Contractor Chooses Develon DTL35 Compact Track Loader for Land Clearing

Andrew Young operates a variety of compact equipment to complete residential and commercial landscaping projects. After establishing his landscaping company, his phone kept ringing with requests from potential clients who wanted to hire him for land clearing. He figured it was time to stop referring customers to other companies and take on the new line of work.
The owner of Chief Excavation and Landscaping (CEAL) in Huntsville, Alabama, Andrew needed a larger compact track loader with more horsepower as he anticipated using a forestry cutter attachment for his new land-clearing projects. His research led him to R&M Equipment Rentals, where he purchased a new DTL35 compact track loader — the first Develon CTL sold in North America.
CEAL’s relationship with R&M Equipment Rentals started when he purchased the DTL35, a high-horsepower CTL to run a mulching attachment. Develon launched its DTL35 in 2024 with 115.3 hp — just what Andrew needed for his new endeavor.
Since then, the company has rented a crawler excavator for a demolition project. A positive experience with the DTL35, the excavator and the dealer will likely cause him to consider Develon products when shopping for future equipment. The company is leaning toward a Develon DX63-7 or DX89R-7 mini excavator to expand its service offerings.
Develon had customers like Andrew in mind when they designed the machine; customers who need a large, high-horsepower machine for applications like land clearing. For example, the machine comes standard with auxiliary high-flow hydraulics and an impact-resistant polycarbonate door providing power and enhanced durability.
Second Career: Construction
Andrew served in the U.S. military and retired after a 20-year career. He made a list of what he wanted his life to look like after he retired from the military. At the top of his list was to be his own boss, set his own hours and spend as much time with his family as possible, including summers with his children when they weren’t in school.
“We’ve been in business now for six years, and I’m the owner-operator,” says Andrew. “I like it that way. After being in the military and answering to people, as well as being responsible for large divisions of people, I am very happy to just manage myself and not have to try and convince somebody else that my ideas are good.”
When he thinks about the future of his company and what he hopes to accomplish, he has an idea of how he can franchise his business for other military retirees who “want to be the master of their own future and their own domain.”
Ryan Johnson, APR, is a public relations and content strategy manager.