JW Oliver Construction Inc. sees savings with “true plug-and-play setup” of Komatsu iMC dozers
“Our clients appreciate that it’s one phone call to me, and we can handle everything,” said John “JW” Oliver, owner of JW Oliver Construction Inc. “We’re a turnkey operation focused on providing complete sitework. We typically move from 10,000 to 20,000 yards of dirt on-site and self-perform the clearing, grading, utility installation, erosion control, curb and gutter, base, and concrete.”
As a teenager, JW learned how to operate heavy equipment on his family’s farm. He transferred that knowledge into operating a dozer and began clearing lots for local customers before founding his own company in 2017. JW Oliver Construction completes a wide range of residential and municipal projects throughout central and southern Georgia.
To stay on schedule, the company relies on its fleet of Komatsu equipment that includes D39PXi-24 and D51PXi-24 intelligent Machine Control (iMC) dozers. JW and his general manager, Mack Oliver, tried several brands before choosing Komatsu iMC dozers, and he said several crucial differences made Komatsu stand out.
“The Komatsu dozers were the most user-friendly,” explained JW. “I can send one of my operators a file to a computer or tablet, and they plug it into the system and go. For us, it’s a true plug-and-play setup.”
“Once the information is in the system, we find that the iMC technology on the dozers does a great job of holding grade whether we’re operating in forward or reverse,” said Mack. “The slant-nose design on the dozer makes it easy to see where you’re grading and avoid obstacles like manholes. The seat in the cab is also more centered on the machine than competitive brands. That offers our operators a smoother ride, and they aren’t exhausted after operating all day. That’s a big deal when you’re asking somebody to be on these things eight, 10 — sometimes 12 — hours a day, and then come right back the next day and do it again.”
