Down to Dirt Excavation in Port Orchard, WA is a thriving company owned and operated by John Bassler, who has turned his childhood dream of owning an excavation business into a reality. He has now realized another dream with the first Kobelco ED160BR-7 Blade Runner added to his fleet, giving him the versatility of an excavator and 6-way dozer, all in one machine.

John began his journey at the age of 17, working in excavation before graduating high school. His passion for the trade led him to join the Operating Engineer Local Union 3 in California, where he spent over 15 years mastering his craft. Seeking new opportunities in forestry and excavation, John relocated to Washington and transferred to the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 612. In 2017, John founded Down to Dirt Excavation, quickly establishing a reputation for excellence in site preparation, demolition, and tree work throughout the Key Peninsula and Puget Sound region.

Getting Down to It

Down to Dirt Excavation made a significant investment by purchasing a Kobelco ED160BR-7 Blade Runner from Powerscreen of Washington. But this machine is not John’s first experience with Kobelco, as it is a brand that he has trusted throughout his career. “Kobelco is a strong and reliable brand that I know I can rely on,” John says. The ED160 Blade Runner has quickly proven to be a standout addition to his operation. Its unique design combines the capabilities of a powerful excavator with the functionality of a 6-way dozer blade, making it a versatile solution for a variety of tasks.

We visited John at a property that was once a dressage horse arena with drainage and layout issues, which was a job ideally suited to the Blade Runner. The property owners had improvements in mind and a need for expansion to accommodate their demands and the ED160 rose to the challenge. Thanks to its powerful track system and specialized final drives designed for pushing, the Blade Runner offered exceptional stability and strength. John used the dozer blade to grade surfaces with precision, and the grapple to remove trees and debris. This project might have taken significantly longer with separate machines, but the work was successfully delivered in a much shorter time thanks to the efficiency of the ED160 Blade Runner.

Versatility and Power

For John, the Blade Runner has been a game-changer. “This is a great machine. It’s like a Swiss Army knife when it comes to versatility,” he explains. “The dozer blade is amazing and very mobile, very nimble, and has loads of track power. It’s great to be able to bring an excavator and dozer into one machine and have everything you need at hand.”

The Blade Runner’s undercarriage, with 17.9” clearance and drawbar pulling force of 37,000 lbs provides a powerful, stable and safe operating experience. And the cab has been designed with operator comfort in mind. John describes it as “plush, comfortable, quiet, and loaded with a ton of features.”

The ED160 isn’t just about power and versatility, it’s also about productivity. By combining two machines into one, John can tackle jobs more efficiently while maintaining the high standards his clients have come to expect.

Building a Strong Future

Beyond the machine’s performance, John has also found working with Powerscreen of Washington’s parts and service teams to be an excellent experience, ensuring that the Blade Runner continues to operate at its peak and there is minimal downtime on Down to Dirt projects statewide.

The Kobelco ED160BR-7 Blade Runner plays a critical role in John’s success. Whether it’s site preparation, demolition, or tree work, this machine is helping John stay true to his vision of delivering exceptional results while fulfilling his dream of running his own excavation company.