"How Bobcat has unleased me"

[M. Lowes]

I entered the Bobcat contest "How Bobcat has unleased me"
I am a week 20 winner. I sure hope I can hold for the grand prize of $75,000 toward equipment. Check it out at:

http://www.bobcat.com/our_company/conexpo/winners/week_20

[grantmorgan52]

Nice work Lowes, good story as well. Good luck to you. Id like to see a fellow LC member get the prize :l)

[GreenBoy]

Good Luck man, That would be a sick prize!

[M. Lowes]

Yes, all wish me luck. The story is a tidbit of the full entry.
I did receive my hat in the mail today. A mini skid in the mail would tickle me.

How Bobcat has Unleashed me

Our family owns a small landscape company. In August of 2004, like many times before, I was checking out new items on the Bobcat website. I looked at the topic of Bobcat making skid steers for the military. I thought I would never see that during my enlistment.
In October of 2004 I was deployed in Iraq. I was assigned to an Engineer Brigade. The need for engineers to have a small multi-use and maneuverable machine was needed. The dated equipment could not keep up with the demand of a high speed war. On April 2005 while working on the top of our building I noticed a convoy heading toward our location. I could not believe my eyes as I saw four semi truckloads of Bobcat S150s. Full sets of attachments to support these units were on the next group of trucks.



The sight of these machines was like a dream for any engineer. I could not believe my eyes. The S150s were the answer to many needs. I thought what could be a better company to support our troops than the originator-an American made company. The S150 played a key role in unloading supplies and equipment out of conexes. They were small enough to go inside and pick up a pallet and pull it out. Troops saved so much time by not having to manhandle and unload every item. I used our older 753 unit and quickly fell in to place loading and unloading many conexes.



The combat ready S150s were loaded up to maintain the roadways. The engineers used these machines along side many D-9 dozers and graders to build level roads for many convoys to pass. The S150 was also light yet strong enough to place decking plates for bridge crews. The turn around time for bridge repair was faster and the bridges were opened for convoy traffic much more quickly. Without passable bridges the main supply routes would be closed and many combat operations halted. Troops would starve and bullets would not supplied. The Army does not march on an empty stomach. Now, engineers do not leave without a Bobcat.
In December of 2005, we received two S220s to call our own. This civilian version found its way into every aspect of our daily use. The S220s were used for unloading lumber and lifting it to build housing, road grading. The Bobcats really helped many soldiers who would otherwise manhandle everything. I even moved a communications shack using the S220 that would otherwise be torn down and rebuilt at a new location. Switching locations saved valuable time and money. Everyday the S220 were used to transport sandbags that would be stacked up for protection against incoming rounds. I slept better at night knowing I had a layer of protection on the outside of my sleeping quarters. The Bobcat played a key role in keeping solders productive, healthy, and safe. The number of uses never ends.
While deployed, I spent many hours in the hot seat. I knew if I could feel comfortable in a combat zone, I could feel comfortable at home. As a landscape contractor I knew what brand to purchase. The place to purchase would be Bobcat of St. Louis. In spring of 2008 we needed a new machine. The salesman was John Johnston.
We needed a machine that was stable on hills, had at least 2000 pounds of operating capacity, low soil compaction, and weighed below 10,000 pounds. The T-250 was the answer. With the selectable joist stick control I can put an operator in place and quickly get to work without the learning curve of operating new controls.
Our business is based on the ability to build retaining walls on slopes. This is never an easy task. Our machine is an animal. I can bring a pallet of block safely down a hill to build a segmented retaining wall. Additionally, I can backfill behind a wall on a slope and feel stable.



Finish grading is much easier and productive with the larger 80 inch bucket.
Finish work is also made easier when combined with the landscape rake. Missouri is full of rocks, and no one likes to pick them up. The landscape rake is a must have to finish work seeded beds. It is amazing to watch it work. We are able to pass over a bed once and it is ready for planting. This takes a great amount of time out of prep work.

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_lis...B0F503BB51B95C
Like most landscapers, the winter months are slower. In Missouri, the weather can be very unpredictable. We may not receive much snow, but a few good ice storms.
In early December of 2006, we were hit with three inches of ice and two inches of sleet in eight hours. Our snowplows on our trucks could not move this winter mess. The snowplows would trip over the ice. This was not very productive. The answer was the Bobcat. It could break free the ice from the pavement. This year I plan to take the 8.5 foot Western plow off a truck and mount it to the skid steer.
The serviceability of the Bobcat is great. I open the door and all the key maintenance items are at my fingertips. This is great for an owner operator since I can keep the machine working, without having to send it to a shop.
In a small family business owner loyalty means a lot. My sons show great interest in the Bobcat. The future of Lowes’ Landscaping will grow along with a Bobcat.
The Bobcat skid steer has continued to unleash me. Over and over it has proven its worth.
From combat to construction the Bobcat continues to keep me productive.

[yardmanlee]

cool beans !!!! good luck man !!!

[Danscapes5]

Nice story man I hope you win. With your first hand experience in Iraq you probably have an edge over the other entries, anything to do with the war nowadays gets plenty of appreciation

[AmEdge]

The combat ready S150s were loaded up to maintain the roadways.

Great essay. I like knowing that Bobcat supported the troops like that. I hope they were donations. I'm assuming the machines were purchased by the gov't.

Got any pics of the combat ready models? I'd like to see those I bet they're badass.

[PerfectEarth]

I entered that contest. My essay was huge but I suppose it wasn't up to snuff cause it was only about rental experience... Nice work, Lowes.

[M. Lowes]

When I was in Iraq back in 04 I posted on here. It was one of my first post, half way around the world. I have read other entries. The newer ones are some good ones. I'm sure it will tough for the judges.
Here are the pics I attached in the essay.
Sorry for the 3 attached files.
File size to large for single attachment.

[maelawncare]

man you get all the luck :P i wish i had a bobcat.

[M. Lowes]

man you get all the luck :P i wish i had a bobcat.
I tell you what,
If I win I will let you look at it :)
Naw, for real. My hope is really for a mini skid and I would be happy.
If you need to use em I'm sure we can work something out.

Link to Bobcat's in Iraq and other pics.
http://www.lawncafe.com/showthread.php?t=21629&page=4&highlight=Pics+Iraq

Other coool links that go way back....
http://www.lawncafe.com/showthread.php?t=3310
http://www.lawncafe.com/showthread.php?t=3271&page=2
A lot of the orignal members posting back then.

[phishook]

I say you have a good chance at winning. Good Luck!

[M. Lowes]

Thanks Phis.
Are you really liking the mini? A mini skid sure could "unleash" me.

[Pete7072]

Hey, Lowes, I hope you win buddy you seem like a person who deserves it. Good luck let us know what happens.

[jazak]

IMO you have a really good chance to win!

[M. Lowes]

Hey, Lowes, I hope you win buddy you seem like a person who deserves it. Good luck let us know what happens.
Thanks, I guess I'm still waiting to see. I would sure like the judge to see the pictures and full story.

IMO you have a really good chance to win!
I sure hope so. Believe me if I did win I would sure put a huge thread on lawncafe. I think it would be as big or bigger than when NCSU won the landscape package at the expo in 03

[GreenBoy]

Yeah good luck man I really think you could win, and hope you do

[M. Lowes]

Maybe someone on this site has some inside connections...............

[Stellers Garage]

Reguardless of the outcome..THANKS FOR SERVING FOR OUR COUNTRY!

[M. Lowes]

A call today confirmed that I will be in the top 16.
Wish me luck.

[grantmorgan52]

Thats awesome. When will you know who wins the whole shebang?

[M. Lowes]

I'm not sure, I just cross my fingers.
I have received a Bobcat 50 years of opportunity book.

[phishook]

I'll be glad to take the old skidsteer off you hands when you win. Not a doubt in my mind that, you got this one. Good Luck!

[M. Lowes]

Phis,
As much of a good guy I am I could not let go of the T250. Still paying on that one. :)
My wish may change. Looking at the bobcat tractor or another wheeled skidsteer.
Of course the first thing would be a mini skid.

[M. Lowes]

No first place, but I did receive second place in the contest.
http://www.bobcat.com/our_company/conexpo/winners/current

[Pete7072]

So you got 1000$ out of the contest? Hey better than nothing

[M. Lowes]

Yes,
I do have $1000 toward bobcat equipment
Thinking of tilt tach.

[daren_r]

I think your story was better than the first place price. I think Bobcat went political on this one and bumped your story down so they can downplay their role with the military.

[M. Lowes]

I think your story was better than the first place price. I think Bobcat went political on this one and bumped your story down so they can downplay their role with the military.
I thought I had a good chance. I don't know honestly if I would win the 75k. But I sure thought It would be nice to enter. I sure wish the pictures would be posted. As they would sure be worth a thousand words, and sure build credit.
The Road show is at Bobcat of STL in Aug. I'm sure I will be there, shake a few hands etc.
A local press release will also follow.

I always think the big contest winner is chosen before the contest starts.
I don't know if they down play the role in the military. For winning week 20 I received the History of Bobcat book. It was really interesting to read. They had lots of pictures of Bobcats in the military. More than even I thought. Like tracked machines.
(T250 in olive drab.)