Kawasaki has made a lasting impression on Barrett Paving Materials’ Litchfield, NY, facility.
Barrett Paving owns a year 2000 Kawasaki 95ZIV, a 6.5- yd. (5.9 m) machine and has put a startling number of hours on it.
According to Robert Bard, Barrett’s Litchfield plant superintendent, “[We] have had tremendous success with the Kawasaki loader. They have a number of features that our operators appreciate,” he said. “The cabs offer great visibility and comfort and the machines are generally easy to operate. We’ve put 15,000 hours on our 2000 Kawasaki 95ZV without a single major failure.
“The winters here in upstate New York are excessively cold with temperatures regularly well below zero and at times we have to operate our loaders under these conditions, [but] the Kawasakis have started every time,” he added.
Since purchasing the machine in 2000, Barrett also has purchased a 2003 Kawasaki 115ZV, a 7.5-yd. (6.9 m) machine and has put 5,000 hours on it.
In addition, Barrett owns a 2005 Kawasaki 95ZV and a 2005 Kawasaki 90ZV. Because the company has experienced such good fortune with the Kawasaki line, it has another 90ZV on rent from Tracey Road Equipment.
Barrett’s Litchfield location is active primarily from May through November because it is an aggregate and asphalt producer. Each loader is expected to have 1,500 to 2,000 hours of operation each year.
As Barrett’s Kawasaki dealer, Tracey Road Equipment has kept a good track record.
“We enjoy a strong relationship with Tracey Road Equipment and our sales rep, John Roden,” Bard said. “Tracey Road responds well to Barrett’s needs. Jerry Tracey, president of Tracey Road Equipment, personally stays in contact with us. That kind of attention you never receive from larger dealerships.”
When Barrett Paving first purchased the 2003 115ZV, it was Kawasaki’s first entry into the larger loader market.
“Five-thousand hours later, that machine is running like a top,” said Bard.
Barrett also is impressed with Kawasaki’s commitment to customer satisfaction.
“Loaders are all they manufacture and they are very focused on doing it right,” he said. “Anytime we have had any problems, Kawasaki has been tremendous about standing behind their product.
“One of the things that we are trained to consider here at Barrett in buying a machine is what kind of service and support we are going to receive after the sale and we have had no complaints with Kawasaki,” Bard added.
After Barrett Paving had purchased a machine that showed signs of early bucket wear, Kawasaki provided service and support.
“Jim Simons, the senior manager of sales and marketing for Kawasaki, has maintained personal communication with Barrett throughout our entire experience,” said Bard.
As a Kawasaki factory representative, Simons goes to the Barrett plant and welcomes input regarding loader needs.
“We take what input they offer us and they willingly receive suggestions from us, and that makes for a great relationship,” added Bard.
According to Bard, there was a minor electrical problem with a Kawasaki wiring harness, but Simons received a suggestion for improvement and quickly reacted.
“With the next models of Kawasakis on the market, we saw that they had responded,” said Bard.
About Barrett Paving
The Barrett Paving Litchfield facility has been owned and operated by Barrett Paving since 1978. The quarry has been in operation since 1964 and encompasses approximately 100 acres.
In addition to producing all popular sizes of crushed stone, Barrett Paving also manufactures and sells hot-mix asphalt.
The Litchfield facility services its surrounding areas within a 50-mi. (80.1 km) radius.
“We’re very customer service driven,” said Bard. “Our regular customers know that we will be there for them any time they really need us.” CEG
Today's top stories
