When comparing mini loaders, it’s natural to focus on machine specifications. Operating capacity, hydraulic performance and size all factor into the buying decision.
But once the machine is on the jobsite, another factor can have an even greater impact on productivity: the support behind it.
On landscaping and hardscaping jobsites, every minute matters. Companies look for every way to reduce downtime to maximize their productivity and profit.
For Adam Bellas, owner of Bellas Landscaping in Bloomington, Illinois, support from the Vermeer dealer network has been a key factor in purchasing decisions for more than 20 years.
“Our equipment purchases are driven with a lot of research [and] years of running equipment, but mainly [they are driven by] relationships,” Bellas said.
How equipment support helps reduce downtime
For Bellas, choosing a mini loader is about more than comparing specifications. It’s about choosing a partner who can help keep equipment running when crews depend on it every day.
He knows how quickly equipment issues can affect schedules, labor efficiency and customer commitments. That’s why he chooses partners who are accessible and invested in his company’s success.
“We’re looking for people we can call, people we can text, people we can email,” Bellas said.
That connection to a dealer network matters most when you least expect it. Whether it’s troubleshooting a problem, locating a replacement part or scheduling service to get your jobsite running again, you need a partner who knows how to get your crew back to work quickly.
That’s the kind of partnership Bellas has found with his local dealer, Vermeer Midwest. Bellas describes the Vermeer Midwest team as partners with Bellas Landscaping.
They aren’t just suppliers of mini loaders. They’re long-term partners invested in helping Bellas Landscaping grow and operate efficiently year after year.
According to Clint Kearfott, territory manager at Vermeer Midwest, supporting customers throughout equipment ownership is a key part of those partnerships.
“Fast service is critical because downtime costs them money,” Kearfott said. “Labor is very expensive and they have to meet a deadline, so they have got to be up and running at all times.”
For landscaping and hardscaping companies, the ability to reduce downtime often starts with having the right support team behind the equipment.
How mini loader maintenance benefits from knowledgeable dealership parts and service departments
Routine mini loader maintenance is part of successful mini loader ownership. But maintaining equipment becomes easier when you’re working with a dealer that knows your fleet, service history and operating needs.
For Bellas, that familiarity helps streamline service and gives him confidence that support is just a phone call away.
“Their service department knows what equipment you’re running — what serial number equipment you have — so whenever you need something done, you’re not calling blindly,” Bellas said.
Bellas isn’t the only one who values that relationship. Vince Elizarraras, shop mechanic for Bellas Landscaping, relies on the support of the dealership’s parts and service teams.
“What keeps me confident is the support I get from [Vermeer] Midwest,” Elizarraras said. “The parts department, the service department you call them with the problem, they are just very helpful.”
From troubleshooting equipment issues to locating critical replacement parts, a local dealer can help determine how quickly a crew gets back to work.
“If we need something repaired right away and we don’t have it, they don’t have it, they’ll find it,” Bellas said. “Our mechanic wants to be able to order parts and have them the next day or that day, and having vendors local that we can get parts. It’s huge and we strive on pretty much zero downtime.”
Fast access to parts can make a significant difference when crews are trying to maintain productivity and keep projects on schedule. That responsive, local service is what Bellas Landscaping gets with Vermeer Midwest.
“The support I get from them is very fast,” Elizarraras said. “I call for parts, they bring it up. There’s no question asked.”
Dealer support goes beyond parts counters and service calls.
Bellas often hears from dealer partners asking if they need any parts, service or additional support as they travel through the area. It’s another way the dealership can help the Bellas Landscaping team stay active and productive on their jobsites. Bellas says dealership representatives regularly stop by jobsites to stay connected and better understand the challenges his crews face in the field.
“It’s pretty awesome, they’ll see our guys on a jobsite and just stop by,” Bellas said.
Dealer network expands opportunities and geography
Local support is important, but what if your landscaping business is ready to take on projects beyond its hometown? That’s where a network of local dealerships comes into play.
With 145 dealership locations across the United States, Vermeer support is always close by.
“If we’re ever in different markets, we know there’s a Vermeer there,” Bellas said. “Which is pretty cool to know that Vermeer Midwest is connected from multiple states, but they all operate the same.”
Knowing that quality parts, service and equipment support are nearby has given Bellas confidence as his business has expanded over the last two decades.
But support goes beyond the four walls of a dealership. It’s on the road in service trucks and technicians supporting customers in the field.
Bellas recalls traveling in southern Illinois on a back road where he hadn’t seen another vehicle for miles.
Until he saw something familiar: a Vermeer service truck.
“That got me thinking — man, servicing out in the middle of nowhere. I mean these guys are there.”
That experience reinforced the value of having a partner ready to support wherever the work takes you. That’s what Bellas gets with Vermeer.
What first-time mini loader owners can learn from 20 years of experience
Like any industry, there are parts of landscaping and hardscaping work that you can’t control.
Through two decades of experience, Bellas has learned that choosing the right partners can make all the difference.
“We’ve learned vendors and dealers make a huge impact on our business,” Bellas said.
As companies add equipment, invest in additional mini loaders, enter new markets and take on larger projects, knowledgeable dealer partners can become an increasingly valuable asset.
“I keep going back to the dealer support,” he said. “You can’t go to the local farm store and pick up one of these units and expect someone to know how to fix them or get parts.”
The dealer relationships that helped shape early equipment purchases have helped Bellas Landscaping grow alongside Vermeer for more than 20 years.
For Kearfott, that longevity reflects the trust built between customers and dealerships over time.
“It’s what you look for, right? It shows that we’ve taken care of the customer, shows the trust they have in us, the loyalty that they’ve had in us also, which is what we all strive for,” he said. “To have that long term relationship and hope they do well and succeed.”
For first-time buyers and longtime owners alike, dealer support can play an important role in getting the most value from a mini loader investment.
Find a mini loader backed by local dealer support
Looking for a mini loader backed by local expertise and ongoing support? Use the Vermeer dealer locator to connect with a dealer near you and learn more about available mini loaders and support to keep your business growing.
This article contains third-party observations, advice or experiences that do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Vermeer Corporation, its affiliates or its dealers. Testimonials and/or endorsements by customers in specific circumstances may not be representative of normal circumstances experienced by all customers.
Vermeer Corporation reserves the right to make changes in engineering, design and specifications; add improvements; or discontinue manufacturing at any time without notice or obligation. Equipment shown is for illustrative purposes only and may display optional accessories or components specific to their global region. Please contact your local Vermeer dealer for more information on machine specifications. Vermeer, the Vermeer logo and Equipped to Do More are trademarks of Vermeer Manufacturing Company in the U.S. and/or other countries. © 2026 Vermeer Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
