Dave’s Story

Dave’s journey in excavation began in 1991 with a father’s blessing, a small loan, and the signature needed to buy a John Deere backhoe and an International R190 truck. With those two machines, he set out under the name Laneville Rock and Backhoe—spreading rock, digging footers, and installing septic systems—building more than just foundations, but a dream.

In those early days, Dave worked alongside his friend Galen Shetler, whose support helped shape the company’s early identity. After Galen’s passing in 2003, Dave carried on, focusing on small residential projects. But when the housing market stalled in 2008–2009, opportunity seemed scarce. Rather than slow down, Dave took a leap into commercial excavation. His first project at Gulf States Paper in Demopolis, Alabama, opened the door to larger jobs and bigger ambitions.

By 2011, the company faced its greatest test yet: a six-month project in Kemper County moving more than 2.1 million yards of earth. It was a turning point that proved Laneville Rock and Backhoe could handle massive scale work and cemented tractors and scrapers as the backbone of operations.

Family has always been at the center of the business. Dave’s oldest son, Carson, grew up riding in the cab, learning the trade by his father’s side, and officially joined the team in 2015. Along with Titus Shetler, the family connection remains a living testament to a culture of loyalty, trust, and opportunity—proof that this is more than a workplace; it’s a place to build a future.

From one man and a backhoe to large-scale projects across Alabama, Dave’s story is about grit, resilience, and a love for moving dirt. In 2024, to reflect that growth and sharpen its identity, Laneville Rock and Backhoe became Pull Pan Dave—a name as bold and dynamic as the journey that inspired it.

Contact

[email protected]

(251) 727-6363

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