Episodes

  • From The Malzahn’s Ranch Hand To Ditch Witch’s Top Trainer
    Nov 26 2024

    If you’ve ever been on a jobsite, you’ve seen this guy’s impact. Mark Richards is a 25-year Ditch Witch vet who started as part-time help in the summer of ’86. After a stint as a ranch hand for Ed Malzahn and family, he worked his way up from quality expert to his latest role: Assembly Academy Training Coordinator.

    From testing prototypes to ensuring the next generation has the know-how to build top-notch machines, Mark’s been a part of it all. In this episode, he shares some straight talk about what it takes to bring new hires up to speed without losing that grit Ditch Witch is known for.

    Tune in to hear from a guy who’s done it all, seen it all and now helps keep the assembly line—and the company’s future!—moving forward.

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    16 mins
  • Bagpipes, Bolts and Big Machines
    Nov 19 2024

    Meet Scott McKinley, a product manager and all-around Renaissance Man. He’s been with Ditch Witch for a decade, starting in assembly and moving through roles that took him all over the product line. But there’s more to Scott than just digging systems and service parts—this guy’s got a knack for bagpipes and a side gig as a sports official.

    In this episode of Beyond The Moon, Scott shares how he balances product management with his unique hobbies, from starting his own Celtic band to reffing high school championships.

    If you’re up for some industry insights mixed with some bagpipes and baseball, this episode is for you.

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    20 mins
  • Tim Vaughan’s Fifty-Year Shift
    Nov 12 2024

    This week, we chat with Tim Vaughan, a Ditch Witch legend who’s been on the job for over 50 years.

    Tim started back in 1974, and every working day since then, he’s painted over two thousand equipment parts from the comfort of an air-conditioned spacesuit (Sean’s words). Plus, find out about his first meeting with Ditch Witch founder Ed Malzahn—and what it was like to squeeze his way into the company with a literal grip test.

    Whether it’s cranking out thousands of parts a day or gearing up for a new, cutting-edge paint facility, Tim’s seen the industry change—but his passion for the job hasn’t.

    If you’re into stories about grit, hard work and the people who’ve kept Ditch Witch running for generations, this is another one you can’t miss.

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    15 mins
  • When To Dig… And When To Suck
    Nov 5 2024

    Get ready for a down-to-earth conversation with Chris Thompson, Ditch Witch’s vacuum excavation product manager.

    In this episode of Beyond The Moon, Chris breaks down everything you need to know about vacuum excavation equipment—from the smallest gas units to the beastly Warlock series—and how they’re changing the game in underground construction. He even shares a few wild stories, like using a vac for setting utility poles and clearing out behind a massive retaining wall.

    So if you’re curious about how vacuum excavation is reshaping the industry or just want to hear from a guy who’s seen it all, this episode is for you.

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    19 mins
  • How the Big Moves Get Made at Ditch Witch
    Oct 29 2024

    Tune in to this episode of Beyond The Moon, where we sit down with Chapman Hancock, a Ditch Witch pro who’s worn a lot of hats around here. From engineering downhole tools to managing product lines, Chapman’s seen and done it all. He even spills the beans on a golf hack that could change your game—if you’re crazy enough to try it.

    But it’s not all fun and games; Chapman digs into the nitty-gritty of what it’s like to help shape the future of Ditch Witch as the Manager of Market Development.

    If you’re into hearing how the big decisions get made and want some solid stories from the field, this episode is for you. Whether you’re in the trenches or just like talking shop, you won’t want to miss it.

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    16 mins
  • When Things Go Wrong, This Guy Gets The Call
    Oct 22 2024

    In this episode, Beyond The Moon gets real with Justin Simon, a 20-year Ditch Witch veteran who’s seen it all. Starting out in assembly and now running the show as Manager of Customer Support and Service, Justin’s the man you call when things go wrong.

    From troubleshooting electrical issues to answering bizarre questions (like whether vacs can suck up gas—spoiler: they can’t), Justin’s heard it all and fixed it all. Find out what it’s like to manage a team that fields up to 100 calls a day, making sure contractors and dealers worldwide can keep equipment running.

    If you’re in the field and want to know who’s got your back, you won’t want to miss this one.

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    17 mins
  • Hot Metal and High Stakes
    Oct 15 2024

    Get ready for a real, no-nonsense talk with Ayden Lumbers, a fourth-generation welder at Ditch Witch.

    In this episode of Beyond The Moon, Ayden shares what it’s like to grow up in a family of welders. From her first blistering hot days in the shop to melting metal full-time, she’s got some great stories about what it takes to build equipment that keeps jobsites running.

    Also, find out how she went from knowing nothing about metal working to being a skilled part of the Ditch Witch production crew—and how it feels knowing lives depend on every weld she makes.

    So whether you’ve been in the trade for years or just appreciate the skill it takes to keep things together, you won’t want to miss this episode.

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    20 mins
  • Gears, Gadgets and Game-Changing Tech
    Oct 8 2024

    In this episode of Beyond The Moon, we talk with Cory Maker, a 20-year industry veteran who’s gone from turning wrenches as a machinist to managing product marketing for advanced underground inspection systems at Subsite.

    Cory’s got a passion for the mechanical—whether it’s supercharged cars or the high-tech tools that are changing the way we dig, locate and install underground utilities.

    Tune in as he breaks down how cutting-edge technology is transforming jobsites across the industry. From utility locators and drills to smart, connected job sites, Cory shares how new tools are making work safer, faster and more efficient.

    If you’re laying pipe, digging trenches, or just love hearing about cutting-edge construction tech, this episode’s got insights and stories that will keep you hooked.

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    21 mins