Tools Take Off and So Does New Career

Chuck Ponto went from selling tools to working with Bobcat equipment.

For 18 years Chuck Ponto was a Snap-On Tools dealer in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. He had a regular route, selling and delivering high-quality mechanics’ tools to a variety of businesses.

On December 23, 2001, his $70,000 tool inventory was stolen from his truck, which was parked in his Ramsey, Minn., yard. Three months later he chased a group of would-be burglars who were attempting to break into his truck again.

“After that I decided maybe I wanted to try another career,” says Ponto. “It just wasn’t worth the aggravation.” For the previous decade he had been doing part-time projects with a series of Bobcat® skid-steer loaders, specializing in snow removal. That business was growing, as was his non-snow work.

“This was the right time to accelerate my spring, summer and fall loader work,” says Ponto. “Through my snow removal jobs I had built up a good reputation and more people wanted to hire me. The Bobcat equipment, with the large variety of attachments available, allowed me to expand into final grading, hauling and spreading dirt and concrete tearout.”

Although Ponto still works for Snap-On Tools part-time, he is focusing most of his energy into building up his own company, Chuck Ponto Snow Plowing and Excavating.

“After working at car dealerships for several years, I got into the tool business because I really like working with tools,” says Ponto. “That job was great, but operating my Bobcat loader business is a lot more enjoyable.

“The tool business required me to carry a large inventory of equipment, finance many of my customers and deal with up to 150 people a week,” he says. “Bobcat equipment, on the other hand, pays for itself rather quickly, I may only deal with three customers a week and they tend to pay promptly. It’s just a better situation.”

Ponto considers Snap-On products the best tools in the world. He has the same opinion of Bobcat equipment.

“I like working with the best,” he says. He currently operates two Bobcat loaders, an 873 and S185, purchased from Lano Equipment, Ramsey.

“My two-speed 873 (which evolved to today’s S250) is great for lifting and loading,” says Ponto. “It’s a real heavy-duty work machine. I use the S185 when maneuverability and minimizing surface damage are important. Together, they make a great pair of loaders.”

With the help of Bobcat equipment, Ponto hopes he can continue to grow what is now his third career.