LE SILLON
A John Deere Publication
Fall 2024
Quarry Kings
Unlocking Efficiency in the Sunflower State
7 MIN READ
Located in a remote, serene stretch of southern Kansas, the Labette County Quarry rests off the beaten path and outside the public eye.
The 160-acre parcel is surrounded by miles of farmland and gravel road that seem to stretch on forever. A bald eagle slowly circles above while a lone deer meanders around the quarry's edge, intermittently stopping to assess the abundant scenery.
This quiet, picturesque tranquility is precisely what drew Sandy Krider to Labette County in the first place. Growing up in a military family, Krider spent her youth pinballing from one city to another. When she arrived in Labette County, she quickly realized it was the place she would call home.
"We're not a huge county," Krider says, shielding her eyes as a sudden gust of wind kicks up a cloud dust. "You'd have to drive 40 miles to find the nearest mall. The hustle and bustle you'll find in the big cities just doesn't exist here. And I think the people really like that."
For more than four decades, Krider has actively worked to ensure this idyllic county can adequately serve its residents. She started working for Labette County in 1981 and has been the public works director for the past 23 years.
"A big part of my job is maintaining the roads and bridges that people depend on to get around," says Krider. She leans against a stack of boulders, giving her feet a temporary break in the midst of what looks to be a long and grueling day. "The work we do is very important to our constituents. Because of that, it's very gratifying for me."
The unassuming quarry serves as a striking example of the forward thinking mindset that has kept Labette County one step ahead. And within the tall rock walls, two new machines — and the way they work together — are helping take efficiency to another level.
"[The 350 P-Tier] absolutely has the power you need when you're lifting all that rock."
Forging the New Way
Shortly after sunrise on a summer morning, the small, tight-knit crew that runs the Labette County Quarry gathers to discuss the day's activities and fuel up their machines. Minutes later, the calm of the Kansas countryside is interrupted by the hum of machinery.
A John Deere 350 P-Tier Excavator picks up sizable chunks of rock and unloads them into a Kleeman MOBIREX MR 130i EVO2 Crusher. Both machines have been added to the quarry within the past year, after the county conducted an in-depth analysis to determine how it could reduce costs while getting rock to its constituents more efficiently.
Few individuals know the ins and outs of Labette County operations more intimately than County Commissioner Terry Weidert. A man who always loves to share an interesting tidbit of information, Weidert's favorite statistical nugget is one that sums up the enormity of Labette County's responsibility.
"Ya know, we have enough miles of road in Labette County to travel from Oswego, Kansas, to Washington, D.C." he says. "That's over 1,000 miles."
Weidert was an integral part of making this monumental task more efficient. On a warm summer morning, he strides purposefully across the quarry and reflects on the struggles the operation recently faced.
For years, Weidert explains, the county would use wheel loaders to extract rock from the quarry. It was then placed in trucks and hauled off-site, where it would be crushed to meet specifications. County officials realized that bringing their own crusher into the quarry could unlock major new efficiencies.
"We looked at several different brands, and we came away knowing that the Kleeman was our answer," Weidert says.
The 350 P-Tier Excavator, meanwhile, emerged as the safest and most efficient machine to load rock into the crusher. For years, the county had been relying on a wheel loader to move the rock, a process that required driving up a large rock ramp to reach the necessary lift height.
"It's a much easier task for the excavator to tackle," Weidert says, gesturing toward the machine. "It picks up probably a third of what the loader did, but it goes four times faster. So you're actually putting in more rock at a more even pace.
"These machines have changed how our quarry operates. The efficiency is up, and production is up."
It's simpler and safer for the operator because he can see all around, and he can see inside the bucket where the rock is."
The results have been revealing. "These machines have changed how our quarry operates," Krider says, a knowing smile creeping across her face. "The efficiency is up and production is up. We've seen a significant increase in the tonnage we produce."
Empowered by Purpose
In the moments when he steps outside of his machine, the affable nature of Quarry Supervisor Josh George is on full display. He banters with co-workers and cracks jokes, flashing a wide smile and emitting a hearty laugh.
But the second he gets in the cab of his 350 P-Tier Excavator, it's clear he means business. There's a methodical rhythm and purposeful focus to the way he operates.
"I always keep in mind that the public is relying on us to keep rock on these roads," George says, a sense of urgency in his voice. "It's even more important after we have a bit of rain. You can have hazards and washouts. We have to keep moving."
While the 350 P-Tier is still relatively new on the site, George already feels at home within the cab.
"Man, it's the best of both worlds," he says. "It absolutely has the power you need when you're lifting all that rock. And yet it's still small enough that if we needed to load it on a trailer for other jobs, we can do that easily."
With a decade of experience under his belt, George knows what it takes to get ahead in the quarry environment. He routinely logs 10-hour days, spending the vast majority of that time inside his excavator.
"It's not bad at all in here," George says. "It's almost just as comfortable as sitting on your couch at home."
This comfort belies the gritty work the excavator is doing. The 350 P-Tier has to remove overburden, then lift large volumes of rock. The Kleeman crusher takes it from there, breaking the raw rock down into specified sizes suitable for end uses like roads and bridges.
"You know, it's rewarding work," George says, peering at the amassed pile of crushed rock. "You start with nothing at the beginning of the day and end with a large pile of rock that's going to serve the community."
Joining Forces
The skeleton crew in the Labette County Quarry typically consists of George and just one other worker. But it's common for them to be joined on-site by critical support staff.
County employees like Weidert and Krider often stop by to make sure things are humming along as expected.
Representatives from Murphy Tractor & Equipment Co., Labette County's John Deere dealer, are also mainstays in the quarry. It brings an elevated peace of mind to those charged with keeping county operations moving.
"If our machines are down, we're down, too," explains Krider, nodding her head to emphasize the point. "That's why we need to keep running and keep operational. The people at Murphy are always very easy to get ahold of. They're so quick about getting here and so quick about solving problems."
John Deere acquired the Wirtgen Group in 2017. When the companies joined forces, it didn't just bring their machines together. It also brought the service for these machines under one umbrella.
"It's one call for us," says Krider. "Whether it is the crusher or the excavator … you talk to one person and they'll keep your machines running."
Every little bit of that productivity is essential — and every bit of synergy brings the county closer to delivering on its promise of serving its residents.
Weidert contemplates this reality as the sun rises higher in the sky and an intense heat begins to bear down on the quarry. In a place like Labette County, resources aren't limitless, even when the challenges are steep. Making it work requires people and equipment that complement one another, that create something greater than the sum of their parts.
"There's a lot of road to maintain and a lot of rock needed to do it," Weidert says, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow. "Knowing that we have the people and the machines we need to get it done, that's a comforting feeling."
Labette County is served by Murphy Tractor & Equipment Co., Wichita, Kansas.
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The John Deere 350 P-Tier Excavator skillfully curled its bucket after efficiently filling up with rock.
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The Kleemann Mobile Mobirex MR 130i EVO2 stands ready to crush large rocks with ease.
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A John Deere 844 P-Tier Loader effortlessly scoops up gravel with its bucket.
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The John Deere 350 P-Tier Excavator easily delivers a load of rock to the Kleemann Mobile Mobirex MR 130i EVO2
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