My first Bobcat: Bobcat E35 excavator

‘There was so much to learn,’ says Nisi Hernandez. So she started from the ground up. ‘I helped with everything. I did everything. When they needed water, I got the water.’ Now, as the owner of Topos Underground Boring, Nisi spends most days in the office managing the operations of her multiple crews.

Topos Underground bores tunnels for underground utilities. Their customers are big-name companies you’ll have heard of. 

Nisi was once a salesperson for one of those companies. In a stroke a serendipity, a friend explained to her how the systems were installed underground; he had years of experience in the field. Nisi was intrigued. ‘I tagged along with him for a while. It was exciting. I’d never seen anything like this.’ It was the beginning of a new career.

Nisi started her business in 2021 and as a new company they traveled for opportunities throughout the U.S.. Maryland, for a while. Then Delaware. Much of 2022 was spent on projects in the Midwest. 

Now Topos Underground Boring is working closer to home in Elizabeth City, NC and the Triangle area. 

Until now they've relied on a used mini excavator to complement the large boring machines. ‘Sometimes we dig trenches or need to pull a rock that’s in the way.’ The crew also works with large concrete boxes that can’t easily be moved by hand. 

Recently the excavator broke down. With her hard-working crew in mind Nisi decided the time was right to buy their first new machine. She started researching online and found the Bobcat E35 excavator. The Triangle Equipment Company store in Morrisville was nearby.

Bobcat Specialist Mike Webb says Nisi knew the Bobcat excavator model she needed when she came in. ‘I spoke with Nisi about how she’d be using the machine. The E35 has the power they require but it’s compact with zero tail swing, so it will let them work close to buildings.’ They also decided on a twelve-inch bucket attachment for trenching, says Mike, and a four-year warranty.

It’s been a great first few years for Topos Underground Boring, and the new Bobcat E35 excavator is an investment in their future.

What’s next? ‘I want to continue to expand,’ says Nisi. ‘I’m just really grateful. I always wake up and thank God for all my blessings, my family and my employees.’

‘I still find it so interesting, digging underground. I really just love it. I love this job.’