A large, nationwide utility contractor was preparing to bid on a large levee project in south Texas. With fuel and labor costs being such a significant factor in the bid process, they were busy doing the math, when an enterprising sales rep from Perco Rentals came to them with a video link.
The video changed the perspective of the contractor’s team, leading them to change what would have been a traditional bid into a more competitive one, with lower costs and higher profit margins.
“Our rep knew that the video of the Prinoth Panther T14R would be a game changer for this and other contractors,” says Jacob Barr, president of Mississippi-based Perco Rentals. “With its 360-degree rotational body, remarkable speed, optimized size and nimble climbing ability, the T14R put a unique tool in the contractor’s toolbox, and it helped them win the bid for the project.”
Based on the video, the contractor realized that they would no longer have to use a conventional dump vehicle to first bring fill to the levee, and then use a front-bucket wheel loader to correctly position the material. Using the tracked Panther, a single worker could drive his load out on the levee, turn the vehicle’s upper body 180 degrees, dump the load in the precise location, and without rotating back around, proceed back to get the next load.
“The contractor saved the cost of a second piece of equipment, the fuel for that equipment, and the skilled operator that would have been required to operate it,” says Barr, whose company owns 40 Prinoth machines. “It essentially cut the work in half and doubled their productivity.”
Prinoth estimates that through its combination of high payload capacity, speed, and maneuverability on rough terrain, the Panther T14R rotator is about 32 percent more productive than other vehicles in the same category. This gives contractors the ability to complete up to a third more work cycles than competitors, providing those employing the T14R a significant edge.
NATURAL SELECTION
Meanwhile, in Alberta, Canada, a large oil and gas contractor was busy laying a pipeline amid the region’s unforgiving terrain and formidable climate. Not only did the contractor have to contend with the physical challenges of operating equipment in Alberta, but it also had to adhere to the area’s strict environmental standards, requiring minimal soil and terrain disturbance and maximum post-construction site reclamation.
“The area is so rugged, this contractor had to helicopter personnel in just to operate the equipment, and once there they were faced with a delicate, yet arduous territory with steep grades, rain and mud one day, and snow and ice the next,” says Troy Gordon, president of Alberta-based Low Impact, an organization so dedicated to treading lightly on the region’s sensitive topography, that it made this its moniker.
Like many others, this contractor had been unaware of Prinoth’s Panther T14R until Gordon’s company presented it to them as a solution. “The T14R’s design minimizes its impact on the ground, exerting a mere 3 psi of pressure compared to the 10 psi of a human footprint. This low-impact feature enables the machine to traverse fragile environments without causing substantial harm, making it a perfect fit for projects in ecologically delicate locations like ours,” explains Gordon.
Gordon went on to compliment the Panther’s size, noting that it can fit where others simply can’t, and the fact that an unskilled operator can be trained in a matter of minutes to drive it. “It’s got a steering wheel and one pedal, it’s easier to drive than a car,” says Gordon.
However, according to Gordon, the T14R’s performance in the field is what really knocked the socks off the contractor. The Panther’s Cat C7.1 engine is powerful enough to haul its maximum payload of 29,100 lbs at 33 percent, up a 15-degree slope, and with a maximum speed of 8.1 mi/h, this crawler carrier moves material faster than other machines. With its rotating upper body, the Panther can transport its load, dump it, and proceed back the way it came without turning or repositioning its tracks.
“The T14R’s patented undercarriage features rugged steel wheels and high-travel suspension, enabling it to navigate uneven terrain with ease. Its self-cleaning tracks suit all soil types and weather conditions, ensuring smooth and efficient operation,” says Gordon. “Additionally, its unique automatic track tensioning system reduces maintenance and downtime, enhancing overall efficiency and lifespan, thereby offering a better return on investment for contractors.”
UP, DOWN, ALL AROUND
In West Virginia, a major energy services contractor specializing in slip repairs, rented its first Panther T14Rs for work on new project. They too were quickly impressed with the Panther’s performance capabilities in the field.
“These folks were operating the Panthers on 70- to 80-degree slopes, where it’s almost too steep to stand,” says Todd Perrine, vice president of West Virginia-based Leslie Equipment Company. “They realized that the Panthers were so nimble on the slopes that they could tether them with a cable, and with the assistance of a winch, they could move up and down just about any grade.”
Perrin noted that contractors also love the fact that it only takes an hour to swap the Panther’s dump bed for a flatbed, capable of hauling a wide variety of skid-mounted equipment. He said that operator comfort is yet another factor.
“The T14R’s spacious, insulated cab is quieter than other crawler carriers and comes with standard air conditioning, ensuring operators stay focused and alert during long shifts, even in the extreme heat of the south,” says Perrine.
Perrine explained that to-date, the contractor has purchased 10 Panthers and consistently rents another 10. “They like the T14R so much, I’m pretty sure they’ll keep buying and renting them from us for the foreseeable future.”
for more information
Prinoth is specialized in producing heavy equipment for challenging conditions. For more, visit www.prinoth.com.