In late 2017, S. Walker Construction, Inc. took a leap of faith. Established in 2009, S. Walker completes a variety of concrete work throughout Virginia, primarily commercial, industrial and DOT projects. S. Walker’s crews specialize in drainage structures and ditches, curbing, flatwork, reinforced concrete, design build structures, steps, and saw cut/removal. One of their favorite tools is a Power Curber 5700-C equipped with Leica Geosystems 3-D stringless technology. Prior to late 2017, however, S. Walker had zero experience with 3-D guided machinery.
Jason Walker, Vice President, had successfully been running two Power Curbers for several years, when he decided on a big change. In the name of saving time and money while preparing for the future, Walker traded in his two machines for a brand-new Power Curber with integrated Leica stringless controls. To date, S. Walker has worked with the new machine controls for several months, and they have already poured over 25,000 linear feet.
S. Walker coordinated the purchase with Southern Equipment Service (SES), the Power Curbers’ distribution arm for Virginia, and the Carolinas. Walker was pleased with the support he received, noting that SES has “been great for service . . . just pick up the phone and ask.” Once the stringless machine was delivered, S. Walker had to learn how to implement the new technology. Walker emphasizes that the learning curve was “well worth it” and to get everything operational “Leica and Power Curbers worked together.” It took Will McGraw, Superintendent, about two pours to get accustomed to the models and control points so that they were running efficiently. A concern with GPS guided equipment is that the connection will be lost when working around obstacles such as trees, buildings, or hills. S Walker’s system makes use of Leica’s total station and prisms which allow them to guide the Power Curber under and around obstructions without needing direct satellite visibility. Walker confirms that they have experienced “no major downtime at all” from either the Leica control system, or the Power Curber.
For contractors considering the move to 3-D/GPS controls, it is easy to question whether or not it will actually save money. Walker reports that “for every 1500 linear feet of curb and gutter, we can save a full day of setup for a six-person crew. We can do a two-day job in what would have been four.” That has allowed S. Walker to squeeze more jobs into their schedule and remain up to date with their project’s strict deadlines. Based off their early pours, S. Walker is seeing significant cost savings with the 3-D control system. Jason Walker is thrilled with not only the stringless controls, but their machine too. He declares that Power Curbers deliver “all you can ask for out of a machine and service, I would recommend them to anybody.” Walker half-jokingly added that he wants his “competition to own other machines so we have the advantage.”
Customer feedback from Power Curbers Academy
“This was my first training school, and y'all set the bar VERY high”
“Very nice, top-notch facility”
“I have been to another service school many times... and this is better”
“I was impressed by the knowledge of the instructors”
“Good environment, great people, and good response to participation.”
“10/10. Perfect. Great.”
“Experience and knowledge of instructors makes everything much easier to understand. Invaluable info!”
“I feel you guys do a great job with these classes. This is my second time here and I will be back again! Thanks guys!”