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
Continued on 18 May / June 2024 • Our Brown County 17