7.21.25

Why We Test: A Better Way to Build | Smarter by the Yard – MJE

At MJE, we believe better builds start with better questions.

How can we move dirt more efficiently? What combination of equipment delivers the best value—not just in speed, but in fuel use, maintenance, and cost per yard moved? And how do we take the guesswork out of estimating and scheduling?

These are the questions behind our current production study, a multi-year project taking place at one of our most dynamic job sites. It’s not just about machinery—it’s about methodology. It’s a real-world test of the systems we use every day—and a deep dive into how we can build smarter.

Precision Over Assumptions

Instead of relying on past experience or manufacturer benchmarks alone, we’re tracking:

• Cycle times from cut to return
• Fuel use and machine uptime
• Operator performance and real-world load capacity
• Maintenance demands over time
• Cost per yard moved

We’re gathering all this through a mix of on-machine software and boots-on-the-ground observation. This isn’t lab work—it’s real work. 

Lessons from Week One: What We’ve Already Learned

Even in the early stages, this project is surfacing insights that are changing how we think about production:

• Machine downtime matters more than we realized. When one machine goes down, the loss in production is immediate and measurable.
• Push loading leads to faster, fuller loads. Our operators confirmed what the data hinted at—this technique delivers results.
• Technology helps tell the whole story. Using platforms from multiple equipment manufacturers, we’re able to monitor usage, costs, and patterns in a way that was never possible before.
• Surprises are inevitable. Some machines performed better than expected—and others revealed opportunities for future testing on uptime and longevity.

We’ll be digging deeper into these findings in upcoming posts—but it’s already clear that these efforts are generating insights we can put to work immediately.

Why This Matters to You

If you’ve ever wondered what you’re really paying for when a job runs over—or how to squeeze more value from the budget—you’re not alone. This study is built around the same goals you have:

• • Fewer delays.

• • More accurate bids.

• • Smarter equipment utilization.

• • A job done right, the first time.

We know that every dollar and every day on a construction schedule counts. That’s why we’re not just moving dirt—we’re measuring it, refining it, and learning from it.

“We don’t run tests like this just to geek out over equipment. We do it because our clients deserve the most accurate estimates and the most efficient builds we can deliver. If we can find a better way to work—even if it’s just a 5% gain—we’re going to chase it.” – Aaron Jantz, CEO, MJE

Stay Tuned: We’re Just Getting Started

This study is part of a broader commitment at MJE to continuous improvement. The equipment may change. The terrain may shift. But our focus remains the same: deliver excellence through innovation, execution, and care.

When you build smarter, everyone wins. Over the next two years, we’ll share lessons learned, highlight the technology behind the scenes, and show how this data is already influencing the way we work.

This is how we build better. This is what it means to be Smarter by the Yard.

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Want to go deeper?

Check out these posts for more insight into how MJE uses innovation and data to drive smarter, more sustainable build:

• • The Smart Way to Manage Feedyard Manure – Optimizing sight design & operations.

• • From Waste to Wealth – Turning Manure into a Resource – Turning Infrastructure into opportunity.

• • Building the Future with MJE CEO Aaron Jantz – A leadership perspective on innovation.