When Andrew Eberhardt was just 10 years old, he was
already shaping the earth. While other kids were riding
bikes and playing video games, Andrew was on the
seat of a loader, helping with firewood, mowing lawns,
and clearing land under the guidance of his father and
another mentor, both of whom worked in the logging and
excavating business.

“At a young age, I was fascinated with backhoes and
bulldozers,” he recalls. “Mini excavators weren’t even a
hot thing back then, but I was hooked.”

Now 35, Andrew is the owner/operator of Eberhardt
Excavation in West Shokan, New York, which is located
west of the Hudson River in the southeastern corner of
the Catskills.

Established in 2017, his company employs eight people
working in a 100-mile radius, providing services ranging from septic system installation and home site preparation to pond building, retaining wall construction, and commercial fill jobs.

Located in a unique watershed that supplies drinking
water to New York City, Eberhardt Excavation is one of
a select group of contractors certified to perform septic
work funded through state grant programs. These jobs
typically range from $25,000 to $85,000, and Andrew’s
company is one of a select few contractors who are
certified to handle the work.

“There’s a lot of paperwork, plus engineers and
inspectors are involved,” Andrew says. “But we’ve
earned a reputation for handling these jobs correctly and
efficiently. That’s why people call us.”

It’s a far cry from the early days of mowing lawns and
renting equipment after school, but the path has always
been clear for Andrew: build with integrity and surround
yourself with good people—and the right tools.

Steering in a new direction

For years, Andrew operated a mix of machine brands. But that changed when friends and
operators—combined with firsthand experience—steered him in a new direction.

“Peer pressure led me to my first Cat^® machine,” he says with a grin. “My operator, Richie, told
me: ‘If you want the best, then you get a Cat machine. If you want second best, you go elsewhere.’”

That candid advice, along with a demo from his Cat dealer representative, Scott Cortright from
H.O. Penn, led to his first purchase—a Cat 299 Compact Track Loader. “We did a couple of demos, and
that was it—I was sold,” Andrew says.
Since then, Andrew’s Cat fleet has grown to include four more machines, a 299D3 Compact Track
Loader, 305 and 308 Mini Excavators, and a D5 dozer. What keeps him coming back isn’t just machine
performance— it’s the comprehensive parts, service and unwavering support behind the brand.

“The after-sale parts and service support is second to none,” Andrew says. “Any issues are readily
addressed, and the parts we need are always
available. The dealership stands behind everything they do.”

Andrew recounted one instance that cemented his loyalty.

“It was this past Memorial Day weekend, on a Friday at 5:00 p.m. I was finishing up a project and
the machine just quit.”

He called Cortright, who walked him through an immediate course of action while summoning help from
an H.O. Penn technician.

“I was stuck in the middle of someone’s long right-of-way repairing their parking
lot. Within an hour and a half, they had a tech on-site on a holiday weekend to get me up and
running. That’s the kind of support that’s hard to come by.”

Whether it’s troubleshooting in the field or routine maintenance, H.O. Penn makes sure Andrew and
his crew are never down for long.

“They come right to the jobsite or to our shop,” he says. “They work around our schedule. Their
technicians know their job, and they take care of us. If one of my machines goes down, they make
sure I have something to keep the job moving. Whether it’s an equivalent machine or something larger, they’ll get it to me. That’s partnership.”

Wise counsel

Thanks to Cortright and the team at H.O. Penn, Andrew has learned to “right-size” his equipment fleet.

“I’m a dreamer—I sometimes want more than I need or can afford,” he shrugs. “Scott’s the voice of
reason. He helps me choose the right machines and attachments for my projects. He tells me, ‘You
can always rent bigger or seldom-needed equipment.’”

That philosophy has helped Eberhardt Excavation stay nimble. While they own essential equipment
like the 305 and 308 Mini Excavators, a D5 Dozer, and a 299D3 CTL, Andrew occasionally rents
specialized machines, such as larger excavators or paving equipment.

“I like to deal with one person who I am familiar with and know I can rely on,” he adds. “I don’t
want to hear, ‘I’ll get back to you.’ With Scott, I get immediate answers and sound advice.”

Andrew also makes full use of Cat attachments. “We’ve got a Cat Power Box Rake for the CTL. It’s a
labor saver—great for final grading and
top-soiling. Both the 305 and 308 have grading buckets, and we’re planning
to add a hydraulic hammer to the 305 soon.”

Technology that elevates

Andrew is also embracing technology to help make his operation more efficient and more precise.
“For a 5,000-yard fill job in Rotterdam, we had to clear the trees and prepare the site, start to
finish, with graded topsoil and everything for a water treatment plant. The entire project was
completed using GPS on our D5 Dozer. We hit exact grades for building foundations, and saved a ton
on material costs.”

Cat’s 2D and 3D machine control technology, along with in-cab fine-tuning options, have been
game-changers for Eberhardt.

“You can go into the monitor and adjust everything—from flow rates to swing radius,” Andrew says.
“There’s even a feature that creates a ‘force field’ (Cat Detect) so you don’t hit objects outside
a set radius. It’s amazing.”

Cat VisionLink provides remote monitoring capabilities that add another layer of intelligence. The corresponding Product Link
interface enables Andrew to monitor equipment idle time and identify ways to increase productivity.
He can also receive alerts to perform scheduled maintenance and timely repairs, and create a more
precise and effective plan of addressing preventive maintenance.

“I get alerts on my phone when machines need attention,” Andrew says. “H.O. Penn is connected, too.
They let me know what needs to be done before a more serious problem appears.”

Operating comfort

Cat machines are also built with operator comfort in mind, something that Andrew and his crew
appreciate.

“The cab comfort is great—there’s heated seats, climate control, and plenty of room. My dog, Bo, a
35-pound mini Australian shepherd, rides with me every day. He has his spot, and I have
mine, and we’re both very comfortable.”

For Andrew, the success of his business isn’t just about machines or jobs—it’s about people.

“My wife, Katy, is a huge part of this. She helps with all the paperwork, bids, bonds—all the stuff
I hate,” he said. “If it weren’t for her, I’d be buried under it.”

His father, Andy Sr., also played a pivotal role, donating an old tractor that launched Andrew’s
early lawn-care hustle. “I wore that thing right out,” he laughs. “But that’s how it all started.”

Even the crew is like family. “My estimator isn’t a blood relative, but he’s like family. Same with
my operators and laborers. You surround yourself with good people who believe in doing quality work
and what you’re building.”

The road ahead

Today, Andrew stands at the helm of a growing business with deep roots and strong support. He’s built a reputation based on quality work, honesty, and follow-through.

“Be a man of your word,” he says. “Do what you say you’re going to do. That’s how you build trust.”

With Cat equipment under him, H.O. Penn behind him, and his family beside him, Andrew Eberhardt is
building a future that’s as solid as the foundations he and his team lay every day.