Bill Zack, of Zack Excavating, likes to be first. It doesn’t matter if it is racing cars on the weekend, bidding a job, or buying equipment. He likes to be the first one to try anything new. Being first has become an equipment purchasing philosophy for Zack.
“I was the first person to buy a 953C track loader, a D4C Hystat dozer, a 315BL excavator, a 246 skid steer loader, and now a 257 multi terrain loader from Giles & Ransome’s, Bear, DE, branch location.
“With Cat equipment I never worry,” said Zack. “I know that they spend big money on research and development and I’m not afraid to take a chance.”
He also buys all of his trucks with Caterpillar diesel engines. “I am very satisfied with Cat. The product support has been excellent and Cat steps up to the plate when something is wrong,” said Zack.
The latest addition to his equipment family is the Cat 257 multi-terrain loader (MTL). This is a new product offered exclusively by Caterpillar. The 257 MTL features a rubber-track undercarriage designed by ASV Inc. The undercarriage resembles the type that is found on larger Cat track-type tractors.
The drive sprocket is elevated so that it is clear of debris and the weight of the machine is spread over 24-wheeled contact points. The effect is that the 257 leaves a very small ground impression exerting less down force than the average human foot.
Zack prefers tracks and the 257 “provides a very smooth ride over terrain” making it ideal for moving materials around an ungraded job site. He often moves pipe and pallets with the 257 equipped with forks.
“The tracks offer increased stability over tires and make the machine very versatile. The machine turns much smoother and will not make marks on finished concrete or pavement,” Zack said.
According to the company, the MTL is ideal in soft or muddy conditions where traction and flotation are issues. Zack is pleased with the newest addition to Caterpillar’s line of compact construction equipment and the return on the 257 MTL’s investment. He noted that the machine will easily pay for itself with the production and efficiency improvements.
“We have more than doubled production with the MTL as compared to a conventional tire skid steer,” he said. “We use the machine for everything; grading, preparing seedbeds and carrying materials on site. My operators were getting on the Cat and they were fine grading in a matter of minutes.”
The MTL is controlled by two pilot-operated joysticks and is fully hydrostatic. The left hand controls all drive functions, while the right hand controls the loader arms and work tool. “Anybody can get in this thing and run it. The controls come very naturally,” said Zack.
Commenting on the Caterpillar 59-hp (44 kW) engine that powers the 257, Zack said, “The machine has a great power to weight ratio, and the lifting capacity is tremendous.”
He also has a variety of Cat work tools that fit both conventional skid steer loaders and the new line of MTLs.
According to the company, the MTLs give contractors a machine that can perform on the pavement as well as off, without making a big mess. The machine is well-suited for a variety of applications and as Zack puts it, “provides a huge bang for our buck.” Because it is economical, Zack is “already thinking about his second 257.”
A big part of Zack’s 257 purchase was based on his relationship with Giles & Ransome and Caterpillar.
“Paul Deniken [Giles & Ransome, compact construction specialist] was a perfect gentleman, and was there with everything we needed,” Zack said.
“Giles & Ransome has always been professional and fair in all of my dealings. Whenever I purchase a new product, they call me with updates and improvements. I’m very satisfied,” he said.
Zack Excavating has been in business since 1972, employs 13 people and has more than 40 pieces in the fleet.
Giles & Ransome Inc. is the Caterpillar dealer for Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and Northern Delaware. The headquarters are located in Bensalem, PA.
For more information, call 877/SKID-STR or visit www.ransome.com.
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