A-Norton Septic Contracting, Old Bridge, New Jersey, is a full-service septic company specializing in the installation of new septic systems for private residences and commercial buildings, and repair and replacement of existing septic systems.

With 21 years’ experience serving customers in central New Jersey, A-Norton owner Jason Luty says most of the company’s new business comes from referrals of satisfied customers.

A-Norton’s reputation is based on its history of providing quality work and meticulous restoration of the site when a new system is placed in the ground and an old system is repaired or replaced.

For grounds restoration, Luty credits a special track-mounted machine used by his crews.

“We have a Ditch Witch^® SK650 tool carrier for this work,” says Luty. “It is a compact track-mounted machine equipped with a Harley rake attachment to regrade areas that were disturbed during septic work and rake and stockpile fill dirt off the existing lawn or sod.”

The SK650 is powered by a 30-horsepower diesel engine. Its small footprint allows it to work in backyards, narrow easements, and other areas where larger equipment can’t go. Interchangeable attachments enable the machine to perform many different jobs. The operator rides on a platform at the rear of the machine.

“The compact size of the SK650 allows us access to tighter areas,” Luty explains. “Compared to a skid steer or track loader machine, the visibility is unlimited while backing up. We often maneuver around PVC clean-out pipes and tank lids that would be damaged if we ran over them.”

In addition to its clean-up capabilities, Luty said the machine provides significant cost savings.

“The Harley raking results in a near-perfect finished product without purchasing screened topsoil,” says Luty. “We also save nearly eight man hours per job (four hours for two workers) by eliminating hand raking the existing lawn and sod. The SK650 performs this same task in a half hour or less. This gives us more time per job to pay attention to details, and results in a more professionally finished job, which often leads to more referrals. Transporting the SK650 to job sites is very easy and economical due to its compact size and light weight.”

Luty says the SK650 typically is used two days a week on septic jobs. Other days it is put to work around A-Norton’s yard for miscellaneous tasks and unloading and loading materials and supplies. In addition to the rake, the company also owns a general-purpose bucket and forklift attachments.

“In the winter,” he says, “the machine is an excellent snow plow, and we use it to make paths through the snow on our property and to clean out paddocks and barns. We seem to be finding more uses for it as time goes on.”

In addition to standard septic tank work, A-Norton offers the advanced Eco-Pure Peat Moss Biofilter, an on-site wastewater treatment system that uses the natural properties of sphagnum peat moss to treat wastewater through physical filtration, absorption, and activity of naturally occurring microbes and larger organisms to remove 99.9 percent of harmful bacteria.

A-Norton is a member of the New Jersey Septage Management Association, Pennsylvania Septage Management Association, National Association of Wastewater Transporters, and is a certified installer of Infiltrator Systems, Inc., and Eco-Pure systems.

Ditch Witch underground construction equipment is manufactured by The Charles Machine Works, Inc., Perry, Okla. In addition to compact tool carriers, the

Ditch Witch product line includes trenchers, vibratory plows, horizontal directional drilling equipment and electronic trackers, compact utility equipment, pipe and cable locators, vacuum excavators, and related products.

Ditch Witch products are sold and serviced by the worldwide Ditch Witch dealer organization. A-Norton Septic Contracting is served by the Perrineville, N.J., location of Ditch Witch Northeast.