Stories from the Job Site

Material handler racks up the points every day
A winning basketball strategy often involves passing the ball inside to the power shooter, who wheels and dunks, and your team racks up two points.

That strategy also works well for Jones Auto Parts & Recycling Inc., a scrap-iron yard in Jefferson, Georgia — in this case the strength in the middle is a modified John Deere 350D LC Excavator fitted with a special boom and arm and a material-handling grapple. "It more than handles the volume of auto bodies and scrap we have at this facility," says CEO and co-owner Gary Jones. "The hydraulics are very smooth, and its lifting capacity at every reach is perfect for our application here."

Gary began discussing specialized material handlers with his local Deere dealer more than two years ago. Gary wanted a Deere machine, but nothing in the line fit his exact specifications. He needed a reliable material handler that could build 25-foot-high stockpiles of scrap iron and car bodies. It also had to pick scrap from the tall pile and load open-top trailers.

According to their dealer representative, Ellis Jones (no relation), Gary and his brother Tommy — the business's other co-owner — knew the necessary specs. From that point, engineers from John Deere and Pierce Pacific Manufacturing collaborated. Deere supplied the 350D LC Excavator, less the boom, arm, and cylinders. Pierce Pacific provided the 54-foot boom, arm, additional counterweight, and cab riser.

"It took about three-and-a-half weeks to assemble," says Ellis. "We attached the new boom, arm, cylinders, and cab riser, and widened out the undercarriage for stability. We used narrow tracks that wouldn't tear up the concrete floor on the scrap yard. It's built completely to John Deere specifications."

A Deere company
Gary and Tommy began buying late-model Deere equipment about eight years ago. They bought their first 544G Loader in 2000 to handle scrap iron and a second one a few years later. Eventually, two 544J Loaders joined the operation.

"We use both forks and buckets," says Gary. "The Deere Quik-Tatch™ coupler lets the operator switch from forks to a bucket without leaving his seat." The loaders use forks to carry auto bodies to the crusher, which mashes two bodies flat with one giant downward push.

"The newer John Deere equipment really increased production," says Gary. "Now we get more done in less time, and we have very little downtime. We enjoy working with the equipment instead of working on the equipment. Our efficiency has doubled with the acquisition of John Deere equipment."

These days, the big 350D LC Material Handler loads out an average of twelve 48-foot open-top trailers per day. Each trailer averages about 35,000 to 40,000 pounds of scrap iron per load.

Jones buys scrap from more than 1,000 sources, including used car dealerships, towing services, and individuals. "We keep containers and roll-off boxes at various businesses and manufacturers," says Gary.

"We went with the new John Deere to speed production," continues Gary. "We've always had John Deere equipment through the years. We get good service from our Deere dealer and our salesman, Ellis Jones."

Tommy operates the 350D LC Material Handler. "I like it," he says. "The hydraulics are strong; it's a strong machine. And it's super-comfortable, much more comfortable than non-Deere machines. You can run it all day long and not get tired. There's no stress to it at all."

Gary agrees: "This new Deere material handler is wonderful. We have no complaints whatsoever. It works all day every day, and we've had no downtime with it."

Jones Auto Parts & Recycling Inc. is serviced by the Metrac, Braselton, Georgia, branch, one of six Metrac stores in Georgia.

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