A year ago, the Buck Brothers were at a crossroads. They were firmly set on adding a milling machine to their yard, yet the final decision remained pending. The math pointed in the right direction, and their growing business made subcontracting less feasible. The enormity of the investment was not to be underestimated.

Unlock the Potential of 3D Milling and Software for Your Business

3D Milling: The Basics

This summer, I had the opportunity to witness a limited training on a Wirtgen 200 Fi. It was a brief encounter - just a single pass in a straight line for about twenty-five feet. But it sparked my curiosity. That's when Jacob Buck reached out, asking about 3D milling.The Buck Brothers were new to this process, having just ventured into milling in general. Adding 3D milling seemed like a leap of faith. On the jobsite that day, it was their first attempt at 3D milling.Jacob Buck, the Vice President of Buck Brothers, stood beside their new behemoth. "It's our first year doing it," he said. "So far, we're really satisfied."To achieve 3D milling with Trimble, they needed several components working together:- Total Station Tripod- Data Collector and Target on a rod with Trimble SiteWorks- Machine Display on the mill with Trimble RoadWorkds 3D- Machine Target ECM and Radio- Trimble Business Center (to build the 3D model)GPS may be familiar, but machine grade controls for 3D milling require a higher level of accuracy. Universal Total Station (UTS) provides millimeter-level accuracy compared to GPS's roughly golf ball-sized accuracy.The process begins with surveying the site using the total station and a data collector. The data is then brought back to the office to create a model, optimize it, and ensure no water holds. Once the 3D model is in the machine and the automatics are set, operators can focus on driving and directing while the mill follows the pre-designed model.3D milling is highly effective in fixing and repairing existing pavements. It allows contractors to get to the root cause and prevent future problems. The UTS accuracy is crucial for making those careful adjustments.

Boom In Business

The Buck Brothers knew there was demand for milling services, but they didn't expect the extent. They now receive around five hundred calls a week. To manage this growth, they adopted new software.HubSpot is their customer relationship manager (CRM), and OneCrew handles other aspects. This helped them scale up and understand their business better."We are getting like five hundred calls a week," said Buck. "People think I'm bull-shitting them, but I'm not. The new software has made everything run smoother."Software SolutionsThe Buck Brothers use two different software for backend management, but I was interested in a single-platform solution. PROcru's software combines job costing, scheduling, CRM, and more.Tom Hastings, the Technical Director of Software at PROcru, explained, "Right from the initial call, you'll pull three things: the contact, the company, and the site or services needed. This generates a new lead."The platform continues to track data throughout the process, from proposals to final outcomes. It also serves as a scheduling tool, allowing teams to see their assignments and track time and expenses."We can schedule by either service-line or by crews," said Hastings. "Employees can see their daily assignments on their phones, and it records all the information."Real-time comparison of projected and actual labor-hours and materials helps identify areas that need attention."I think the most beneficial portion of PROcru for contractors is the instantaneous job costing every day. Every day, the management team can see exactly how the crews are performing," said Hastings.For paving companies looking to break through barriers, exploring technological offerings like 3D milling and software solutions could be the key to growth.