BURROS BACKHOE SERVICE, LLC -

By Ian Hoover, Editor

BURROS BACKHOE SERVICE, LLC – MOBILE OPERATED EXCAVATOR AND BACKHOE SERVICE NOW OFFERS ON-AND-OFF-SITE EQUIPMENT MOVING SERVICES

Mark Burros started his construction career as a laborer right after he graduated high school in 2002. Since that time, he has paid his dues working for large and small contractors, eventually joining the Local 12 (International Union of Operating Engineers) in 2004 to become a heavy equipment operator. He started his Union equipment operator career at R.J. Noble Company, before being hired at Savala Equipment Rentals in 2012. With an eye toward personal advancement, Burros began to envision going out on his own as an independent owner-operator. Then in 2018, while at Quinn Company Cat in Riverside, Mark saw the machine that would convince him to take the plunge. It was a Cat 450 backhoe loader and as he puts it, “the backhoe just seemed to speak to me.” Burros filled out the necessary paperwork and in less than an hour, he was the proud owner of the shiny new Cat machine.

Mark and Stephanie Burros started their new venture, aptly named Burros Backhoe Service, LLC (Burros), with small jobs that quickly led to more significant projects. Burros now performs most of its work for large Union contractors, Caltrans and other public works agencies. The company can provide any machine from backhoes and excavators to dozers and water trucks. Their specialty, however, is with the backhoes and excavators and they have built their reputation with those machines. Burros has four full-time exceptional operators equipped with just the right machine and attachments.

Burros Backhoe Service on the 405 freeway filling slope on a ramp widening in Fountain Valley.

Burros 2020 Peterbilt semi-truck and 2020 Aspin 16-tire lowbed trailer moving an excavator offsite to a holding yard.

Burros is now taking its original 24-hour mobile backhoe service to the next level. When Mark and Stephanie Burros started out, they had their Cat 450 backhoe and a customized mobile trailer setup that assured they would have anything and everything they needed for the job at hand. Now they have taken that concept and applied it to the 50,000 to 80,000 lb. excavator niche. The husband and wife team purchased a brand-new 2020 Peterbilt semitruck with a 605 HP Cummins engine, 18-speed transmission and heavy haul rear axle setup. Mark Burros did the design customizing himself and added a new 2020 Aspin 16 tire lowbed trailer to the mix to begin hauling heavy equipment up to 80,000 lbs. “There is limited space on many of these jobsites. Many of the companies we work for are required to move the heavy equipment to a centralized holding yard at the end of each shift. Traditionally, these contractors have brought in a trucking company, and they would take care of these moves,” says Burros. “Now, with our new semi-truck and trailer setup, we can get this done much more conveniently and efficiently for our customers and save the headache in the process. It just makes sense to use our services. We are already on the site and fully licensed and insured, so it works out for everyone involved.”

Burros has a long list of jobs on the books right now for both their excavator and backhoe mobile operated services. “I have an 18-monthlong project that we just started on the 101 freeway where we are removing the existing barrier rail from Hollywood to Camarillo,” says Burros. “We are working for OHL and using our John Deere 210G LC rubber tracked excavator. This is one of our more interesting jobs where our operator wiggles out the barrier rail and loads it on to the trucks.” Burros says that his company is still out on the 405-freeway project where they are performing overexcavation and digging abutment for the lane extension and bridgework. “This is another long-term job for us and one that we are performing our mobile trucking services on each night. I work my shift and then begin moving whatever machines the prime contractor deems necessary, then return the next evening and start it all over again. It’s a win/win for everyone involved.”

Burros using their Cat backhoes to remove overexcavation on local road and freeway projects.

Burros recently hired another operator to keep up with the workload. “When I first started in this business, I thought that I would just remain a true owner operator, but that quickly changed when I was forced to turn down several jobs,” says Burros. “I rethought the situation and realized that I am a young guy that needs to keep his name out there. You can’t afford to say no and you never stop proving your ability, availability and versatility.”

According to Burros, there is undoubtedly plenty of variety in the operated equipment rental business. “One day, we are working out on the freeway for Caltrans or some other public works company, and the next, we are digging trench for an electrical contractor. It is never boring, but working nights can be a challenge because I have to make time to promote our business while keeping a watchful eye for honest, hardworking and reliable operators. But it is our willingness to go above and beyond that keeps our customers calling back. It is not uncommon to get a last-minute call where they need us next week or even the next day, and we do everything we can to respond with, ’no problem.’”

Burros also stays busy at the Port of Los Angeles, where they are digging thousands of feet of trench and excavating drainage ditches for an electrical contractor. They are also performing excavating work on the $870 million Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility Project at Port of Long Beach. “The Port projects keep us busy, and we have a new 2-year contract coming up very soon,” says Burros. “The demand for our services is very high right now, and I expect that to continue for at least the next two years. That will mean adding a few more machines and operators in 2021. Time will tell, but we are ready and willing to take on any and all challenges.”

Burros recently purchased a new swivel bucket for its Cat 450 backhoe shown here on a curb and gutter project.

Stephanie Burros is the majority owner of Burros Backhoe Service, LLC, a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE). She has a degree in Business and knows all of the ins and outs of running an operated equipment rental company. This includes certified payroll, DIR, and the mounds of other red tape and paperwork that keep it all organized and legal. For more information on Burros Backhoe Service, LLC and their 24/7 mobile, operated heavy equipment rental services, please call (714) 313-9387. Cc