays off dramatically later.”

PA 3.6 involves approximately 9.7 million cubic yards of cut and fill, making it one of Sukut’s larger earthwork projects in recent years. Before mass grading could begin, the team faced a clearing challenge unique within Rancho Mission Viejo. In addition to the typical mix of grasses, light brush, and heavier vegetation concentrated in the canyons, the site included roughly 130 acres of lemon orchards. Sukut removed nearly 22,000 lemon trees during the clearing phase, an atypical but necessary part of preparing the ground for grading.

Another characteristic feature of RMV grading projects is the preservation of ancient oak trees.

Instead of removing the trees outright, the development invests in their careful excavation, boxing, and long-term preservation. These mature oaks will be relocated to roundabouts and public spaces once the grading phase is 20

complete, helping to maintain the historic landscape character of the area. “It’s a really impressive effort,” Bahnsen says. “Those oak trees are iconic to the community.”

Beneath the vegetation lies complex geology, which shapes the methods and equipment used throughout the project. PA 3.6 spans three distinct geologic formations separated by two fault lines. On the western portion of the site, the Santiago Formation consists of hard sandstone and clay mixtures that require heavy dozer ripping. The center of the site contains terrace deposits due to the Silverado formation, a combination of workable soils mixed with cobbles that can reach up to three feet in diameter. The eastern portion of the project sits within the Williams Formation, which is the hardest material on the site and even more difficult to excavate than the sandstone.

Borings indicate that certain areas within this zone may require drilland-blast procedures.

This upper-northeastern portion of the project, which the team refers to as “The Camel’s Head” due to its distinctive shape, represents the most challenging work area. The terrain is steep and isolated, and access is limited.

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Cuts of 80 to 90 feet are planned, and the geological hardness will require significant ripping or, if necessary, blasting. “The Camel’s Head is going to be our biggest challenge,” Bahnsen notes. “It represents our most complicated and difficult geology, it’s isolated, and access is tight. We can’t get in there too early because of how the dirt logistics work, but we also can’t wait too long and risk the schedule. It’s a balancing act.”

Earthmoving on PA 3.6 is dominated by scrapers. Sukut expects to run between 20 and 24 CAT 657 push-pull scrapers daily, with the potential to ramp up to 30 units at peak activity. These operations are supported by D9 and D10 dozers that rip, pioneer, and work the steepest slopes where scrapers cannot operate safely. Excavators and loaders assist with pioneering operations in inaccessible areas and with trenching once storm drain installation begins.

Before fills are placed, especially those exceeding tens of feet in depth, Sukut installs a network of subdrains, sometimes referred to as “burrito drains.” These systems consist of perforated PVC pipe encased in rock and wrapped in [ Continued on page 22 ] C A LCO N T R AC TO R .CO M

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{ Continued from page 20 }

filter fabric to create controlled drainage paths beneath deep fills.

“No matter what you do, water is going to find its way down,” Bahnsen explains. “The subdrains give it a controlled path out so it doesn’t sit trapped at the bottom of a 20- to 120-foot fill and cause long-term settlement issues.” The subdrains ultimately connect to the storm drain system designed for the neighborhood.

The backbone storm drain system for PA 3.6 totals approximately 18,600 linear feet of reinforced concrete pipe ranging from 18 inches to 84 inches in diameter.

Installation will begin early in 2026 and will follow close behind all areas of grading operations.

Excavation depths will reach 17 to 20 feet, requiring trench shields and careful logistical planning.

Sukut will use a combination of CAT 325, 349, and 374 excavators paired by trench and pipe size.

Beginning storm drain installation as soon as earthwork exits a given area helps maintain production efficiency and reduces overhead.

A small number of subcontractors support the project.

Green Vista performs erosion 22

control and BMP implementation, while Superior Gunite will mobilize to construct concrete-lined ditches and slope drains once earthwork opens sufficient areas. AJ Drilling & Blasting is available should the Williams Formation prove too hard to rip effectively, though blasting will only occur if warranted by field conditions.

As PA 3.6 takes shape, it becomes clear how much of Rancho Mission Viejo’s long-term community vision depends on careful terracing and thoughtful grading design. Future residential neighborhoods will occupy stepped elevation planes that preserve views and manage slopes. At the highest point in the project (“Camel’s Head”), Sukut is grading the future sites of three large water tanks that will be operated by Santa Margarita Water District. These tanks form part of the domestic water and fire-flow system that must accompany any new housing phases.

For Bahnsen, this work represents more than a technical challenge. His connection to The Ranch spans his entire career with Sukut. “When I started here ten years ago, we had a grading

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job out at Rancho Mission Viejo,” he recalls. “I drove the dirt roads, watched our scrapers run, and thought the area was really nice.

Later on, I ended up managing a roadway project here. Now I live in what used to be one of our job sites.” That personal journey underscores the pride our Sukut teams take in shaping land that will become long-term communities.

Between now and 2027, Sukut’s crews will continue cutting, filling, ripping, hauling, trenching, and shaping PA 3.6. The steep terrain, hard materials, tight logistics, and aggressive schedule create a demanding environment, but Bahnsen is confident in his team’s approach. “It’s a large job, close to 10 million yards, and the geology and layout make it one of the more complex phases out here,” he says. “But our teams know this land well. We’ve been building The Ranch for a long time, and we’re proud to keep pushing it forward.”

Sukut Construction is a leading heavy civil contractor with over half a century of superior performance on residential, public, and commercial projects. For more information, please visit their website at www.sukut.com. Cc C A LCO N T R AC TO R .CO M

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LB3 ENTERPRISES Delivers Precision Mass and Finish Grading for Trumark Homes’ Saddleback Development in Temescal Valley

By Brian Hoover / Photos provided by LB3 Enterprises

W

hen Trumark Homes announced the acquisition of two major land parcels in Riverside County to support more than 300 new homes, the company reinforced its long-term commitment to building communities throughout Southern California. One of these new residential neighborhoods, Solara in Temescal Valley, will include 224 single family homes within two sub communities known as Horizon and Radiance. With spacious floor plans, access to top rated schools, views of the surrounding hills, and close proximity to the I-15 and SR 91 corridors, Solara is expected to become a significant addition to the rapidly developing Temescal Valley region.

Before construction could begin, however, the site first required a major transformation. To manage that task, Trumark Homes selected LB3 Enterprises, Inc. (LB3) as the prime contractor for grading and earthwork. LB3 was responsible for 26

Above: Doug Lancaster, Superintendent, LB3 Enterprises.

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C A LCO N T R AC TO R .CO M

Above: LB3 Enterprises moved 2.8 million yards of material on the Saddleback Development in Temescal Valley.

Beautifully terraced finished project shown here.

Right: Raul Cruz, Grading Foreman, LB3 Enterprises.

Below: Maral Danesh, Project Manager, LB3 Enterprises.

the entire grading scope from initial cut to final finish, shaping roughly 100 acres of steep, rocky terrain into build ready pads, streets, and slopes. LB3’s contract began in January of 2025 and was completed in November of the same year.

According to LB3 Vice President Tim Cramer, the Saddleback property demanded extensive planning and an expert understanding of excavation in difficult ground conditions. Cramer CALCON TRAC TOR.CO M

explained that the site included steep ridges, deep canyons, and inconsistent material layers. He described the job by stating, “This was a very challenging earthwork project. We knew going in that the material management, the blasting, and the sequencing were going to be both the biggest challenges and the key to success.”

Project Manager Maral Danesh oversaw LB3’s daily operations at Saddleback and confirmed that the company moved approximately 2.8 million cubic yards of material during the course of the project.

This included approximately 200,000 cubic yards of required drilling and blasting, while another 250,000 cubic yards involved rock excavation and top loading. These volumes reflect the scale of the work and highlight the difficulty of grading hillside property for large scale residential development.

Cramer explained that the biggest challenge surrounded the handling and placement of different soil types, as well as the hard rock encountered throughout the site.

He said, “The complexity of this job came down to managing all the material. We had to break large boulders, size it correctly, bury it deep in the fills, and still preserve the select material needed for capping the slopes, pads, and streets. The timing between blasting, hauling, fill placement, and fine grading all had to be perfectly coordinated.”

One of LB3’s notable accomplishments was its ability to balance the site within its grading contract. All material excavated by LB3 remained on the property and was reused in various fill zones.

Oversized rock was broken down to a 24 inch minus size before being placed deep within the engineered fills. Meanwhile, the finer alluvial soil was kept for upper layers and structural capping.

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27

Above: LB3 Enterprises CAT dozers and scrapers at the Solara housing development jobsite in Temescal Valley.

Right: LB3 crews using a Hitachi excavator and Volvo haul truck to top load rocky material.

Below: LB3’s CAT 349 excavator breaking rock for on-site processing.

Although there was a separate export component performed by the owner, every cubic yard that fell under the LB3 grading scope was moved, processed, and placed on site. Cramer noted, “Nothing under our grading contract left the site. It was all used, and that saved time, trucking, and cost.”

To accomplish this, LB3 relied on an extensive fleet of heavy equipment. At peak production the company ran up to sixteen 657 scrapers provided by subcontractor, Rentrac, Inc., and supported by D10 and D9 dozers. LB3 also utilized a 28

John Deere 670, 154,000 lb. excavator as the primary top loader, paired with multiple Volvo A45 articulated rock trucks. Additional rock breaking and cleanup were performed with a John Deere 470 P-Tier and a Hitachi 470 excavator equipped with hydraulic breakers.

As the project transitioned from mass grading to fine grading, LB3’s crews used dozers ranging from D5 to D8 and GPS equipped blades to achieve finished tolerances as tight as one tenth of a foot.

Cramer credited the project’s success to the skill and dedication

G R A D I N G & E XC AVAT I N G / 2 0 2 5

of LB3’s internal team. He emphasized the contributions of Project Manager Maral Danesh, Superintendent Doug Lancaster, and Grading Foreman Raul Cruz.

He stated, “Maral did a fantastic job managing the schedule. Doug and Raul were essential in pushing production, maintaining quality, and keeping the project safe. It was truly a team effort, and we couldn’t have done it without them and our entire team.”

Subcontractor support also played an important role in the project’s progress. Rentrac, Inc. provided scraper support, Arizona Drilling and Blasting handled blasting operations, On Grade V-Ditch Excavating assisted with riprap and ditch work, and Coburn Equipment supplied additional dozers. Marlin’s Rentals helped maintain dust control and moisture requirements throughout the grading operations with water truck rentals, and several smaller owner operators assisted with day [ Continued on page 30 ] C A LCO N T R AC TO R .CO M

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Left: LB3’s John Deere 470 excavator and CAT D6 dozer assisting with site preparation for subdrain installation.

Below: LB3’s CAT 657 scrapers queued for mass excavation, with more than 2.8 million cubic yards of material moved on the project.

{ Continued from page 28 }

to day hauling needs. Then there was Hawthorne Rentals and C5 Equipment Rentals whom LB3 often turns to supplement their fleet.

Although large excavation jobs often come with surprises, Cramer said that Saddleback unfolded largely as LB3 expected.

There were changes in scope and additions requested throughout the project, but none significantly altered LB3’s approach or schedule. He explained, “We priced the job carefully, and the way we planned it is the way we built it. There were some changes and additions, but the overall execution went exactly as we envisioned.”

Safety remained a top priority throughout the operation. The project concluded without any incidents, a result that Cramer was proud to share. He said, “We finished on time, on budget, and with zero incidents. That is always our goal, and this job delivered on all counts.”

With the grading phase complete, Trumark Homes is now advancing construction on Solara, a community designed to make the most of its Temescal Valley setting.

The new neighborhoods will feature modern architecture, spacious lots, and a central community park.

Residents will enjoy quick 30

access to nearby dining, shopping, outdoor recreation areas including Corona Lake and the Cleveland National Forest, and easy commuting routes to larger regional employment centers.

As the final stages of earthwork wrapped up, Cramer reflected on the partnership between LB3 and Trumark Homes. He shared his appreciation for being part of a large and meaningful residential development and expressed confidence in the community’s future success. Cramer said, “This project presented unique challenges, but our team and our partners delivered. We are proud of the work we accomplished together, and we wish Trumark Homes the very best as they move forward with construction.

This new development will bring

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much needed housing to Riverside County, and we are grateful to have been part of preparing it.”

The Saddleback project stands as a clear example of LB3 Enterprises’ ability to execute major grading and earthwork operations with precision, safety, and professionalism. With Solara now rising on the foundation LB3 shaped, the Temescal Valley community is poised to welcome hundreds of new families into a thoughtfully designed neighborhood that combines natural beauty with modern convenience.

For more information on LB3 Enterprises, Inc. and future projects, please visit their website at www.lb3enterprises.com or call their Poway headquarters at (619) 579-6161. Cc C A LCO N T R AC TO R .CO M

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John Deere Elevates Efficiency with New 510 P-Tier Excavator

John Deere is excited to introduce the new 510 P-Tier Excavator model, replacing the 470 P-Tier, designed to deliver exceptional performance, increased fuel efficiency and various levels of grade management 34

technology.

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470 P-Tier’s larger 13.5L engine— while reducing fuel consumption, depending on application and operating speed. This efficiency gain is driven in part by a new electronic, on-demand cooling system that replaces traditional hydraulic fans, reducing engine load. The cooling package features ten electric fans (E-Fans) that optimize airflow, while maintaining adequate cooling performance.

The 510 P-Tier is designed to reduce total cost of ownership, in part due to a 10% decrease in maintenance costs and a 16% drop in repair expenses, over the machine’s full lifecycle, compared to the 470 P-Tier. Cc C A LCO N T R AC TO R .CO M

TACKLE THE TOUGHEST TERRAIN With innovative GPS and grade control technology, these machines deliver the reliability, efficiency, and profitability you need to get the job done.

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drive, 100% differential locks and all-terrain bogie, and hydromechanical steering work together to provide traction, stability and precise control. Volvo Dynamic Drive offers predictive gear selection that adapts to operating conditions, and a downhill speed control function relies on Volvo’s industry-leading braking systems to further enhance efficiency,

safety and comfort. Additionally, the frame and body design provide market-leading tipping clearance and material flow when dumping, minimizing the need for support equipment on the jobsite. Further improvements include an optional overhung tailgate with longer arms for a quicker and wider opening when dumping. Cc

Caterpillar’s 140 Lever Motor Grader Moves to the Next Generation technology. Building on the trusted foundation of the 470 P-Tier, the 510 P-Tier provides lower operating costs and optional SmartGrade™ Grade Control technology to maximize productivity.

With a 9.0L John Deere Power Systems engine, the 510 P-Tier delivers the same net horsepower and responsive performance as the 470 P-Tier’s larger 13.5L engine— while reducing fuel consumption, depending on application and 38

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JCB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 SoCal Shield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Shield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 33 Sonsray Machinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Machinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 44 Standard Emulsions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 16 Sunstate Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 41 Sunbelt Rentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 36 Trench Shoring Company . . . . . . . . . . .

Company . . . . . . . . . . . 21 21 Volvo Construction Equip. & Services. . . .

Services. . . . 55 Warrior Machinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Machinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 39

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G R A D I N G & E XC AVAT I N G / 2 0 2 5

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R E PR E S E NTI N G TH E TO P EQ U I PM E NT LI N E S I N TH E I N DU STRY

California’s Largest General Line Construction and Municipal Equipment Dealer.

So. California: 2044 S. Vineyard Ave., Ontario, CA 91761 • (909) 930-1822 No. California: 800 E. Grant Line Rd., Tracy, CA 95304 • (209) 830-8600 Nevada: 2750 Marion Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89115 • (702) 342-8100 www.nixonegli.com