In 2011, brothers Lou and Micheal Bevilacqua celebrated the 50th anniversary of Pescatore Constructions, Victoria’s oldest sewer and drainage contractor founded by their grandfather, Michele Pescatore.
Fast forward to 2015, and taking the business from quiet periods through to times of unprecedented demand on their resources has made the brothers industry veterans.
Since taking over Pescatore Constructions almost 30 years ago, Lou and Micheal have expanded and refined their company, creating a solid business strongly supported by their fleet of reliable Kobelco excavators.
Micheal, the construction and logistics manager, says the business is rapidly expanding and has some great momentum.
“Heading into 2015 things have really started to pick up providing us with the need to expand in order to meet demand. As a result we have recently purchased a number of new large machines,” Micheal said.
Two of the new machines the business has just purchased are Kobelco SK500LC-9s, fitted with Rammer hydraulic hammers. The 48-tonne SK500LC-9 boasts the new ECO-mode. When engaged, ECO-mode reduces fuel consumption by up to 21 per cent, a key feature in Micheal’s decision to bring the SK500LC-9 into the fleet.
“After doing the sums on fuel consumption with the Kobelco SK500LC-9 compared with other machines, we discovered that our operating costs could be dramatically reduced.
“When combined with the reliability we have experienced with other Kobelco machines in our fleet, it made for a smart investment,” Micheal said.
The SK500LC-9 also has a ROPS low-vibration cab with high suspension mounts filled with silicone oil that reduce heavy vibration, ensuring ultimate low vibration when traveling and hammering.
“The ground we work with is about 60 per cent rock and 40 per cent clay. The rock work is hard on the machines and we need strong gear that can withstand the vibration.
“You find that when doing lots of repetitive rock breaking over time, cracks can start to appear in the boom and other problems can arise. Problems which we are yet to see in more than a decade of running Kobelco equipment.”
“The ROPS low-vibration cab, in combination with the high performance hydraulic flow on the machines, allows our operators to work at an extremely productive rate whilst still being in a safe and comfortable environment,” Micheal said.
Pescatore Constructions has 10 Kobelco machines in their fleet and have recently bought another 35 tonne Kobelco 350LC-8 from Victorian Kobelco dealer Melbourne Tractors. Micheal says they will use it for trenching, rock breaking and backfilling.
The Pescatore fleet works hard so maintaining a regular servicing schedule is critical.
“Our machines are well maintained and there is minimal down time so they are economical and profitable to run. We have a wonderful relationship with both Melbourne Tractors and with Kobelco.”
The brothers look forward to the innovations of each new Kobelco model. They are impressed with the technological advancements seen in each new generation and describe it as something their grandfather “would never have conceived” when he founded Pescatore Constructions five decades ago.