In an effort to improve road conditions worsened by the winter season, Bern Township, PA, has made reconstruction of their roadways a top priority.

“Due to the heavy snowfall, plowing and overall travel our roads experienced this past winter, our streets are in need of repair. The next few months will bring nicer weather and an opportunity to get our crews on the roads, rebuilding what the cold weather damaged,” explained Robert Hauck, roadmaster for Bern Township.

To help the efficiency of the project and to meet other needs in the community, Bern Township supervisors have purchased one of Caterpillar’s newest models, the Cat 924G wheel loader.

The Cat 924G features a quick-coupler system, which allows the operator to change attachments quickly, without leaving the operator compartment. Serviceability is made simple with all daily service points grouped and accessible from the ground. Also, the load-sensing hydraulic system makes the wheel loader more attractive since it provides flow on demand for greater efficiency and improved fuel costs.

The township purchased three attachments, pallet forks, snowplow and bucket — all of which will be utilized by the Public Works Department to help maintain its 97 kilometers (60 mi.) of roads and fulfill its many responsibilities.

In addition to the quick-coupler system, Hauck said he was impressed with the other features the equipment offers and the Giles & Ransome sales support.

“We knew we wanted Caterpillar because of its name and quality. Tom McLaughlin of G&R was extremely helpful in finding us a machine that met our financial and community needs. The visibility from the cab due to the single arm as opposed to two and the option to change attachments quickly and easily also sold us on the wheel loader,” Hauck noted.

Bern Township is located in Berks County in Reading, PA, and has a population of approximately 6,700. The public works department is responsible for road maintenance for the 70-square-kilometer (27 sq. mi.) community.

Giles & Ransome, a division of Giles & Ransome Inc., is the authorized distributor of Caterpillar heavy construction equipment in eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and northern Delaware.

For more information, visit www.ransome.com.

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