(L-R) are Gary Wade, president of All Island Equipment; and Carmine Capobianco, president of Big Valley Nursery, his grandson, Ronny, and son, Tom Capobianco.

Big Valley Nursery is a nursery/lawn care/garden center located in Glen Head (Long Island), N.Y., that offers a large variety of outdoor products along with landscape supplies, including bulk topsoil, mulch and gravel, to landscapers and homeowners in and around Nassau County.

Of course, any time bulk materials are handled a rubber-tired loader is a must, and to satisfy that need Carmine Capobianco, president of Big Valley Nursery, recently purchased one of the first Hitachi loaders delivered in New York State — a Hitachi model ZW50 with a 1-yard bucket.

The purchase was made from All Island Equipment in Babylon, N.Y.

Big Valley Nursery, which was founded in 1969 by Carmine's father, Leo Capobianco, has been doing business with All Island Equipment for more than 30 years.

"We first started doing business with All Island Equipment in 1985 and we have accumulated a nice fleet over the course of the years," Capobianco said. "We currently have, in addition to the Hitachi, six skid steer loaders — made up of Gehl and Takeuchi; a Kobelco mini-excavator; and a Kobelco tractor loader backhoe; a TCM one-yard wheel loader; as well as a Beuthling roller."

Big Valley Nursery uses every opportunity to keep its fleet well utilized. When the machines are not in use at the nursery, they are available to rent to local contractors and landscapers. In the winter months, Big Valley Nursery sells salt, so machines are typically being used year around.

Thus far the Hitachi ZW50 has left a strong impression with Carmine Capobianco.

"One of my first impressions is that the machine is very quiet," he said. "I am very happy that we made the investment to have a closed cab. I'm sure I will appreciate it even more as winter settles in. The cab is very comfortable, yet still offers tremendous visibility.

"It's a little early to tell how the loader will hold up over time, but based on other equipment we have purchased from All Island Equipment in the past, I am sure we will be very satisfied. Satisfaction is the best part of doing business with Gary Wade [president of All Island Equipment] and his family and staff. Our relationship goes back years, and many times Gary has demonstrated his ability to put our relationship ahead of business decisions. By that I mean he always stands behind his product regardless of whether it's the best thing for his business. He is always accessible and never hides behind a sales rep or a service manager. That is what has kept us coming back."

For more information on Big Valley Nursery, call 877/887-9619 or visit www.bigvalleynursery.com.

For more information on All Island Equipment, call 631/643-2605 or visit www.allislandequipment.com.

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