KirbySmith LinkBelt Feature, April 2020

April 2020

A publication for and about Kirby-Smith Machinery, Inc. customers www.KirbySmithConnection.com

Real Deal Drainage Solutions Learn how understanding dirt helps Kansas company thrive

REAL DEAL DRAINAGE SOLUTIONS Greater understanding of dirt, outstanding customer service help keep Kansas company busy

In college, Neal Parker was

With a staff of five, the company delivers a variety of not enamored with dirt. “At services.

As its name indicates, the time, I thought that the one of its main offerings is class on soils was the worst earthwork that provides and had the most boring positive drainage. It also does lectures I ever sat through.” complete landscaping design, Parker had to take the which includes plants as four-hour course to complete well as hardscapes, such as Neal Parker, his degree in horticulture with patios. Parker indicated that Owner an emphasis on landscape drainage and landscaping are design. He admits the class came in about 50 percent of his business, with handy when he started encountering building and repairing retaining walls various geologies in Kansas. Nearly comprising most of the other half.

15 years ago, Parker founded Real “Things clicked once I got out in the Deal Drainage Solutions, which real world,” recalled Parker. “We run is based in DeSoto into everything from sandy loam to and covers the entire fatty and sandy clay. I have a much Sunflower State.

A crew member sets retaining wall blocks as owner Neal Parker places them using a Link-Belt 80 X3 Spin Ace excavator on a jobsite in Overland Park, Kan. “On a recent project, we had some blocks that weighed about 2,000 pounds,” recalled Parker. “With the 80 X3, I could pick them up, swing up to 180 degrees and set them in place without any worry about stability.”

better appreciation and understanding of soils and best practices for working with each type. Drainage comes into play in every situation, even on retaining walls. It’s essential to get that right.

Otherwise, a wall fails prematurely.”

Real Deal Drainage Solutions’ early work focused on small residential projects. Today, it maintains those roots; however, the bulk of its business is now for private developers and general contractors who rely on Parker’s expertise and experience.

“A fair amount of our jobs come directly from customer referrals,” said Parker. “They know they can trust us to do things right the first time or properly fix mistakes another contractor has made, so they recommend us.”

Added drilling service Approximately a year ago, Parker added foundational pier drilling to his resume; and, in order to perform the work, he purchased a tight-tail-swing Link-Belt 245 X4 Spin Ace that he equips with continuous-flight augers. Parker worked with the staff at Kirby-Smith Machinery’s Kansas City branch, including Rental Sales Representative Phil Brown and Sales & Operations Manager Tim Yauilla to acquire the 56,900-pound excavator.

“The 245 allows us to drill a 20-footdeep hole in about three minutes, and we’re often going down through shale and limestone,” said Parker. “It can handle any materials we encounter. It gives us versatility too, because we can use the excavator for bigger drainage work, such as setting structures, installing pipe and laying riprap, as well as pond construction or rebuilding. I like the big base and appreciate the zero tail swing because there isn’t a large counterweight to worry about. It stays within the footprint of the tracks.”

Parker finds the same attributes appealing in the smaller 80 X3 Spin Ace

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Owner Neal Parker drills for a pier with a Link-Belt 245 X4 Spin Ace excavator equipped with an auger. “The 245 allows us to drill a 20-foot-deep hole in about three minutes, and we’re often going down through shale and limestone,” said Parker. “It gives us versatility too, because we can use the excavator for bigger drainage work, such as setting structures, installing pipe and laying riprap, as well as pond construction or rebuilding.”

that Real Deal mainly uses for retaining wall construction. He currently rents the 18,000-pound machine; however, he plans to purchase it in the near future.

“We can do smaller, finer excavations, such as wall preparation,” Parker indicated. “It really stands out in lifting and setting blocks. On a recent project, we had some blocks that weighed about 2,000 pounds. With the 80 X3, I could pick them up, swing up to 180 degrees and set them in place without any worry about stability. It, and the 245 X4, are easy to operate and have great fuel economy.”

Parker has rented other equipment from Kirby-Smith, including Takeuchi skid steers and JLG telehandlers. He noted that he talked extensively with Brown and Yauilla about his plans to add drilling, and they helped him determine the right machine to fit his needs.

“I believe in finding the best value for my money and after our discussions and

my own research, I knew the 245 was the right decision,” said Parker. “I think it’s essential to have a dealership with people who are knowledgeable about their equipment and will stand behind it. That’s certainly true of Phil, Tim and Kirby-Smith.

“They understand I’m a small business, and a down machine is very costly,” he added. “If I have any issue, they get on it quickly. I’m probably one of their smallest customers in terms of volume, but you would never know it by the way they treat me.”

Greater versatility Parker believes the demand for drilling will continue and possibly grow in the future.

“Land is at a premium and prices are high, so developers are looking for ways to maximize what’s available,” he pointed out. “A lot of the soils are unsuitable to build on without piers.

Real Deal Drainage Solutions Owner Neal Parker (left) meets with Kirby-Smith Machinery Rental Sales Representative Phil Brown on a jobsite in Kansas City, Kan. “I think it’s essential to have a dealership with people who are knowledgeable about their equipment and will stand behind it,” said Parker about Kirby-Smith Machinery.

Offering drilling gives us access to an additional source of revenue, makes us more competitive and provides another service we can offer customers. It’s added versatility.” ■

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