In The Dirt

After winning in Edmonton Canada, Clayton North Carolina, and Las Vegas Nevada during Caterpillar's Global Operator Challenge, Jaus Neigum took home the title of #1 heavy equipment operator in the world! This time In The Dirt Jaus and Mack sit down to discuss his journey from Medicine Hat Alberta to winning Caterpillar's Global Operator Challenge in Las Vegas Nevada at ConExpo 2020.  Up...

This time In The Dirt I interview Spencer Brooks of Hawkzone Contracting. Based out of Marble Bar Australia, he is a young man with an incredible story of starting and growing a mining contracting business in efforts to save the family cattle farming business and buy out a business partner on the Australian rich list, all while fighting Crohn's disease. Spencer has incredible insights into ho...

With many manufacturer's incorporating technology into new equipment, and modern day job sites seeing great benefit from the deployment of technology. Eric and myself put together an episode to discuss a few of the many technology options available for the earthmoving industry. I interview Eric about the early days of his career with his own excavating company all the way through to where he...

This time In The Dirt Robert Kennedy and myself talk about cycle times in a production environment. Join us for a discussion centred around dirt and heavy equipment as we discuss the most common problems found throughout a production loading cycle, proper selection of ground engaging tools for production loading, and effective training solutions. If you would like to learn more about Robert and hi...

This time on In The Dirt I interview Kevin Goldberg, founder and president of SoilFLO, a software that is redefining how companies track the movement of dirt on and off the jobsite. We discuss the Toronto earthmoving market, who SoilFLO is and what they do, and get into exactly what the SoilFLO software does and how it is helping earthmoving companies grow. If you like technology and construction,...

GPS Machine Control is changing the way companies move dirt in the modern day. Join Joe Bradley and myself In The Dirt as we discuss Topcon GPS machine control, the evolution of GPS machine control, how it is saving companies time and money, and Brandt's new Topcon equipped 3D automatic excavator. If you like dirt, heavy equipment, or construction, this episode is worth a listen. To learn mor...

Undercarriage is a huge part of owning heavy equipment. On this episode I talk to Rick Smith, aftermarket product manager of undercarriage with Finning Canada. We dive into the undercarriage world discussing the biggest factors for wear and failure on undercarriage, how companies can extend the life of their undercarriage, and a brief history of how far undercarriage design has come since inceptio...

On this episode I sit down with Rob Daw of Hexagon to discuss how technology is addressing current issues in the mining industry. We discuss how technology is not only improving processes and changing the way companies conduct business, but more importantly how technology is saving lives. From tracking blasted rock in open pits, monitoring assets in real time, to tracking operator fatigue and prev...

Alexandra takes us through the septic design and install business, being a women in the construction industry, and the journey she has faced starting her own business. Join Mack and Alexandra as they discuss the ups and downs of business, women in construction, and the niche business of septic design and install. If you would like to learn more about DH septic & site or have questions for Alex...

Maximizing equipment productivity starts with a good operator training program. Join Mack for a discussion with Robert Kennedy of Ground Engaging Training Solutions about how important a good operator and ground engaging tool training program is for modern day earthmoving companies. If you would like to learn more about Robert's company, Ground Engaging Training Solutions, check out his websi...

On this episode Mack interviews Kris Troppmann, the regional technology manager for Finning Canada to discuss how 2D and 3D machine control is changing the earthworks industry from the ground up.  The skills gap is a real issue in the construction industry, experienced people are nearing the end of their career while young millennials and Gen Z are just beginning their career. Technology is helpin...

Having properly trained people is an incredible asset for any earthmoving company. Join Mack as he interviews Scott Lidster of Australian Earth, one of the top heavy equipment operator proficiency and training companies in Australia. We discuss the importance of operator proficiency training, the real value companies are realizing from professional training, and technology coming to the earthmovin...

Learn about construction in Canada's biggest city, Toronto. On this episode Mack interviews Kurtis Samchee of MGI Construction, a large player in the Toronto construction and demolition industries. Join us as we discuss the importance of company workplace culture, technology coming for the general contractor, and MGI's footprint in the construction industry.

Learn about the many facets of drilling and blasting in the mining industry as Mack Plovie interviews Nathan Rouse of Dyno Nobel. On this episode we discuss the importance of blasting in the mining process, what type of technology is being infused into the industry, and how Dyno Nobel's consulting business is helping to solve real world problems for mining and quarry customers.

Interested in learning about the Construction and Mining industries? Join your host Mack as he features guests from all corners of the industry to discuss trends, technology, business, and more! This episode is all about why we are doing the podcast, who it is for, and a little bit about the host, Mack. The next episode will be an interview of a guest from within the industry, be sure to subscribe...