November 2005 - BOBCAT LOADERS and EXCAVATORS make possible amazing new building technique.

While the builders were constructing the Liberty Towers level by level above ground in Glenelg South Australia, McMahon's Services were excavating the basement car park progressively level by level downwards. Bobcat loaders and excavators were used extensively to extract the 26,000 cubic metres of sand and clay in claustrophobic confined spaces. 'Once we'd taken out the soil we'd pour the concrete and start taking out the dirt for the next level,' said Andrew McMahon, General Manager of McMahon Services Australia Ltd.

McMahon Services commenced operations in the 1970's having its origins in the building and construction industry. They purchased their first Bobcat loader a few years later. Today the company employs about 250 people and operates Australia wide. 'If it's a tough or toxic job the industry calls us; we specialise in civil engineering, environmental remediation, asbestos removal, demolition, toxic waste handling, industrial maintenance, industrial cleaning and toxic demolition. Bobcat skid steer loaders and excavators are used in most areas of our operation. The Bobcat stays on the job longer because of reliability and dealer service,' said Andrew.

The company currently owns ten Bobcat skid-steer loaders, and 8 Bobcat compact excavators. 'Knowing the capabilities of the machines and Bobcat's Australia wide support helps us when we bid for jobs,' said Andrew McMahon. 'Some of our jobs are in the toughest environment you can imagine and we work closely with all areas of the Bobcat dealership network, sales, parts, and service to make sure we win jobs. We work all over Australia, sometimes in remote areas. We know a phone call is all we need to get help should we need it. That's why we've just bought 11 new machines.'

McMahons services specialises in difficult jobs. Adelaide Central Plaza development required the staged demolition of the building floor by floor. This was completed by placing small excavators fitted with rock breakers on the floors to break out the material for loaders to take away. This job also had extensive basement work that required very tight access for Bobcat loaders and excavators.

Redevelopment of the Carlton United Brewery site in Brisbane, Queensland. This contract required demolition of 14 buildings adjacent to a main thoroughfare and retention of a five-storey façade. Bobcat machines were used for demolition, clean up and loading.

Other projects where McMahon services used Bobcat machines were:

Advertiser Building Adelaide
- Demolition

Broken Hill Base Hospital
- Demolition and Civil Works

Fisher Building Adelaide
- Demolition

Islington Railway workshops
- Remediation

Old Osborne Powerhouse
- Asbestos removal, Demolition and Remediation

'The operators particularly like the power, breakout force, serviceability and easy access to the machines,' said Andrew McMahon. 'These machines don't make any money sitting in the shed. If a machine is down, the boys over at Bobcat will move mountains to get it going again. That's the sort of backup we have to have.'

Story supplied by Reece Pocock.