In The Dirt

This time In The Dirt, Mack sits down with Chad Kyllo of Acres Enterprises as well as Remo Scalzo and Stantton Pallister of SITECH Western Canada for a panel discussion about how Acres is using Trimble Technology in their business. We dive into the Acres story from their first piece of technology to where they are today as one of the market leaders in construction, what technology they are using,...

Whether you are training your existing workforce or the workforce of tomorrow, Cat Simulators are an effective way to train your equipment operators on all types of equipment without downing equipment on a jobsite to do so. Mack sits down with Jonathan of Cat Simulators to chat all about the types of simulators, what a new or experienced operator can gain from a typical training session, importanc...

You asked, I answered? After people requested some Q&A podcast episodes, Mack answers questions submitted by followers on this episode. From underground scoop tram designs, how to get started in the industry, how he got started in photography, to a quick look at some Do's and Don'ts in equipment operating. Submit your questions to Mack on Instagram @earthmovers_media, LinkedIn @Mack...

Getting your career started in the industry, going to school for operating, seeking opportunities to run equipment, skillsets to adopt as an operator, placer mining, and how moving dirt in the Yukon is different. Mack sits down with Sam Inskip, heavy equipment operator from the Yukon, to talk about her career adventures after 10 years in the industry. You can find Sam on Instagram @simplyysams to...

Komatsu has been a well known name in the mining world for decades, and their hydraulic shovels & excavators are a fine example of what their mining class equipment offers. Mack sits down with Bryce Short of Komatsu/SMS Equipment to talk everything Komatsu shovels, from PC2000 up to PC8000 in front shovel and backhoe configuration. They get into selecting the right shovel for an application, d...

Underground mining is part of the mining world you have never heard about, often out of sight, these mines produce the critical raw minerals civilization needs to sustain itself. And Technology is helping underground miners, mine better. I chat with Gary Smolik of Finning Canada on this episode to discuss the different technology solutions from Caterpillar for underground mining. From remote opera...

As loggers retire, the industry is now facing  the challenging task of recruiting and training the next generation to continue operating an industry that makes civilization as we know it, possible. I sit down with Ryer Becker, part of the research faculty in the  Department of Forest, Rangeland, and Forest Sciences at The University of Idaho, to talk about their new degree program helping educate...

Mack and guest Kristina sit down to chat addressing the industry wide workforce issue in construction. While there isn't a list of answers to the industry wide problem, Mack and Kristina do their best to talk about some of the solutions out there currently. From how to attracting,  retain, and train people,  to initiatives Crew Collab has to help solve the issue, and talking about some of the...

Ever been curious what it takes to design, build, and select the right dump body for large rigid frame haul trucks like Cat 793 or 797? Mack sits down with Kerry from GroundForce worldwide to talk all about Groundforce's dump body products for large rigid frame haul trucks. From design to end user application, Mack and Kerry cover everything about picking the right dump body for your applicat...

GPS machine control technology is changing the way contractors do business and move dirt. On this episode Mack sits down with Kris Troppmann, manager of smart construction at SMS Equipment,  to talk Komatsu's new retrofit GPS machine control system, how technology is helping contractors move dirt more efficiently by saving money and time on earthworks projects, and recruiting younger generati...

Mack sits down with Tim, undercarriage specialist with Caterpillar, to talk everything undercarriage on track type tractors. From what causes wear, selecting undercarriage for your dozer, to Cat's new HDXL product line, Mack and Tim get granular on undercarriage to answer your questions and hopefully help your earthmoving business. To learn more about undercarriage or if you have questions, r...

This time In The Dirt Mack talks with Jared Wells, general manager for Western Grater Contracting, about who Western Grater is, what they do, and how they do it. From shotcrete work for high rises in downtown Victoria to drilling and blasting to create aggregate resources to build the infrastructure we all rely on, Western Grater is a key contractor in Victoria and the surrounding area. To learn m...

Aggregate is arguably one of the most important ingredients to civilization as we know it today. Mack sits down with John Scepaniak of WD Scepaniak to talk growing a family mining contracting business, importance of mining and aggregates in the modern day world, and recruiting great people. John is a project manager with WD Scepaniak, contracting to aggregate and quarry companies offering mining,...

Uranium is often left out of the conversation when people think of ways to power the world of tomorrow. On this episode, Mack sits down with John Cash, CEO of Ur-Energy to talk all about Uranium mining, producing Uranium fuel, to how nuclear power will answer the global energy demand in the coming decade(s). Join us for an educational and fun discussion all about Uranium! Learn more about Ur-Energ...

Starting the business in their early 20's, Zach and Garrett Fowler have worked their way up from small agricultural jobs to redeveloping some of the largest agricultural projects in California with the biggest equipment. From deep ripping to break hardpan to removing orchards and recycling the mulched organic matter, the brothers business is focused around creating new opportunity and sustain...

Mack sits down with Denis Carriere, president, and Ryan Andre, rentals manager for Alberta's largest privately own equipment rental company, NC Equipment. From how NC Equipment began, family legacy in the business, how the equipment rental business works,  when renting equipment is favourable over owning, to where the equipment rental industry is at today. We try to cover it all on this episo...

Starting out fixing diesel engines in his parents house at a young age, to building a world renown heavy equipment rebuild and rental business. Mack sits down with Josh Scheckel of J.J. Scheckel Equipment Corporation to talk about how J.J. Scheckel started and has grown as a business, what it takes to rebuild equipment like D11 track type tractors, and why investing in your people and facilities i...

Technology is helping mining companies and the mining industry adapt to and overcome challenges faced on the modern-day mine site. Autonomous haulage and dozing are a few examples of technology helping mining companies find solutions to challenging mining applications, improve safety, and reduce their costs. On this episode, Mack talks with Taylor Agnew of Finning Canada on the topic of autonomous...

This time In The Dirt host Mack sits down with Paul, owner of Heavy PDG Equipment, on location to talk everything about equipment rental to how he has built Heavy PDG into the business it is today serving customers with a rental fleet of heavy equipment. Paul not only shares his story, but talks about what it takes to successfully run an equipment rental business, the benefits of renting vs owning...

Interested in becoming a mechanic? Curious what a career path with a Cat dealer looks like and what they offer? Is post secondary education necessary? Mack sits down with Josh, a well known Cat mechanic from his youtube channel, to talk about Josh's story becoming a mechanic, his career working for Cat dealers, what tooling you need to get started, and is schooling necessary?  If you are curi...

From an incredibly successful career in Motocross travelling the world, to dirt and heavy equipment in the Okanagan Valley. Kyle Demelo's name is well known in not only motocross and action sports, but around the world as the Canadian who holds world record of the only successful front flip on a snow bike! That's right, a snow bike! Mack sits down in person with Kyle Demelo to talk about...

Demolition contractors are arguably the best recyclers on planet earth, making way for the buildings of tomorrow by deconstructing and recycling the buildings of yesterday. Host Mack sits down in person with Brad Morrison, general manager for Clearview Demolition to learn about Clearview's story, gain insights into the demolition industry, discuss why people are a companies greatest asset, an...

On this episode of the podcast host Mack talks with the CEO of Raptor Mining, Craig Harder, about the Raptor Mining story, manufacturing GET, robotic welding, and more! Raptor is the leading manufacturer of GET and other wear parts for nearly all shapes and sizes of heavy equipment. Craig tells us about how Raptor started and its current product offerings. To learn more about Raptor Mining, visit...

Having a great attitude is arguably one of the most important pieces you can bring to the workplace. Guest Dylan Taylor tells his story working in construction with a prosthetic leg and missing arm. Dylan is a remarkable young man who speaks to the importance of attitude, willingness to learn, and having a relentless approach. Host Mack and guest Dylan talk about going to school for construction,...

This time In The Dirt Justin Ward, float driver for Priestly Demolition Inc, and host Mack talk heavy haul in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). From bridge demolition on the major thoroughfares in Toronto to demolition in the downtown Toronto Core, Justin has hauled hundreds of pieces of heavy equipment all over the Greater Toronto Area. If you are curious to get a glimpse behind the scenes of heavy...