John Deere Technology Guides Skyline Contracting During Construction of New Grand Junction High School

Out with the Old…

Walking around the new Grand Junction High School, you can still see the remnants of the previous building in your periphery. This modern structure stands in stark contrast to the old school, established 70 years ago, constructed on unstable ground, and in the final throes of deterioration. 

“It was a very well-built building, but what we’re finding out is that it was just built on a ‘marshmallow,’” says Blake Kelleher, minority owner of Skyline Contracting in Grand Junction, Colorado. “If you walk around it, you can see all the waves of the building and everything else. It’s pretty scary that we had kids in it for as long as we did.”

The new Grand Junction High School is a marvel of modern architecture and engineering, designed to last for at least the next 100 years according to Kelleher. The new school has also already helped to balance student populations across the district, preventing overcrowding in other schools. 

John Deere Technology

One of the significant improvements in the new school is the use of John Deere’s advanced technology in its construction. For instance, the dozers used for grading the site come with Deere’s SmartGrade technology and GPS, making the process much more efficient. John Deere’s technology allows for precise grading, saving time and reducing the need for manual labor. The efficiency gains are substantial, with tasks that used to take days now taking a fraction of the time.

The use of smart technology extends beyond grading. The new John Deere 135P excavators come with a complete 3D fully automatic system and a tilt rotator, which has revolutionized grading. This equipment allows operators to perform tasks that previously required multiple workers, significantly reducing labor costs and increasing productivity.

“I would say that we’re at least 50% more efficient,” Kelleher says.

“The value that they see that this technology brings to their equipment, with the workforce shortage, just being able to get the job done right on grade, those type of things save them money and the ones that are investing in this technology are the ones that are going to be around in the future,” says Tony Bradshaw, branch manager of 4Rivers Equipment in Grand Junction.

Customer Service is Key

The commitment to using advanced technology doesn’t stop at construction. The service team at 4Rivers has been instrumental in ensuring that all equipment is up and running for Skyline, even taking on the task of rewiring machines when necessary. Their dedication to customer service and their ability to adapt to tight timelines have made them invaluable partners in this project.

Bradshaw also says that Skyline Contracting has provided essential feedback to 4Rivers that has helped improve the overall process. Their constructive input has been crucial in making the new Grand Junction High School a major success.

The new Grand Junction High School is a testament to what’s achieveable with modern technology and dedicated partners. The students now have a safe, beautiful, and efficient environment to learn in, thanks to Skyline Contracting and 4Rivers Equipment.