Harris Backhoe & Dump Truck Service Inc.

Choosing to Work, Grow and Succeed Alongside the Best Operators and Equipment in the Industry

By Brian Hoover, Senior Editor

Ron Harris, Owner, Harris Backhoe and Dump Truck Service, Inc.

Each individual choice is capable of shaping a person’s identity and destiny. Little choices become habits, and more important choices can change the course of our everyday life. Ron Harris chose to go into the field of plumbing when he was a young man, and he made a good living for several years doing it. He found out that what he loved about his line of work was the opportunity to jump on a piece of equipment and dig some trenches. So, he made a choice and decided to start an excavating business in 1993 and incorporate in 1999. “I was almost immediately awarded a nine-month contract at Travis Air Force Base. That job allowed me to go out and buy a new Case 580 Super E backhoe, and it all just took off from there,” says Harris. “I was also fortunate to go right to work for the same plumbing company that I had been working with and performed his backhoe work until the day he retired.”

Harris Backhoe and Dump Truck Service, Inc. uses their Case CX145D-SR excavator to dig electrical trenches at the multi-million dollar Richards Boulevard Office Complex in Sacramento.

As the owner and president of Harris Backhoe & Dump Truck Service, Inc. (Harris Backhoe), Ron Harris remained a one backhoe operation for several years, until he realized that the time had come to choose to grow and expand. “I realized that I was giving a lot of work away to my friends and colleagues in the industry, so my wife, Wendy, and I decided to get into brokering,” says Harris. “We also joined the Local 3 Operating Engineers and began hiring the best operators and buying new Case backhoes for their use.”

Harris Backhoe and Dump Truck Service, Inc. utilizes their Case CX80C mid i excavator at a project for Living Spaces in Manteca.

Harris Backhoe now has 11 employees with nine operators out in the field and two office staff. Armed with both a C-36 and an A contractor’s license, Harris Backhoe works within a 100-mile radius of their headquarters in Acampo. They will travel as far north as Redding and south to Bakersfield. According to Harris, much of their business is focused on work for the unified school district, warehouse and industrial contractors, and the military and other institutions like hospitals and colleges. “Amazon is going off the hook right now, building one to 2 million square foot tilt-up warehouses, and we are getting our share of that work,” says Harris. “We are also currently out at the Naval Air Station in Lemoore, digging trench for the Hangar 5 upgrade project serving the F-35C Lightning II platform.”

Harris Backhoe and Dump Truck Service, Inc. is using their Case CX145D-SR excavator to dig electrical trenches and the structural footings for the multistory parking garage on-site at the Richards Boulevard Office project.

Harris Backhoe is also currently on two projects for the Livermore Unified School District and recently finished others for the Stockton, Sacramento and Pittsburg school districts. “School work is our bread and butter, and we take on all sizes, big and small,” continues Harris. “We have four or five operators at the Table Mountain Casino in Fresno. We will be out there working for Berg Electric for close to a full year. We are digging miles of trench for dry utilities on that massive multi-million dollar project.”

Another exciting job for Harris Backhoe would be the work they are doing out at the multi-million dollar Richards Boulevard Office Complex in Sacramento. “We are working for Howe Electric and doing their electrical trench work. We are also working for Hensel Phelps, digging the structural footings for a multistory parking garage on-site,” says Harris. “It takes a heck of a crew and the best equipment to handle jobs like these. I like to say that we have the best operators around and the best late model Case machines at their disposal.”

Harris Backhoe and Dump Truck Service, Inc.’s Case CX145D-SR excavator pictured at the ground-breaking ceremony for the Turlock Public Library expansion and remodel project.

Harris Backhoe currently has 11 pieces of heavy construction machinery in its fleet. Eight of those machines are Case units purchased from Sonsray Machinery and their representative, Mike Titus. They also own and operate an end dump, a low bed, 10-wheelers and bobtail dump trucks, among other ancillary equipment. “We get our work done with backhoes, excavators and skid steers,” continues Harris. “My favorite machine is the Case 580 Super N backhoe, and we have several in our fleet. They are cab units equipped with all the bells and whistles, and our operators appreciate the exceptional comfort and performance.”

Specifically, Harris Backhoe owns Case Super N backhoes, a Case CX80C midi excavator, a Case CX145D-SR full-size excavator and a Case skip loader. They also own and operate other brands, specifically a couple of other excavators and skid steer loaders. “I have been running Case equipment since I was a kid, and they have never let me down. Case is the most user-friendly owner-operator machine available on the market. Our operators love them, and Sonsray has been there for me whenever I have needed anything. They care about the little guy, unlike some other brands, and work hard to keep me as a customer.”

Harris Backhoe and Dump Truck Service, Inc. displays two of their Case Super N backhoes at the Table Mountain Casino jobsite in Friant.

Ron Harris has been buying Case equipment from Mike Titus of Sonsray Machinery since 2011. “Mike is a very good friend of mine. It goes beyond a business relationship,” says Harris. “He goes the extra mile for me as he would for anyone else and I appreciate the support I get from both Mike and Sonsray Machinery.” Harris says that he has a brand-new 2020 Case 580 Super N on order and will need to order yet another unit very soon. “We just keep growing and I will also be adding to our great group of operators soon,” says Harris. “I keep them working and take care of them even when things slow down because they have always been there for me. I also have the honor and privilege of working with my wife, Wendy and my daughter, Amanda Harris. Both are invaluable to our daily scheduling, dispatching duties, and they do a great job keeping up with the endless piles of red tape and paperwork that goes along with this business.” Ron Harris still gets in a machine every day, working right next to his crew members. “I love what we do. It never gets boring. A new job, a new scene, and a new challenge almost every day. I look forward to many more years of growth and success.” concludes Harris. For more information on Harris Backhoe & Dump Truck Service, Inc., please log on to www.harrisbackhoe.com or call their Acampo office at (209) 369-2470. Cc