In The Dirt: Recent Episodes
Mack Plovie
Join Mack Plovie In The Dirt with featured industry guests as they discuss, dissect, and explain trending topics in the construction & mining industries. If you like learning about new technology, industry hot topics, business, heavy equipment, and anything dirt related for that matter. This podcast is worth a listen. Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media and check out our website for more! https://earthmoversmedia.com
Why is greasing equipment important? Mack sits down with Caden Cope of Auto Guard Installations all about grease and auto greasing systems! Mack and Caden dive into different types of grease for different applications, how auto greasers are installed and how they work, what happens to pins when they don't get greased, maintenance tips for greasing equipment, and more!
You can follow Auto Guard Installations on social media at @autoguard_llc to stay up to date with the work they do throughout the USA!
Visit our website for more https://earthmoversmedia.com/
What makes Cat undercarriage so special? Mack sits down with Tim Nenne, undercarriage market professional with Caterpillar, to talk everything undercarriage on track type tractors. From how Cat is incorporating technology like the track wear sensor, selecting the right undercarriage, importance of toe and camber on large dozers, wear patterns on electric drive vs mechanical drive dozer undercarriage, to how to extend the life of your undercarriage. Mack and Tim cover it all in this episode!
Visit our website for more https://earthmoversmedia.com/
What's it like to grow up mining coal in West Virginia? Mack sits down with Brian Shorter to talk coal mining in West Virginia. From the unique styles of coal mining in West Virginia, why coal is washed, types of coal, to what's changed about the industry, they cover it all in this episode.
Visit our website to learn more https://earthmoversmedia.com/
How is scrap metal recycled? What is it like to grow up and work in the family metal recycling business? Mack sits down with Jordyn Scott of Inland Iron and Metal to talk about her upbringing in the family business.
Learn more about Inland Iron and Metal here https://inlandiron.com/
Visit our website here https://earthmoversmedia.com/
How do you change safety culture in an organization? What style of training is most effective? Mack sits down with Rachel Housman of Ally Safety to talk about her upbringing in the industry, why safety training is so important and how to make it exciting again, what teaching styles are most effective, how to change safety culture in an organization, differences between Gen Z and boomers with their approach to safety, and more!
Learn more about Ally Safety here https://allysafety.com/?srsltid=AfmBOook9G6JOCnclbqCWlE5mbrUo4Fu5o93MG_V0hFx5BaEJyi3S0_Z
Visit our website https://earthmoversmedia.com/
What is it like working for Australia's biggest Cat dealer? What was old school Aussie earthmoving like? Mack sits down with Gavin Handley of Westrac Cat to talk about his long career working for the many Caterpillar dealerships leading up to Westrac Cat, what old school Aussie earthmoving was like, key differences between Aussie and North American earthmoving, the Cat dealer model, collecting scale models. and more!
Visit our website here https://earthmoversmedia.com/
Learn more about Westrac Cat here https://www.westrac.com.au/
What does it take to rebuild Cat 797? A whole lot of parts and great people. Mack sits down with Matt Fraser of Heavy Metal Equipment & Rentals on this episode to talk about what it takes to rebuild Cat 797, Matt's career in the industry, how Heavy Metal's Red Deer facility is setup for success, training and developing technicians on the shop floor, and more
Learn more about Heavy Metal Equipment here! https://heavymetalequipment.ca/
Visit our website for more https://earthmoversmedia.com/
How do you diagnose, repair, and fix the biggest diggers in Australia? Mack sits down with Patrick Coward of North Australian Heavy Mechanical to talk about his career working across Australia wrenching on the biggest diggers (excavators) in the country, how to diagnose problems, levelling up your skills as a mechanic, and more!
Connect with Pat on instagram @pats_instabythegram or Youtube @patrickcoward4309
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or visit our website https://earthmoversmedia.com/
From a starting a business with a single track loader, to having Colorado's largest fleet of track loaders, Stutsman Gerbaz based in Aspen Colorado has been moving dirt since 1960 with a fleet of classic and next gen Cat track loaders. Mack sits down with Shay Stutsman, President, to talk about Stutsman Gerbaz Earthmoving fleet of track loaders, what they use them for, why every contractor should own a track loader, unique attachments and oil quick couplers, Shay's collection of classic track loaders, and more!
Find Stutsman Gerbaz Earthmoving here https://www.sgearthmoving.com/
Find Stutsman on Instagram @stutsman_gerbaz
Visit our website for more https://earthmoversmedia.com/
We talk timber on this episode of the podcast, departing from our normal mining equipment talk. Mack sits down with Anthony Robinson of ForestNet Media (Previously LSJ Publishing) to talk about his career working in forestry, new technology and equipment in the industry, tariffs and their impact on North America's timber industry, forestry practices, and more!
Learn more about Forestnet Media here https://forestnet.com/about-us/
Visit our website for more https://earthmoversmedia.com/
We visited BCS Demo and their custom built Cat 5130B UHD demolition machine. The machine has an incredible story of being converted from mining excavator to demolition machine, Mack details some of the modifications the machine received and what project it is working on today. We will have a full video available on our Youtube soon!
Learn more about BCS demo https://www.bcsdemo.com/
Visit our website for more https://earthmoversmedia.com/
On this episode of the podcast Mack sits down with Tim Mitchell, global sales and marketing manager at Elphinstone, to talk scale models. Tim has an incredible passion for not only collecting, but customizing scale models to match their real world counterparts using 3D printing and decals. Join Mack and Tim as they talk scale models and heavy equipment!
You can find Tim on LinkedIn Tim Mitchell
Visit our website for more! https://earthmoversmedia.com/
We visit Heavy Metal Equipments in Fort McKay Alberta for the grand opening of their new 100,000sqft service center with 12 bays. Join Mack as he details the trip and a suprise visit to see Mammoet haul a Komatsu 980E fully assembled over the Athabasca River
Visit our website for more! https://earthmoversmedia.com/
Growing up in a family business building road in Saskatchewan to becoming a Cat certified dealer instructor, Mack sits down with Nathan Duncan of Finning to talk about his career, love for scrapers, and passion for restoring classic iron.
You can find Nathan on social media at @ironman3406
Visit our website for more https://earthmoversmedia.com/
We visit the largest mining excavator on New Zealand's North island at the Rotowaro open pit coal mine, a Komatsu PC4000-6. There were originally two PC4000 at Rotowaro mine, with one being scrapped, the last PC4000 is still working to this day. Join us to learn about our adventure to the Rotowaro Mine
Visit our website for more https://earthmoversmedia.com/
We visited the worlds largest bulldozers on our trip to New Zealand, Mack details the adventure and some of the behind the scenes details of these machines.
The Komatsu D575a-2 is the largest bulldozer ever in production, and the two in New Zealand are beautifully preserved for many generations to come. The machines came from Australia and were originally super dozer configuration, being converted to also have rippers and remote control.
Visit our website for more! https://earthmoversmedia.com/
New Zealand is well known for beautiful scenery, great culture & food, and amazing tourism, but did you know it is also home to one of the most unique coal mines in the world? We visit Stockton Mine, a metallurgical coal mine located on New Zealand's South Island to learn about how BT Mining mines coal and exports it to global markets. We cover the unique aerial tramway, Doug Hood Mining's scope of work at Stockton, reclamation in mining, and more on this episode.
Visit our youtube to watch the full video or check out our website https://earthmoversmedia.com/
Can you haul 200,000+ lbs of Cat D11 down the highway? Absolutely in Alberta. Mack narrates the journey filming CMT Ventures hauling Heavy Metal Equipment huge Cat D11 from Calgary to Fort McKay, Alberta. Stay tuned for more dirt content like this!
Visit our website for more https://earthmoversmedia.com/
How do you maintain the worlds largest earthmovers? Mack sits down with Fernando Moron of Drummond Ltd to find out what it takes to maintain the largest draglines in Colombia.
From how a dragline works, what application these machines work, how they are maintained, how wear is measured on the draglines, to how to build a maintenance plan for these huge earthmovers. Mack and Fernando cover all you need to know about draglines!
Find Fernando on LinkedIn at Fernando Moron
Visit our website to learn more https://earthmoversmedia.com/
What role does coal play in North America's future? Do we need coal to help transition to a renewable energy based economy? What is coal used for in our daily lives?
Mack sits down with Matthew Mackowiak of Core Natural Resources to talk all about coal mining in North America. From how coal is mined in the USA, what it is used for in our daily lives, its economic impact, to how it will be a vital natural resource for North America in its transition to renewable energy sources.
Learn more at https://thecoalhardtruth.com/
Visit our website to learn more https://earthmoversmedia.com/
We take you inside Saskatchewan's largest mines to show you how they mine coal to generate electricity for the world around us. Mack narrates his visit to Poplar River Mine, a large open cast lignite coal mine, home to some of the biggest earthmovers in North America!
Visit our website for more https://earthmoversmedia.com/
I sit down with CeeJay Turner of Dirt Turner Ltd to learn about his journey starting off as a laborer on exploration drilling crews, to now being a highly sought after contract operator in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.
On this episode CeeJay and Mack talk going to school versus not going to school for operating, how people best learn to run equipment, social media's role in construction, equipment brands, and more!
Visit our website for more https://earthmoversmedia.com/
The mining industry has been busy buying equipment for new mines and updating existing fleets, Mack details a few of the biggest equipment deals for the largest mining companies in the world. Stay tuned for more episodes about dirt and equipment!
Visit our website for more https://earthmoversmedia.com/
The podcast is BACK, on this episode Mack details whats been happening, whats to come, and what episodes you can expect to hear more of. Stay tuned for more dirt content!
Pick up some swag on our website! https://earthmoversmedia.com/
Heavy Construction Heritage Society based in Devon, Alberta has the largest collection of vintage equipment that built the world around us as we know it. Mack sits down with Alex aka @burnoot to detail how the HCHS started, why they exist, what equipment they have, what they are doing to preserve it, how to volunteer/donate, and of course the big events they host!
Find HCHS on social media @hchscanada or visit their website https://hchscanada.com/
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or visit their website https://earthmoversmedia.com/
How are amphibious excavators built? What application are they built for? On this episode Mack sits down with Shamus Oshea of Oshea Equipment to talk about amphibious excavators, the business of renting equipment, and more!
Learn more about Oshea Equipment here http://osheaequipment.com/ or find Shamus on social media @osheaequipment
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or visit their website https://earthmoversmedia.com/
What is earthmoving and mining like in New Zealand? Well Mack travels around the world to find out. On this episode, Mack sits down with Richard Clark, Brand and Events manager with Terra Cat to talk all about Mack's adventures in New Zealand.
We visit all the big dirt contractors and mining companies on both North, and South Island to learn about equipment, projects, mining, and culture in New Zealand.
Terra Cat hosted us at their facilities in Christchurch and aided in visiting the 789 haul trucks at Macraes Mine. Big thank you to their team for all the help and hospitality!
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or visit the website https://earthmoversmedia.com/
How BIG is Ritchie Brothers spring auction? Well on this episode, we find out! Mack sits down with Mark McPyke, Edmonton yard refurb manager, and Rob Chappell, Regional Sales Manager for Ritchie Brothers to talk all about Ritchie Bros big spring auction in Edmonton Alberta
We learn about what it takes to move thousands of pieces of equipment through the Edmonton yard to buyers around the world. From inspections and refurb, to lining it all up for buyers to view, we cover it on this episode!
Learn more about Ritchie Bro's Edmonton auction here https://www.rbauction.com/lp/edmonton-ab
Find Ritchie Bros on social media @ritchiebros
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or visit the website https://earthmoversmedia.com/
Arguably Cat's most iconic dozer, the D8, turns 100 this year alongside Caterpillar. Mack sits down with Sam Meeker, market professional for medium track type tractors (D4-D8 size), to talk about the next gen D8 which so happens to be in production the year Caterpillar turns 100 years old as a company.
You won't find a more genuine Cat guy than Sam. Mack and Sam talk about what has and what hasn't changed with the new D8, technology on the new dozer, Cat's unqiue "first cut" blade design, undercarriage, the new cab, and of course farming as Sam grew up in a farming family. Sit back, grab your favourite beverage or snack, and learn all about the new D8!
You can find Sam on social media, @yieldmap
Additionally you can find more info about the D8 on Cat's website: https://www.cat.com/en_US/products/new/equipment/dozers/medium-dozers/120120.html
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or check out their website to learn more https://earthmoversmedia.com/
How are buckets designed and built? Mack sits down with Ryan Parker and Fred Duling of Hensley Industries to talk everything buckets and GET. They discuss the history of Hensley Industries, engineering/designing a bucket, what makes Hensley buckets unique, ground engaging tools (GET), metallurgy of GET, designing buckets for customer specific applications, and more!
Learn more about Hensley here https://www.hensleyind.com/
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or visit the website https://earthmoversmedia.com/
Why is operator training so important for the modern day earthmoving or mining company? I sit down with Jay Collup of Collup Enterprises to talk everything operator training. Jay has an incredible background working for Caterpillar at Tucson Proving Grounds and other Cat dealers, which has made him an incredible resource for companies looking to train their people on all types and sizes of equipment. We cover Jay's story, what types of training Collup Enterprises provides, what style of training is effective, training green vs expeirnced operators, common operators mistakes, and 5 tips to become a better operator.
Learn more about Jay on his website https://collupenterprises.com/ or find Jay on social media, Jay Collup/@collup_withacameraphone
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or visit the website https://earthmoversmedia.com/ to get a Yeti mug and other swag
Mack sits down with Ed Lingel, President of Daequip Premium Attachments, to talk everything buckets and entrepreneurship. The episode details the Daequip story products they offer, how they work with customers to spec custom buckets, the new Daequip quick coupler, their new facility in Abbotsford, Dormel Roll off bins, where the company is headed, and more!
Learn more about Daequip by visiting their website https://www.daequip.com/ or find them on social media @daequip
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or check out the website https://earthmoversmedia.com/
What is marketing and why should earthmoving contractors market themselves? Mack sits down with Aria Morgan, marketing director for Plateau Excavation, an earthmoving company based out of Kennesaw, Georgia. They cover everything marketing for earthmoving contractors, from where to start, what value social media provides, websites, generating content on site, role of a marketing director, and more!
Learn more about Plateau Excavation on their website https://plateauexcavation.com/ or follow them on social media @plateauexcavation
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or check out the website https://earthmoversmedia.com/
Revolutionzing the logging industry many years ago, winch assisted logging has enabled contractors to harvest previous unreachable timber resources. On this episode, Mack sits down with Kelway Cox, President of Timbermax USA, to talk all about the Timbermax product. They cover how/where the idea for winch assist slope work started, the origin of Timbermax product and how it is built, applications for Timbermax winch outside of forestry, and more!
To learn more about Timbermax, visit their website here https://timbermaxusa.com/
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or visit their website to learn more and buy some swag! https://earthmoversmedia.com/
Learn all about the largest earthmoving machines in the mining industry, the electric rope shovel! On this episode Mack sits down with Nicholas Voelz, Sr. Manager - ERS Product Management for Komatsu electric rope shovels. They dive into the history of the P&H rope shovel, current Komatsu ERS product line, application for rope shovels in mining, technology on these machines, and of course the P&H 4800 flagship of the Komatsu ERS product line.
Learn more about Komatsu ERS product here https://www.komatsu.com/en/products/electric-rope-shovels/
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or visit the website https://earthmoversmedia.com/
On this episode Mack sits down with Ryan Haasen of Civil Craft Studio to talk all about how Ryan designs, builds, and delivers the incredible board room table dioramas he is most well known for.
Ryan has a long history in both construction and building things with his hands, originally starting wood working he soon found himself building construction dioramas and eventually the first board room table for Blue Con Excavating, was created! Ryan has since built many more large and small diorama.
Ryan has received worldwide attention for his work, you can find him on instagram @civilcraftstudio
Find Mack on social @earthmovers_media and visit their website to get some swag or learn more! https://earthmoversmedia.com/
Clearview Demolition has a long history clearing the way for tomorrow demolishing buildings, bridges, pulp mills, and more. They recently began to acquire Link-Belt excavators, and now operate the largest fleet in Western Canada at 17 machines.
Mack sits down with Brad Morrison of Clearview Demolition, and Mark Williams of Inland Group to talk all about Clearview's fleet of LBX machines, how Clearview spec's their machines for demolition, Link-Belts new remote care app, touring the LBX factory, and more!
Learn more about Clearview Demolition here https://clearviewdemo.ca/ or find them on social media @clearviewdemolition
Learn more about LBX here https://en.lbxco.com/ and Inland Group here https://www.inland-group.com/en-CA/
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or visit their website https://earthmoversmedia.com/
When most people think of renting equipment, they think mini excavator or bobcat, not many people know mining companies rent large haul trucks, dozers, wheel loader, excavators, and more!
Mack sits down with Cody Harman, President and Founder of Harman Energy LLC, a large equipment rental outfit based in Bluefield West Virginia. Mack and Cody talk all about the business of renting big equipment, advantages to renting vs owning, why mining companies rent equipment, buying and selling iron, and more!
Learn more about Harman Energy by visiting their website https://www.harmanenergy.com/ or finding them on social media @harmanenergy
You can find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or check out their website https://earthmoversmedia.com/
The construction industry is changing, while it is still a male populated industry, more women are entering at all levels as operators, trades, managers, even CEO's. On this episode Mack sits down with Amanda, grader operator, to talk about her career, barriers she faced when entering the industry, what she enjoys about heavy equipment operation, and shares advice how other women can get started in construction!
Find Amanda on social media (IG & TikTok) @amanda.dyxe
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or check out the website https://earthmoversmedia.com/
Cat diesel engines have a long histroy powering our world whether it be in heavy equipment, on highway trucks, generators, and more. On this episode Mack sits down with Allen Chen, product manager for the new Cat C13D engine, they talk all about the new C13D engine design, testing the engine, applications for the engine, and much more! As you’ll hear, the Cat C13D engine platform enables the use of renewable liquid fuels such as 100% HVO, B100 Distilled Biodiesel. Fuels must meet the specifications and characteristics described on cat.com in order to be used in Cat engines and reduce the risk of downtime.
Learn more about the C13D here https://www.cat.com/en_US/products/new/power-systems/industrial/industrial-diesel-engines/120140.html
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media, or visit the website to send him an email or purchase some swag! https://earthmoversmedia.com/
Autonomous equipment operation has been widely used in Mining since the 2000's, whether on haul trucks or dozers, its become a popular business practice to help miners be better miners. Lately, autonomous technology has been deployed in the construction industry to help contractors/companies be safer, more efficient, and more productive in certain applications.
Mack sits down with Bibhrajit Halder, founder & CEO of SafeAI, a company that developed an autonomous technology retrofittable to equipment both large and small. They talk all about how the autonomous technology works, how AI is integrated, how it is retrofitted to the machines, and where in the world this technology is being used currently to move dirt.
Learn more about SafeAI on their website https://www.safeai.ai/
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or visit the website to get some swag! https://earthmoversmedia.com/
The history of the Le Tourneau large wheel loader product is well known in the global mining industry, today the Le Tourneau product is now Komatsu's surface mining wheel loader product line. Mack sits down with Michael Fleet, product manager for Komatsu electric wheel loader (EWL) line to discuss everything large Komatsu/Le Tourneau wheel loaders! They cover how the product has evolved over last few decades, application for wheel loaders in mining, advantage of mechanical vs electric drive machines, technology on these new wheel loaders, and more!
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media and check out our website https://earthmoversmedia.com/
Learn more about Komatsu EWL product here https://www.komatsu.com/en/products/wheel-loaders/surface-mining-wheel-loaders/
Landfills are an important part of modern day society, and successfully managing a landfill comes down to optimizing equipment in the field and managing the flow of waste materials. Mack sits down with Shaun MacIntosh of Propeller to talk about how propeller is helping landfills with technology, from measuring compaction to maximize density (minimize airspace in waste materials), machine telematics to optimize your fleet, to site wide aerial surveys for measuring quantities for short term and long term planning. We cover everything you need to know about landfills and how technology is being utilized in that industry.
Learn more about Propeller here https://www.propelleraero.com/ or find them on social media @propeller_aero
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or check out their website https://earthmoversmedia.com/
Starting with a 988B wheel loader loading out railcars with ballast, to multi million dollar civil and mining projects throughout Western Canada, the story of MacKay Contracting is one worth hearing about. Mack sits down with Rob MacKay, President & CEO, alongside Brandon Pighin, General Manager for MacKay to talk about how MacKay started, the projects they work on, managing people, and moving dirt throughout Western Canada.
Learn more about MacKay on their website https://mackaycontracting.com/ or find them on social media @mackay_builds
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or check out the website https://earthmoversmedia.com/
Mack sits down with Steve, Mike, and Jeff from BelPacific Excavating & Shoring LP to talk all about deep excavation and shoring work in downtown Vancouver. Starting as a Limited Partnership, BelPacific has contributed to the Vancouver skyline working on projects such as Shangri-La tower, The ButterFly, and more. We discuss how BelPacific started, why deep excavation is needed for high rise projects, the machines BelPacific uses for deep excavations, and developing/training people at BelPacific.
Learn more about BelPacific here https://www.belpacific.com/ or find them on social media @norlandlimited
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or email him at mack@earthmoversmedia.com
https://earthmoversmedia.com/
The Cat D10 track type tractor has been a staple of the mining and heavy civil construction industries since introduction back in 1977, it is arguably one of the most iconic dozers on the market. Mack sits down with Dave Gleissner to talk all about this legendary tractor, from first prototype where the high drive sprocket made an appearance, through the N, R, and T series, to where the D10 is today including Cat's unveiling of the next gen D10 dozer.
Learn more about the new D10 by watching Dave's walk around video here https://youtu.be/03-Ehruy3W0?si=UDjt9lHI6_hS9tDX
Learn about the history of the D10 by watching the video here https://youtu.be/4symWkD96ks?si=RZGcWECZIrD3KnJh
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or email him at mack@earthmoversmedia.com
Big Komatsu dozers have been a staple in the mining and heavy civil construction industry for a long time, and their new dash 8 (-8) series D375 and D475 dozers are a testament to Komatsu listening to customer feedback. Mack sits down with Chad Perrault, technical specialist with SMS Equipment for D375/D475 dozers, to talk about what's new with the dash 8 series dozers, the new fingertip steering, customizing product to customer needs, and Komatsu's new D475 super dozer configuration being deployed in British Columbia!
You can find SMS Equipment on social media @smsequipment and reach out to them with questions, or find Chad Perrault on LinkedIn if you have questions
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or send him an email mack@earthmoversmedia.com
Ever wondered what it takes to be a high reach demolition operator? Or how buildings are demolished? Mack sits down with two of Priestly Demolition's finest high reach operators, Matt Baker and Rob Morrison, to talk all about their careers in the demolition industry, how buildings are demolished, Priestly's new SK1600 high reach, and more!
Find Priestly Demolition on social media @priestlydemolition on Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok. Matt Baker and Rob Morrison are also on Instagram/LinkIn.
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or send him an email mack@earthmoversmedia.com
From running equipment as an employee to buying 325 excavators and feller bunchers for land management projects throughout BC, I sit down with Matthew Antifay of Mattco Excavating to chat about his story becoming an owner operator. We dive into what it takes to become an owner operator, the ups and downs of owning heavy equipment, the pain 10 cent O-rings will cause you, and advice for others starting their business.
Find Matt on social media (instagram) @mattco.excavating
Find Mack on instagram @earthmovers_media, LinkedIn Mack Plovie, or email him mack@earthmoversmedia.com
Investing in your people with training is becoming an incredibly important component of the modern day construction company, and Wilco's in house training program is a fine example. Mack sits down with Doug, H.E.O Training Manager to talk all about Wilco's heavy equipment training program, why training is important, the results they are seeing, and more.
Check out Wilco on social media by searching their name or visit their website https://wilco.ca/
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or send him an email mack@earthmoversmedia.com
From getting out of school and starting as a driller helper/laborer to now being one of the managing partners of T&A Rock Works Inc, Sam is an absolute wealth of knowledge when it comes to the drill & blast industry. Sam sits down with Mack to talk about his story in the industry, drilling & blasting in urban (close proximity) settings, how T&A is investing in people to grow their business and retain great people, how to build a company culture that people aspire to be part of, and much more!
Learn more about T&A Rock Works Inc on their website https://www.tarockworks.com/ or follow them on social media under T&A Rock Works name
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or visit their website https://earthmoversmedia.com/
This time In The Dirt, Mack sits down with Chad Kyllo of Acres Enterprises as well as Remo Scalzo and Stantton Pallister of SITECH Western Canada for a panel discussion about how Acres is using Trimble Technology in their business. We dive into the Acres story from their first piece of technology to where they are today as one of the market leaders in construction, what technology they are using, how SITECH and Finning have supported their journey, how technology is helping grow Acres business, topped off with advice for other contractors looking to adopt or add to their technology fleet.
You can learn more about Acres Enterprises here https://acresenterprises.com/ or find them on social media
Find out more about SITECH Western Canada here https://www.sitech-wc.ca/ or find them on social media
You can find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or send him an email mack@earthmoversmedia.com
Whether you are training your existing workforce or the workforce of tomorrow, Cat Simulators are an effective way to train your equipment operators on all types of equipment without downing equipment on a jobsite to do so. Mack sits down with Jonathan of Cat Simulators to chat all about the types of simulators, what a new or experienced operator can gain from a typical training session, importance of equipment walk arounds, identifying and correcting bad operating habits, and how training with simulators helps improve retention of your people. If you have wondered about the benefits of simulators, this episode is for you!
Visit https://catsimulators.com/ to learn more or find Jonathan Laberdia on LinkedIn
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or send him an email mack@earthmoversmedia.com
You asked, I answered? After people requested some Q&A podcast episodes, Mack answers questions submitted by followers on this episode. From underground scoop tram designs, how to get started in the industry, how he got started in photography, to a quick look at some Do's and Don'ts in equipment operating.
Submit your questions to Mack on Instagram @earthmovers_media, LinkedIn @Mack Plovie, or email mack mack@earthmoversmedia.com and learn more on https://earthmoversmedia.com
Getting your career started in the industry, going to school for operating, seeking opportunities to run equipment, skillsets to adopt as an operator, placer mining, and how moving dirt in the Yukon is different. Mack sits down with Sam Inskip, heavy equipment operator from the Yukon, to talk about her career adventures after 10 years in the industry.
You can find Sam on Instagram @simplyysams to follow along her adventures
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or their website https://earthmoversmedia.com
Komatsu has been a well known name in the mining world for decades, and their hydraulic shovels & excavators are a fine example of what their mining class equipment offers. Mack sits down with Bryce Short of Komatsu/SMS Equipment to talk everything Komatsu shovels, from PC2000 up to PC8000 in front shovel and backhoe configuration. They get into selecting the right shovel for an application, diesel vs. electric shovels, pass matching, and detailing the history of Komatsu shovels all the way back to the DEMAG days.
Learn more about Komatsu hydraulic shovels & excavators here https://www.komatsu.com/industries/surface-mining/
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or email him at mack@earthmoversmedia.com
Underground mining is part of the mining world you have never heard about, often out of sight, these mines produce the critical raw minerals civilization needs to sustain itself. And Technology is helping underground miners, mine better. I chat with Gary Smolik of Finning Canada on this episode to discuss the different technology solutions from Caterpillar for underground mining. From remote operated scoop trams to location sensing devices helping keep people safe in a mining environment, Gary and I talk everything technology for underground mining.
Find Gary Smolik on LinkedIn, or reach out to your local Finning dealership https://www.finning.com/en_CA.html
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or check out their website https://earthmoversmedia.com/
As loggers retire, the industry is now facing the challenging task of recruiting and training the next generation to continue operating an industry that makes civilization as we know it, possible. I sit down with Ryer Becker, part of the research faculty in the Department of Forest, Rangeland, and Forest Sciences at The University of Idaho, to talk about their new degree program helping educate and train the next generation of people entering the logging industry. We talk about the significance of logging in our daily lives, the state of the industry with respect to workforce, and how the industry can work to reshape its image.
Learn more about the degree program we talked about on the show here https://www.uidaho.edu/cnr/undergraduate-majors/bs-forestry
Find Ryer Becker on LinkedIn and Instagram, or reach out to him here https://www.uidaho.edu/cnr/faculty/becker-ryer
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media and check out their website https://earthmoversmedia.com/
Mack and guest Kristina sit down to chat addressing the industry wide workforce issue in construction. While there isn't a list of answers to the industry wide problem, Mack and Kristina do their best to talk about some of the solutions out there currently. From how to attracting, retain, and train people, to initiatives Crew Collab has to help solve the issue, and talking about some of the stigmas the industry battles to break.
Find Kristina McMillan on Instagram or LinkedIn, or visit Crew Collab's website to learn more https://crewcollab.org/
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or visit the website https://earthmoversmedia.com/ to learn more
Ever been curious what it takes to design, build, and select the right dump body for large rigid frame haul trucks like Cat 793 or 797? Mack sits down with Kerry from GroundForce worldwide to talk all about Groundforce's dump body products for large rigid frame haul trucks. From design to end user application, Mack and Kerry cover everything about picking the right dump body for your application, wear part selection and placement, and optimizing haulage fleet with the right dump body whether it be mining or heavy civil construction.
Learn more about GroundForce Worldwide by visiting their website https://gfworldwide.com/
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or visit the website https://earthmoversmedia.com/
GPS machine control technology is changing the way contractors do business and move dirt. On this episode Mack sits down with Kris Troppmann, manager of smart construction at SMS Equipment, to talk Komatsu's new retrofit GPS machine control system, how technology is helping contractors move dirt more efficiently by saving money and time on earthworks projects, and recruiting younger generations with technology.
Find Kris Troppmann on LinkedIn or reach out to your your local SMS Equipment dealer to learn more.
Find Mack Plovie on social media @earthmovers_media or visit their website https://earthmoversmedia.com to learn more!
Mack sits down with Tim, undercarriage specialist with Caterpillar, to talk everything undercarriage on track type tractors. From what causes wear, selecting undercarriage for your dozer, to Cat's new HDXL product line, Mack and Tim get granular on undercarriage to answer your questions and hopefully help your earthmoving business.
To learn more about undercarriage or if you have questions, reach out to your local Cat dealer.
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media, email him at mack@earthmoversmedia.com, or visit the website https://earthmoversmedia.com/
This time In The Dirt Mack talks with Jared Wells, general manager for Western Grater Contracting, about who Western Grater is, what they do, and how they do it. From shotcrete work for high rises in downtown Victoria to drilling and blasting to create aggregate resources to build the infrastructure we all rely on, Western Grater is a key contractor in Victoria and the surrounding area.
To learn more about Western Grater, visit https://westerngrater.com or find Jared Wells on LinkedIn.
Find Mack on social media, @earthmovers_media or send him an email mack@earthmoversmedia.com
Aggregate is arguably one of the most important ingredients to civilization as we know it today. Mack sits down with John Scepaniak of WD Scepaniak to talk growing a family mining contracting business, importance of mining and aggregates in the modern day world, and recruiting great people. John is a project manager with WD Scepaniak, contracting to aggregate and quarry companies offering mining, processing, and reclamation services to these companies across the USA.
Learn more about WD Scepaniak here https://www.wdscepaniak.com
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or send him an email mack@earthmoversmedia.com
Uranium is often left out of the conversation when people think of ways to power the world of tomorrow. On this episode, Mack sits down with John Cash, CEO of Ur-Energy to talk all about Uranium mining, producing Uranium fuel, to how nuclear power will answer the global energy demand in the coming decade(s). Join us for an educational and fun discussion all about Uranium!
Learn more about Ur-Energy here https://www.ur-energy.com/
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or send him an email mack@earthmoversmedia.com
Starting the business in their early 20's, Zach and Garrett Fowler have worked their way up from small agricultural jobs to redeveloping some of the largest agricultural projects in California with the biggest equipment. From deep ripping to break hardpan to removing orchards and recycling the mulched organic matter, the brothers business is focused around creating new opportunity and sustainability in the agriculture industry. Today their business has also expanded into the digital world with an app called Spotlight-Ag, an app built for the agriculture community meant to bridge the lack of education and communication in the industry.
Learn more about Fowlers Bros Farming here https://www.fowlerbrothersfarming.com
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or send him and email mack@earthmoversmedia.com
Mack sits down with Denis Carriere, president, and Ryan Andre, rentals manager for Alberta's largest privately own equipment rental company, NC Equipment. From how NC Equipment began, family legacy in the business, how the equipment rental business works, when renting equipment is favourable over owning, to where the equipment rental industry is at today. We try to cover it all on this episode!
To learn more about NC Equipment, visit their website https://ncrent.com
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or send him an email mack@earthmoversmedia.com
Starting out fixing diesel engines in his parents house at a young age, to building a world renown heavy equipment rebuild and rental business. Mack sits down with Josh Scheckel of J.J. Scheckel Equipment Corporation to talk about how J.J. Scheckel started and has grown as a business, what it takes to rebuild equipment like D11 track type tractors, and why investing in your people and facilities is so important. Josh is a fine example of a man who never quit, after being burned in a tragic gas pipeline accident the doctors weren't sure if Josh would ever be able to run his business again. But here he is today, an example for many others to follow, growing a world class rebuild and rental outfit based in Bellevue, Iowa.
To learn more about J.J. Scheckel, visit their website https://jjscheckel.com
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media, or send him an email mack@earthmoversmedia.com
Technology is helping mining companies and the mining industry adapt to and overcome challenges faced on the modern-day mine site. Autonomous haulage and dozing are a few examples of technology helping mining companies find solutions to challenging mining applications, improve safety, and reduce their costs. On this episode, Mack talks with Taylor Agnew of Finning Canada on the topic of autonomous haulage and autonomous dozing in the Canadian mining space. From how the autonomous technology works, to the benefits it offers, and even some examples of applications of the technology in the Canadian mining space. If you are curious about how the mining industry is adopting technology, this episode is for you!
Find Taylor Agnew on LinkedIn, or visit www.finning.com to learn more
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or send him an email mack@earthmoversmedia.com
This time In The Dirt host Mack sits down with Paul, owner of Heavy PDG Equipment, on location to talk everything about equipment rental to how he has built Heavy PDG into the business it is today serving customers with a rental fleet of heavy equipment. Paul not only shares his story, but talks about what it takes to successfully run an equipment rental business, the benefits of renting vs owning equipment, and more!
Learn more about HeavyPDG on their website https://heavypdg.com or find them on social @heavypdg
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or send him an email mack@earthmoversmedia.com
Interested in becoming a mechanic? Curious what a career path with a Cat dealer looks like and what they offer? Is post secondary education necessary? Mack sits down with Josh, a well known Cat mechanic from his youtube channel, to talk about Josh's story becoming a mechanic, his career working for Cat dealers, what tooling you need to get started, and is schooling necessary?
If you are curious about a career as a mechanic, Josh has much more information over on his youtube channel. Find Josh on youtube https://www.youtube.com/AdeptApe to follow the regular educational content he puts out
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or send him a note via email mack@earthmoversmedia.com
From an incredibly successful career in Motocross travelling the world, to dirt and heavy equipment in the Okanagan Valley. Kyle Demelo's name is well known in not only motocross and action sports, but around the world as the Canadian who holds world record of the only successful front flip on a snow bike! That's right, a snow bike! Mack sits down in person with Kyle Demelo to talk about his story growing up, career in action sports, world record, and well known civil construction business in the Okanagan Valley, BC.
Find Kyle Demelo construction on Instagram @kyledemeloconstruction to follow along his journey.
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or send him a note via email mack@earthmoversmedia.com
Demolition contractors are arguably the best recyclers on planet earth, making way for the buildings of tomorrow by deconstructing and recycling the buildings of yesterday. Host Mack sits down in person with Brad Morrison, general manager for Clearview Demolition to learn about Clearview's story, gain insights into the demolition industry, discuss why people are a companies greatest asset, and more!
To learn more about Clearview Demolition, you can visit their website https://clearviewdemo.ca/ or find them on social media @clearviewdemolition
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or send him a note via email mack@earthmoversmedia.com
On this episode of the podcast host Mack talks with the CEO of Raptor Mining, Craig Harder, about the Raptor Mining story, manufacturing GET, robotic welding, and more! Raptor is the leading manufacturer of GET and other wear parts for nearly all shapes and sizes of heavy equipment. Craig tells us about how Raptor started and its current product offerings.
To learn more about Raptor Mining, visit their website https://www.raptormining.com/ or find Craig Harder on LinkedIn
You can find Mack on social media @earthmoversmedia or email him at mack@earthmoversmedia.com
Having a great attitude is arguably one of the most important pieces you can bring to the workplace. Guest Dylan Taylor tells his story working in construction with a prosthetic leg and missing arm. Dylan is a remarkable young man who speaks to the importance of attitude, willingness to learn, and having a relentless approach. Host Mack and guest Dylan talk about going to school for construction, how one can find success and fulfillment in the construction industry, heavy equipment, and the importance of training and mentorship.
You can find Dylan on Instagram @1armedtrades, and LinkedIn under Dylan Taylor
Find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or reach out mack@earthmoversmedia.com
This time In The Dirt Justin Ward, float driver for Priestly Demolition Inc, and host Mack talk heavy haul in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). From bridge demolition on the major thoroughfares in Toronto to demolition in the downtown Toronto Core, Justin has hauled hundreds of pieces of heavy equipment all over the Greater Toronto Area.
If you are curious to get a glimpse behind the scenes of heavy hauling at Priestly Demolition and hear what it takes to haul heavy equipment in the GTA, give the episode a listen!
You can find Justin on Instagram @thewardens_heavy_hauling. You can also find Mack @earthmovers_media or reach out mack@earthmoversmedia.com
https://earthmoversmedia.com/
Learn all about undercarriage on heavy equipment this time In The Dirt! Mack and guest Greg, Vice President of Equipment with Whissell Contracting, talk everything undercarriage from total cost over a machine's life, what causes wear, to how undercarriage affects resale value of a machine. If you have questions about undercarriage, chances are we answered them!
You can find Greg Baher on LinkedIn by searching his name. Find mack on social media (instagram) @earthmovers_media or email him mack@earthmoversmedia.com
This time In The Dirt, Mack talks mentoring the next generation of people with dirt artist/grader operator Troy Karevski. From adopting the right attitude to becoming a proficient operator, Troy and Mack talk all about younger people rising up in the industry and finding fulfilment in their careers. The two address the pressing matter of mentoring younger generations to sustain an industry struggling to find and retain great people, and even offer some advice to those early on in their careers.
You can find Troy on Instagram @graders_official if you have questions or would like to connect.
Mack is available at mack@earthmoversmedia.com if you have questions, and on social media @earthmovers_media
Building a culture and crafting core values is an often overlooked yet incredibly important part of any company. Mack and guest Dave Reynolds, President & CEO of NorLand Limited talk company culture and core values on this episode. From how NorLand created their core values, how the company hires for people based on these core values, to how NorLand has built a culture across their now 18 different business units under the NorLand Limited name.
To learn more about NorLand Limited, visit their website https://norlandlimited.com/
Find host Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or reach out to him mack@earthmoversmedia.com
From DPF to DEF and everything in-between, Josh and Mack talk diesel engine emission after treatment systems on this episode. They break down what emissions are regulated, the different types of emission after treatment systems, how each system works, and what it accomplishes in terms of reducing diesel emissions. If you have ever been curious what all that expensive stuff is on the exhaust of your diesel engine, have a listen to learn all about it!
If you enjoyed the episode, check out Josh's youtube channel to learn more, he provides a lot of educational material. https://www.youtube.com/c/AdeptApe
You can find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or email him at mack@earthmoversmedia.com
Energy (electricity) production from Uranium seems to be lost in today's narrative about providing energy for the developing world. Daniel Major, CEO of GoviEx Uranium, and Mack talk everything Uranium from how it is mined, refining of fuel, to creating electricity in nuclear power plants this time on the podcast. Uranium will play a key role in providing sustainable energy production in the coming decades, Daniel speaks about the little known fact of mobile nuclear reactors that can power small communities and even individual cities! If you have been curious about Uranium, have a listen!
To learn more about GoviEx Uranium or talk with Daniel, check out their website https://goviex.com/
You can find Mack on social media @earthmovers_media or reach out to him via email mack@earthmoversmedia.com
Attracting and retaining employees in a dynamic industry is becoming increasingly important for companies in the modern-day. How do you attract more people to grow your company? How do you retain great people? What do employees value most in the workplace?
Guest Wally and Host Mack sit down to discuss the many issues construction companies are facing and what these companies can do to solve these problems. Wally brings extensive knowledge from many years in business and offers up findings from his market research.
To learn more about or connect with Wally, check out his website http://www.firestarterspeaking.com/
Starting a business is one of the most challenging yet rewarding endeavours one can take on in life. Damion Lake, owner of Newton Valley Excavating, shares his story of starting his excavation company , becoming an owner operator, finding a niche and serving your customers, and more!
To learn more about Newton Valley Excavating or talk with Damion, follow them on Instagram @newtonvalleyexcavating
Insights into the demolition industry with none other than Ryan Priestly, president of Priestly Demolition. This time In The Dirt host Mack and guest Ryan talk demolition in Toronto, company culture, the Priestly Demolition story, and heavy equipment. If you have ever been curious about demolition, Ryan and Mack do their best to answer your questions and provide insight into Priestly Demolition!
Learn more about Priestly Demolition here https://priestly.ca/ and connect with Ryan Priestly on LinkedIn or by email
Drew Mohatt of Colorado Asphalt Services Inc joins us again to talk paving. However, this time Mack and Drew talk about paving in cold, wet, snowy weather when conventional hot asphalt paving is not feasible. Drew tells us all about EZ Street Cold Mix, a solution for paving in less favourable conditions.
Learn more about CASI here https://coloradoasphalt.com/. Find Drew on LinkedIn under Drew Mohatt. Connect with Mack on social media under the name @earthmoversmedia
Ever wondered what it takes to take a mine from discovery to production? How do mining companies get financing for multi million dollar projects? This time In The Dirt host Mack and guest Mark Brennan, CEO of Cerrado Gold, talk mining and what it takes to discover, explore, and mine an ore body in the modern day. They also discuss the importance of reclamation in mining, and glance at global trends that in the mining industry. If you have been curious what it takes to essentially start a mine, this episode is for you!
Learn more about Cerrado Gold here https://www.cerradogold.com/
The mining industry is changing, no longer is it a male dominated industry as women enter the workforce. Join Hannah Berthold and host Mack talk women in the mining industry on this episode, diving into topics such as how to attract more women to the industry, what roles women are taking on in mining, and addressing common misconceptions women have about working in mining. Hannah and Mack do their best to give women considering a career in the industry, or already working in the industry, and insight into a career in mining.
If you have questions from the show, please reach out to Hannah Berthold on LinkedIn or on her instagram page @her_engineering.machining. And of course, you know where to find Mack on social media or by email. mack@earthmoversmedia.com
Smooth roads are something society takes for granted everyday, this time In The Dirt Mack interviews Drew Mohatt of Colorado Asphalt Services Inc (CASI) to discuss everything asphalt. From sourcing materials in quarries and aggregate pits to paving, Drew and Mack talk about all the steps involved in getting to that smooth asphalt road surface we all enjoy driving on. If you have asphalt related questions, chances are we answered them!
Connect with Drew Mohatt on LinkedIn or learn more about CASI on their website https://coloradoasphalt.com/
Ever wondered how earthmoving companies manage their fleet of equipment? What does a great maintenance program look like for a large fleet of heavy equipment?
This time In The Dirt Mack interviews Greg Baher the director of equipment for Whissell Contracting Ltd to talk heavy equipment fleet management. From making decisions about rebuilding or selling equipment to what a proper and well executed maintenance program looks like, Mack and Greg dive right into equipment fleet management for large and small companies.
Connect with Greg Baher on LinkedIn or email him at greg.baher@whissell.ca
Learn more about Whissell check out their website http://www.whissell.ca/
If you enjoyed today's episode, please share it with someone else in the industry!
Guest Anthony aka "The Frenchman" and host Mack talk the good and bad habits of equipment operators. From pre starts on equipment, cleaning cabs and tracks, to being a leader and being coachable, we try to cover a topic that doesn't have black and white textbook answers to start with. This episode is meant to inspire discussion and thought around the topic of becoming a better equipment operator, please do keep in mind these are initials thoughts on the subject and more input is always welcome so please reach out to Anthony or Mack, they would love to hear from you!
Find Anthony on social media at "zhe_frenchie" or find Mack at "earthmovers_media"
With used iron prices soaring, is now a good time to sell some of your heavy equipment? How do you get the best value for your equipment at a Ritchie Bros. auction?
This time In The Dirt, Mack interviews Matt Ackley the chief marketing officer at Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers to get his take on the current climate of used equipment auctions, selling with Ritchie Bros. vs selling private, and where the auction marketplace is going this decade in light of the global pandemic
Find Matt Ackley on LinkedIn to connect, also check out Ritchie Bros. Inside Edge panelist discussions hosted by Matt.
Don't forget to check out our website for more! https://earthmoversmedia.com/
If you have wanted to learn more about project estimating in construction, on this episode host Mack interviews guest Ryan Haasen of BlueCon Excavating to discuss his career in estimating, what he has learned thus far, and the estimating process from tender to contract awarding. Ryan takes us through his experience working as a project manager/estimator for BlueCon Excavating in the Calgary construction market, explaining the estimating process along the way while also providing industry insights.
If you would like to learn more about BlueCon Excavating, check out their website here https://blueconcalgary.ca/
This time In The Dirt, Mack sits down with guest Scott Lidster of Australian Earth Training to talk everything ripping. Scott explains the types of rippers, the purpose of and techniques for ripping, and discuss the many applications and types of equipment rippers are commonly found on. If you have a question about ripping, chances are we answered it! But if we didn't, please reach out to either Scott Lidster or myself so we can cover it in a future episode.
To learn more about Scott, check out his website https://www.australianearthtraining.com.au/ or reach out to him on social media at Australian Earth Training
Thank you for listening and please subscribe for more!
From hauling medium sized heavy equipment, to planning overweight and oversize equipment hauls through tricky mountain terrain in British Columbia. Mack and guest Jared Bragg, the general manager of Triton Transport, answer all your heavy haul and transport related questions on this episode.
Want to learn what it takes to haul heavy equipment in British Columbia and Alberta? Ever wonder what custom tractors and trailers companies like Triton Transport use for hauling equipment? Have a listen to this episode to learn nearly everything you have every wanted to know about heavy haul and transport in North America
To learn more about Triton Transport, visit their website https://tritontransport.com/
Everything you have ever wanted to know about the design, engineering, manufacturing, and application of buckets for excavators, wheel loaders, and the like. Mack and Tim Stubbs of Weldco Beales talk buckets on this episode of the podcast, detailing how WBM initially started, what goes into building a bucket, proper applications for buckets, and some of the custom work Weldco Beales does.
If you have questions for Tim reach out to him on LinkedIn under Tim Stubbs, or learn more at WBM's website https://weldco-beales.com/
In contrast to our longer episodes with guests, this time In The Dirt, Mack discusses why most mining companies are wrong about social media and marketing themselves. In the coming decades mining companies will have to focus on maintaining their Social License to Operate (SLO). Social media is a key part of building and maintaining that initiative to not only attract people to work at a mining company, but build rapport with the general public and investors.
If you would like to connect with Mack, find him on LinkedIn at Mack Plovie or Instagram @earthmoversmedia. Check out our website for more https://earthmoversmedia.com/
On this episode host Mack and sales account manager Matt Tremblay of Brikers Parts talk used and refurbished heavy equipment parts. If you have ever been curious about the heavy equipment parts market, Matt delivers great insight into the world of recycling and refurbishing parts at Brikers. Everything from how parts are acquired, the refurbishing process, rebuilt vs new comparisons, to how the used parts market functions.
If you want to learn more about Brikers Parts or if you have questions for Matt, visit their website https://www.brikers.com/
If you have skied or snowboarded at a ski resort, chances are you have enjoyed the fresh corduroy laid down the night before by a snowcat operator. Mack and Ben talk snowcats and ski slopes on this episode, detailing everything from what it takes to become a snowcat operator, the various types of snowcats, to a day in the life of a snowcat operator.
If you have questions for Ben, find him on Facebook under Ben Tregillus. Or reach out to myself and I will get you in touch with Ben.
Ever wonder what happens to the trash you put out at the end of your driveway? This time In The Dirt, Mack and Rich talk trash and the heavy equipment you find handling it. Diving into medium size wheel loaders in waste applications, Rich explains the various configurations of wheel loaders, how Caterpillar designs these machines, and even shares stories from his time spent in the field with customers.
If you have any questions for Rich Knudson, find him on LinkedIn or reach out to your local Cat dealer to inquire about heavy equipment for waste applications.
This time In The Dirt, Luke Sheppard and Mack talk heavy equipment dealerships. Everything from training and customer focus, growing the business, to improving internal processes with the 5 S principle.
Luke brings a wealth of knowledge to the show, his career featured time with John Deere, TigerCat, and Nortraxx, just to name a few. He now owns a consulting company focused on helping heavy equipment dealers improve and grow their business. Luke is also the author of Driving Great Results, a book all about how to run a great business.
Check out Luke's website to learn more https://www.drivinggreatresults.com/#/ or find Luke on LinkedIn at Luke Sheppard
Ever wondered how pipelines are built? This time In The Dirt Mack sits down with Derek Birdwell of Kirby Smith Machinery to talk everything pipeline construction. Pipelines are vital links for the transportation of valuable oil & gas resources between mine sites and export or refinery terminals, on this episode you will learn about the start to finish process of building a pipeline, insights into custom pieces of equipment used for constructing pipelines, and other hot topics in the pipeline industry. Derek draws upon 10 years experience working in the industry, he now works with Kirby Smith Machinery, one of the top heavy equipment suppliers for the pipeline construction industry in North America.
If you have any questions, please reach out to our guest Derek Birdwell on LinkedIn or Instagram, or find Kirby Smith Machinery's website here https://www.kirby-smith.com/
After winning in Edmonton Canada, Clayton North Carolina, and Las Vegas Nevada during Caterpillar's Global Operator Challenge, Jaus Neigum took home the title of #1 heavy equipment operator in the world! This time In The Dirt Jaus and Mack sit down to discuss his journey from Medicine Hat Alberta to winning Caterpillar's Global Operator Challenge in Las Vegas Nevada at ConExpo 2020. Up against competitors from around the world, Jaus and fellow Canadian competitors competed through a series of heavy equipment operation challenges to see who is in fact the best operator in the world. If you like dirt, heavy equipment, and want to see behind the scenes of the Global Operator Challenge, this episode is worth a listen!
Follow Jaus Neigum on Instagram and LinkedIn, or follow his company on Instagram @industrialbackhoe
This time In The Dirt I interview Spencer Brooks of Hawkzone Contracting. Based out of Marble Bar Australia, he is a young man with an incredible story of starting and growing a mining contracting business in efforts to save the family cattle farming business and buy out a business partner on the Australian rich list, all while fighting Crohn's disease. Spencer has incredible insights into how he faced and continues to face the challenges of growing a business. If you are a business owner or in a management position, this episode will definitely be of value to listen to!
If you have questions for Spencer, reach out to him on LinkedIn under Spencer Brooks or find him on instagram under @hawkzonecontracting
With many manufacturer's incorporating technology into new equipment, and modern day job sites seeing great benefit from the deployment of technology. Eric and myself put together an episode to discuss a few of the many technology options available for the earthmoving industry.
I interview Eric about the early days of his career with his own excavating company all the way through to where he is at now with SITECH South. Eric and I discuss 2D/3D machine control, payload for mining and quarry customers, surveying & drones, and a few success stories from customers of SITECH adopting technology in their business.
If you have any questions for our guest, Eric. Find him on LinkedIn at Eric Herron, or on Instagram @dig_it_digital_gps
This time In The Dirt Robert Kennedy and myself talk about cycle times in a production environment. Join us for a discussion centred around dirt and heavy equipment as we discuss the most common problems found throughout a production loading cycle, proper selection of ground engaging tools for production loading, and effective training solutions.
If you would like to learn more about Robert and his company, GET Solutions. Check out their website https://getsolutionsinc.com/
This time on In The Dirt I interview Kevin Goldberg, founder and president of SoilFLO, a software that is redefining how companies track the movement of dirt on and off the jobsite. We discuss the Toronto earthmoving market, who SoilFLO is and what they do, and get into exactly what the SoilFLO software does and how it is helping earthmoving companies grow. If you like technology and construction, have a listen!
Check out www.soilflo.com to learn more about SoilFLO
GPS Machine Control is changing the way companies move dirt in the modern day. Join Joe Bradley and myself In The Dirt as we discuss Topcon GPS machine control, the evolution of GPS machine control, how it is saving companies time and money, and Brandt's new Topcon equipped 3D automatic excavator. If you like dirt, heavy equipment, or construction, this episode is worth a listen.
To learn more about Brandt's Topcon Machine Control offerings visit https://www.brandt.ca/Divisions/Positioning-Technology
Undercarriage is a huge part of owning heavy equipment. On this episode I talk to Rick Smith, aftermarket product manager of undercarriage with Finning Canada. We dive into the undercarriage world discussing the biggest factors for wear and failure on undercarriage, how companies can extend the life of their undercarriage, and a brief history of how far undercarriage design has come since inception.
To learn more about undercarriage for Cat equipment, check out Finning's website https://www.finning.com/en_CA.html
On this episode I sit down with Rob Daw of Hexagon to discuss how technology is addressing current issues in the mining industry. We discuss how technology is not only improving processes and changing the way companies conduct business, but more importantly how technology is saving lives. From tracking blasted rock in open pits, monitoring assets in real time, to tracking operator fatigue and preventing vehicle to vehicle incidents, we discuss it all!
To learn more about Hexagon Mining, check out their website https://hexagonmining.com/
Alexandra takes us through the septic design and install business, being a women in the construction industry, and the journey she has faced starting her own business. Join Mack and Alexandra as they discuss the ups and downs of business, women in construction, and the niche business of septic design and install.
If you would like to learn more about DH septic & site or have questions for Alexandra, reach out to her on instagram at @thelittleoperator or find their website here https://dhsepticandsite.com/
Maximizing equipment productivity starts with a good operator training program. Join Mack for a discussion with Robert Kennedy of Ground Engaging Training Solutions about how important a good operator and ground engaging tool training program is for modern day earthmoving companies.
If you would like to learn more about Robert's company, Ground Engaging Training Solutions, check out his website here https://get-solutions.ca/
On this episode Mack interviews Kris Troppmann, the regional technology manager for Finning Canada to discuss how 2D and 3D machine control is changing the earthworks industry from the ground up.
The skills gap is a real issue in the construction industry, experienced people are nearing the end of their career while young millennials and Gen Z are just beginning their career. Technology is helping address these issues by providing tech savy people an opportunity to be almost as productive as an experienced operator. Furthermore, companies are beginning to realize how effective machine control is at completing work faster, safer, and more efficiently.
Having properly trained people is an incredible asset for any earthmoving company. Join Mack as he interviews Scott Lidster of Australian Earth, one of the top heavy equipment operator proficiency and training companies in Australia. We discuss the importance of operator proficiency training, the real value companies are realizing from professional training, and technology coming to the earthmoving industry.
Learn about construction in Canada's biggest city, Toronto. On this episode Mack interviews Kurtis Samchee of MGI Construction, a large player in the Toronto construction and demolition industries. Join us as we discuss the importance of company workplace culture, technology coming for the general contractor, and MGI's footprint in the construction industry.
Learn about the many facets of drilling and blasting in the mining industry as Mack Plovie interviews Nathan Rouse of Dyno Nobel. On this episode we discuss the importance of blasting in the mining process, what type of technology is being infused into the industry, and how Dyno Nobel's consulting business is helping to solve real world problems for mining and quarry customers.
Interested in learning about the Construction and Mining industries? Join your host Mack as he features guests from all corners of the industry to discuss trends, technology, business, and more!
This episode is all about why we are doing the podcast, who it is for, and a little bit about the host, Mack.
The next episode will be an interview of a guest from within the industry, be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode!
Learn more here https://earthmoversmedia.com/