Verticaltrx
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2009
- Messages
- 1,908
- Location
- VA
- Tractor
- Kubota B3200/L2501/SVL65-2/U35-4, IH 454/656, Ford NAA, Case 1845C/480E/450C LGP
I've been running my small farm construction business for the past couple years with my B3200 Kubota and a variety of borrowed/rented equipment. This year my business is really starting to grow and I'm doing bigger projects than before. I build barns, sheds, all types of agricultural fencing, and some small specialty grading projects (mostly water/run-off control related stuff, some horse arenas, etc)
I'm looking for a machine to buy for the business to really help with the heavier tasks that my B3200 isn't meant for. I need something that will be good at site prep/dirt work, building related tasks, and fencing related tasks. I've thought about various sized skid steer loaders, full-size or compact TLBs, rough terrain fork lifts, larger 4wd Ag or industrial tractor, etc. Maybe one machine won't be suitable and I'd be better off with two different machines. Anyways, I come seeking advice with from those with experience in the construction, fencing and grading businesses on what type of machine to look for.
With that said here are the main tasks I'll be looking for a machine to complete:
Barns, Sheds, other construction:
Need something for doing site prep work, most often cut and fill work to make a level pad for a building. The barns and sheds I build range from small 10x20' run-in horse sheds up to large machine sheds. Also need something capable of running an auger for setting the poles for the buildings. Next main task will be setting trusses (up to 50 footers). I like to use a jib crane mounted on a loader for this task. Lastly would be general moving of supplies around the site, lifting roofing and materials up to the roof, etc.
Fencing:
I'd like to run a large hydraulic post driver on the machine. The one I currently use needs at least 10gpm and is almost 10' tall and weighs about 1200lbs. It is 3pt hitch mount but can easily be converted to skid steer mount. I work over all sorts of terrain everything from steep hills to swampy areas. Also need a machine capable of doing light clearing for fence lines, tearing out and cleaning up old fencing, moving bundles of posts around the site, etc.
Grading
Most of the grading/dirt work I do is related to the barns and fencing, but also do some other specialty work. Building round pens and horse riding arenas, putting in grass waterways, rebuilding old farm roads, putting in culverts, and other misc grading tasks are the bulk of my dirt work.
I'll also add that I will hopefully be paying cash for the next purchase, so would like to keep it around $20-25K if possible. With that said I do like to buy new when possible, and reliability and low maintenance costs are key. I know there isn't much new in that price range, but low hour top quality used is an option, as is buying new and paying the bulk in cash and financing a small portion of the rest. Being able to easily haul the equipment is also important. Partly why I'm trying to decide what the next equipment will be is to determine what kind of trailer I'll need (going to be buying that in the next couple weeks).
Any input on equipment choices would be great. There are a lot of different ways to go about this and it makes my head spin trying to come up with the best. :confused2:
I'm looking for a machine to buy for the business to really help with the heavier tasks that my B3200 isn't meant for. I need something that will be good at site prep/dirt work, building related tasks, and fencing related tasks. I've thought about various sized skid steer loaders, full-size or compact TLBs, rough terrain fork lifts, larger 4wd Ag or industrial tractor, etc. Maybe one machine won't be suitable and I'd be better off with two different machines. Anyways, I come seeking advice with from those with experience in the construction, fencing and grading businesses on what type of machine to look for.
With that said here are the main tasks I'll be looking for a machine to complete:
Barns, Sheds, other construction:
Need something for doing site prep work, most often cut and fill work to make a level pad for a building. The barns and sheds I build range from small 10x20' run-in horse sheds up to large machine sheds. Also need something capable of running an auger for setting the poles for the buildings. Next main task will be setting trusses (up to 50 footers). I like to use a jib crane mounted on a loader for this task. Lastly would be general moving of supplies around the site, lifting roofing and materials up to the roof, etc.
Fencing:
I'd like to run a large hydraulic post driver on the machine. The one I currently use needs at least 10gpm and is almost 10' tall and weighs about 1200lbs. It is 3pt hitch mount but can easily be converted to skid steer mount. I work over all sorts of terrain everything from steep hills to swampy areas. Also need a machine capable of doing light clearing for fence lines, tearing out and cleaning up old fencing, moving bundles of posts around the site, etc.
Grading
Most of the grading/dirt work I do is related to the barns and fencing, but also do some other specialty work. Building round pens and horse riding arenas, putting in grass waterways, rebuilding old farm roads, putting in culverts, and other misc grading tasks are the bulk of my dirt work.
I'll also add that I will hopefully be paying cash for the next purchase, so would like to keep it around $20-25K if possible. With that said I do like to buy new when possible, and reliability and low maintenance costs are key. I know there isn't much new in that price range, but low hour top quality used is an option, as is buying new and paying the bulk in cash and financing a small portion of the rest. Being able to easily haul the equipment is also important. Partly why I'm trying to decide what the next equipment will be is to determine what kind of trailer I'll need (going to be buying that in the next couple weeks).
Any input on equipment choices would be great. There are a lot of different ways to go about this and it makes my head spin trying to come up with the best. :confused2: