Porter Press Extra: Crossroads Construction

By: Cameron Officer, Photography by: Cameron Officer

Date: 14.10.2020

The BW151 AD is the second BOMAG roller to join the Crossroads Construction fleet. Deals on Wheels takes a closer look.

As I’m standing alongside Crossroads Construction site supervisor, Tyler Saunders, at the edge of a backroad leading away from the small settlement of Waimana, about 30km south-east of Edgecumbe in the Bay of Plenty, a local in a beat up Hilux Surf—released on the green signal from the temporary traffic lights a hundred metres back down the road—pulls up alongside us.

"Hey mate, when you’ve finished paving this bit, come and see me up the road near my place!" he cackles. Gales of laughter come from him and his companions as he speeds off down a particularly gnarly looking sideroad.

"One road at a time mate," grins Tyler.

Crossroads Construction team members (left to right) Tyler Saunders, Andre Hurkmans, and Cody Fill on-site near Waimana

And that’s probably a good strategy, especially from a civil contracting company that has been steadily growing in size and stature since its formation in 2015 and has already established a reputation in the Bay of Plenty for top-quality work.

Owned and operated by James and Tracy Whitely, Edgecumbe-headquartered Crossroads Construction has been built on the back of decades of experience in the industry.

James and his 30-strong team undertake a variety of civil earthworks projects, road building, remedial maintenance, and emergency work, both on- and off-highway. The company has teams deployed throughout the Bay of Plenty on all manner of roadworks and large form paving projects.

The resealing work at Waimana is typical of what the company does. And to do it on time and to a high standard, Crossroads Construction invests in the best heavy-duty hardware around.

All-rounder

The 7.6-tonne BOMAG BW151 AD articulated tandem roller working this stretch on the day we visited was the second BOMAG roller in James’ fleet, the first being a BOMAG BW211D-5 construction roller, which arrived at the end of 2018. Both machines were supplied by New Zealand BOMAG distributor, Porter Equipment.

Bringing with it an array of machine features that have become synonymous with the German manufacturer’s range of single drum and tandem rollers, the BOMAG BW151 AD has already made an impression despite barely having a hundred hours on it when I dropped by.

"It’s an awesome machine to use," confirms operator Cody Fill.

The BOMAG BW151 AD is the second BOMAG roller to join the Crossroads Construction fleet

"It’s really comfy to be in, it has great visibility everywhere, and the vibration system is top quality. When you’re in it, you know you’re operating a really nice machine."

The BOMAG operator station is well regarded in the industry for its ergonomic design—perhaps the most notable aspect being its ‘pillarless’ cabin architecture, which eliminates thick A-pillars in favour of seamlessly bonded glass panels, allowing the operator to see more of what’s ahead and to the sides of the machine when it’s on the move. BOMAG’s sliding seat system means the operator’s field of vision remains just as comprehensive when in reverse as well.

Optimal compaction

Underneath the machine, BOMAG’s double vibration system offers two amplitudes and individually operable drums. And because every job is different, with differing conditions, the BOMAG compaction monitoring system lets the operator dial-in the surface layer thickness of what’s under the drums and then closely monitors the degree of compaction.

The right level of force is introduced in the right direction on any application, meaning compaction progress is achieved on even difficult to compact material.

The compaction monitor system provides the operator with a real-time indication of what’s happening under the drums, so there’s no over-compacting material or making unrequired passes.

BOMAG compaction equipment such as the BOMAG BW151 AD also features ECOMODE, which controls the machine’s engine in relation to load in order to provide the exact level of grunt required for the job.

The sliding seat system in the BOMAG’s cab means the operator has as much vision in reverse as on offer going forwards

Rather than continually running the engine at full speed to reach the required vibration frequency, the frequency is maintained at a constant level by infinitely adjusting the machine’s hydraulic components. This keeps the overall system within the optimum power range and fuel consumption is reduced without losing power and productivity. In fact, BOMAG states that the load-dependent engine speed control can save operators up to 30% on fuel.

"BOMAG builds enormously productive, powerful rollers and they remain very popular throughout the wider industry for operations of many different sizes," says Steve Puddle, Porter Equipment territory manager—Bay of Plenty, Coromandel, and Rotorua.

"For construction professionals like James Whitely, we’re very proud to offer such a comprehensive and clever line-up of machine technology. BOMAG remains a cornerstone brand in our stable of high-quality construction equipment.

"We also have the expertise on-hand to help our customers get the most out of these machines."

Finishing the job at hand quicker, safer, and more comfortably are maxims that BOMAG stands by when developing new systems for its machines. And with plenty of work on the go, that sounds like a good equation to James and his team too.

With this kind of technology on tap, Crossroads Construction can reshape all manner of roading, fast and to the standard they have acquired a reputation for.

And I know for certain that there’s one Waimana resident who’d be pretty happy to eventually see the company’s BOMAG BW151 AD arrive outside his gate.

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