For Beau Barnes, running a contracting business efficiently hinges on using the right machines and fostering dependable relationships with the partners who supply and support them.
Over the past four years, Beau has taken the reins at NSW-based Barnes Contracting — founded in 1988 by his father — and continued expanding the operation, building a fleet that now includes four machines and four trucks supporting a broad range of work: from general excavation and land clearing through to waste management and specialised attachment work.
The most recent addition to Beau’s fleet is the Cat® 304 Next Generation Mini Excavator, a machine he describes as the “perfect fit” for the company’s evolving needs.
Ticking all the boxes
Barnes Contracting’s work is varied, and that diversity places particular demands on equipment.
The company works on roadside verge mowing, trenching projects, site preparation and excavation tasks, often in confined areas where manoeuvrability is essential. At the same time, the attachments used for such tasks and other operations can place heavy loads on a machine.
Beau said the challenge was finding a mini excavator that could combine the compact footprint of a smaller unit with the performance of a larger machine.
“We got in touch with Michael Hodges from WesTrac at Casula to see if we could find something that would fit a number of criteria we had,” he said.
“Firstly, we wanted something that had a good cab and good ergonomics, because I’m quite tall, and so are many of our operators. When you’re in the machine for 10 to 12 hours a day, you need to be comfortable.
“And that was the first thing we noticed with the Cat 304: it’s as comfy as.
“I also wanted something that was really strong, that could really cover the gap between our smaller machines and our five-tonner.
“The idea was to have something that could do the work of a 5t excavator but small enough to do the work of a 3.5t machine.
“And this 304 bridges that gap for us. We wanted to mimic the five-tonner but fit where the 3.5t would, and it’s unbelievable that’s what it can do.”
Next, Beau wanted a model that had good balance.
“A lot of the machines on the market are zero swing, which has its benefits; but for verge mowing, when you’re working across the tracks, this wasn’t ideal,” he said.
“We’re working with heavy attachments. The Cat 304 has a conventional tail swing excavator design with narrow gauge undercarriage, which offers greater stability when working over the sides, and also provides more breakout force and the ability to lift heavier objects.
“This machine gives operators confidence when they’re in those positions, because it holds itself on the ground.
“And even for general excavation, if we’re doing long trenching, it digs hard. On sandstone walls, it can lift well beyond its capabilities and well beyond anything else in the market at this size.
“So when we’ve got to climb steep banks, we’re never worried about going up or going down.”
Beau found other features to love inside the cab.
“It’s equipped with PIN code security, so when my team turns the key, they simply enter our unique PIN code,” he said.
“That adds an extra layer of security against theft, and it also means every operator using the machine can set up their own code. That way they’re not interfering with our settings or the security features we’ve already put in place.”
The machine’s control layout was another standout feature.
“I like that the offset boom and the tilt hitch are controlled right here on the thumb,” Beau said.
“There’s no foot pedal down the bottom, which gives me a bit more room in the cab. I’m not worrying about bumping anything, and everything is right there at my fingertips.”
He also pointed to the stick steer function as a particularly useful addition.
“With the machine running, I just press the stick steer button, confirm it on the screen, and then I can drive the machine using this joystick,” he said.
“At the same time, you can still operate other functions – you can slew, move the arm, and cycle through different functions using the other buttons.
“That ability to do multiple things while still using the stick steer really comes in handy, especially when you’re backfilling or doing a lot of tracking. It’s those little features that make the machine easier and more comfortable to operate throughout the day.”
Another feature Beau appreciates is the machine’s integrated control screen.
“Everything runs through this screen,” he said. “I’ve got a jog wheel down here that lets us adjust the air conditioning, scroll across to control the volume on the radio, or change stations. They’re subtle little features, but they make a big difference when you’re spending long hours in the machine.”
The screen also plays a key role in managing the excavator’s hydraulic settings.
“One of the main reasons we chose this machine is the ability to control the flow for our attachments,” Beau said.
“I can fine-tune the way the machine operates and adjust it to suit each operator. I can change the hydraulic speed and flow, and also the hydraulic output for different attachments.
“For example, one of our mowers runs at a lower flow rate than some of our other attachments. I can simply go into the screen and dial the flow percentage back to suit that attachment. Then every time I jump in and hook it up, I just select it from the menu and the machine automatically sets the correct flow rate.
“It saves a lot of mucking around with engine revs, and makes the whole process much more efficient.”
After taking into account all those benefits and exploring options across the market, Beau said the Cat 304 stood out “head and shoulders above everything else”.
Connecting with Caterpillar®
Beau is particuarly impressed with the Cat Central mobile app, the platform designed by Caterpillar to streamline maintenance, parts ordering, and support for Cat equipment.
For Beau, that convenience has quickly become part of the company’s workflow.
“We can go straight into the app on our phone, and it already has all our machine information in there,” he said.
“From there I can order fluids, service kits or any parts we need.”
Beau recently used Cat Central to order parts for the first time, and was delighted at how straightforward the process was.
“I jumped on the app, searched for what I needed and placed the order in less than a few minutes,” he said.
The parts were then arranged for pickup using the Click and Collect locker system, allowing Beau to collect them from Casula outside normal business hours.
“We went there on the weekend after hours and picked everything up from the locker,” he said.
“That meant I had the parts ready for Monday morning.”
For contractors who often work long days and weekends, that flexibility can make a significant difference.
“Cat Central just makes finding and getting parts so much easier,” Beau said.
A strong partnership
Behind the machine and the technology is a strong dealer relationship.
Beau said his experience working with WesTrac and Michael has been a key part of the decision to move into Cat equipment.
“Mick’s been great to work with,” Beau said.
“He’s very easy to get along with and understood exactly what we needed.”
For his part, Michael recalls the early conversations with Beau when the contractor began exploring alternatives to his previous equipment.
“My job involves helping local earthmovers to select the right equipment for their job, the application, and their business now and going forward,” he said.
“Beau was having some challenges with uptime and wanted to look at other options.
“We spent quite a bit of time going through what he was doing, the applications he was running, and the direction the business was heading.”
That collaborative approach ultimately led to the selection of the Cat 304 Next Gen Excavator.
“Looking at the 304’s performance and where the business was going, it ended up being the right choice,” Michael said.
Beau said reliable dealer support can be just as important as machine performance.
Recalling one early warranty issue with the excavator where a hose was rubbing, he said a quick call to Michael was all it took to resolve the situation.
“Within two days a WesTrac field service technician was out there, fixing the hose and repainting the boom,” Beau said. “It ended up looking as good as new.”
That level of service has reinforced Beau’s confidence in choosing WesTrac.
“Machines can have issues – that’s just part of equipment,” he said. “But having support close by makes a huge difference.”
Michael said the 304 was the first step on a journey that WesTrac is now on with Beau and his team.
“We’re looking forward to supporting the growth of Barnes Contracting as their trusted adviser,” he said.
