State employees try out equipment

Twenty Nebraska Department of Roads employees inspected, investigated and test-drove New Holland construction equipment during a demonstration sponsored by New Holland Wednesday in McCook.

New Holland has built heavy construction equipment since 1999, and is in the process of being approved by the State of Nebraska to bid on the construction equipment needs of the state.

New Holland's road grader, skid steer, excavator, backhoe and three-yard loader were demonstrated, and highway department equipment operators and mechanics were given the opportunity to operate, inspect, investigate and evaluate the equipment.

Dallas Hayes, district mechanic, who is in charge of nearly 800 pieces of equipment for the NDOR District 7, said the state's mechanics were interested in the equipment's serviceability and the availability of parts. Hayes said the operators seemed impressed with the power of the New Holland grader, and with its 16-foot blade.

Hayes said New Holland's grader design - articulated in front of the cab, rather than behind as in many other grader designs - is a plus for maneuverability and visibility.