Brian, who’d been a fan of the Komatsu product for many years – owning almost exclusively Komatsu from when he started in business in 1972 until the mid 1980s – shifted to another brand after issues with the previous New Zealand distributor.
"However, I’ve always really liked Komatsu machines, and now with the new Komatsu NZ operation, and its completely different attitude to service and support, I’ve started buying Komatsu again," he said.
"Dave and Lois Gibson from Gibson Equipment Repairs – our local Komatsu Service Partner – have played a significant part in restoring our confidence in the product support of the Komatsu product.
"Their team should be commended for their commitment to the Komatsu product," said Brian.
"We bought the D85EX-15 in early 2008, and it’s put in a great performance. We’re replacing a couple of our excavators next year (2009) and we’ll be buying Komatsu now there is a great support network in place.
Brian started in the forest roading business in the early 1970s, when he first went out on his own, around the Rotorua/Bay of Plenty region.
Five years ago, he moved his operation to Nelson – his excellent reputation in roading and his health and safety record was well received in the Nelson region – and in 2007, sold his North Island operations.
Incidentally, Guy Gaddan, Brian’s operations manager, and who was very proactive in setting up all the company’s OH&S procedures has remained with the Rotorua/Bay of Plenty operation – since renamed SEGAR – and now owned and operated by Derek and Janie Maisey.
"We’re now expanding our Nelson operations, working for Nelson Forests Ltd and other forest owners," said Brian.
"We like the challenges of working in high country forest roading – which is almost 100% of our work, plus just a bit of farm development work."
In addition to his Komatsu D85EX-15, Brian operates two other dozers, plus around 10 excavators, ranging from 12 to 30 tonnes. This includes a wheeled excavator which he plans to replace with a Komatsu.
The D85 is being used in an area of forest that was previously logged 28 years ago, building new and upgrading existing skid sites, together with associated forest roading in preparation for harvesting.
"Since we got the dozer in January, it’s put in a great performance and has been very reliable," he said.
"By the end of the year, it’ll be up to around 1900 hours.
"The operator who’s on it - we’ve had the one guy on it since we bought it - loves it; he finds it’s quiet, very easy to operate and good to service.
"For our sort of work, we prefer the conventional dozer drive; there’s less wear in the tracks, and the stability is great, it’s tops."
In terms of support from Komatsu NZ, Brian said he has found his local rep Ian Gardiner to be very good.
"Ian is very approachable and helpful, always keeping his integrity and delivering what he promises, he’s a great guy. He’s helped us with the financing, and looked after all that for me," he said.
"We financed the dozer through Komatsu Australia Corporate Finance (KACF), and Mike Gray at KACF gave us a great interest rate, and showed he really understands our business. We were able to do the whole deal over the phone with Ian’s and Mike’s help, and it went through no trouble at all."
As with other Komatsu construction equipment, the D85EX-15 comes standard with Komatsu’s KOMTrax remote monitoring system.
"It’s been working well," said Brian.
"Ian has helped us with it to make sure it works for us - and already it’s alerted us to a minor hydraulic issue before it became a major problem.
"It’s been great to get back with Komatsu. It’s good gear, good on fuel consumption - and these days as a supplier, there’s a much better attitude and all-round better service," he said.