Dig It Contracting: Diggin’ intelligent machine control

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Dig It Contracting Maximizes its Mixed Fleet with Advanced Technology

When it comes to winning bids as a contractor, two factors are key: timeline and price. Now, more than ever, contractors are looking to high-tech equipment to improve accuracy and gain efficiencies on the job site in order to keep their competitive edge.

Kelowna-based Dig It Contracting Ltd. is staying ahead of the curve with a mixed fleet of state-of-the-art machines, including excavators, dozers and wheel loaders, and smart construction technology. President Dwayne Flett says the strategy has been critical to his company’s success, particularly in a dynamic market where skilled labour shortages are putting additional pressure on the sector.

“Technology helps us be a leader in the industry,” he says. “It helps us to be more efficient with our jobs and it helps us complete the jobs in a better timeframe. At the end of the day, it’s helping us win more bids.”

Intelligent Investments

Dig It is a full-service civil contractor that prides itself on being a "one-call solution" for water, sanitary sewer, power, cable, table, asphalt, telephone and curb and gutter projects. It also performs a range of residential and commercial work, from demolition to septic builds. The company’s mixed fleet is comprised of more than a dozen machines and leverages a combination of built-in and aftermarket machine control technologies.

The first collaboration between Dig It and SMS Equipment was sparked during a sales call several years ago. The SMS Equipment reps arrived at a fortuitous moment —Flett’s crew was struggling with a modelling application on one of their excavators, in the middle of an important, high-pressure job. SMS Equipment helped solve the challenge on the spot, and Flett knew he’d found a long-term partner.

"We were on a very technical project, and we only had one chance to do it. [Getting a] slope and design built into the machine was critical, so the operator didn’t have to repeat it or go back and do another cut – because, in reality, there was no opportunity to go back,” Flett explains.

In addition to suggesting a different way to use Dig It’s existing machine-control technology, the SMS Equipment team recommended a comprehensive solution to increase accuracy of the job — a unique pairing of a zero-tail-swing excavator and an Engcon tilt rotator with grade beam, pallet forks and sorting grapple.

The equipment and technology combination allowed Flett and his crew to get the project done on time and on budget. From there, his plan for an upgraded construction equipment fleet was set in motion.

Building on Success

Dig It’s next two investments were Komatsu PC290LCi-11 and PC360LCi-11 excavators, both factory-fit with IMC technology. They were chosen based on Komatsu’s strong reputation in the market and the benefits the products’ built-in features that would offer Flett’s projects.

Komatsu’s IMC technology helps train new operators, reduces the time to work from mass excavation to finished grading, and fully integrates 3D design data into the machines to help operators work efficiently, pass after pass. IMC technology also removes the need for staking, saving both time and budget.

“We don’t have to wait for the surveyor to come in [because] we’ve got proper setup from the get-go,” says Flett. “We’re ready to roll from start to finish, right from putting the pipe in the ground to finishing and prepping for asphalt.”

Other machines were added to the fleet, like the IMC-equipped Komatsu D51PXi-24 dozer, WA250PZ-6 wheel loaders, and PC138USLC-11 and PC238USLC-11 excavators for their versatility and agility in tight city workspaces.

“In an urban setting, [these machines] are nimble, they’re light, they have reduced tail swing so they can work in the traffic. Even if you're working in a single lane, they still have the ability to get the job done expediently,” Flett adds.

Running a high-tech, mixed fleet has paid off. Many of Dig It’s customers are repeat customers because they, too, see the benefits of the technology; when it comes to complicated excavation projects, Dig It is their number 1 choice.

Future-proofing the construction contracting industry

While enjoying the gains of his state-of-the-art fleet in the short-term, Flett sees the benefits of technology in helping address the industry’s labour challenges in the years to come.

“I believe that technology is going to be the only way that we're going to be able to move forward,” he says. “Our labor pool is shrinking, [and] I think technology is going to help fill that gap.”

He notes that machine control features allow less experienced operators to perform the same operations with the accuracy of seasoned operators, whether that’s hitting grade, moving material only once, or eliminating rework.

A Partnership Built on Trust

Flett adds that partnering with SMS Equipment as Dig It Contracting’s "one-stop-shop" has been key to his company's success. From tailored solutions to industry-leading service, SMS Equipment’s collaboration has supported the contractor’s growth in the Okanagan and beyond.

"We’ve had incredible success with the Komatsu products and SMS Equipment; it's been an incredible team," Flett says. "SMS Equipment’s service is second to none. They've helped us every step of the way, whether we need something adjusted or need anything else, they've been there for us. The service has been unparalleled."

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