Build It (with Bobcat Equipment) and They Will Come

For Dwight Harris the payback on his Bobcat machines has been faster than he thought it would be.

However, when it comes to working efficiently and productively—whether raising cattle or preparing a residential lot—he relies on Bobcat, the world's most popular brand of compact equipment.

Harris owns JohnnyCake Mountain Farm, 921 acres located 1,200 ft. above sea level, the highest point in central Connecticut. Just 20 miles from Hartford, 100 head of Charolais and Black Angus beef cattle roam the pasture land.

At the same time, Harris is developing and selling home sites throughout the farm. More than 200 houses have been built around the property. Eventually there will be about 300.

"The farm adds to the ambiance of the development," says Harris. "We are selling the opportunity to live in a rural setting. Homeowners want to overlook pasture and hay fields. The site sells itself when a prospective owner visits."

Harris, who purchased the land two decades ago, has taken his time developing the property. "I don't face the same financial pressure as some other developers," he says. "I sell 10-15 lots a year, ranging in size from one to 18 acres. That pace allows me to do things the right way for this project (deed restrictions guarantee a third of the land will remain a farm)."

Compact equipment used every day
Bobcat® equipment began playing an important role in daily life at JohnnyCake Mountain Farm about six years ago. Today Harris owns a T300 compact track loader, an S300 skid-steer loader, a 341 excavator, a 2200 utility vehicle and several attachments, all purchased from Bobcat of Connecticut, East Hartford.

The T300 is used for both farm-related and site development projects.
"We used to mow our pasture with a tractor after the cows were finished grazing," recalls Harris. "If the ground was wet at all, the tractor would sink. Now we use the T300 with the Brushcat™ rotary cutter. It floats across the land regardless of weather conditions, and it doesn't leave any tracks. The loader and the rotary cutter work very well."

The track loader is also used to dig ponds, put in drains and shape the home sites, among other jobs.

"We begin working the land two or three years ahead of when I plan to develop it," says Harris. "I use the T300 to grade and shape the landscape so buyers can see what they are getting. By the time they see the property I have used the Bobcat equipment to make the less-desirable features disappear. The preliminary work is the biggest part in making the sale, and having my own equipment available allows me to have the property looking good 365 days a year. Also, I can deal with any adversity that comes up. For instance, if we get a sudden rainstorm, I can take care of an erosion problem so it no longer exists."

Harris' fleet of Bobcat products allows him to do more work and do it sooner than if he had to hire someone. "I use it all the time because I have it available," he says. "The result is that the payback on the machines has been faster than I thought it would be."

The excavator does a great job of picking up rocks as pasture land is converted to hay fields, according to Harris. He also uses it for trenching in utilities.

Harris used to install concrete posts that mark street and building lines with a tractor and posthole digger. Now he uses his Bobcat excavator.
"I can drive down a paved road with the excavator and auger attachment and drill holes without having to leave the road," he says. "Not only have I significantly reduced the time it takes, but the holes are absolutely straight."

The S300, the first Bobcat product Harris purchased, is used primarily around the farm. With the 100-in. snow bucket and dumping hopper attachment he is able to quickly and easily transport a variety of materials.

The 2200 utility vehicle allows Harris to efficiently move around his property. "Before this Bobcat product came along I purchased other types of popular off-road vehicles," he says. "Once I tried the Bobcat machine I was amazed at what it could do. It blew the others right out of the water. It's the best made vehicle in its class."

Harris, the proud owner of the JohnnyCake Mountain Farm property, has spent years creating this new rural community. Having his own reliable, versatile Bobcat equipment always available has helped make his vision come true.