MAKING THE SWITCH

from Great Plains living Fall/Winter 2017

EDITORIAL

“We tried a Volvo, a Bobcat, a Deere, and the Kubota. After taking all four and rotating them through our crews, everyone wanted a Kubota.” Michael Boatman - VP of MPC

MARKWELL PAVING COMPANY MAKING THE SWITCH

By Reed Boettcher

Down time is something Markwell Paving Company (MPC) can not afford. With multiple jobs operating at numerous times, and at various locations across Oklahoma, a quality compact track loader is a valuable commodity to the paving crews of MPC. While interviewing Michael Boatman, Vice President of MPC, it was easy to see that when it came to equipment, brand loyalty was something he took very seriously. His office was neatly decorated with his favorite sports team, and miniature model equipment adorned his shelving. However, his shelves were devoid of Kubota miniatures because it wasn’t until a couple of years ago that Boatman decided to make the switch from John Deere track loaders to Kubota SVLs. The decision was made in part by; customer devotion of Great Plains Kubota’s outside salesman, Ernie Sikes, the flexibility GP Rents offers, and the reliable service department of Great Plains Edmond.

the machine

One of the benefits of using a compact track loader such as the Kubota SVL is its maneuverability in tight spaces. Working on the side of the highway on a daily basis is a dangers job, and the constant flow of traffic provides little room for MPC crews to work. In some cases, their workers have even been hit by cars. “The versatility of Kubota SVLs is second to none. We’ve owned Kubota equipment over a year and a half

GPL fall/winter 2017

now, which is basically since Ernie started with GP. We actually tried to demo one from another dealer but they wouldn’t allow us too. Another great thing is they make about every attachment you could think of for these machines. Hi-Flo planners and brooms are the primary attachments we use on a daily basis, and of course a standard bucket. They also offer compact power. I can practically have a mini-dozer that can be hauled with a regular truck,” said Boatman.

THE FIT, THE FEEL, THE FUNCTION

There wasn’t much Boatman could say negatively about his Kubota SVLs. When asked if he could change anything on the loader he had this to say. “When I’ve got work to do at my house, and I’ve got a Kubota sitting on the yard next to a John Deere, I’ll take home the Kubota every time. The reason being is everything about them is 100 times better than John Deere has ever done. We thought John Deere had a great machine until we used a Kubota. It was like switching from a Pinto to a Mercedes. The only thing I would change is to have a factory installed keyless start, and that’s really just for security purposes.”

THE POWER OF RENTALS

For every Kubota loader MPC owns they rent two more. By utilizing the Kubota fleet of GP Rents Edmond they can manage their workload on the fly.

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RTV-X1140 Utility Vehicle • 24.8 HP* Kubota Diesel Engine • K-VertibleTM Second Row of Seating and Expandable kubota.comRTV-X1140 Utility Vehicle • 24.8 HP* Kubota Diesel Engine • K-VertibleTM Second Row of Seating and Expandable Cargo Bed with Hydraulic LiftCargo Bed with Hydraulic Lift • 1,300 lbs. Rugged Towing Capacity• 1,300 lbs. Rugged Towing Capacity

ZD1211 Commercial Zero-Turn Mower • 24.8 HP* Kubota Diesel Engine • All-New 60" or 72" Kubota PRO Deck • Deluxe Reclining Suspension Seat with Lumbar Support

RTV-X1140 Utility Vehicle • 24.8 HP* Kubota Diesel Engine • K-VertibleTM Second Row of Seating and Expandable

Cargo Bed with Hydraulic Lift • 1,300 lbs. Rugged Towing Capacity

SSV75 Skid Steer Loader • Tier 4 Final Engine with 74.3 Gross HP* at 2600 RPM • Spacious Cab Designed to Reduce Stress and Fatigue • Available Hard-Working, Performance-Matched Attachments and Implements ZD1211 Commercial Zero-Turn Mower • 24.8 HP* Kubota Diesel Engine • All-New 60" or 72" Kubota PRO Deck • Deluxe Reclining Suspension Seat with Lumbar Support SSV75 Skid Steer Loader M5-111 Deluxe Utility Tractor • Tier 4 Final Engine with 74.3 Gross HP* at 2600 RPM • 105.6 HP* Tier 4 Final Kubota Diesel Engine • Spacious Cab Designed to Reduce Stress and Fatigue • Available Climate-Controlled, Ultra Grand Cab II • Available Hard-Working, Performance-Matched Attachments • Kubota-Exclusive, Bevel-Gear Front Axle for Easy Handling and Implements and Maneuverability

*For complete warranty, safety and product information, consult your local Kubota dealer and the RTV-X1140 Utility Vehicle • 24.8 HP* Kubota Diesel Engine • K-VertibleTM Second Row of Seating and Expandable Cargo Bed with Hydraulic Lift • 1,300 lbs. Rugged Towing Capacity product operator’s manual. Power (HP/KW) and other specifications are based on various standards or recommended practices. Kubota Tractor Corporation Markets a Full Line of Tractors and Construction Equipment Through a Nationwide Network of Over 1,000 Authorized Dealers. Optional equipment may be shown. © Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2016

ZD1211 Commercial Zero-Turn Mower • 24.8 HP* Kubota Diesel Engine • All-New 60" or 72" Kubota PRO Deck • Deluxe Reclining Suspension Seat with Lumbar Support SSV75 Skid Steer Loader M5-111 Deluxe Utility Tractor • Tier 4 Final Engine with 74.3 Gross HP* at 2600 RPM • 105.6 HP* Tier 4 Final Kubota Diesel Engine • Spacious Cab Designed to Reduce Stress and Fatigue • Available Climate-Controlled, Ultra Grand Cab II • Available Hard-Working, Performance-Matched Attachments • Kubota-Exclusive, Bevel-Gear Front Axle for Easy Handling and Implements and Maneuverability

SSV75 Skid Steer Loader M5-111 Deluxe Utility Tractor • Tier 4 Final Engine with 74.3 Gross HP* at 2600 RPM • 105.6 HP* Tier 4 Final Kubota Diesel Engine • Spacious Cab Designed to Reduce Stress and Fatigue • Available Climate-Controlled, Ultra Grand Cab II • Available Hard-Working, Performance-Matched Attachments • Kubota-Exclusive, Bevel-Gear Front Axle for Easy Handling and Implements and Maneuverability

The Brand That Works

Great Plains Kubota 855-4KUBOTA • GPKUBOTA.COM

Great Plains Ada

1601 N. Mississippi (580)427-9000

Great Plains Duncan

3445 N. Hwy. 81 (580)255-1117

Great Plains Edmond

I-35 & Waterloo Rd. (405)330-5300

Great Plains Shawnee

Hwy. 177 & Acme Rd. (405)275-4455

RENTS

kubota.com

*For complete warranty, safety and product information, consult your local Kubota dealer and the product operator’s manual. Power (HP/KW) and other specifications are based on various standards or recommended practices. Kubota Tractor Corporation Markets a Full Line of Tractors and Construction Equipment Through a Nationwide Network of Over 1,000 Authorized Dealers. Optional equipment may be shown. © Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2016

Some months may require several units, while other months may require none at all. Regardless having a Kubota that’s ready to use at a moments notice is a major plus for their work. Boatman elaborated. “The great thing about the Kubota rentals is we use those machines on a as needed basis. I don’t want to load up inventory on my end because each job requires a different amount.”

Not By Machine Alone

A good machine is only as good as the dealership that provided it. Furthermore a dealership is as only as good as its representatives. This was one of the determining factors for Boatman and MPC, as Ernie Sikes has been a long-time friend of MPC and rep they could trust. Boatman knows he can depend on Ernie to deliver on his word. Sure Kubota’s compact track loaders are superior, but if you can’t rely on the company and its employees then your destined for down-time. Boatman explained further. “If the relationship with Ernie wasn’t there, we would probably still be using John Deere skid steers. We still use other Deere machines because our relationship with them is good as well, but by Ernie building this relationship and trust it lead to a demo and ultimately sales and rentals. I’ve known Ernie for 20 years, so when Ernie approached me it was an easy transition. I can call Ernie at 8 or 9 o’clock at night if there’s an issue, and I’m not worried about bugging him. The relationship with the company and reps is just as important as the durability of the machine. Price is something we always consider, but it’s not everything.”