Former Teacher Digs New Career
Retired teacher Kent Oyler keeps busy with his new Bobcat S300 loader.
If former schoolteacher Kent Oyler were to give his second career a grade, it would likely be an “A.”
He retired as a Jefferson County (KY) middle school (grades 6-8) assistant principal 11 years ago to operate Oyler Enterprises full-time. The oneman company takes on just about any project that can be done with a skidsteer loader—from backfilling to grading to tree removal, and much more.
“Thirty years ago, early in my teaching career, I purchased a Bobcat® 722 loader and backhoe attachment,” says Oyler. “I initially bought it to do work on some lake property I owned. Before long neighbors hired me. Then others did, too, as word-of-mouth spread about this teacher with a loader.
“I worked on weekends and in the summer. It provided physical activity, extra income and was a great stressreliever. Operating my loader and working in the dirt was an ideal change-of-pace from sitting behind a desk and dealing with kids all day.
“I always had as much work as I wanted,” says Oyler. “Regardless of the economy, my business never slowed down. It paid for a lot of extras, including college for my kids.”
He says people are fascinated by a teacher doing this type of work. “Being a teacher has helped bring business my way,” says Oyler. “If fact, get a lot of jobs from other teachers and former students.”
Once Oyler retired from teaching he began to add attachments and expand his capabilities. Today he has a Bobcat grapple, hydraulic breaker, auger, snow blade and Bob-Tach™ backhoe. They are all operated by his new S300 loader purchased from Bobcat Enterprises, Louisville.
“This is the fourth and by far the finest loader I have owned,” says Oyler. “The S300 has plenty of power and lifting capacity, and the extra features such as enclosed cab, keyless start and Power Bob-Tach™ attachment mounting system make working a pleasure.
“If I had it to do over again, I would probably do this instead of teaching,” he says. “I enjoy working with my loader a whole lot more.”
Kent Oyler Comments On…
Opportunities for teachers: “A weekend-summer business based on working with a skid-steer loader is ideal for teachers. You have to want to do it. Buy good equipment, even if it’s used—I recommend Bobcat® products—and make sure you maintain it. Most of all, don’t be afraid to step out and try something new.”
What to charge: “When I started I didn’t charge very much and had plenty of work. As I increased my rates I thought I would have less work. Instead, the volume of work kept increasing. I was amazed.”
Buying attachments: “When I take on a new type of project, one of the first things I do is see what attachment will make the job easier. Then I rent the attachment to see if it fulfills my needs. If it does, I purchase it because I want the convenience of always having my own equipment available.”
Working with Bobcat Company. “I have been treated very well over the years. The few problems I’ve had have been taken care of efficiently and effectively. Technologically, Bobcat products have been far ahead of the competition. Bobcat Company continues to make products that keep getting better.”