(Above) The all new CAT 657G Wheel Tractor Scraper recently added to Sukut Construction, Inc.’s inventory of more than 200 machines.

Leaders are never made in just one day; rather they are built over a period of time as they engage in the world around them. Leaders are innovative. They are original, never afraid of a challenge and seem to always inspire trust and motivation in others.

For 80 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been building the world’s infrastructure and is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment. So it should be of no surprise that Caterpillar recently made the decision to upgrade their 657 Wheel Tractor-Scraper from an E-Series to the all-new G-Series. This move required the assistance of a leading construction and earth moving company that would be willing to help work the bugs out of the new prototype before going to production. Sukut Construction, Inc., with headquarters in Santa, Ana California was one of four contractors nationwide chosen for this task.

When it comes to earth moving, Sukut Construction, Inc. is the definite leader in the state of California. They have moved well over a billion cubic yards of California’s earth to award-winning levels.  Sukut handles a wide variety of projects, which include mass grading for residential and commercial properties, landslide stabilizations, golf courses and resorts, highways and roads, environmental cleanups, landfills, flood and storm water systems and public works.

The New Caterpillar 657G Wheel Tractor-Scraper

Michael Ortiz is the Vice President of Sukut Equipment, Inc. and is responsible for Sukut Construction, Inc.’s more than 200 pieces of equipment including: scrapers, dozers, motor graders, rock trucks, excavators and a whole variety of other machines. Michael Ortiz comments, “Sukut Construction is honored to be involved in helping Caterpillar and the industry develop the next generation scraper. We have worked with CAT over the past several months to make as many as a dozen modifications to the new 657G scraper. These modifications include minor alterations to the electrical system all the way to engineering an entirely new hard nose. The most significant change is probably the addition of the new Tier III engine that not only complies with future air quality requirements, but also offers a new 6-cylinder engine with faster reaction time.”

Ortiz also points out that the cab has been designed for greater operator comfort. The cab offers an air-cushioned seat, tilt-wheel steering and instead of levers, the operator now simply deals with a single joystick. The single joystick took some getting used to by operators like Skip Northcott of Sukut Construction, Inc. However the more he worked with the new scraper, the more he was sold on the new comforts and technological advancements associated with the new 657G.

The Caterpillar 657G is currently the newest and largest scraper available in the industry worldwide today. The scrapers predecessors include the 657B and the 657E. There was some initial concern that the new 657G may not be compatible with the older models. However, after these twin-engine scrapers began working together in tandem, it became clear that each generation was perfectly compatible with the other. Some of the more significant upgrades to the this new generation of Caterpillar scrapers would include the new engines that meet the Tier III pollution control requirements, as well as a new “fly by wire” hydraulic control system that is driven by electronic impulse to various hydraulic stations throughout the machine. The result is faster more responsive control over the machine.

Michael Bobeczko, Director of Marketing for Sukut Construction, Inc. points out, “Sukut Construction, Inc.’s main evolutionary emphasis of the new 657G has been focused on operator comfort and safety. The goal has been to reduce fatigue, while making the machine more responsive. Some of the older machines could really wear an operator out. We believe, that at the end of the day, the new 657G will leave the operator more alert and ready to work safer the next day.” Caterpillar brought the new 657G out to the field several months ago working mainly at the highly publicized Crystal Cove project in Newport Beach, California. They made many of the modifications right in the field and all of the major modifications involving fabrication at the Caterpillar dealership. Once it became clear to both Caterpillar and Sukut Construction, Inc. that the new scraper was operating very close to expectations, it was announced to the world on October 6, 2005 at Sukut’s Headlands project in Dana Point, California. The new Caterpillar 657G is due to be in full production in 2006.

(Above) Massive grading by Sukut Construction, Inc. at Crystal Cove in Newport Beach, California.

Sukut Acquires New Caterpillar D8T Track Type Tractor with GPS Technology

Sukut Construction, Inc. also recently acquired Caterpillar’s new D8T dozer powered by CAT engines with ACERT Technology that meet EPA Tier III emission regulations. Mike Ortiz comments, “The new Caterpillar D8T has certainly been a welcome edition to our fleet. There have been significant improvements in the hydraulic system as well as an increase in overall horse power. The T-Series is also the first to offer a factory installed AccuGrade GPS grade control system.”

Matt Eklund is the GPS Program Manager for Sukut Construction, Inc. and comments, “Caterpillar has built the console around the GPS computer screen and integrated the controls right into the joystick, as well as into the actual CAT computer which controls the hydraulics. This means that when you get to within a few tenths of grade, you can flip a switch on the joystick and the blade will be moved hydraulically to the exact design grades. Available in D10 and smaller, the machines come AccuGrade ready from the factory, which makes it pretty much plug and play.”

(Top) The all new Caterpillar D8T Track Type tractor with the Trimble AccuGrade GPS system built right into the console. Now available with every dozer D10 and down from Caterpillar. (Above) The 657G was announced to the world at Sukut Construction's Headlandsjobsite in Dana Point, California. A resort hotel, commercial shops and custom homes will have spectacular oceanfront views.

Sukut Construction, Inc. has been involved with GPS for approximately five years. Prior to GPS, the job was extremely manual intensive and involved the use of hand levels and grade checkers. There has been laser machine control available for some time, however GPS brings to the table what is known in the industry as horizontal alignment. There are tangible and intangible benefits associated with GPS technology. The tangible benefits include less labor, freeing up the grade checkers to look at the bigger picture, rather than simply baby-sitting a single bulldozer. Matt Eklund explains, “Several of our grade checkers have now been retrained to be GPS site coordinators that can now manage two, three or even four dozers at a time without having to be right next to them. Much of the grade checking is done digitally on a computer and then loaded onto the machine keeping the grade checker safely away from the equipment.” The GPS technology made available from Trimble in conjunction with Caterpillar, is a fairly intuitive product, so the operators will many times pickup the entire operation in just one day of training. The operator seems to appreciate the fact that their abilities have been enhanced, with better control over their work area. Instead of being controlled by grade checkers moving in and amongst stakes, the operator can now simply pay attention to their screen to shape the slopes. Matt continues, “With the type of variable grade lots we are working on right now at Crystal Cove, the GPS is really the only truly efficient way to go. We probably realize a 30% increase in productivity due to the AccuGrade GPS system.”

Sukut has made decisions that impact their productivity, but more importantly decisions that impact their people and their quality of life. They were the first company to install clean air engines in the field and maintain a separate Environmental Division to remain focused on making change that will positively impact the entire industry. From new, more technically advanced scrapers, to GPS systems that open up an entirely new career path, Sukut Construction, Inc. is on the forefront of change for the better of their company and especially their people.

California has long been the invention and proving grounds for yesterdays and today’s heavy earth moving machines. It was R. G. Le Tourneau, originally from Stockton, California, who developed the scraper into its modern form. Benjamin Holt, also of Stockton and Daniel Best of San Leandro, California laid the foundation of what was to become the Caterpillar Tractor Company. Technology has come a long way from the days of horse-drawn blades and scoops and wooden carts pulled by mules. It is comforting to know that there are companies like Caterpillar and Sukut Construction out there leading the way into the next generation of earth moving machines.