When Australia heats up for the summer months, the demand for pool installations and renovations skyrockets. Constructing an in-ground pool is a complex process and requires the use of a contractor with heavy machinery to dig out the pool hole and remove all that excess soil. Whether it’s site preparation or hauling heavy material, the Vermeer CTX100 Mini Skid Steer Loader is up to the challenge.

Tony Cullen from Nulook Pools has been in the pool and landscaping industry for over 22 years and is dedicated to providing a high-quality, professional service. Nulook Pools are a Canberra-based business operating across the ACT and in the surrounding areas of NSW, specialising in swimming pool installation and maintenance.

As part of the installation process, Nulook Pools offer a complete package of services for their clients. Not only do they install the pools, they complete the landscaping, tiling and paving – all using local contractors – meaning customers don’t have to source several different quotes or organise multiple tradesmen to get the job finished. Nulook Pools take care of the whole process, from surveying the property and excavating the area to craning in the pool.

Mr Cullen recently purchased a Vermeer CTX100 Mini Skid Steer Loader, due to its exceptional lift and tipping capabilities to efficiently transport materials on tough jobsites. As excavating and landscaping involves hauling large quantities of heavy rocks to and from the pool site, they needed something that could withstand the load.

“We’ve tried other brands in the past and they don’t last as long – the work we do seems to be too heavy for the machines,” Mr Cullen said.

“When Sally from Vermeer told us about this mini skid steer, offering a demo, we said ‘line us up’ – it’s proven to be stronger, quicker and more durable.”

The CTX100 has a maximum tipping capacity of 2958 lb (1341.7kg) and a rated operating capacity of 1035 lb (469.5kg). It features a 40hp (30kW) turbocharged Kohler KDI diesel engine, which meets emission compliance without the need for a diesel particulate filter (DPF), reducing cost and complexity of the engine.

According to Sally Wade, Vermeer’s NSW Compact Equipment Specialist, Vermeer is determined to make its family of mini skid steers the most productive, operator-friendly units in the industry.

“The single pilot-operated joystick is common across all mini loaders, and offers the operator a smooth range of motion as opposed to multiple control levers. The undercarriage features a high-mounted track sprocket, which reduces premature wear and tear in rocky and sandy soil conditions, while the cast sprocket is heat-treated for longer life,” Ms Wade said.

“Select models are equipped with dual hydraulic auxiliary, adding a low flow option to the hydraulic circuit to efficiently power demanding attachments exclusively designed for the toughest landscaping jobs.”

Click here to read the full article in the March edition of the Landscape Contractor magazine.