Fortune Grading Customer Spotlight

Customer Spotlight: Fortune Grading 

Built on Trust, Uptime, and a Long‑Term Partnership 
For more than 20 years, Fortune Grading has relied on James River Equipment to keep jobs moving across Western North Carolina. With responsive service, stocked parts, and John Deere equipment built for uptime, this long‑term partnership helps minimize downtime and keep projects on schedule. When reliability matters, having the right dealer makes the difference. 

Why Does Dealer Support Matter So Much in Sitework and Excavation? 

In clearing and excavation, downtime quickly turns into lost time and missed deadlines. That’s why contractors like Fortune Grading prioritize not just equipment—but the people standing behind it. 

At James River Equipment, we’ve worked alongside Fortune Grading since the late 1990s, supporting a growing operation with John Deere equipment, local service, and parts availability they can count on. Our relationship is built on consistency, trust, and showing up when it matters. 

Who Is Fortune Grading? 

Fortune Grading is owned and operated by Chris Fortune and based in Hendersonville, North Carolina, just outside of Asheville. As residential development expanded throughout Western North Carolina over the past several decades, Fortune Grading became a trusted name in site prep and excavation. 

Their work includes: 

• Complete land clearing 

• Excavation and grading 

• Multi‑site residential development projects 

Chris and his team often manage several active jobs at once, which means machines must be ready to work every day. 

“There’s nothing better than starting with raw land and seeing it turn into a place where people eventually move in,” Chris explains. 

What Does Fortune Grading Look for in Heavy Equipment? 

For crews working in varied terrain and tight schedules, versatility and reliability are key. Fortune Grading runs a range of John Deere equipment to match different applications and job sizes. 

Their fleet includes: 

• Compact equipment 

• Skid steers 

• Mid‑size and large excavators 

Because these machines are long‑term investments, Chris values equipment that delivers consistent performance over years—not just the first season. 

How Does James River Equipment Help Reduce Downtime? 

Service response time is often the deciding factor between staying on schedule or losing a day—or more—on a jobsite. 

At James River Equipment, our Asheville‑area service team supports Fortune Grading with: 

• On‑site diagnostics 

• Fast turnaround repairs 

• Factory‑trained John Deere technicians 

• Deep experience working on Tier 4 Final systems 

“The service has always been awesome,” Chris says. “As soon as you call and report it, they’re usually here as quick as possible. Most of the time, within 24 hours, you’re back up and running.” 

A Real‑World Example of Service Response 

When a machine experienced a DEF system failure late in the week, our technicians diagnosed the issue on Friday. With parts already stocked locally, repairs were completed by Monday at noon—getting the machine back to work without extended downtime. 

That kind of response comes from experience, preparation, and knowing our customers’ urgency. 

Why Are Parts Availability and Local Inventory So Important? 

Waiting on parts can bring an entire crew to a stop. That’s why parts support is a critical piece of any equipment partnership. 

Fortune Grading continues to rely on James River Equipment because our parts team keeps common and critical components on hand to support working machines in the field. 

“The parts department has always been top‑notch,” Chris explains. “If something does break, they usually have it on the shelf.” 

From wear items to system components, having parts available locally helps keep jobs moving and reduces costly delays. 

How Does Trust Shape Long‑Term Equipment Decisions? 

After decades of working together, the relationship between Fortune Grading and James River Equipment goes beyond transactions—it’s a true partnership. 

That trust shows up in: 

• Honest equipment recommendations 

• No‑pressure demos before purchase 

• Support for both new and aging machines 

• Guidance on long‑term ownership decisions 

“When you’re going to be on a machine for the next five, six, or seven years, that matters,” Chris says. “They don’t pressure you—they let you try it out and make sure it’s the right fit.” 

Our goal is to help customers make confident decisions that work for their operation today and years down the road. 

What’s Next for Fortune Grading and James River Equipment? 

As construction activity continues to grow around Asheville and throughout Western North Carolina, Fortune Grading remains focused on delivering quality work backed by dependable equipment and support. 

At James River Equipment, we’re proud to stand alongside contractors like Fortune Grading—customers who trust us with both the small details and the big decisions. 

Fortune Grading. 
Driven by trust. Supported by James River Equipment. 

Watch the Full Customer Spotlight Video 

Hear directly from Chris Fortune and our team about what long‑term partnership, service response, and uptime look like in the field. 

Watch the full Customer Spotlight video on YouTube: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQTtk_TCSrA 

Common Questions About Dealer Support and Uptime 

How fast is typical service response from James River Equipment? 

In many cases, our technicians are on‑site the same day or within 24 hours, depending on location and issue severity. 

Does James River Equipment stock John Deere parts locally? 

Yes. Our parts departments are stocked to support common repairs and maintenance items, helping reduce downtime caused by delays. 

Can I demo John Deere equipment before purchasing? 

Absolutely. We encourage demos so operators can be comfortable and confident before committing to a long‑term equipment investment. 

Do you support older John Deere machines? 

Yes. We service and support both new and aging fleets, helping customers extend machine life where it makes sense. 

Which areas does James River Equipment support? 

We support contractors across North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and surrounding regions with local branches, mobile service, and experienced teams. 

When uptime matters and partnership counts, 
James River Equipment delivers.