Don’t ever under estimate the power of a reputation. Whether that’s the reputation of a product, a business or an inpidual it can make a huge difference.

It did to Frank Affronti, owner of 104 Contractors, Inc. a site contractor from Ontario, NY. Affronti is no newcomer to the industry, having started his business more than 20 years ago, in 1986. In late 2007, as he looked forward to the site work he anticipated for the new year, he decided it was time to add a paver to his fleet of equipment.

“This would be our first paver,” said Affronti. It wasn’t a minor decision. For any small business, a purchase of this magnitude is a big deal. “I knew that I could use a paver on both our subpision and commercial contracts,” he said recently. “I wanted a machine that would be versatile enough for the smaller as well as the larger projects.”

LeeBoy pavers came recommended by cousin and fellow contractor Gino Affronti, owner of Hilltop Enterprises. So it was with this recommendation in his pocket that Affronti began shopping. “In addition to Gino’s recommendation he was familiar, not only with the LeeBoy name and reputation, but with that of LeeBoy dealer Monroe Tractor (MT). Monroe’s Henrietta branch, just south of Rochester, NY (it also has branches in Buffalo, NY and Syracuse, NY) was a natural destination for his shopping.

MT salesman Mark Kastner was ready when Affronti came calling. He was intimately familiar with the LeeBoy paver’s Sonic Auger Controls that provide automatic feeding of asphalt to the screed and extension.

He could talk about cut-off plates that enable the operator to vary paving widths as small as 1 foot and as wide as 15 feet, not to overlook the heavy-duty auger motors and 12” diameter feed auger. The augers are made of 5/8” AR4140 heat-treated steel and move material to the screed extensions. Dual vibrators enhance mat quality and adjustable extensions to eliminate seams.

LeeBoy’s heavy-duty Legend Screed comes standard on the 8515, along with two propane burners on the main screed and one burner on each extension. The 22” deep screed plate, with bullnose front, is made of 3/8” AR 400 steel, a special long-wearing, hardened material that is bolted-on for easy replacement. The 42” hydraulic screed extensions, with replaceable wear plates, are mounted in front of the main screed and are easily adjustable, resulting in a seamless mat at paving widths up to 15 feet.

“Frank wanted a piece of equipment that was ‘right-sized’ for his company,” recalls Kastner. “He said it had to be small enough for his smaller jobs but big enough to handle his road work. The 8515 fit the bill.”

LeeBoy 8500 Series Pavers may be equipped with a full line of automatic grade controls. When 104 Contractors received its LeeBoy in February, it was equipped with the Topcon Laser System that helps with automation, “taking the guesswork out of the equation,” says Kastner.

Already, several new jobs were scheduled, on which the paver would be tested. They are typical of 104 Contractors’ widely varied projects, ranging from paving for a fire station in Spencerport, NY to road paving in the Village of Pittsford, NY and the Town of Ontario. Add to that occasional residential work and you can understand the company’s need for a versatile machine like the LeeBoy 8515.

For more information visit www.MonroeTractor.com
or call the Monroe Tractor sales office nearest you:
Henrietta, NY: 585-334-3867; Buffalo, NY: 716-681-7100; or Syracuse, NY: 315-452-0000.

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