Jarryd McNeil
Freestyle Motocross Champion and Cat Ambassador
PUBLISHER:
JARRYD MCNEIL Freestyle Motocross Champion and Cat Ambassador
By
If you follow freestyle motocross or other extreme sports, you have more than likely witnessed the acrobatic feats of Jarryd McNeil at X Games, Nitro Circus, Monster Energy Supercross or other motocross live sporting events. Hailing from Kerang, Australia, McNeil has become a dominant figure in freestyle motocross, earning numerous gold medals, and setting records along the way.
McNeil was born and raised on a 700-cow, 600-acre rural family dairy farm where he grew up surrounded by heavy machinery and motorcycles. His first real experience with construction equipment came at the age of eight when his father put him in charge of a 16-ton Kato excavator. McNeil would use his trusty tractor to clean out irrigation channels, load trucks, and build dirt bike jumps on the farm. This unique upbringing would become the foundation of McNeil’s future career in motocross and eventually, construction.
Influenced by his older brother and his friends, McNeil began riding dirt bikes at just 2 ½ years old. Riding for fun and in events is what the McNeil family did
almost every weekend. His first competitive experience in motocross racing came just before his ninth birthday in 1999. McNeil quickly rose through the ranks, winning state championships and placing in the top three at Australian junior championships. By 2007, he had secured an Australian championship and was named the top amateur 250 rider. This was also right around the time when Jarryd began playing around with freestyle motocross.
Brian Hoover, Senior Editor Photos contributed by Eric Phalin, P.H.D. Productions
Doing tricks on a dirt bike and making some spending money in the process was not a bad gig for a 16-year-old lad. It did not take long before McNeil was asked to become a part of overseas sponsored freestyle events. His first was a 6-week Singapore tour, followed by more events in places like Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Guam and other exotic locations.
McNeil’s big break came in 2009 when he was asked to join Crusty Demons Live Action Sports, initially for a one-month tour in New Zealand. This was followed by the Nitro Circus Tour in 2010. His talent and fearless approach to
freestyle tricks caught the attention of industry legends like Travis Pastrana. These connections led to McNeil’s first X Games invitation and entry into the international spotlight. McNeil made the most of his newfound opportunity and won a silver medal in Best Whip at the X Games on his 19th birthday at Staples Center (Crypto.com Arena). He has gone on to secure multiple medals at the prestigious X Games, with gold in categories such as Step Up and Best Whip. McNeil also triumphed at the Nitro World Games and other U.S. and international events where he has set records in the
Step Up category, soaring to incredible heights on his Yamaha motorcycles.
From 2010 and over the next several years, McNeil traveled back and forth between Australia and California, steadily building his career. While in Australia, McNeil worked for a large construction firm in Victoria running everything from a D6 dozer to a 320 excavator to load a screener at the company’s gravel pit. He came to America the first time with just $1,500 Australian dollars to his name and needed to remain gainfully employed to afford his passion and travel. As McNeil continued to win medals at the
X Games and other events, he also began to acquire sponsorships along the way with major brands like, Monster Energy, Yamaha, FLY Racing, Just1 Racing, Steelwrist Tiltrotators, Havoc Racing, Flo Motorsports and more.
JARRYD MCNEIL –AMBASSADOR FOR CATERPILLAR
The journey to becoming a brand ambassador for Caterpillar really began in 2016 when McNeil purchased his first Cat machine. McNeil explains in more detail. “I had just found out right before the X Games that my offer on a home on ten acres in Temecula Valley Wine Country had been accepted. I told myself at that time that if I won a gold medal at the 2016 X Games, I was going to purchase a Cat compact track loader to work on my new home and property,” says McNeil. “I ended up winning two gold medals and almost immediately purchased a Cat 257
CTL from a private owner in Valencia. I loved my new Cat CTL and used it to groom the land and build my freestyle tracks on my property for around two years, before selling it to my neighbor. I then purchased a Cat 289D CTL and then a Cat 308 mini excavator from Toolshed Equipment Rental in San Diego. I really love operating both of these machines.”
While purchasing Cat machines and dealing with his local Cat distributor, Quinn Cat, McNeil was able to get a sense of the quality and service that comes along with owning a Cat machine. Then in 2018, McNeil was fortunate enough to meet Tim Showfield, a sales representative from a large Caterpillar dealer on the east coast while performing at a Nitro Circus event. “I had already been working
with Steelwrist and others in the construction industry, and when I met Tim at the Nitro show, he offered to help me get my foot in the door at the Caterpillar Tinaja
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Top: Jarryd McNeil with his son, Ryatt, and the all new Cat 265 compact track loader.
Above: Jarryd and Kelsey McNeil with their son, Ryatt.
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Hills Demonstration and Learning Center in Green Valley (Tucson), Arizona. So, in 2019, my mom and dad come over from Australia to watch me in the X Games. After the games, we all went to Phoenix to meet my wife’s parents, so I called Tim to see if he could get me into the proving grounds. He came through for us and my father and I met some really cool people and were given a first-class tour of the Tinaja Hills facility,” says McNeil. “This led to a great opportunity for me in 2020 before and after the ConExpo in Las Vegas. Caterpillar wanted to put on a live event where they constructed a freestyle track, live in front of an audience. They asked if I would be interested in being a part of that event and I jumped at the chance.”
According to McNeil, Caterpillar decided to do two events before ConExpo and a couple after the show. “I was part of a 12-operator crew put together to build the track
in front of a live crowd. Together, we moved 3,000 tons of dirt in one hour using everything from a compact track loader to a large mining truck. After shaping and building the track, I got on my dirt bike and began riding the track we just built and doing tricks for the audience. We did two more shows with Caterpillar in Tucson before going home. After the final show, I was presented with a priceless roll of toilet paper as a thank you for performing during that initial period of COVID.”
The shows in Las Vegas and Tucson led to Caterpillar offering McNeil an opportunity to become an ambassador for the company. “Being an Ambassador for Caterpillar is a great honor and involves working with Cat’s marketing teams and social media departments. They have essentially put me on a brand ambassador program for the past 4 ½ years now where I go to at least three events each year on location with
Caterpillar, in addition to my other shows, and whenever possible, put together social media posts from these engagements,” continues McNeil. “It is my goal to maintain my relationship with Caterpillar and possibly even become a sponsored athlete for them some day,” says McNeil. “I am a die-hard fan of heavy equipment and especially Caterpillar machinery. Another part of being a Caterpillar Ambassador is working closely with your local Cat dealer. My local dealer is Quinn Cat and I have rented from their Murietta location many times. I also buy parts from Quinn Cat and am dreaming of the day that I purchase my first new Cat machine. I have a great relationship with everyone at
Top: Jarryd McNeil operating his Cat 308 mini excavator with Steelwrist Tiltrotator.
Above: McNeil loading his skid dumper on his property.
my Murrieta store, including Scott in rental, Mike, the store manager, and Steve and Ron at the parts counter. I am always treated great at Quinn Cat and enjoy getting involved with their social media whenever possible. I have even met and developed a relationship with Quinn Cat’s Dealer Principal, CEO and President, Parker Quinn, and Quinn’s Senior VP of Sales & Marketing, Brian McDaniel.”
Brian McDaniel has this to say about working with Jarryd McNeil, “Jarryd’s skills in Motocross are like no other. Quinn Company is glad to support him, and excited that he utilizes CAT machines and our services. He is a great ambassador for our brands.”
McNeil was also included in the promotion and release of the new Cat 255 and 265 compact track loaders (CTLs). “This past November, I rode in another track building event in Peoria and we utilized the new Cat 255 and 265 CTLs. Then in January, we had the
new CTL machines on site once again in Tucson to move another 3,000 tons of dirt to build another track. When I returned from that event a new Cat 265 CTL arrived at my home and has been here ever since. If you have not checked out the new Cat 255 and 265 CTLs, I highly recommend you do so. These are truly amazing and powerful machines that will change the way you work around a jobsite,” continues McNeil. “Working with Caterpillar has been amazing so far and has provided me with so many exciting opportunities. I can see my next Cat purchase being a brand-new 301.8 mini excavator. This machine is the smallest available with an
enclosed cab and will work great in tandem with my track dump trucks. As far as my dream machines go, I would love to own a new Cat 307.5 mini excavator and a new larger sized Cat 315 excavator. This will all come together as my story continues to unfold.”
Life has been good to Jarryd McNeil, with the excitement of Freestyle Motocross and engaging with so many great sponsors. But nothing has been quite as good as becoming both a husband and a father. Jarryd met his wife Kelsey in 2017 and the two took their vows in 2020, but due to COVID had their wedding party and ceremony in 2022. Together, they have an awesome son, Ryatt, who at just
Above Left: McNeil grooming track with his Cat 289D compact track loader.
Above Right: McNeil operating the all new Cat 265 compact track loader.
Right: McNeil moving dirt using his skid dumper.
two years of age is already on his electric motorcycle every day, following directly in his father’s footsteps. Additionally, the loving couple is expecting a baby girl in October. As if this all didn’t offer up enough excitement, Kelsey McNeil also runs her own clothing business, Strictly Wild, which has grown quickly to where they are now in a new warehouse in Temecula.
Beyond his competitive success, McNeil has been an influential figure in the sport, inspiring a new generation of riders with his dedication, creativity, and passion for freestyle motocross. He has also been a prominent advocate for the sport, promoting safety and skill development among aspiring riders. Jarryd McNeil's accomplishments in freestyle motocross are a testament to his hard work, skill, and determination. His continued success and influence in the sport make him a true champion and a role model for aspiring athletes. “I will keep pushing the limits and competing in freestyle as long as I remain competitive. One day, I will inevitably transition into the honorable trade of construction, doing that other thing I love, operating heavy machinery. I want
to get my CDL, my A license and see where that door takes me,” says McNeil. “I love working with compact equipment and shaping the earth. Whatever type of construction I end up in, one thing for certain is that it will be with Cat equipment. A lot of motocross and freestyle riders are familiar with construction equipment and want to stay working in the dirt. It is my hope that I can one day hire them to be a part of a special construction group and culture right here in Southern California. I also have some good mates in the industry that I would also like to work with when the time comes.”
Jarryd McNeil is all about blue-collar pride. His signature Aussie Akubra cowboy hat says everything that he wants people to know about him. “I love supporting and representing contractors, farmers and blue-collar workers. I want people to know that I am a cowboy at heart, now more than ever. I want them to know who I am and where I am coming from and deal with me from that level going forward. It’s just who I am,” concludes McNeil.
Follow and visit @jarrydmcneil on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. Cc
Above: Jarryd McNeil soaring with Anthony Oshinuga and his stunt plane in his backyard.
Below: Jarryd Mcneil's FMX training at his backyard freestyle course.
Above: Jarryd McNeil taking home his 4th consecutive X Games Moto X Stepup Gold Medal in Minneapolis, MN.
MONSTER JAM® PARTNERS WITH JCB for Multi-Year Collaboration and the Introduction of JCB DIGatron® to the Fleet
By Brian Hoover, Editor / Photos supplied by JCB
Many of us who have a great love for the heavy, civil construction industry started our journey in a sandbox playing with toy excavators and Tonka trucks. So, you can imagine how exciting, reminiscent, and nostalgic it would be to see a giant version of those toys competing against other massive machines in an arena packed with similar fans. Well, that is exactly what Monster Jam® is all about, and people cannot seem to get enough, with events being held in stadiums and arenas all around the world.
Monster Jam® is a live motorsport event tour featuring various competitions and exhibitions involving famous monster trucks like Grave Digger, Max-D, and El Toro Loco. The 2024 season saw a new truck design come to the Monster Jam fleet, going by the name JCB DIGatron ®. The truck, driven by Monster Jam World Finals® Racing 2023 champion, Tristan England, from Paris, Texas, debuted this past January at the Alamodome in San Antonio, coinciding with the inauguration of a new JCB factory in the same city.
The JCB DIGatron® truck, inspired by JCB's iconic Backhoe Loader, features design elements like the original red seats and boasts dimensions of approximately 10.5 feet in height, 12.5 feet in width, 17 feet in length, and a weight of 12,000 pounds. Powered by a supercharged engine running on methanol fuel, it generates 1,500 horsepower.
The Monster Jam® event includes a variety of competitions such as racing on a track with obstacles, and skills competition, where the drivers attempt to balance their
Tristan England, driver for JCB DIGatron® at Monster Jam® World Finals competition at SoFi Stadium.
trucks on two wheels showcasing control and technique, and donuts, where the trucks spin in tight circles creating a donut pattern. Monster Jam® announced their multi-year partnership with JCB, a global leader in construction and agricultural equipment manufacturing, as a collaboration that marks JCB as the Official Heavy Equipment Partner for Monster Jam®. This partnership allows JCB to engage with dealerships and customers across more than 100 markets worldwide annually.
JCB is one of the world’s largest privately-owned construction equipment companies. JCB is also
a family business where Alice Bamford’s father, Lord Bamford, serves as Chairman. Alice Bamford explains the origin of partnering with Monster Jam® and building the new JCB DIGatron® monster truck. “Our son, Otis, became completely and utterly obsessed with Monster Jam®, drawing it, watching it on television and playing with the toy monster trucks. My partner, Annie, and I took our children to see Monster Jam® thinking we would enjoy the experience simply by seeing our children have fun. Well, we went and had the best time ever. Just a visceral experience, the music, the sound of the trucks, which are all
like rock stars, the flips, and the overall intensity,” says Alice. “How quickly the time went, and we immediately felt it would be fantastic to build a partnership between JCB and Monster Jam®.”
After attending a Monster Jam® event and having an amazing time, the idea of creating a monster truck came up on Christmas Day 2022. “We were spending Christmas Day with my father and the subject of building a truck for Monster Jam® was raised. It did not take long for everyone to agree that it should look like the backhoe loader.
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Above: Pictured are Alice Bamford and family on the left, Kenneth Feld and Juliette Feld Grossman on the right.
Right: Tristan England, driver for JCB DIGatron® .
like now. Feld Entertainment has an incredible team of engineers as does JCB, and after several designs and alterations, JCB DIGatron® was born,” continues Alice. “Otis is the original Monster Jam fan in our family, and it is through his eyes that we realized how incredible it could be to join forces with another family business like Feld Entertainment as both companies share the same values of innovation, dedication, passion, and attention to detail. We are thrilled about the hours of entertainment that JCB DIGatron®, with Tristan at the wheel, will bring to children, families, and our customers across North America!”
JCB has sponsored and participated in Formula One (F1) events since 1961, and is always looking to participate in other unique marketing platforms to positively expand their presence. The JCB brand is number one in Europe and has a large share of the business in many other countries, including a 50 percent market share in India. JCB is also
JCB is a British brand, they are also very much an American brand with a manufacturing plant in Savannah, Georgia, and their newest 720,000 square foot factory in San Antonio, Texas. The ongoing goal here in the United States is for JCB to become the household name it has become all over the rest of the world.
The 23rd Monster Jam World Finals took place on May 18, 2024, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, featuring an S-style racing course debut. Highlights included wins by Armando Castro in the two-wheel skills category, Colt Stephens in the high jump, Zack Garner in racing, and Tyler Menninga in freestyle.
Tristan England began his Monster Jam career working on his father's truck, Big Kahuna, and later attended Monster Jam University in 2015. With tour championships in 2018, 2019, and 2023, he describes himself as an adrenaline enthusiast always on the move. Even though Tristan was { Continued on page 20 }
Top: The JCB Dirt Squad carries a truck off the track.
Above: Caleb Wright, Dealer Principal, SoCal JCB.
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still getting used to the JCB DIGatron® with a new truck chassis, he still managed to pull off a second-place win in JCB Racing and second-place overall at the World Finals at SoFi Stadium this past May. A thrilling start to their first season.
JCB’s California distributor, SoCal JCB, held a Monster Jam event at their La Mirada location on May 14, just one week before the World Finals event in Los Angeles. Tristan England was on hand, along with the JCB DIGatron® truck.
Caleb Wright is the Dealer Principal for SoCal JCB, and he explains JCB’s presence and involvement in the Monster Jam® World Finals.
“We held an open house for our employees and customers one week before the big event at our La Mirada location. We had JCB DIGatron® parked out front with
catered food and our driver, Tristan England, on location all day long. The driver for El Toro Loco lives nearby, and when he heard about the event, he was good enough to join us, so we had two awesome drivers at our open house,” says Wright. “We were also part of the pit party event outside SoFi Stadium where we had nine pieces of JCB equipment staged all weekend long. There were probably 3,000 people in and around our booth, with both adults and children jumping in and out of mini excavators and compact telehandlers. It resembled a carnival-type atmosphere and everyone had a great time.”
Being in partnership with Monster Jam® meant that JCB would provide the essential equipment for the track build, as well as support for the monster trucks during the competitions.
“Our JCB crew is called ‘The Dirt Squad,’ and the main equipment character is ‘Scoopz,’ a JCB 457 4 ½ yard wheel loader designed
and built with a scorpion in mind,” explains Wright. “Scoopz has taken on a life of his own with a big rescue attachment on the front to safely and efficiently flip the machines back over. It also has jaws and a scorpion tail that the kids go crazy over.”
Wright goes on to explain that the Monster Jam® tracks go through a minimum of two changeovers during an event.
“At the World Finals, there were 30-plus JCB machines working all night long during and a week before the event for track building and event preparation,” says Wright. “Our JCB machines are the first on the track and the last to leave. It was just a sea of JCB at the World Finals and such a joyful family experience for our customers and employees.”
SoCal JCB worked closely with the Feld Entertainment track development manager to go over the list of JCB units needed, which can add up to 80 to 100 units deep depending on the size of the show.
Above: JCB wheel loader helping Grave Digger out on the track.
Right: Two JCB compact track loaders build the Monster Jam World Finals track.
From auxiliary and small compact equipment to earthmoving equipment, all of the machines included round-the-clock on-call service and support. “When a Monster Jam® event is over, the thrills continue, like seeing a kid at Target with a JCB DIGatron® shirt on, or selling our JCB DIGatron® toys and merchandise online,” continues Wright. “These kids are seeing JCB operate through events like Monster Jam®, and when they enter the workforce, they will see JCB as an integral part of their business.”
Looking ahead, the 2025 Monster Jam World Finals will be held in Salt Lake City. The event promises exhilarating races, stunts, and a massive Pit Party, showcasing fanfavorite trucks like Grave Digger ® ,
Finals at SoFi Stadium.
Above Right: Tristan England, JCB DIGatron® driver with a young fan.
Left: The JCB Dirt Squad heads out to rescue a flipped over Monster Jam® truck and repair the track.
Megalodon®, Zombie ®, and JCB DIGatron® at Rice-Eccles Stadium, amidst the scenic backdrop of the University of Utah. Contact SoCal JCB for additional details or tickets for this and other events.
Feld Entertainment is a global leader in producing and presenting live touring family entertainment experiences. Founded by Irvin Feld in 1967 and now headquartered in Palmetto, Florida, the company is privately owned by the Feld family. Feld Entertainment's extensive portfolio includes some of the most well-known live entertainment brands, such as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Disney on Ice, Marvel Universe LIVE!, Supercross, Monster Energy AMA, Sesame Street Live, and of course, Monster Jam®.
JCB stands for J.C. Bamford Excavators Limited and it was named after its founder, Joseph Cyril Bamford. The Bamford family has turned the JCB company into a construction equipment empire based on innovation, hard work, quality and investment in ever-evolving manufacturing technologies. JCB manufactures agricultural, government & defense, and construction equipment. This includes excavators, wheel loaders, tractors, skid steer loaders, compact track loaders, forklifts, telehandlers, backhoes, site dumpers, and military loadalls. For more information on JCB products in California, please visit www.socaljcb.com or call their Fontana headquarters at (866) 522-7225. Cc
of the Farms That Feed Our Nation
Hawthorne Cat Hosts Next Generation Cat ® Compact Track Loaders Demo Event
Hawthorne Cat held a special all new Next Generation Cat Compact Track Loaders Demo Event on Friday, June 14, 2024, in Escondido, CA from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event specifically featured the all-new Next Generation Cat 255 and 265 compact track loaders. The new Cat Compact Track Loaders include a groundup redesign from the previous D3 series, such as improved engine performance, lift and tilt
Attendees gather at the Hawthorne Rentals booth, one of the many vendors on-site offering information and giveaways.
performance, stability, operator comfort, and upgraded technology.
Experts from Caterpillar ® and Hawthorne Cat were on hand to show the full capabilities of the next-generation Cat compact track loaders, including Joel Robinett, Hawthorne's General Manager - Machine Sales and Rentals. “Cat is always looking to improve on everything they do and manufacture, and they accomplish this by listening to their customers. Concerning the new compact track loaders, Cat came out with a more robust machine, with more lifting capacity, higher dump height, and
Above: The all-new Next Generation Cat Compact Track Loaders on display at Hawthorne Cat's demo event on June 14 in Escondido, CA.
Left:
Below Left: Joel Robinette, Hawthorne Cat General Manager of Machine Sales and Rentals (center), speaks with team members and customers at the demo event.
more overall versatility,” says Robinett. “What struck me first and the most was the sheer power behind these new compact track loaders. You can see and feel the difference. It is a lot beefier throughout, all the way to the more robust rear door engine compartment.”
Features and Benefits
The new 255 and 265 loaders are powered by Cat C2.8T and Cat C2.8TA engines that offer 73.4 hp and boast a significant torque increase for both models. Additionally, the redesigned engine compartment mounts the engine and cooling package lower into the frame for improved ride and stability. Other features include class-leading lift height compared to the 259D3 and 36% more tilt breakout, 26% higher lift breakout force, and a 24% increase in rated operating capacity. The 265 also delivers 19% higher tilt breakout force and 22% higher lift breakout force. The list of improvements goes on with increased standard hydraulic system pressure, and the Cat 255 and 265 compact track loaders both feature a larger cab design
with 22% more overall volume and 26% additional foot space. The creature comforts get even better with a range of new mechanical and air-ride suspension, ventilated and heated seat options for both the 255 and 265 compact track loaders. Concerning technology, both the standard and advanced monitors offer the ability to run Cat Smart Attachments, tied directly to and recognized by the joysticks and the pattern controlling it. The available Cat Product Link Elite system tracks machine hours, location, asset utilization, provides fault code details, and delivers advanced monitoring and machine health. Everything is remotely accessible via VisionLink®, and Product Link Elite provides remote flash and troubleshooting capabilities and quickly enables the remote activation of the SEA High Flow feature.
Chris Giannaris, Hawthorne's GM Marketing & Digital, explains the excitement and buzz surrounding the all-new Cat compact track loaders. “The next-gen machines have been rolling out at Caterpillar over the past five or six years. Cat has worked their way through the product line, bringing superior
Right: A view of the many vendors present at Hawthorne Cat's demo event on June 14 in Escondido.
Left: Customers received one-on-one instruction and demonstrations of the new Next Generation Cat Compact Track Loaders.
Right: Customers enjoying the promotional giveaways and hands-on demos.
onboard technology to include the reworking of everything from the hydraulic system to the new more spacious and more comfortable cab. Caterpillar is about to celebrate their 100-year anniversary. That sort of longevity only comes when a company continues to listen and improve on their products, year after year. Our compact equipment line has been around for nearly 25 years and continues to make improvements with long-term value that continues to lead the industry,” says Giannaris. “The new Cat 255 and 265 compact track loaders are an evolution of the 259D3 and 279D3, with two new models available now and larger sizes coming in the next several months. The Cat 259D3 has been our most popular machine for a while now and it just got a brandnew refresh that is creating a lot of buzz. Our demo event was very successful with a great turnout, special event-only pricing, raffles (including a $10,000 Cat credit), and an amazing food truck. In addition to the all-new compact
Left & Below:
Hawthorne Cat's all-new compact track loader demo event was a great success, with a fantastic turnout, special event-only pricing, raffles (including a $10,000 Cat credit), and amazing food trucks.
track loaders, we also had other exhibitors to include SITECH Pacific, Cat Financial (Cat Vantage Rewards and Cat Card), Cat VisionLink, and Cat attachments.”
Joel Robinett points out that many of their customers will experience the amazing features and productivity of the new compact track loaders through Hawthorne Rentals. “Once these units hit our rental locations, users will discover the difference firsthand. People buy what they rent, and there is no better way to make a buying decision than sitting in and operating a machine,” continues Robinett. “This is an exceptional machine for all types of contractors, from landscapers and homebuilders to heavy earthmoving construction firms. We invite everyone to discover these new compact track loaders, now available at 0% for 36 months.”
For more information about the new Next Generation Cat 255 and 265 Compact Track Loaders, contact Hawthorne Cat or visit hawthornecat.com. Cc
Volvo Construction Equipment & Services
Volvo Construction Equipment & Services Electric Open House in Corona and San Leandro Showcased a Variety of Electric Machines and Hands-on Opportunities
olvo Construction Equipment & Services (VCES) continues to lead the way in the continuing evolution of electric construction machinery here in California. VCES recently held Electric Open House events in Corona and San Leandro in June, highlighting all of their compact electric machines. Units on display and available for demo included the Volvo EC18 and ECR25 compact excavators, the Volvo L20 and L25 compact wheel loaders, the Volvo DD25 asphalt compactor roller, and the always popular Volvo EC230 23-metric-ton battery powered crawler excavator.
Top: Volvo Construction Equipment & Services featured the Volvo EC230, a 23-metricton battery-powered crawler excavator, at their Corona Open House.
Ed Galindo is the E-Mobility Product Manager for VCES and he,
along with others, managed the efforts to put together an electric open house in Corona and San Leandro. “Much of the credit for these successful electric open house events go to our incredible marketing team, including our Marketing Manager, Cheyenne Clements and Marketing Assistant, Ana Durazo. They worked tirelessly to make sure everything was in order so that everyone could have
Left: Attendees relaxed under canopies, enjoying refreshments and exploring booths like Road Soup's at the Corona Open House.
Above: At the Corona Open House, Ed Galindo, VCES’s E-Mobility Product Manager, was eager to showcase all the electric units on display.
the best experience possible at both open house events,” says Galindo. “Attendance was good at both locations with 70 to 100 in attendance in Corona and San Leandro. The majority of the attendees came from municipalities, but we also had individuals from construction and rental companies there to see these machines first hand. We supported both events with our in-house employees and product service representatives, and our President, Dave Hill, was also there engaging with current and future customers.”
In addition to experiencing the smooth, quiet power of the Volvo electric machines, guests were
VCES featured all the electric unit options including the star of the show, the new all-electric DD25. Other impressive equipment such as the electric Bergmann dumper and charging solutions like Moxion and Portable were also on view at the Corona Open House.
also introduced to the Volstack 5k and 30k electric generators from Portable Electric. “We held the Corona event on June 12 and 13 with all of our electric offerings onsite, including Portable Electric eGenerators, Bergmann electric wheel dumpers, which we represent as an official distributor. We also had Moxion Power at both the Corona and San Leandro events. This is a mobile power storage system that Volvo corporate has established a strategic purchasing plan so that we can better serve our customers,” continues Galindo. “Additonally, we invited Road Soup, LLC to attend our Corona electric open house. Road Soup manufacturers
premium asphalt, concrete and sidewalk repair products. We purchased one ton of Road Soup’s cold mix asphalt pot hole repair solution and then utilized our Volvo DD25 electric drum roller to patch holes in our driveway asphalt sections.”
VCES held their San Leandro electric open house on June 26 and 27. “Again we had all of our electric machines on display, along with a new exhibitor, Toro, who displayed their Edingo mini skid steer, as well as the Bergmann electric buggy, both of which got a lot of attention. Live demonstrations began around 11:30 a.m. and included a hybrid electric demonstration and solution
utilizing the Bobcat diesel portable power units working in tandem with the Volstack 30 eGenerator to show our attendees how an electric unit can be kept working non-stop without interruption,” says Galindo. “Our guests made use of the time in between demonstrations to demo the equipment, including moving gravel and dirt with the amazing Volvo EC230 all-electric excavator. Everyone had a great time and we recorded record attendance
for both locations. We had raffles and gave away swag, along with snacks and light refreshments. As California continues it push toward electric machines and zero emissions, Volvo and VCES stands ready to continue to educate and meet the future of fully electric equipment and power.” For more information on Volvo electric equipment, visit www.vcesvolvo.com or call their headquarters at (951) 277-7620. Cc
These images were captured during the VCES San Leandro Electric Open House, where they conducted live demonstrations featuring Hybrid Energy Solutions utilizing the Bobcat Portable Power Generators and Portable Electric E-Generators.
Working below ground requires a special set of skills and expertise. As one of the most dangerous working conditions in the industry, safety concerns are at the forefront of any trench or excavation project. Having the right people and equipment is not only essential to the project’s success — knowing how to select and use shoring equipment saves lives.
Through efforts like OSHA’s competent person requirement — having a designated Competent Person onsite who can identify known or potential hazards — worker injuries and fatalities have greatly reduced. However, one fatality is still too many, and OSHA continues to report new trenchrelated, preventable deaths each year. Simply put, there is still a lot of work to be done.
Enter the experts on Sunstate Equipment’s Trench Safety Rentals team.
TWO RENTAL PIONEERS. ONE TRENCH POWERHOUSE.
Sunstate is a 47-year-old construction equipment rental company with a network of
locations spanning coast to coast. Earlier this year, Sunstate sought to broaden its trench specialty division though the acquisition of the Southwest’s premier trench experts, Trench Shore Rentals (known as Trebor Shoring Rentals in Southern California).
By bringing together two bestin-class teams, Sunstate Trench Safety Rentals is equipped to provide industry-leading solutions to SoCal projects from simple trench digs to complex engineered systems in a variety of conditions, soil types, and surrounding structures.
“The combination of two familyfounded rental industry pioneers was a one-of-a-kind opportunity for both teams,” said Chris Watts, president and CEO of Sunstate Equipment. “Our companies share a long history of mutual respect, friendship, and values. By blending Sunstate’s deep knowledge of the general rental business with TSR/ Trebor’s expertise in underground shoring, we created new growth opportunities while developing more robust ways to serve our customers that work above and below ground.”
Leveraging its status as a founding member of the North American Excavation Shoring Association (NAXSA), TSR/Trebor brought decades of experience and industry-leading best practices to underground projects, setting a high standard in excavation safety and efficiency.
In parallel, Sunstate has carved out a prominent position in the construction equipment rental industry. With its strategic expansion into the underground rental space six years ago, it has significantly bolstered its Trench Safety Rentals division, demonstrating a robust commitment to advancement in the field.
Together, their combined expertise and resources signal a new era of innovation and excellence in trench safety solutions.
OUT-OF-THE-BOX THINKING FOR IN-THE-BOX SAFETY
Trench projects and confined space work come with unique jobsite safety and compliance challenges. Having a trained competent person onsite is
By Brett Luccketta, Sunstate Equipment / Photos contributed by Sunstate Equipment
not only desirable, but it is also mandatory to remain in compliance with OSHA 29 CFR 1926 SUBPART P.
The designated competent person needs to be knowledgeable in soils, systems, external conditions, weather elements, surrounding above- and belowground structures, traffic patterns, ingress, egress, and more. Often, this is in addition to the person’s normal role on the project.
Sunstate can help in two significant ways: bringing the right equipment solutions to each jobsite and providing comprehensive competent person training.
The experts on the Sunstate team have decades of focused expertise on working safely in and around excavation sites and in confined spaces. They are toptier partners for helping identify the correct shoring system and equipment — from build-a-boxes, modular shields, and hydraulic shores to slide rails and engineered systems — to meet site specs.
Since experience is the best teacher, Sunstate developed an innovative Competent Person for Excavation Safety training program unlike any other in the industry. By utilizing interactive technology, Sunstate gives participants an engaging training experience that is both immersive and memorable. Computerized simulations allow students to “see” the risks without having to ever learn through a real-life tragedy.
Training is appropriate for all project participants, from engineers and superintendents to on-the-ground workers and machine operators. Topics covered include cave-in prevention, OSHA excavation standards, compliance guidelines for shoring, sloping, shielding, soil analysis, and more.
TRENCH SHORING IN ACTION: THE MORENA CONVEYANCE NORTH PROJECT
With Sunstate’s acquisition of TSR/Trebor, it became a key shoring supplier for OHLA USA,
Inc.’s Morena Conveyance North project — a contract for the installation of 20,870 linear feet of both 48-inch wastewater force main and 30-inch brine centrate pipeline in San Diego. The contract also calls for installing over four miles of a new Fiber Optic system and considerable civil improvements to city streets and walkways.
OHLA USA’s West Region team recently completed the construction of a jack and bore tunnel located beneath San Clemente Canyon, Rose Canyon, and Interstate 805, which will house piping to transport wastewater to the North City Water Reclamation Plant. There, the wastewater will be treated to meet recycled water standards for uses other than drinking.
Morena Conveyance North is one of many water infrastructure projects in OHLA’s portfolio that safeguard the environment and protect California’s precious water supply.
Above: OHLA’s San Diego Pure Water Project, Sunstate Equipment | Trench Safety Rentals.
Above: Trench Safety Rental Delivery, Sunstate Equipment | Trench Safety Rentals.
SUNSTATE AND OHLA: A PARTNERSHIP THAT GOES DEEP
“Trebor [now Sunstate] was selected as a key shoring partner on the project for its competitive pricing and great service,” says Jose Ortiz, OHLA USA’s Operations Manager.
To keep workers safe, various shoring methods are used on the project, including a combination of beam and lagging and caisson shafts, trench boxes, and hydraulic shoring. OHLA USA employs a full-time safety manager with several years of experience in trenching, shaft construction, and tunneling. Field staff are also provided with OSHA 30 training and taught to be competent excavation employees.
“Being competent in excavations teaches us to classify soil types from Class A through C,” Ortiz says. “Once we identify the soil, we can select the best shoring methods that suit the conditions and challenges we face.”
During the bidding process, Ortiz says project bidders were provided with a Geotechnical Baseline Report (GBR) advising them of the soil conditions to be expected, allowing them to measure the risk
and select the shoring method that best suited the project’s challenges.
“Trebor also has been great in supplying a staff member when we require support on any shoring application,” Ortiz adds.
MITIGATING OTHER PROJECT CHALLENGES
Morena Conveyance North also faced an environmental challenge. The owner advised the bidders to expect contamination in a specific project area related to past spills from existing fuel stations. OHLA USA brought in a contracting company to sample the soil while excavating and to train employees on how to work safely in those conditions. Once the contracting company efficiently identified the suspect soil, OHLA USA was able to set it aside and properly dispose of it.
SETTING NEW INDUSTRY STANDARDS: SUNSTATE’S PATH FORWARD
Sunstate’s recent acquisition of TSR/Trebor exemplifies its strategic growth ambitions and marks the beginning of a new era in the trench shoring industry. By integrating the strengths of both companies,
Sunstate is positioned to offer unparalleled service quality and innovative solutions that address the evolving needs of the market.
This alignment of teams supports the long-standing values of both Sunstate and TSR/ Trebor, reinforcing a commitment to customer-centric approaches that foster stronger relationships and add value beyond mere transactions. It also propels the advancement of technology and safety standards within the sector, setting new benchmarks for excellence.
Now, clients across the board — whether dealing with deep underground excavations or working within confined spaces — benefit from unparalleled safety, efficiency, and technical support.
As we look to the future, it’s evident that Sunstate’s pioneering spirit will drive transformative change, reinforcing the shared commitment to excellence that has been the hallmark of both companies from the very beginning.
To learn about Sunstate’s on-site Competent Person & Confined Space Awareness training, contact us at (866) 823-3319. Or visit SunstateEquip.com. Cc
CASE Launches Construction-Grade Mini Track Loaders and Small Articulated Loaders to Bring More Power to Small Jobs
CASE Construction Equipment has launched an all-new lineup of mini track loaders and small articulated loaders, giving small contractors construction-grade muscle to knock down more jobs faster and more profitably than ever before.
The new stand-on TL100 mini track loader offers crews a powerful attachment platform in a compact, easy-to-maneuver and easy-totransport machine. The new line of six small articulated loaders, including a telescopic model, gives contractors a wide variety of options and power ranges to meet their unique challenges. Both product lines bring a new level of power and flexibility to small machines so contractors can tackle more jobs with less manual labor.
New Mini Track Loader Brings More Maneuverability and Muscle to Small Jobs
With an operating capacity of 1,000 pounds and a super compact profile that can easily maneuver through yard gates, tree groves and other tight areas, the new TL100 mini track loader gives contractors a powerful, costeffective option for upleveling productivity on small jobs. The 24-horsepower machine also features a 14-pin electrical connector and a Common Industry Interface for maximum attachment flexibility and performance. With over 40 attachment options available, the TL100 can handle the work of multiple laborers on jobs like digging, earth moving, setting fence posts, grappling brush and grading.
CASE Delivers More Range, Reach and Flexibility with New Line of Small Articulated Loaders
In 2024, CASE will release six new small articulated loaders to help contractors of all sizes meet their toughest challenges on tight jobsites. With power ranges from 24 to 74 horsepower, operating capacity from 1,500 to more than 3,000 pounds, options for diesel or fully electric, and a full range of more than 110 powerful attachments, CASE small articulated loaders are some of the most versatile machines on the market.
Several CASE small articulated loaders, including the SL12TR, feature a telescopic arm to provide
an extra-long reach for loading trucks or moving material into tough-to-reach places. Where lifting capacity is a priority, CASE will offer more rugged models with traditional Z-bar loader linkage that can handle heavier loads. CASE is also launching the all-electric SL22EV that delivers the same power as its diesel counterparts and can be fully charged in one hour.
For more information on new CASE subcompact equipment, visit https://www.casece.com/ northamerica/en-us/products/ small-machines-and-tactics. Cc
97-110 HP
3,470-4,125 lb (Backhoe boom lift capacity)
7,606-8,202 lb (Loader lift capacity)
hablamos español
THE AGILE ALL-ROUNDERS
Compact compaction equipment for asphalt construction and earthworks
HIGHLIGHTS
Ergonomic driver platform
Simple, intuitive and language-neutral control
Simple transport, simple loading
Excellent view of drum edge, machine and construction site environment
Compact dimensions
California’s L argest General Line Construction and Municipal Equipment Dealer. So. California: 2044 S. Vineyard Ave., Ontario, CA 91761 • (9 09) 930 -1822 No California: 80 0 E Grant Line Rd , Tracy, CA 95304 • (209) 830 - 860 0 Nevada: 2750 Marion Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89115 • (702) 342-8100 ww w.nixonegli.com