~story and photos by Bob Gustin
C&C Equipment has a YouTube channel that draws nearly 2 million views a month. Its owners buy, sell, and recondition heavy equipment and decommissioned military vehicles ranging up to nearly 100,000 pounds. Often, they use sophisticated equipment to make custom parts for those big units.
Their customer base stretches around the world, with only about 20 percent coming from Indiana.
One time, they bought a Ford pickup truck at a government auction only to discover it had been a “spy truck,” still loaded with computers, cameras, and other surveillance equipment. After a YouTube video showed the technology stuffed inside a camper shell, the government came calling to recover what remained of the equipment.
Among the biggest vehicles they have sold is a 96,000-pound bulldozer, 30 feet long and more than 12 feet tall, with a blade measuring more than 13 feet wide.
It’s not a typical Brown County business. Yet it too contributes to the tourism industry, based on the number of visitors and customers who find their way to Needmore, Trevlac or other nearby spots in search of heavy equipment, then wind up shopping, eating, or spending the night in Nashville.
The headquarters for this operation is a squeaky-clean office, shop and yard tucked into northern Brown County west of Helmsburg on State Road 45.
It’s a family-style operation headed by Clinton and Bridgette Chitwood.
Inside the shop, a large CNC (computer numerical control) machine cuts custom pieces from ¾-inch steel. Spare parts are neatly organized. Smooth concrete floors are surprisingly free of dirt and grease. Outside, rows of big excavators, cranes, military trucks and other vehicles line the flat gravel yard. Scrap metal and used motor oil are collected and recycled.
Clinton grew up a few miles away in Monroe County, on family farmland that goes back seven generations. Bridgette was raised in Lafayette, and the two met on a blind date arranged by family members. They have two sons, aged 16 and 18.
Clinton’s father was in the excavating business, so he grew up around big machines. The business was formed for construction equipment in 2004 and military machines were added in 2008.
Clinton posts about two videos a week on his YouTube channel, which he said averages about 1.8 million views a month. It’s a how-to channel with some extra features. Some of the videos show how vehicles are reconditioned. Some demonstrate what kinds of vehicles are found at auctions. Some, like the spy truck video, show Clinton and
others having a good time with unexpected finds. Others expose scammers or show viewers some of the highlights of a road trip. Humor, family, and nature are often a part of the show. A recent video highlighted the total solar eclipse.
C&C Equipment has evolved into a niche business, which includes logging and forestry equipment. It’s not a rental shop, or a place you can take your new equipment to get it fixed. Many of the big machines are purchased at auction, carefully reconditioned, and resold.
The metal shop’s CNC can handle a five-foot by 20-foot piece of steel, and Clinton is self-taught on its programming and use.
“Our business model is to keep it in-house as much as possible,” Clinton said. “We could make our business bigger, but we would lose some control.”
The Chitwoods give back to the Brown County community with financial support for several organizations, including the local fire department and the sheriff’s department. Each summer, they let kids climb into their big equipment during the annual Touch-A-Truck event, raising funds for the Weekend Backpack Program, which provides food to underprivileged local students.
Debbie Kelley, who is in charge of fundraising for the Backpack program, said C&C Equipment has been a regular part of the annual program as well as a regular sponsor. She said the organizers of Touch-A-Truck appreciate the unique vehicles which are part of the event,
“We want the community to thrive,” Bridgette said, adding that they donate “just because the community has been good to us.”
They enjoy the small-town feel that Brown County affords and strive to build good relationships. Bridgette said she and Clinton don’t have much time to do volunteer work but can help through monetary donations.
Bridgette calls it “being a good human,” being kind to others and helping others feel good.
“You gotta be nice to everybody,” Clinton added.
For more information: C&C Equipment, 4111 State Road 45, Nashville, IN, 47448; (812) 336-2894; ccsurplus.com