For the City of Mount Pulaski, public works isn’t about doing just one job — it’s about being ready for everything. From concrete repairs and utility work to tree removal, brush pickup, and street sign installation, versatility matters.
Joshua Poffenbarger, Deputy Director of Public Works, has spent more than eight years helping keep the city running smoothly. When it came time to replace an aging Caterpillar 420 FIT backhoe, Joshua knew this decision needed to support the wide range of work his crew handles every day.
Rethinking the Traditional Backhoe
Rather than defaulting to another backhoe, Joshua took a step back and looked at how the city actually works.
“We do a lot of digging for the City of Mount Pulaski,” Joshua explains. “Concrete tear-outs, tree removal, stump removal — a little bit of everything.”
Over time, the limitations of a backhoe became more noticeable. Large logs from tree removal, heavy concrete debris, and material handling tasks often pushed the machine to its limits. Joshua wanted something that could dig, lift, and maneuver more efficiently — without constantly repositioning the machine.
That’s when wheeled excavators entered the picture.
Inspired by Global Applications
Joshua began researching how wheeled excavators are used overseas, watching videos that showcased their role in street repairs, demolition, and urban work.
“In other countries, they use wheeled excavators for almost everything,” he says. “In my eyes, it was right up our alley.”
The ability to travel quickly on pavement, work in tight spaces, and handle both digging and lifting tasks made the Takeuchi TB395W a natural fit for city operations.
Built for Tight Spaces and Urban Work
One of the biggest advantages of the TB395W is its maneuverability. Whether navigating streets or accessing tighter areas, the machine provides flexibility a backhoe simply can’t match.
“I can take this machine down our alleys if I need to,” Joshua notes. “If there’s a tree down or something close to a building, I can do it with this machine compared to a backhoe.”
That confidence matters when crews are responding to unexpected situations around town.
Attachments That Change the Game
The City of Mount Pulaski paired their TB395W with a tilt rotator and a grapple — what Joshua calls a “crab claw.” For ditch work, tile installation, and road edge maintenance, the setup allows precise grading and shaping without constantly moving the machine or resetting outriggers.
“The fact that I can cut a ditch easier and work down the edge of the road without moving three feet at a time — this machine will do it all,” he says.
A Win for Brush and Tree Cleanup
One of the biggest immediate benefits has been brush and log handling. Anyone who’s dealt with tangled brush piles knows how time-consuming they can be.
“There are times it might take us 10 or 15 minutes just to get a brush pile picked up,” Joshua explains. “Now, I can rotate logs, place them exactly where I want, and keep everything from getting tangled. It’s a win-win for us.”
A Smart Investment for the City
For Mount Pulaski, the Takeuchi TB395W isn’t just a new machine — it’s a long-term solution that improves efficiency, reduces downtime, and gives the public works team more capability in the field.
Luby Equipment was proud to support the City of Mount Pulaski in selecting a machine that truly fits their needs — today and for years to come.
Contact Us Today
To learn more or see the TB395W in action, contact your nearest Luby Equipment location today.