Skinner Construction, owned and operated by Sam Skinner and based in Olympia, WA, is a company that has carved out a strong reputation for reliable excavation and septic system services across the region. Delivering on demanding workloads, Sam turned to a machine that would match his drive and precision, the Kobelco SK75SR purchased from Powerscreen of Washington.

This family-owned company leans heavily into septic installations, repairs, and maintenance, accounting for nearly 80% of their work with the remaining 20% made up of general light excavation including driveway prep, foundation dig outs, backfilling, and utility work.

The Machine that Changed the Game

During a visit with Sam in Yelm, WA, he was hard at work installing a new drain field to support an additional dwelling connecting to a customer’s septic system. At the heart of the job was his newly purchased Kobelco SK75SR, operating smoothly and efficiently.

Upgrading from a much smaller 35-size excavator, Sam has seen a tremendous boost in productivity with the SK75. “What used to take me four hours to dig two septic tanks now takes just 45 minutes,” Sam shared. This dramatic increase in efficiency has been a game-changer for his small, but highly active operation.

Built for Tight Spaces, Designed for Power

The Kobelco SK75SR is built specifically for high-performance work in tight areas without sacrifice power. Unlike most 8-ton machines that typically use an offset boom structure, the SK75SR features a mono boom design, which provides greater strength, stability, and digging precision. Powered by a 70hp engine running at 2,100 RPM, and boasting a 14,070 lb bucket digging force, the SK75SR delivers the power needed to tackle even the toughest tasks.

Its iNDr Cooling System not only reduces the intake of dust, but also delivers ultra-quiet operation, which is ideal for the residential or noise-sensitive jobs that Skinner Construction deals with every day. In addition, multiple operating modes allow Sam to easily fine-tune the balance between fuel economy and performance, giving him ultimate control depending on the nature of the job.

Sam also praised the operator comforts of the machine, noting that it has the same size cab as a 14-ton excavator, something he found surprising and impressive. This extra space helps him stay focused and energized, even during long workdays. For a company where every hour of uptime counts, these performance and comfort features make a big difference. For Sam Skinner, choosing the SK75 wasn’t just about the machine’s specs, it was about the support behind it. “As a small business, downtime can really hurt us,” he said. “We don’t have extra machines sitting around, so I knew I needed a dealer who would have my back every single day.”

That’s exactly what he found with Powerscreen of Washington. From the initial machine demo to the final purchase and now ongoing support, Sam has felt like more than just a customer, he’s felt like a partner.

One of the standout moments for Sam was how Powerscreen of Washington worked directly with Topcon to get his LPS grade control system installed on the SK75. They opened their workshop in Kent to help the Topcon team complete the installation, which was essential to Sam’s operations. “That kind of support meant the world to me,” he said.

Beyond performance and support, Sam has also made some key custom upgrades to his machine to better suit his day-to-day needs. He added 24-inch-wide tracks, installed a counterweight for greater stability, and has a set of rubber track pads on the way, also sourced through Powerscreen of Washington. Sam highlighted that turnaround time on parts has been “little to none,” something that gives him peace of mind when planning out tight schedules. For a contractor who’s constantly balancing multiple job sites and client expectations, that reliability goes a long way.

Lasting Partnership for Continued Success

With his Kobelco SK75SR dialed in and his partnership with Powerscreen of Washington continuing to grow stronger, Sam Skinner is well-equipped to handle the region’s growing demand for septic and excavation services. Whether it’s installing complex systems in tight locations or excavation for residential projects, Skinner Construction continues to prove that smart equipment investments and strong support relationships are the keys to sustainable success.