Doing More
With less

In today’s economy, contractors must be flexible to be successful. Contractors are finding that Cat® Work Tools improve their versatility, whether they are decreasing their equipment fleet, traveling farther for jobs or making other changes to improve their bottom line.

Two years ago, Ron Senechal’s fleet included four compact machines and an arsenal of work tools. He’s pared his equipment to a Cat 304C CR Mini Hydraulic Excavator and a 297C Multi
Terrain Loader, but has kept his forks, auger, hammer, stump grinder, trencher, rake, grapple and a variety of buckets.

The work tools enable Senechal to install and repair septic systems, grind stumps, perform site prep work and handle a wide range of applications. “The work tools keep up with everything,” said the owner of Ron’s Septic Tank Service Inc., Callahan, Fla.

Cat Work Tools have also helped Senechal expand services to include work he hadn’t done previously such as helping an electrician install light poles. Senechal is using an auger to dig holes.

“I’ve also picked up some demolition work. I’ve been using the grapple bucket a lot for that,” he said.

Going The Distance

The downturn in the economy has employees of Franklin Contractors Inc., Muskegon, Mich., traveling out of state to work. “We’re bidding on projects farther away, and doing more work with fewer guys,” said Jason Franklin, company co-owner. “We’re back to the way it was starting out—working 80 to 90 hours a week.”

Franklin Contractors is also doing more demolition work than it has in at least five years. When interviewed, the firm was demolishing a 400,000-square-foot factory.

Work tools keep equipment—and operators—to a minimum on the job. “We’re trying to do more with less,” Franklin said.

Equipment on the demolition project includes a 287C Multi Terrain Loader and a 246C Skid Steer Loader. Grapple buckets, hammers, and pallet forks increase the versatility of the compact equipment.

Franklin is also using a 345C MH Material Handler with a shears and multi-processor with concrete crusher jaws and a 330B L Excavator and a mechanical pulverizer. Also in the fleet is a 320C L Excavator with a hydraulic thumb and bucket.

To learn more about how work tools can help you do more with your equipment, visit cat.com/worktools.