Landscaping Company Builds Success with Bobcat Equipment
Duffy Simpson
More and more landscaping companies are reaping the benefits of Bobcat® compact track loaders with their increased flotation, smooth ride and durable steel undercarriage. By distributing the machine weight over a larger area, landscapers enjoy less ground disturbance, fewer turf repairs and ultimately lower on-site costs for higher profits.
Duffy Simpson of Green Earth Services, Inc., Columbia, S.C., has been impressed with the performance of the Bobcat T190 compact track loader since adding it to the landscaping company’s equipment fleet. The T190 is the first compact track loader for the 25-year-old design and build landscaping company, which also owns Bobcat skid-steer loaders, a compact excavator and numerous labor-saving attachments.
"We were attracted to a Bobcat compact track loader because of the clay and sandy soil conditions around Landscaping Company Builds Success with Bobcat Equipment here," Simpson says. "The weight distribution allows for less soil compaction and enables us to operate over existing sod without tearing up the yard. We want to be able to drive across a yard and leave without someone knowing we were there.
"We work in a lot of residential areas and there is not much room between homes to access backyards. We can easily maneuver in-between and behind these homes with our Bobcat equipment."
Simpson is impressed by the speed of the T190, the smoothness of the ride and the ability to pick up heavy loads. His employees use Bobcat loaders and a pallet fork attachment to easily unload retaining wall blocks, sod, mulch and trees.
The lifting capabilities of the T190 is one of the attributes that pays off for Green Earth Services, Inc.
The new K-Series T190 compact track loader from Bobcat of Columbia complements the company's other Bobcat equipment — 7753 and 863 skid-steer loaders and a 331 compact excavator. Together these versatile machines perform turf installations, build retaining walls, create garden ponds, install outdoor lighting and do other maintenance projects.
Green Earth Services, Inc., uses its loaders and the 331 compact excavator together when working on demolition projects, as well as new hardscape and turf installations. The 331 excavator removes existing material with a bucket and clamp, digs decorative ponds and installs drainage.
Control options for multiple operators
With several machine operators, Simpson, vice president/director of operations, elected to buy the T190 with the Bobcat selectable joystick control option that offers two configurations for operation (ISO and H-pattern). "It's a great option for us because the newer employees seem to be able to operate the joystick controls better," Simpson says. "Our younger operators prefer the joystick controls because of their video game experience."
For 20 years, Green Earth Services, Inc., has relied on Bobcat compact equipment to get the job done. "Bobcat has proven to be a good, durable machine in our business," Simpson says. "Serviceability is a key factor. The parts department at Bobcat of Columbia has always been there for us when we've needed them. We never have a problem getting parts, and that's important to us."