Dump Trucks

[capt_met]

still hoping GM starts building them again, it has been a great truck so far and a beast towing.

 

[Builder]

still hoping GM starts building them again, it has been a great truck so far and a beast towing.

Please post one more picture of the 4500 4x4 (or several if you have them)
I had a crappy day and could use a smile.....:thumbsup:

 

[Big Bri]

ok here is a twist that i've come up with. now this is just speculation but here me out. I'm sitting here with a big smile thinking i need to get a truck quick now.

I'm form Louisiana, and as you all know with the river flooding there is lots of talk about raising the levees around here a couple feet in preparation on the next big flood. Now i'm not so naive to think that i'm going to get that job but i figure the old timers will probably bid it just right and stay busy for a couple years leaving room for some newbie to come in and pick up all their old customers they can't service.

Just thinking out side the box and all but makes me think i might be coming into this at the right time.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

BoFuller your approach sounds more like mine. We picked up an 1989 F700 with a 16' flat dump for $2800 in need of tires too. It came with a pintle hitch so when we got the 1983 JD 310B backhoe I picked up a low price tri-axle equipment trailer then found one I liked better and added it should I ever need to haul the BH or 265 MF tractor.

Farm tags run $15 a year and next to nothing for property taxes. By getting a small farm policy the equipment and truck insurance is not too bad. I think it is about $250 a year for the truck.

I had a neighbor who bought a dump truck but he sold it because he could not see paying tags and insurance to do hauling for hire.

It would be cheaper to hire stuff done but like you I just wanted the stuff.:thumbsup: The backhoe comes in handy to pull out the 265 MF when I play too close to a ditch.

The farm tags have a second function that is to keep me out of the hauling for for hire business.:laughing: I see no way to make a net profit using old equipment without working your butt off with NO pay.

Since I see not way to make a net profit period so my goal is to have NET FUN. By brother and sister both have farms and I can do little jobs for them they would never hire done.

Brought home the new 16.9 x 24 backhoe tires today and that was fun. We are doing things to make this old stuff better that does not take a lot of cash and enjoy doing it. Ten years from now it will bring as much as we paid for it over the past couple years.

If I ever feel the need for these toys to 'pay their way' I will just sell them real fast. :thumbsup: They are for fun work and if they break down and I am not in the mood to fix them they can set a day, week, month or a year as long as they are not blocking the road.

When there was the break of storms about a month ago the state highway was totally blocked near my house and it is a main road for OTR trucks so at midnight I went down the only place both lanes were completely blocked with the chainsaw, chain and F700 and go the road open. When it dried up a bit I took the backhoe and started bunching trees on the place that were blocking access to different areas. I used the FEL to clean snow off of the county road where there is a very steep hill to get to my house. When you live in the middle of no where old equipment that will start and run can be nice to have around the place. :thumbsup:

 

[capt_met]

here you go Builder. first was towing a load of wall blocks to a job where the semi wasn't able to get to. second is the Menzi on the trailer. the menzi and trailer combine for close to 10 tons. won't say how much the wall block weighed for fear of self incrimination. The 4500 has no problems with these weights in these east Tn. mountains.

 

[BoFuller]

BoFuller your approach sounds more like mine. We picked up an 1989 F700 with a 16' flat dump for $2800 in need of tires too. It came with a pintle hitch so when we got the 1983 JD 310B backhoe I picked up a low price tri-axle equipment trailer then found one I liked better and added it should I ever need to haul the BH or 265 MF tractor.

Farm tags run $15 a year and next to nothing for property taxes. By getting a small farm policy the equipment and truck insurance is not too bad. I think it is about $250 a year for the truck.

I had a neighbor who bought a dump truck but he sold it because he could not see paying tags and insurance to do hauling for hire.

It would be cheaper to hire stuff done but like you I just wanted the stuff.:thumbsup: The backhoe comes in handy to pull out the 265 MF when I play too close to a ditch.

The farm tags have a second function that is to keep me out of the hauling for for hire business.:laughing: I see no way to make a net profit using old equipment without working your butt off with NO pay.

Since I see not way to make a net profit period so my goal is to have NET FUN. By brother and sister both have farms and I can do little jobs for them they would never hire done.

Brought home the new 16.9 x 24 backhoe tires today and that was fun. We are doing things to make this old stuff better that does not take a lot of cash and enjoy doing it. Ten years from now it will bring as much as we paid for it over the past couple years.

If I ever feel the need for these toys to 'pay their way' I will just sell them real fast. :thumbsup: They are for fun work and if they break down and I am not in the mood to fix them they can set a day, week, month or a year as long as they are not blocking the road.

When there was the break of storms about a month ago the state highway was totally blocked near my house and it is a main road for OTR trucks so at midnight I went down the only place both lanes were completely blocked with the chainsaw, chain and F700 and go the road open. When it dried up a bit I took the backhoe and started bunching trees on the place that were blocking access to different areas. I used the FEL to clean snow off of the county road where there is a very steep hill to get to my house. When you live in the middle of no where old equipment that will start and run can be nice to have around the place. :thumbsup:

That's awesome Gale. I have the pintle hitch also so I have my eye out for a trailer big enough for my tractor. The guy that sold me the truck had a Ziemans dual axle with air brakes, but it was more trailer than I think I need. Besides I was a little short on cash after the tires anyway. I left mine with a mechanic that I trust while I'm in the Phoenix area for a couple weeks. He couldn't find much to fix up, just little stuff. He did call and say the rear brakes were way out of adjustment and were really dragging. After adjusting them, he said it flat out hauls ***** now! :laughing:
Happy Hauling!

 

[Builder]

here you go Builder. first was towing a load of wall blocks to a job where the semi wasn't able to get to. second is the Menzi on the trailer. the menzi and trailer combine for close to 10 tons. won't say how much the wall block weighed for fear of self incrimination. The 4500 has no problems with these weights in these east Tn. mountains.

Man that's nice. Love the alcoas on her. :thumbsup:
Thanks. I gotta get one of those little 4500/5500's.

 

[amazincaucasian]

Big Bri, I was in a similar situation a few years ago. I bought a F800 similar to what you're looking at and it's been a great investment! Around here EVERYONE has a tandem, tri, quad, or end dump. Most stay busy......BUT I'm about the only one in the area with a single axle. I just wanted to let you know about some of the advantages I've seen in my experience with the smaller truck:
1. Many people don't need 15 to 25 tons of gravel for their driveway, nor do they want to pay 300-400 dollars for a load.
2. A 10ft. bed will dump under limbs and power lines that the big dump trucks can't
3. Most tractor loaders will lift high enough to load you. If they don't just build yourself a little dirt ramp to drive up and give yourself more clearance.
4. Very manuverable in people's yards, etc.
5. If you're looking at the 5.9 Cummins, you'll get pretty good fuel economy and good reliability.
6. The Fords look like a city truck and the cops don't bother you.
7. You can pull equipment around safer than with a pickup. I didn't read all the posts so I don't know if it was specified, but if the truck has an Allison, that's a big bonus. The Lucas Girling brakes are expensive, that's the only complaint with mine. There are lots of low mileage F700 and F800s out there. The 6bt Fords aren't going to get out and run with the big trucks on the highway. They're a little gearbound because they have to be to handle a load like you'll put on it. You can run 65 or so down the highway though.
It sounds like you've been successful with business, so if you use you're savvy in the hauling industry I'm confident you can do well. Find a niche and you'll stay busy. And ADVERTISE too!! You will probably use it around you're place more than you expect too.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

That's awesome Gale. I have the pintle hitch also so I have my eye out for a trailer big enough for my tractor. The guy that sold me the truck had a Ziemans dual axle with air brakes, but it was more trailer than I think I need. Besides I was a little short on cash after the tires anyway. I left mine with a mechanic that I trust while I'm in the Phoenix area for a couple weeks. He couldn't find much to fix up, just little stuff. He did call and say the rear brakes were way out of adjustment and were really dragging. After adjusting them, he said it flat out hauls ***** now! :laughing:
Happy Hauling!

I picked up a 6'8" wide 25' long build with two 25' I-beams and three MH axles in fair shape for $600 but it does not have a beaver tail and the ramps are very very very heavy and 7' long. Now if you can back it into a bank it is not too bad but not safe to use the ramps in my view for a 13K BH. Later I found another one on CL that has the beaver tail/broken back with short ramps with a bed 21' long for $1000. It is solid but the brake way brake battery needs to be replace and the lighting redone but it is 8' wide with the same three axle set up. A logger had it and hauled his swamper on it but had purchased something more like the Ziemans you mentioned.

I started to sell the 25' one then realized it weighs around 4K pounds so is worth nearly what I gave for it for scrap so I decided to keep it to use as a tractor/ATV bridge or just to load stuff on that seldom gets moved but is on wheels when that time comes.

The 25' one I pulled 100 miles at 50-60 MPH and the hubs stayed cool and about 70 miles on the 21' and all was well.

Around here there are not tag requirements for trailers so they will do not cost anything to set around. The big thing is if I really need to get something to the shop or go help my sister I can do it without borrowing a trailer. :thumbsup:

 

[TonyF]

For future reference Summit Racing has the Cardone rebuilt front calipers for the F700 and similar trucks, somewhat inexpensive. I believe these are standard items, not Lucas Girling. Its Cardone part number 100-188005 and they sell for $70 each (unloaded) plus a 30 core. I just bought two last week, the most expensive part was sending the cores back, 23 for shipping.

A-1 CARDONE 100-188005 - A-1 CARDONE Disc Brakes - Overview - SummitRacing.com

I would think they are available form other sources as well, but didn't check.

 

[tlbuser]

second is the Menzi on the trailer. the menzi and trailer combine for close to 10 tons.

That thing looks neat. How do you like it? Advantages/disadvantages over a tracked frame?

 

[capt_met]

on flat ground the advantages of the menzi are not as obvious. the menzi has a larger footprint for its weight so it cranes better imo. on slopes is where it shines. you can level the cab on steep slopes and dig a flat bottom trench. it easily works in places you can't take a track hoe without building a road first. it definitly changes your approach to excavation and what is possible.

 

[jenkinsph]

I have owned dump trucks in the past but never found it to be very profitable. I agree with Builder for the most part.


I got into landscaping after being in the plumbing and heating business for over 20 years, just prefer this type of work. Don't have to do it but I do like it and it pays okay not great. I bought a 14k dump trailer in excellent shape, still has paint the original finish in the bed for $4000 this spring. I pull this dump trailer and equipment trailer with an F550 4x4 diesel and have it loaded with construction tools. A dump trailer is great for the small jobs hauling colored rock, debris from sites and similar chores.

I would recommend you try to do a wide variety of small dirt jobs utilizing your tractor and other equipment rather than dirt hauling only. I typically have another contractor with an excellent driver haul the dirt gravel and topsoil I need, I think it is cheaper that way. I have found I come out much better and have more fun doing a complete job from clearing trees and stumps to finished lawn with sprinklers and pavers. It does take more equipment but I find the equipment side more rewarding and fun than the dump truck side.

Here's a picture of the dump trailer 2008 PJ 14k and the F550 4x4.

 

[Builder]

New Mexico must be a great place to buy equipment. No rain, snow or SALT.
Nice dump trailer. :thumbsup:

 

[jenkinsph]

New Mexico must be a great place to buy equipment. No rain, snow or SALT.
Nice dump trailer. :thumbsup:

Lately you wouldn't worry too much about rust as everything has been sandblasted for the last two months or so. I live in a ski resort town so we do get snow, salt and more rain than average for the state.

 

[Builder]

Lately you wouldn't worry too much about rust as everything has been sandblasted for the last two months or so. I live in a ski resort town so we do get snow, salt and more rain than average for the state.

Ahh, OK. My time spent in Cimarron NM. Very dry. Snow capped mountains, though. Thought it was really nice.
My utility body is only 5yrs old and rust is already beginning to set in.

 

[Taylortractornut]

Im kinda backwards here my 1 ton makes more than the 2 ton truck. I have an 87 F350 4wd. It got a 97 cab on it. THe 4wd isnt workable yet someone sold the frontdrivers live axle before I bought it. I have mulch sides for it. My customers are the ones in town that need a little stone or mulch and gravel or top soil that dont want to buy 10 yards at a time. I can load it with the skid steer to. I load do several drive ways per year. My insurance is light commercial like a mowing service. In the winter I haul fire wood and planer shavings. I also do clean up with a tractor or the skid steer and a tlb.

My brother has a 6 yard IH crewcab and a KW with a 14 yard bed. Others ued 5 yard trucks but they more or less wont haul one load unless they are working a job for you. I do make a little profit off the material hauled to thats one thing to know if you dont own a dirt pit. I keep a small stock pile of gravel, crushed stone up to surge size lime and sand. Most home owners in town need a yard oof material that the uarry wont load. Youd be amazed at how many folks dont know they live 6 miles from a crush stone quarry. One of my best customers is one couple that was older that saw me in town with a load of 3 inch stone. They asked about a load. and i told them 65 dollars. It was 20 for the load and about 5 in fuel for the round trip. When I got there the old man had a little wet spot around the front of his mower shed. I dumped a few piles and helped him rake the stone down and it filled the bill. HE came back with the full amount and I said to take the rest back since he ordered so much.

I billed him 5 for the trip and 20 for the load Ijust couldnt charge for the full load. Now I make 1000 per year hauling mulch and sand to them and debris away from them.


I also have some friend that mow and clean flower beds but not enough to own a dump I do alot of hauling for them. Im now gettin alot of yard waste hauling that im composting on the farm. I need another truck my wife can drive. I bought a 1990 ISUZU/GM 4000 cabover sattelite refue truck from a friend. THe bed was gone but the pto was still there. Im building a bed for it now thats gonna be a flat dump for the brush to with removable sides. I like it Ive done some tests driving around obstacles in the yard and its great not having the conventional nose and the automatic.

I parked my old f700 for now its a 75 model I had trouble with the breaks. I want to redo it since it was my first truck I bought. I currently have a long F700 1995 model Ford truck with a 7 speed and air brakes. I like air brakes since theres less to go wrong with them. I want to make a debris grapple/dump truck from it or a light rolloff, anything I want to do we have to shorten the frame.

Another business that would be neat is a small roll off busniess. I nthe off season I have rented my ton out with the mulch sides to use for a dumpster to roofers and dry wallers.

 

[LoneCowboy]

I own a real dump truck. (54,000lb GVW, 20' box, 30 yards, tandem dump truck) and 95% of the time when I need something for a job (rock, dirt, whatever) I pay somebody to deliver it.

What does that tell you?????

big trucks are just expensive to run. ***** breaks all the time, seals wear out, etc. tires don't last long, transmissions go, etc. Dump trucks work a HARD life. Figure 6mpg, if you are lucky.

insurance for a commercial policy is always more than a regular policy but mine isn't bad.
Liability insurance for your business can be hit or miss.
Advertising, marketing, phones, etc all add up.
USDOT #'s (over 10,000lbs CGVW), DOT inspections, emissions, etc.

it all costs money. Figure a $1.00 to $1.25 per mile just to operate.

It is EXTREMELY easy to overload a single axle dump truck. 5 to 6 yards of concrete or big rock can easily put you overweight. Overweight tickets are incredibly expensive. (and you're out of service til you remove the weight).

Some people just aren't going to get service, because
a. they are too cheap.
b. the job just doesn't make sense.

if you need two yards of dirt and it's $10/yard but the delivery charge is $75, well that's just dumb. Get 14 yards and put it somewhere else, or, you simply don't need the dirt.

There are TONS of construction companies looking for work and they can't cover it either. It simply can't be done.

My opinion, it's a bad idea, unless you have a super narrow niche like builder, myself, others. But just delivering doesn't make money.

 

[Builder]

I own a real dump truck. (54,000lb GVW, 20' box, 30 yards, tandem dump truck) and 95% of the time when I need something for a job (rock, dirt, whatever) I pay somebody to deliver it.

What does that tell you?????

big trucks are just expensive to run. ***** breaks all the time, seals wear out, etc. tires don't last long, transmissions go, etc. Dump trucks work a HARD life. Figure 6mpg, if you are lucky.

insurance for a commercial policy is always more than a regular policy but mine isn't bad.
Liability insurance for your business can be hit or miss.
Advertising, marketing, phones, etc all add up.
USDOT #'s (over 10,000lbs CGVW), DOT inspections, emissions, etc.

it all costs money. Figure a $1.00 to $1.25 per mile just to operate.

It is EXTREMELY easy to overload a single axle dump truck. 5 to 6 yards of concrete or big rock can easily put you overweight. Overweight tickets are incredibly expensive. (and you're out of service til you remove the weight).

Some people just aren't going to get service, because
a. they are too cheap.
b. the job just doesn't make sense.

if you need two yards of dirt and it's $10/yard but the delivery charge is $75, well that's just dumb. Get 14 yards and put it somewhere else, or, you simply don't need the dirt.

There are TONS of construction companies looking for work and they can't cover it either. It simply can't be done.

My opinion, it's a bad idea, unless you have a super narrow niche like builder, myself, others. But just delivering doesn't make money.

That's right. It needs to serve multiple duties to make money. I'd say mine breaks even or makes me a few bucks. Repairs I can't do are so expensive, the average guy that's not ready for a bill like that would have a heart attack. If I get a random person ask me to deliver a few yards of dirt, I usually refuse it. If it's an ongoing customer, I do it because I don't want some punk swooping in on me and offering to take away all the other work I do for them. Owning a dumptruck is a necessity, but don't make money like a tractor or attachments would.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Times sure have changed things. Back in the late sixties/early seventies I worked for some contractors that ecked out a pretty good living with a couple of single axle dumps and a few pieces of equipment. Seems like everything just got much bigger since then.

You could pick up a used road tractor and throw a dump bed on for pretty cheap. Other than weight watchers, as long as you kept your lights working, there was not much worrying about the DOT.

One guy I worked for had a couple of R190's and a later model (forget which) with the 549 V8 in it. He had a around a TD9 and a Hough payloader with a pretty good sized detachable hoe attached to it and an IH175 track loader. Anything else, he would rent. He used to put the two 190's and the payloader on with the state during the winter months. Always picked and chose who he would work for, no deadbeat payers. Never worked a saturday or a sunday save for the winter work. Always had plenty of green in his wallet.