The CASE for reliability

For Nick Lazarevski and the team at Tonga Excavations, success in Victoria’s demanding construction market has been built on precision, reliability, and long-term partnerships. At the centre of that success is a decade-long commitment to CASE Construction Equipment, supported every step of the way by trusted dealer CASE Victoria.

Specialising primarily in basement construction, Tonga Excavations undertakes complex projects that require accuracy from start to finish, from retention systems and bulk excavation through to final detailed works. In this environment, machinery performance is not just important, it is critical. That’s why CASE has remained the backbone of Tonga Excavations’ fleet for the past 15 years.

Nick Colbert, Territory Manager at CASE Vic, has worked closely with Tonga Excavations for over a decade and has seen the business evolve firsthand.

“I’ve had a relationship with Nick at Tonga for a good part of the twelve years I’ve been with CASE Vic,” Nick Colbert said. “We’ve supported his growth from being a single owner-operator right through to running a fleet of around 18 excavators. Our focus has always been keeping his machines up and running.”

That growth has been underpinned by a shared understanding between CASE, CASE Vic, and Tonga Excavations: uptime matters. Through responsive parts supply, on-site service, and ongoing sales support, CASE Vic plays a vital role in ensuring Tonga’s fleet is always ready for work.

“Tonga continues to choose CASE Vic and CASE excavators because the product looks after him, and we continue to support and back his business,” Nick Colbert explained. “The reliability, fuel efficiency, and consistent service support have all helped drive Tonga Excavations’ growth over the last 15 to 20 years.”

At the heart of Tonga Excavations’ current fleet are the CASE CX145C SR and CASE CX235C SR excavators which are short radius machines purpose-built for tight, demanding job sites like inner-city basements.

Nick Lazarevski, owner of Tonga Excavations, has built a strong reputation specialising in basement construction.

To support this work, the short radius design of both the CX145C (15-tonne) and CX235C (25-tonne) excavators, combined with their integrated blades and zero tail swing, proves ideal.

“The zero swing enables me to bulk the ramp out and load trucks at the same time. I can turn around and not damage the back end of the machine in tight access environments. This factor is critical to me, making those machines essential in my fleet,” Nick explained.

This compact yet powerful design allows Tonga Excavations to operate efficiently in confined spaces while maintaining productivity and safety — a key requirement when working in built-up urban environments.

Beyond performance, operating costs are another major consideration when managing a large fleet. With up to 18 machines working across multiple sites, fuel efficiency has a direct impact on the bottom line.

“CASE’s fuel consumption compared to other brands is second to none,” Nick said. “Across a full week of operation with 18 machines, those fuel savings really start to make a difference.”

Equally important to Tonga Excavations’ loyalty to the brand is the level of service and relationship behind the machines. CASE Vic’s statewide support ensures help is always close at hand, no matter where the job is located.

“Customer service and relationships with the people you deal with every day play a big part in who I choose to buy machines from,” Nick said.

“The good thing with CASE Vic is that regardless of where I’m located, because my machines are all around Victoria, it’s one phone call away and I get answers straight away.”

That responsiveness has been a defining factor in Tonga Excavations’ long-term trust in the brand.

“At the end of the day, my business is governed by having good, reliable excavators,” Nick said. “And I’ve had nothing but that with CASE for the last 15 to 20 years.”

As Tonga Excavations continues to grow and take on increasingly complex projects, the partnership between CASE Construction Equipment, CASE Vic, and Tonga Excavations remains as strong as ever. It is a relationship built on proven performance, trusted support, and a shared commitment to keeping machines working and businesses moving forward.