LE SILLON
A John Deere PublicationRock N Dirt | John Deere Construction
Summer 2025
Rockin' It
Sounding off about safety, SmartDetect™, and striving to succeed
5 MIN READ
At a large university campus near West Lafayette, Indiana, Rock n Dirt Excavating rolls into action. John Deere 345 P-Tier and 470G LC Excavators dig a storm trap for distributing stormwater while a 724 P-Tier Loader shuttles material. A 650 P-Tier Dozer grades the area before construction begins. The work seems almost choreographed, demonstrating the operators' high skill and situational awareness.
The two-year project, which includes site demolition, hydro excavation, and mass excavation, is one of many Rock n Dirt is completing for the university. In addition to the usual hustle-bustle of machines working around obstacles and other contractors, there is a steady stream of student foot traffic.
"We train our operators to be highly aware of their surroundings," says Nicholas Coppock, president of Rock n Dirt Excavating, Battle Ground, Indiana. "In this environment, they need to be on alert for students who may be on their phones or not completely paying attention."
The 724 P-Tier is equipped with optional John Deere SmartDetect™. This system provides visual and audible warnings to operators and bystanders. Operators Zac and Sebastian Coppock, who are brothers of Nicholas, have used the technology.
"It can detect whether the machine is encountering an object or a person and will emit different sounds," says Zac. "When a person approaches from behind a machine, the alarm is very loud. It's not a typical backup alarm. It's almost like saying, ‘Pay attention! I'm heading your way!' It's effective and very beneficial for what we do around campus."
"These sites are often the size of a postage stamp," adds Matt Coppock, the company's vice president and father of Nicholas, Zac, and Sebastian. "There's little room for error, so SmartDetect has been an invaluable asset. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone."
FROM SIDE HUSTLE TO DEERE MUSCLE
Nicholas started Rock n Dirt in 2017 when he was nineteen. At that time, he was working for his father, who was a partner at an excavating company. Nicholas delivered equipment and managed smaller projects, such as odd jobs and repairing broken water mains and sewers. The side hustle fueled his ambition. Nicholas purchased his own single-axle dump truck and began to dream big.
A year later, his father joined the company. Together, father and son purchased a John Deere 50G Compact Excavator and a 331G Compact Track Loader (CTL), and they were off to a running start. A few years later, Nicholas's mother Marty left her full-time nursing job to join the Rock n Dirt leadership team.
We initially planned to work on residential and septic systems, but it evolved into large commercial, industrial, and municipal projects," says Matt. "Here we are today, with three crews, 27 employees, and over 40 pieces of equipment, including 28 Deere machines."
“We train our operators to be highly aware of their surroundings.”
CRADLE TO GRADE
Rock n Dirt is aptly named. "I got my start picking up rocks and operating machinery on the family farm," says Nicholas. "I wasn't making much money, but I loved working and putting in the hours to earn it. Here we are today, much larger than we ever expected."
The family's passion for the construction industry and Deere equipment began early. "I've always wanted to play in the dirt," Matt recalls. "As a boy, I spent countless hours playing with Tonka® trucks in the sandbox. Then I would take out a shovel to dig holes and refill them in the backyard."
In high school, Matt worked at a John Deere dealership. He then worked as a laborer in an excavation company, advancing to become an operator, foreman, superintendent, and project manager. "Today, I spend more time developing the business than sitting in a machine. But I get to mentor young individuals and help them grow. It's awesome to be a part of."
When his sons were growing up, Matt helped them assemble a binder filled with their favorite construction machines, including a wish list of John Deere models. "Sebastian and I were in grade school, and Nicholas was in seventh grade," recalls Zac. "We created a game plan for what we wanted to do as we grew older, which included a binder listing the John Deere machines we wanted. Over the years, we've added pictures and brochures, including those for D-Series machines, so it's quite old now. We've come a long way (laughs)!"
Over the years, the company has evolved into a heavy civil contractor, offering a range of services that encompass demolition, land clearing, mass excavation, wet utilities, site development, hydro excavation, and emergency repairs. Water-main and sanitary-sewer repairs represent a round-the-clock operation, keeping the company exceptionally busy.
"If you're not growing, you're failing," Nicholas reflects. "We constantly strive to maintain consistently high-quality work and add team members when needed. There is still significant growth ahead for us, considering the amount of work occurring in this town."
SMARTDETECT™ DIGITAL IS A SAFE BET
Superintendent Kenny Deno joined the company two years ago. "Nicholas has a talent I haven't seen in this industry for a long time. He understands every job and the machines, always staying ahead of the game. He's not afraid to jump in and get his hands dirty, unlike some owners. I have tremendous respect for him."
Deno has three decades of experience in the industry. He was attracted to the company's familial atmosphere. "They don't hesitate to provide new tools when we need them," he says. "And they prioritize safety, which is very important to me."
As members of a John Deere Customer Advocate Group (CAG), the Coppock family has contributed invaluable insights for the SmartDetect system. "I witnessed the development of this system from the ground up," says Zac. "I enjoyed working with the Deere CAG. Deere took our feedback seriously and made numerous improvements."
Today, the company is implementing the new SmartDetect Digital system, which builds upon SmartDetect (see Inside Deere, page 3). "In the event of a near miss, SmartDetect Digital sends us a notification to our smartphones via the John Deere Operations Center™ mobile app, accompanied by a video of the incident," says Nicholas. "It helps us determine whether an operator or subcontractor was at fault or if a bystander was not paying attention. We can share this with the general contractor to enhance jobsite safety and with the insurance company to negotiate more favorable rates."
The Operations Center also allows Nicholas to review critical machine data, including operating hours, idle time, fuel consumption, service intervals, and diagnostic alerts. "I can see where the machines stand regarding fuel, enabling me to bring out our fuel trailer and minimize downtime," he says.
The Operations Center also enables John Deere Connected Support™, which uses data from thousands of connected machines to proactively address issues before they arise. Rock n Dirt's local John Deere dealer, West Side Tractor Sales Co., can remotely monitor machine health, diagnose problems, and update machine software without needing to visit the jobsite.
"We wouldn't be where we are today without the support of West Side Tractor," says Matt. "From day one, they assured us they would do everything possible to help us succeed. They have consistently upheld that commitment. They are truly an exceptional dealership and family."
Rock n Dirt Excavating is serviced by West Side Tractor Sales Co., Lafayette, Indiana.
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A John Deere 724 P-Tier loader is moving material into a dump truck.
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