How Dirks streamlined bidding and production with DirtMate

The problem: Manual progress tracking riddled with guesswork

Before DirtMate, tracking production was a manual, time-consuming process prone to error.

• Manual load counts: Operators used a time clock app to tap and record each load, relying on memory and manual effort.
• Massive spreadsheets: Estimators supplemented load count estimates with drone surveys when possible, but much of the bidding process was still built on manual calculations
• Lack of visibility: Tracking progress and making equipment or operator adjustments meant a minimum turnaround of 12-24 hours for someone to crunch numbers by hand.

While drone surveying improved accuracy on-site, there was still a gap in tracking daily material movement and productivity. Jonathan wanted to improve efficiency and win more work—and to do that, he needed more data.

The big thing that’s driven our growth is data—having the numbers to bid correctly. Now we’ve got the real-time data to back [our estimates] up. We’re not just pulling numbers out of a hat.” —Jonathan Ensz, CEO

The solution: Automated cycle counts and surface tracking with DirtMate

When Jonathan learned about DirtMate’s ability to track cycle counts, cycle times, and usable yardage moved per day, the decision to move forward was easy. After a painless installation process, DirtMate was ready for real-time data tracking across 14 machines. “The support we had from Propeller was tremendous,” Jonathan said. 

With daily production data at their fingertips, the team can make regular adjustments to optimize efficiency. Unlike their old time clock app, DirtMate is always on, churning out automated insights without manual input.

DirtMate doesn’t require someone to sit down and round up the data; it’s always there at any time.” —Jonathan Ensz, CEO

Dirks’s favorite features and workflows

• Data-driven estimates: Dirks verifies yardages pre-bid with drone surveys and refines estimates using DirtMate’s daily production data, eliminating overages and inaccurate bids. “We’ve been making money and getting jobs, so I’d say it’s working,” said Jonathan.
• Real-time equipment tracking: Supervisors monitor the exact yardage moved each day, allowing them to make operational adjustments on the fly—without waiting on manual calculations.
  
• Cut-fill measurements: Dirks measures their performance in cut yards to design, so they compare DirtMate surface data against design to reduce rework and wasted material.
• Operator feedback loop: The team identifies inefficient haul routes and cycle times, helping them train operators to work smarter and faster.

We can see the yardage moved on a daily basis, allowing us to adjust equipment per site to keep each job efficient. DirtMate helps our crews in the field stay on track and see where they’re at.” —Jonathan Ensz, CEO

The results: Faster workflows and immediate ROI

Since implementing Propeller’s drone surveying workflow and DirtMate, Dirks has:

• Streamlined bidding: With real-time data and automated calculations, every estimate is data-driven.
• Saved 2-3 hours per week: Production tracking is now instant, reducing downtime and manual number-crunching.
• Avoided costly overages: On a 250 acre project, Propeller helped prevent a $20,000 overage—an immediate ROI.

Drone surveying was a tremendous game-changer. One of the first projects we used it on, Propeller eliminated a $20k overage, so it paid for itself right off the bat.” —Jonathan Ensz, CEO

For Jonathan, it’s not just about saving time and money—it’s about distancing Dirks from the competition. By leveraging real-time production tracking and automated insights, they’ve positioned themselves as an industry leader in accuracy and efficiency.

A lot of the time, the data [Propeller] provides is the cherry on top that seals the deal. It sets us apart to get accurate pre-bid numbers and put our design over drone footage.” —Jonathan Ensz, CEO