CalContractor Owner/Operator Issue 2015

MAKING MORE

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Owner/Operator Issue

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Features 06 Razors Edge grading and excavation, inc.

Sharpened Toward the Point of Perfection

12

12 Foos Excavating Proudly Serving Customers with Family Pride and Passion for 35 Years

18 18 Dustin Smith Equipment Turns to Caterpillar and Johnson Machinery to Update Grading and Excavating Fleet

22 Industry News 30 Advertiser Index 4

CalContractor Magazine / www.calcontractor.com PUBLISHER: Kerry Hoover (909) 772-3121 khoover@calcontractor.com EDITOR: Brian Hoover, Senior Editor

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Aldo Myftari FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION PLEASE CALL: Call Kerry Hoover (909) 772-3121

CalContractor is published twelve times each year by Construction Marketing Services, LLC. P.O. Box 892977, Temecula, CA 92589 - Phone: 909-772-3121 - Fax: 951-225-9659 All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

2015 Owner / Operator ISSUE CALCONTRACTOR

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Robert and Athena Miller, Razors Edge Grading and Excavation, Inc.

Razors Edge G r a ding a nd E xcavat ion, I nc .

Sharpened Toward the Point of Perfection thena Miller was very content at her job working for San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), so much so that she imagined retiring there, like many of her family members before her. She began her career working in the customer contact center and then later in the equipment operations department. Things were going along smoothly and a comfortable future at SDG&E seemed assured, but life had other plans in store.

While Athena worked at SDG&E, her husband, Robert, was busy running equipment

and a dump truck as an owner/operator. Robert would operate and haul for private companies, as well as for public entities. Prior to giving birth to their third child and while still at SDG&E, Athena would help out after hours by working on the books and other paperwork for their business. When their third baby arrived in 2012, she was born with special needs. Their daughter’s full time medical care forced Athena to quit her job of 10 years at SDG&E. Robert was now taking on as much work as possible

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working day and night in order to pay medical expenses and provide for his family, while Athena managed to help out all she could between long hospital stays, therapy and doctor’s appointments.

As an equipment and dump truck owner/operator, Robert found that he had what seemed to be a natural talent and love for operating heavy equipment at a young age. It may have also been hereditary, as his grandfather had been a talented operator and successful underground contractor.

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Below: Cat 305.5D masticating brush on a slope.

Above: Cat 430F Backhoe Loader providing the final steps of excavation for a high pressure gas main & valve renewal.

Robert and Athena’s relationship with Hawthorne Cat started with the purchase of a Cat 287B Multi Terrain Loader in 2008, which they purchased to work on their 7 acre property in Alpine and on rough terrain jobs in the back country of San Diego.

Months later, they returned to Hawthorne Cat and met with their sales representative, Matt Higgins, to purchase a Cat 289C Compact Track Loader and a Cat 305.5D Mini Excavator to pursue a government land clearing, grading and excavation opportunity.

While on job sites for SDG&E and other contractors, Robert earned a reputation as someone who was not afraid of hard work and he went above and beyond to make a name for himself. He would pay close attention to how the utility crews and other operators worked, taking notice of excavation methods that made the utility crew’s job safer and easier.

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Eventually, his extra efforts and abilities landed him an opportunity to bring his equipment out to a large SDG&E project. Robert did an outstanding job on that trial project and SDG&E began to request his services regularly and with that the time had come to make some serious decisions.

Athena Miller had taken note of the opportunities that were now laid before them and the wheels began to spin.

She had spent 10 years at SDG&E getting to know the ins and outs of the utility construction business. Working in the customer contact center enabled Athena to see the logistical challenges and tight schedules that were dealt with every day, as well as the level of customer service it takes to keep a customer happy. The Equipment Operations department gave her firsthand knowledge of the equipment and crews needed to complete jobs efficiently and the

importance of safety in the workplace. Athena realized that she had essentially gone to utility college for 10 years and she was determined to use this experience, combined with Robert’s skill, to increase the success of their company.

After a year-long battle getting her daughter’s health stabilized, she made the decision to get help with her daughter’s care and dive head first into what she saw as a once in a lifetime opportunity.

She knew it was time to take the reins of Razors Edge Grading and Excavation Inc. (Razors Edge). She started with switching unions and becoming Signatory to the IBEW Local 47, which better suited the company’s scope of work. From there, she earned a CPUC Women Owned Business Certification (WBE) for Razors Edge. The stage was now set, but there was still one huge step to take and that involved spending a whole lot of dough.

2015 Owner / Operator ISSUE CALCONTRACTOR 7

Below: Utility combo package with Cat 246D and Cat 305.5D.

Top: The Razors Edge dump truck fleet.

Athena and Robert knew that in order to grow their business to a point that could fully sustain their family’s future, they would have to be willing to take some risks. One of these risks was to sign on the dotted line for the equipment needed to further their utility construction business. “We wanted to provide a Swiss Army Knife approach to the underground utility trade with an equipment combo using one operator that could deliver multiple processes at one rate,” says Athena.

It was time for another visit with their sales representative, Matt Higgins. Together they designed a Cat skid steer and mini excavator combo package that included all of the attachments needed to demo, trench, backfill, compact and clean up a jobsite. “My husband, Robert, cut his teeth on Cat equipment and he fell in love with Cat from the beginning,” says Athena Miller. “We still demoed other brands, but that

only served to confirm our preference for Cat machinery.”

Requests for Robert’s handywork were coming in daily and the time had come to add personnel. “We were growing fast, and he could only be in one place at a time, so we began the search for top notch operators and drivers. Our first call was made to a long time family friend who was employed by one of San Diego’s premier underground utility contractors. He believed in our vision, and he knew about Robert’s work ethic and reputation, so he took a chance and risked his livelihood to become a part of our team,” says Athena. “Since 2012, we have grown to five operators and five truck drivers. We now have this great group of guys working with us with several Cat combo packages ready to serve our customers’ needs.”

Razors Edge’s most recent purchases include a 2015 Cat 262D Skid Steer Loader and a 2015 Cat 430F Backhoe Loader.

8 20152015 Owner / Operator ISSUE CALCONTRACTOR Owner / Operator ISSUE CALCONTRACTOR

“We ordered our new Cat 262D Skid Steer Loader with a bolt-on switchable track system that allows us to go from wheels to tracks when needed, which makes us more versatile on and off road and adds stability while grinding asphalt” says Athena. “We purchased our new Cat 430F Backhoe primarily to handle larger trenching jobs.

We had been renting a unit so frequently that it just made more sense to own.” The company now owns a fleet of 10 Cat machines made up of skid steer loaders, mini excavators and backhoes.“The entire staff at Hawthorne Cat has always taken great care of us over the years. Once, we purchased a machine and after using it for a brief period, we realized that we would be better off with a different model. Hawthorne and our representative, Matt Higgins, did not waste our time with a bunch of questions, they just got us the machine we needed [ Continued on page 10 ]

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without hurting us financially in the process,” says Athena. “We really want to thank Matt for his friendship, patience and guidance and everyone at Hawthorne Cat for being an integral part of our company’s growth and success.”

Razors Edge works for several local utility companies and utility contractors in the San Diego area, however the bulk of their time is spent serving the folks over at SDG&E. “We also want to thank our friends at SDG&E and their crews for giving us a chance,” says Athena. “They gave us a shot during a very uncertain time for our family and that won’t be forgotten. We genuinely appreciate their business and we are going to be there to take care of them now and in the future.”

Razors Edge’s daily duties consist of the demolition of asphalt and concrete, and the excavation of dirt to help expose underground lines so that SDG&E and other crews can repair, replace and upgrade their utilities.

They also provide trucking with a fleet of CARB compliant dump trucks for the import and export of materials on and off the job site.

Razors Edge also has a full service paving division with the ability to grind and pave for a variety of restoration processes. “We work very carefully and efficiently to keep the crews out of the trenches as much as possible. Safety is everyone’s main concern and we take every individuals well-being very seriously,” says Athena.

Athena and Robert Miller were dealt a difficult hand and never dreamed they would be where they are now. “Life hands you situations that can change everything,” says Athena. “You just need to be willing to accept the challenge and go after it with everything you’ve got. My husband thrives on pressure and being the best he can possibly be at whatever he does and I am sort of the glue that holds it all together. We make a great team and combined with our dedicated staff, we are ready for whatever the future has in store.”

“We would also like to thank our family and friends for their love and support without them this would not be possible.” For more information on Razors Edge Grading and Excavation, Inc., please visit their website at www.regxinc.com or call their El Cajon office at (619) 929-1001. Cc

10 20152015 Owner / Operator ISSUE CALCONTRACTOR Owner / Operator ISSUE CALCONTRACTOR

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(1) Robert as a young boy at work with his grandfather.

(2) Paving a storage lot in Otay Mesa.

(3) Trenching for gas main with a Cat 305D Mini Excavator, a Cat 246D Skid Steer Loader and a Cat 430F Backhoe.

(4) Grinding an asphalt patch with a Cat 246D Skid Steer Loader.

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Smart works.

Excavating Proudly Serving Customers with Family Pride & Passion for 35 Years Above: Robert & Sean Foos, Foos Excavating posing with their John Deere 35D compact excavator purchased form Coastline Equipment.

R

obert Foos does not come from a long line of construction veterans, nor was he taught his trade from a father or relative who had a long career of operating heavy equipment. His father was actually a veterinarian first and then later became a medical doctor, and while honorable it was not a profession that Robert wished to pursue. Robert was always a hard working, creative individual and in his mid-twenties, he found himself framing houses as a way to make a buck and keep the bills paid. While on a roof, he happened to look down and take notice of a man around his age operating a John Deere crawler tractor with a backhoe attachment.

The main thing that Robert

noticed was that the man seemed to really enjoy what he was doing. “I mean he looked like he was having a lot of fun and something clicked inside and I went down to the John Deere dealer the next day to see about purchasing the very same machine,” says Foos.

“I remember it was LougeeMichael, who later became Coastline Equipment and they sold me a John Deere 450E trackhoe with an extend-a-hoe and after teaching myself the basics of the machine, I went to work taking on jobs that no one else was interested in.”

The learning curve was difficult and after much practice and self-training, Robert found a niche excavating for geologists. He then began to take on steep

12 20152015 Owner Owner / Operator / Operator ISSUEISSUE CALCONTRACTOR CALCONTRACTOR

hillside work, which agreed with him and kept him busy.

Robert did this type of work for quite awhile, eventually purchasing a new John Deere 650 dozer with dual slope boards, enabling him to work safer and more efficiently on the hillsides. Foos Excavating now performs a variety of residential and commercial excavation services primarily throughout Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Their scope of work includes but is not limited to: foundations, trenching, subterranean work, import and export of fill or removal, compaction, slope and hillside, custom residential pads, geology test pits and fault studies, dump truck services, footings, pool excavation and removal and a variety of demolition services. One of their many

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Above & Inset: Foos Excavating uses their John Deere 650 dozer with dual slope boards on a grading project for a private estate in Bel Air.

specialties includes basement dig-outs without the use of ramps. They are able to accomplish this by utilizing their Cat 320 excavator to crane the smaller John Deere machines down to and back out of the basement level.

“We have done quite a bit of basement excavation in Santa Monica and have built a reputation for our unique services,” says Foos. “We are capable and willing to take on jobs that others are not interested in or simply are not qualified to do. I guess I have always gone out of my way to be different and I love the challenge of doing something that takes a bit of thinking.”

Robert worked as a true single owner/operator for more than 30 years and he will tell you that he likes it that way. His wife, Lauren

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has helped him immensely over the years with all of the paperwork and administrative duties, but never anyone else in the field. There is only one other person that Robert would welcome into the fold and that is his son, Sean. “I have always been careful not to push my ideals onto my son, but instead allow for him to decide for himself and make his own way,” says Foos. “My son joined me as my partner in business two years ago. This has made life so much more enjoyable because we both share the same ideals and work ethic.

I am very proud of Sean and happy that he is not only my son, but also my friend and partner.”

Robert points out that the company will likely go to his son someday and he wants

to do everything he can to help Sean make the transition a smooth one. “Sean has done an amazing job over these past two years and he has even taught me a thing or two,” says Foos. “I also have a daughter, Maya, who helps manage a restaurant in Agoura Hills that I am very proud of as well. My wife has done a great job not only in managing our business, but also in taking care of me and our wonderful children.”

Robert has made a few other equipment purchases recently, made necessary by increased business and Sean joining the company. He purchased a new John Deere 323D skid steer loader from Julio Gomez at Coastline a few years ago and then added a new John Deere 35D compact excavator last year.

20152015 owner Owner / operator / Operator ISSUEISSUE CALCONTRACTOR CALCONTRACTOR 13

Above: Foos Excavating using their Cat 320 excavator to crane the John Deere 35D compact excavator down to and back out of the basement level.

“I made a connection with Coastline Equipment many years ago and I am very happy with their product, service and support,”says Foos. “I will stay with John Deere and Coastline Equipment because it is like dealing with family.

I have not seen their service and support equaled by any other company in all my years of business. They are a big company, but they are also humble and treat us like we are their only customer.”

Robert and Sean Foos use their new John Deere skid steer and compact excavator to work in tandem to do everything from dig and load dirt, to bringing down an entire house. The steel tracks

on the compact excavator are necessary in their line of work and both men are happy for the enclosed cabs and air conditioning. Foos Excavating currently has a yard in Sunland where they keep all of their equipment, attachments, trailers and other materials. They are in the process of expanding their business to Santa Barbara County.

It is not all work and no play for the Foos boys, as they both love to indulge in their hobby of motorcross racing. They are members at Zaca Station MX Park in Buellton, where they volunteer their time, equipment and talent to keep the three courses

14 20152015 Owner / Operator ISSUEISSUE CALCONTRACTOR Owner / Operator CALCONTRACTOR

graded and hills and jumps maintained. Robert rode for many years when he was young, and after taking a break, he has been active for the past 15 years. Both Robert and Sean ride competitively in many races each year, including Mammoth, which brings in some of the best riders in the country.

“We do all that we can to give back to this sport that we love so much,” says Foos. “Sean is a beautiful rider and although he is not a pro, he certainly could be some day.”

Robert also points out that Sean has been written up in several magazines, including Dirt Bike magazine. [ Continued on page 16 ]

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Above: Foos Excavating uses their John Deere 323D skid steer loader in tandem with their John Deere 35D compact excavator on a demolition project in Santa Monica.

[ Continued from page 14 ]

Robert Foos seems to do everything for a reason and the main reason is because he enjoys it. Whether he finds himself out on a construction site, riding his motorcycle, attending to one of his rental properties or performing carpentry work, he does it all with pride and passion. “I am satisfied with what life has given me and I am happy to remain an owner/operator with my son at my side. I want to stay small enough where we can control the quality of our work and answer personally for everything we do. I try and lead by example and my son and I even go to the gym most every day in

order to stay fit so that we can continue to work 10 hours a day,” says Foos.

“I want to take a moment to thank the folks at Coastline Equipment.

Buck Baird sold me my first machine 35 years ago and John Mann in service has always gone above and beyond to keep us up and running. I want to thank both of these men, along with Julio Gomez and our newest salesman, JR Van Osten for being such a big part of our success.”

16 20152015 Owner / Operator ISSUEISSUE CALCONTRACTOR Owner / Operator CALCONTRACTOR

Above: Robert and Sean enjoying Zaca Station MX together.

For more information on Foos Excavating, please visit their website at www.foosexcavating.com or call (424) 281-7491. Cc

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Dustin Dustin Smith Smith Equipment Equipment Turns to Caterpillar Update Grading

and and

Johnson Machinery Excavating Fleet

to

Written By: Briian Hoover ustin Smith Equipment was officially established in 2007, however Dustin Smith has been operating equipment much longer and he has been around the business his entire life. His father, Darrell, was a grading and excavating contractor, as was his grandfather, Ken Smith. Dustin gained his first official experience working for his father’s company, before moving on to work for Larry Jacinto Construction in 2006.

Dustin’s grandfather had been slowing operations for years and in 2007, he decided to finally call it quits. He sold most of his equipment off and was left with a skip loader and a dump truck. Dustin had spent a few years paying his dues for his father and Larry Jacinto and he thought the time might be right to try and make it on his own as a true owner operator. When his grandfather heard of Dustin’s interest, he offered to sell his remaining skip loader and dump truck to him and even carry the paper to help him out. After going to school

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and passing his contractors license, Dustin turned to his past employer and friend, Larry Jacinto, to sign off on his license. Larry was kind enough to oblige and even became one of Dustin’s first customers.

Dustin was in need of steady work, so he spent the first two years in business working for a broker. He might be grading sidewalks on a housing track one day and finishing a pad or loading trucks the next.

His work took him all over Southern California and although it was a tough way to make a living, Dustin was happy for the work. Then in 2009 an unfortunate situation turned into a blessing for Dustin. A friend of his owned a grading & excavating company in Lake Elsinore and he was unfortunately going out of business. He had an estimator working for him by the name of Mark Koppenhaver and Mark approached Dustin for a job. Dustin explained that he was just a small owner operator working for brokers, but after talking with Mark,

2015 Owner / Operator ISSUE CALCONTRACTOR

the two decided to see if they could make it work. Mark went to work soliciting his former contacts and then bidding on the jobs that they had available.

It wasn’t long before, Dustin’s focus went from miscellaneous brokerage work and word-ofmouth to contracted grading and excavating jobs. “I want to thank Mark for broadening my horizons and opening us up to so many new clients,” says Dustin. “I want to also thank my wife, Jasmine, my brother,

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Left Page: Dustin Smith, Owner, Dustin Smith Equipment (DSE).

Right: Chance Hampton on brand new Cat 305.5 Mini Excavator with rotating coupler.

Below: Brand new Cat Tier IV Final 926M Wheel Loader.

Tom and my good friend, Kevin, who have all been with me since the beginning. They have been here through the highs and lows and I really appreciate their efforts.”

Jasmine Smith takes care of all the payroll, billing and contracts, and Mark Koppenhaver continues to handle the estimating and project management responsibilities.

Kevin Carpenter has been Dustin’s best friend since they were in diapers. Kevin has been with Dustin Smith Equipment since day one, starting out as a laborer and dump truck driver and advancing to the foreman position. Chance Hampton is

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the newest addition to the company, with just over two and a half years on the job.

Chance was formerly a laborer for a masonry company before starting as a laborer for Dustin Smith Equipment. “Chance showed an interest in becoming an operator and so we gave him a chance. No pun intended,” says Dustin. “In my opinion, he is now one of the most talented heavy equipment operators out there right now.

He really worked hard to learn his craft and it shows.”

Dustin manages all of the fieldwork and still operates machinery on a daily basis.

Justin’s brother, Tom Smith, works primarily for Dustin

Smith Equipment, however he does so as a hired owner operator. Tom owns his own equipment and he is also highly regarded as one of the best operators in the field. With four full-time operators and three laborers, the company is capable of working on multiple jobsites each day. “We started out doing mostly public works projects, but the politics and red tape drove us to now work only on private commercial projects,” says Smith. “This is much more suited to our business personality and we are having fun right now.”

Dustin Smith Equipment recently finished work on a few commercial tilt-up projects and a job for McDonalds, reconstructing one of their drive-thru lanes. They are currently working for Les Schwab Tire Centers, grading and excavating for future sites.

Another crew is busy performing grading work for a winery in

2015 owner / operator ISSUE CALCONTRACTOR

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Left: Dustin Smith Equipment operating their Cat D6K Dozer with fully automated GPS system.

Below Left: Dustin Smith Equipment’s Cat 262C Tier IV Skid Steer Loader breaking concrete.

Below: Dustin Smith Equipment using their Cat 623G Scraper with Trimble GPS System.

Temecula, while another is working out on an extension project for Catalina Express in San Pedro. According to Dustin Smith, their largest project to date is a tilt-up complex contract in the City of Chatsworth, where they moved more than 40,000 cubic yards of dirt.

Larger jobs call for bigger equipment acquisitions. Not just bigger machines, but also more of them. Dustin has been dealing with his local Caterpillar dealer, Johnson Machinery over the past few years to update his fleet of machinery.

He had previously been working with another brand, but after his representative left that company, he took the opportunity to take a look at Caterpillar and Johnson Machinery. He met with his representative, Dennis

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Madden, and the two men struck up a friendship right away. “We have purchased four new pieces of equipment from Johnson Machinery this year alone,” says Smith.

“Most of the additions have been to upgrade and meet emissions standard, but we also are adding units to help us be more self-sufficient and less reliant on rental units.”

Dustin purchased his first Cat machine, a Cat D4 dozer, from Johnson Machinery back in 2010. Since then he has purchased a Cat D6K dozer, a Cat 950H wheel loader, a Cat 160H motor grader, a Cat 623G paddle wheel scraper and his most recent purchases of a Cat 305.5 compact excavator and a 2015 Cat 926M wheel loader. “We have built a great relationship with Johnson

2015 Owner / Operator ISSUE CALCONTRACTOR

Machinery and I really enjoyed dealing with Dennis Madden.

He and the folks at Johnson Machinery have provided us with just exceptional service and support. We have experienced little or no downtime and on one occasion when an alternator went bad, they were there on-site within an hour. Now that is great service,” says Smith. “Our operators also prefer the Cat machines and we all notice the difference in quality, comfort and performance. Heavy equipment has come a long way and we feel confident in our trade-in or resale value with our Cat machines.”

For more information on Dustin Smith Equipment, please call their Redlands office at (909) 234-7572. Cc

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The Volvo EC60E is the perfect fit for any application The newest compact crawler excavator from Volvo Construction Equipment is built for comfortable, efficient and versatile operation.

The new Volvo EC60E crawler excavator is equipped with a Volvo Tier 4 final engine and adjustable hydraulic flow. The machine offers a 10 percent increase in swing force and lifting capacity, as well as a 20 percent increase in power — all while boasting an 8 percent improvement in fuel efficiency as compared to the prior series model.

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The auxiliary hydraulic flows, electric dozer blade and boom offset speed can be adjusted by the operator and tailored to three different work response modes — ‘Active’, ‘Normal’ or ‘Soft’ —

to suit the operator’s work style and deliver the proper power for the task at hand. The redesigned, proportional joystick provides better grip and further increases ease of control.

The swing frame, the boom and the arm ends are all made of cast iron and backed by the Volvo Lifetime Frame and Structure Warranty.

The EC60E features a newgeneration Volvo cab that is 10 percent more spacious. Updated features, including a phone tray, two power sockets, cup holder and three general storage spaces make the Volvo cab a more convenient working environment than ever before.

The new Volvo Tier 4 final engine and improved hydraulics work together to offer superior fuel efficiency. With the standard auto idle and engine shut down feature — a unique offering from Volvo. Cc

Doosan introduces new DX225LC-5 and DX235LCR-5 crawler excavators with increased performance Doosan has added the DX225LC-5 and DX235LCR-5 crawler excavators to its Tier 4-compliant lineup, featuring improved performance, operatorfocused comfort, fuel economy and jobsite durability. Both the DX225LC-5 and DX235LCR-5 Tier 4-compliant machines replace the interim Tier 4 (iT4) DX225LC-3 and Tier 3 DX235LCR models.

With a near-zero reduced tail swing, the DX235LCR-5 can work close to buildings and in confined areas without sacrificing performance. The DX235LCR-5 is ideal for operating in congested jobsites such as roadways and rail lines without blocking traffic

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in the adjacent lane or track, and it minimizes the potential for damage when working close to buildings or walls.

The DX225LC-5 is available in a super-long-reach (SLR) configuration designed for increased reach and dig depth.

The SLR model has more than 20 feet of digging reach than the standard configuration and can dig to a depth of 38 feet 2 inches.

A new selectable feature, Smart Power Control (SPC), consists of two systems — Variable Speed Control and Pump Torque Control — that work together to improve machine efficiency while

2015 Owner / Operator ISSUE CALCONTRACTOR

maintaining productivity and reducing fuel consumption.

The DX225LC-5 and DX235LCR-5 complies with Tier 4 emission standards with modified diesel engines and aftertreatment technologies.

Doosan excavators come with a standard three-year subscription to Doosan Telematics. Cc

www.calcontractor.com

YOUR COMPANY TRUCK JUST GOT

STOLEN

The truck may have been parked at the jobsite, it may have been at the 7-11 and the employee was just getting a cup of coffee and left the engine on because it was cold or it was a long holiday weekend and the worker had the truck at home in the driveway. Whatever the case, it hurts. The trend in the Southern California area is the stolen truck will be recovered in a few days. What these thieves really wanted was your tools and equipment. The MutliQuip generator cost $2,500.00. The Lincoln welder cost $4,500.00.

Now you start pricing the small things; the Hilti nail gun, the Dewalt drills, drill bits, hammers, pipe threaders and the list goes on...

First call goes to the police.

Does the worker have a picture of the truck’s license plate, the company’s truck number and VIN on his phone? This will make the officer’s job just a little bit easier and get the truck entered into the Stolen Vehicle System (SVS) quickly. Some cities have LPR’s (License Plate Readers) on patrol

24

vehicles and positioned around their city. This is another reason to keep your license plates clean.

When the worker calls the safety or equipment manager, is there a list of the serialized equipment of what was on the truck to e-mail to the officer?

Does the equipment have your company’s OAN - Owner Applied Number or designated driver’s license number stamped or etched on it? That makes the equipment easier to ID. The worker needs to insist the serialized equipment gets entered into the Automated Property System (APS). If the equipment goes to a pawn shop the law requires an inquiry in APS. If the truck has a GPS unit or LoJack the officer needs to know that right away. Some companies paint the company truck number on the roof. This is important if the police have an air unit available.

Maybe this theft could have been prevented if the worker was trained on company procedures to keep the truck and the storage containers locked at all times,

2015 Owner / Operator ISSUE CALCONTRACTOR

except at the main yard. When the truck is at the job site overnight, was it staged to avoid theft and was security in place? While at the employee’s driveway, was there a heavy duty wheel lock on the truck or a fuel, ignition or starter cutoff switch installed to slow down the thieves?

A lot of factors go into theft prevention and I hope I gave you some things to think about.

There is not a perfect system to avoid getting your work truck stolen. The Crime Prevention Program teaches a layered approach to prevention: if one layer is good, two or three layers are better. More layers equal deterrence. Put your company in a position not to be a victim – this takes time, effort and sometimes money.

Whether you are or are not a CPP member, please call me regarding your crime prevention issues, Gabe Marquez, 562-860-9006. Cc

www.calcontractor.com

We Move Mountains

Servicing

ALL MAKES - ALL MODELS NEW & USED EQUIPMENT SERVICE TECHS FAST PARTS Availability

Two CASE Parts depots in our territory

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Genuine advice you can trust Whether you’re looking to trade-in for a new machine, add a used or rental machine to your

existing equipment, our Machine Specialists are standing by to assist you with the best options and solutions available.

(844)-SONSRAY sonsraymachinery.com

We are the CASE Dealership for the West Coast San Diego Fontana Santa Fe Springs Sacramento Stockton San Leandro Reno Redding Salem Portland Auburn Marysville

North american excavation Shoring association – first Annual Meeting Left: NAXSA President J. Dana Woundenberg (at podium) addresses attendees at the association’s first Annual Meeting, held May 6-8, 2015, in Chandler, Arizona. More than 120 shoring-industry professionals attended.

Below: The first day of activities kicked off with 56 golfers participating in a tournament held at the Whirlwind Golf Club. The 14 teams (four players each) enjoyed an afternoon of golf, cigars, lovely Arizona weather and camaraderie.

T

he North American Excavation Shoring Association (NAXSA) recently convened its first Annual Association Meeting themed, “Meet in the Desert,” which was held May 6-8, 2015, at the Wild Horse Pass Resort & Casino in Chandler, Arizona. The inaugural Annual Meeting welcomed more than 120 attendees.

NAXSA’s Annual Meeting— specifically designed for trench shoring dealers and manufacturers —is the essential forum to build enriching relationships and share innovative ideas. Speakers were comprised of experienced industry professionals who shared their best practices, detailed recently released regulations, and explained the impact of those proposed regulations on the shoring industry.

“In light of current legislative and regulatory changes, it is essential that we expand our networks and strengthen our existing connections,” said NAXSA President J. Dana Woundenberg. “The mission of our new association is to unite our industry while promoting communication,

26

education, innovation, and shared industry-wide goals and standards,” Woundenberg said. “The whole event exceeded all our expectations and we hope to double attendance at next year’s show.”

The event also offered: • Knowledgeable keynote speakers • Educational sessions • Committee meetings • Annual Board of Directors meeting The Meeting also featured a “trade-show” where participants could visit with 17 industry professionals; including: manufacturers, rental and sales companies, product suppliers and affiliates to the trench shoring industry.

2015 Owner / Operator ISSUE CALCONTRACTOR

The first day of activities kicked off with 56 golfers participating in a tournament held at the Whirlwind Golf Club.

The 14 teams (four players each) enjoyed an afternoon of golf, cigars, lovely Arizona weather and camaraderie.

The 2016 NAXSA Convention is scheduled for February 17-19, 2016, returning to the Wild Horse Pass Resort & Casino.

NAXSA was formed in July 2014 with the core purpose of promoting the safe and effective use of excavation shoring equipment and practices. The ultimate goal of the association is zero deaths and injuries in the excavation construction industry.

For more information, visit www.naxsa.com. Cc

www.calcontractor.com

Featuring automatic traction control & ECO-MODE which will save you up to 20% in fuel costs, the SV540 is ready to tackle any obstacle at a moment’s notice.

Masters of Compaction

With a full line of dirt and asphalt compaction equipment, Sakai is ready to tackle any challenge.

UB Equipment Corp.

4701-B Little John St. • Baldwin Park, CA 91706 Phone: 800-813-8232 • Fax: 626-813-1594

Now

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www.ubequipment.com Email: cminub@aol.com

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of

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The Largest Attachment Rental Inventory in Southern California

Shears Available for: Mini-Ex/Skidsteer Loaders/Large Excavators

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Equipment • Breakers •

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• Hydraulic Shears • Hydraulic Pulverizers • Vibratory Compactors • Underground Piercing Tools • Compaction Wheels

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• Can be mounted on SSL, Mini-Ex or even backhoe with proper plumbing.

New Reverse Cylinder & Reconditioned Crushers Available!

• Rod inside of the frame no need for a guard plate to protect.

• Speed valve as standard on all models.

1-800-813-8232 All Items for Sale, New And Used Also Available for Rent!

UB Equipment Corp.

ADVERTISER’S INDEX

30

California Asphalt Association...............28

Quinn CAT...............................................2

Clairemont Equipment...........................30

RDO Equipment Co........................... 5, 17

Coastline Equipment...............................3

Road Machinery....................................23

Coastline Equipment Crane.................. 31

Sakai America.......................................27

Hawthorne CAT.......................................2

Sonsray Machinery................................25

Heavy Equipment Rentals..................... 31

Statewide Traffic Safety & Signs........... 15

Herrmann Equipment, Inc...................... 21

Trench Shoring Company.......................9

Johnson CAT...........................................2

UB Equipment Corp..............................29

Nixon-Egli Equipment Co....... Back Cover

Volvo Construction Equip. & Svcs........ 11

2015 Owner / Operator ISSUE CALCONTRACTOR

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Northern California 916-440-8090 325 N. 5th St., Bldg. A • Sacramento, CA 95811

Southern California 714-265-6553 3216 Westminster Ave. • Santa Ana, CA 92703

Sales • Rentals • Parts & Service Manitex boom trucks

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6 Month Rental Purchase Options Available – Machines In Stock and Ready For Work www.coastlinecd.com | cranesales @ coastlineequipment.com

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2015 owner / operator ISSUE CALCONTRACTOR

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UNBEATABLE TEAM.

The Wirtgen Group owes its strength to the excellence of its four product brands – Wirtgen, Vögele, Hamm and Kleemann – with their unique wealth of experience and partnerships with hard working dealers like Nixon-Egli Equipment Co. – celebrating 50 years of dedicated customer service to their customers.

Put your trust in the Wirtgen Group team.

WIRTGEN AMERICA . 6030 Dana Way . Antioch, TN 37013 Tel.: (615) 501-0600 . www.wirtgenamerica.com

ROAD AND MINERAL TECHNOLOGIES