For Rural Earthworx owners Shane and Erin O’Connell, when the need arose to expand the business’ civil fleet, there was just one person they needed to speak to – Makin Traks owner Daz Scale
A specialist in used Cat machinery and attachments, Makin Traks operates out of Yandina on the Sunshine Coast, an hour north of Rural Earthworx’s depot. Having access to high quality used machinery has been a significant benefit to the Earthworx team as it undertakes a variety of work across Qld and NSW, Erin says.
“We started Rural Earthworx, predominately as a dozer hire business a little bit over 13 years ago,” she explains.
“We started out with a primary focus on rural farm development, then transitioned into civil earthworks and we now engage in a range of work across various industries including civil, main roads, rural, forestry and exploration and rehabilitation work for mining companies.”
Over the past 13 years, the business has organically grown its fleet to 26 machines including dozers, graders, excavators, dump trucks, skid steers, tractors, rollers and UTV/spray rigs. The latest addition is a Cat D6T with Trimble GPS, sourced through Makin Traks and delivered in early November.
Rural Earthworx first bought a 2016 D6K2 dozer from Makin Traks back in 2018.
“We now use Daz exclusively for all of our dozer acquisitions and will continue to do so in the future as we have forged a great working relationship.” Erin says.
“His depot is within an hour of our base, so he’s local to me. He is very good to deal with, very honest, transparent and his integrity is second to none.”
Straight to work
With some of Rural Earthworx’s dozers being tied up on other contracts, the D6T was purchased to fill the local void and will undertake subdivision work on the Sunshine Coast, the majority of which is contracted through long-term client Civilivic.
Speaking with Erin soon after the dozer was delivered, it had already impressed the team.
“Our operator Jason, couldn’t be happier with the machine,” Erin says.
“It operates and presents like a brand-new machine. We did just a little over 50 hours in the first week we had it and with zero issues reported.”
With the Cat brand of machinery having been a firm favourite for many years due to its reliability, serviceability and parts support, this is bolstered by the customer service and sourcing of quality machinery by Makin Traks.
“You always want honesty, especially when buying pre-owned machines,” Erin says.
“You obviously want transparency about a pre-owned machine and with Daz, you always get this. Daz’s promptness in communication has been a stand-out. Daz gives prompt service, honest advice, is 100 per cent transparent and he’s a problem solver.
“When I actually rang him, he didn’t have any D6T’s that suited our brief in stock, so he actually sourced that machine for me. Supply shortages have been a major problem in the last couple of years and Daz has always been able to come up with a solution.”
With a new Makin Traks facility due to be officially opened soon, even more used Cat machinery will be passing through the doors in the new year, with his purpose-built areas for repairs, detailing and washdown.
There’s also no slowing down for Rural Earthworx, with plans underway for further acquisitions from Makin Traks.
“We’ll be looking at making another dozer acquisition in the next six months for another contract that has just been secured,” Erin says.
“We’re also looking at upgrading our grader fleet and we’ll be using Daz for those as well.”
For more information on stock available through Makin Traks, visit: www.makintraks.com