Dumptrucks - Buying v/s Converting a Flatbed
- Thread starter herdfan
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</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I like your logic. Herdfan should look at his situation just as you explained. )</font>
I had considered the bigger trucks (C60, etc). Matter of fact, a guy a mile up the road had a 24,000# GVW truck for a good deal, but I thought that it was a little too big. This 1 1/2 ton seems to be a good fit - not too big or too small. Of course, I just got it last might, so time will tell, huh? With the price I paid, I can put enough in it to get a decent rig that won't break the checkbook and still come out ahead of what a sub would charge to haul. Also, the major advantage is that I can do the work I need on my own schedule.
I'll attach some pics this evening.
I had considered the bigger trucks (C60, etc). Matter of fact, a guy a mile up the road had a 24,000# GVW truck for a good deal, but I thought that it was a little too big. This 1 1/2 ton seems to be a good fit - not too big or too small. Of course, I just got it last might, so time will tell, huh? With the price I paid, I can put enough in it to get a decent rig that won't break the checkbook and still come out ahead of what a sub would charge to haul. Also, the major advantage is that I can do the work I need on my own schedule.
I'll attach some pics this evening.
RobS
Super Member
Can't wait to see some pics Herdfan. I'm envious even though I decided against owning a dump truck. There is definitely something to be said for being in control of your own situation which you will get by owning the truck.
I forgot to mention in my analysis the resale value. These things do hold their value so when you are ready to sell let us know /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I forgot to mention in my analysis the resale value. These things do hold their value so when you are ready to sell let us know /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Darren
Veteran Member
- Joined
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- WVa
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- Kubota L3710, Ford 5600, Case MB4/94, Kubota B6200
A lot of folks overlook medium duty trucks. The fact is an old one is almost always cheaper than a one ton. You get a higher capacity vehicle and as long as you can drive a stick, you get a better deal.
Herd, when you go to the DMV office just tell them you want a farm plate. FWIW, insurance rates are usually cheaper too on a vehicle designated for farm use.
Herd, when you go to the DMV office just tell them you want a farm plate. FWIW, insurance rates are usually cheaper too on a vehicle designated for farm use.
I got some dig pics - will dowload & upload them later this evening.
Spent about 3 hours doing a good tune up and fluid change on the truck the gave her a good work-out for about 5 hours.
I loaded the bed with between 5 and 8 yards of mud and hauled it about 1/4 mile uphill. The clutch started to let me know it wasn't happy with the heavier load, so I've been sticking to the 5-6 yard loads since (gotta have limits, huh?).
The dump hoist didn't have any trouble with even the heaviest load. That PTO pump is pretty powerful. This thing will quickly pay for itself just fixing up some of our mudslides, not to mention the hauling fees for gravel, landscaping materials, etc. I figure I'll need about another $1,000 to get this rig in good shape, but will still have a nice, usuable truck for a great price.
Gotta love "sweat equity!" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Spent about 3 hours doing a good tune up and fluid change on the truck the gave her a good work-out for about 5 hours.
I loaded the bed with between 5 and 8 yards of mud and hauled it about 1/4 mile uphill. The clutch started to let me know it wasn't happy with the heavier load, so I've been sticking to the 5-6 yard loads since (gotta have limits, huh?).
The dump hoist didn't have any trouble with even the heaviest load. That PTO pump is pretty powerful. This thing will quickly pay for itself just fixing up some of our mudslides, not to mention the hauling fees for gravel, landscaping materials, etc. I figure I'll need about another $1,000 to get this rig in good shape, but will still have a nice, usuable truck for a great price.
Gotta love "sweat equity!" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I was a little pre-occupied with the thrill of being able to efficiently move dirt, so I only snapped a few pics. I got mostly ones of the "new" truck and the first slip that we're cutting down. I'll get more as time goes on on.
Here's the first of the truck. Would "Bessie" be a good name?
Here's the first of the truck. Would "Bessie" be a good name?
Attachments
We are building a house on the ridge top and just had this road put in (finished last fall). The November storms brought lots of slips and a catastrophic mudslide that wiped out about 100 feet of road base. We paid our road contractor to fix the road base and fix 2 huge slips on the uphill side of the road, but are going to fix the other 4 slips ourselves.
Here is a shot of the slide we were working on today in its pre-November state. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Here is a shot of the slide we were working on today in its pre-November state. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Attachments
This is what 5 hours with a Century 3045 TLB and an old dump truck will do!
Imagine 2x the mud slipped onto the base of the slide at the driveway.
I think this was a good half-day's work. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I tried to leave the gate and 6X6 posts in place, but had too much trouble working around it, so I just pulled them out with my FEL - took maybe 15 seconds! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Imagine 2x the mud slipped onto the base of the slide at the driveway.
I think this was a good half-day's work. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I tried to leave the gate and 6X6 posts in place, but had too much trouble working around it, so I just pulled them out with my FEL - took maybe 15 seconds! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Attachments
theboman
Veteran Member
I love the dump truck! I'd love to have something like that to play with around here.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I love the dump truck! I'd love to have something like that to play with around here. )</font>
Thanks. It is pretty satisfying seeing the big loads of material laying around that this thing will move!
I have only seen 2 other F-600s for less money, but they were already sold when I called about them. They were also in worse shape than this one based on what the sellers told me. Believe it or not, I actually found this one by just cold-calling truck dealers in the area that the yahoo yellow pages pulled up. This truck is far from perfect, but if I hit it with my loader - so what! Of course, I try not to, but I'm relatively new to all this, so mistakes will happen. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
There is a farm auction up here in Milton at the fairgrounds next Saturday. They may have some things y'all may be interested in. Last year's sale was pretty good. There were a few diamonds in the rough amongst all the rusted iron. I just hope I don't see a nicer dump truck that sells for less than what I paid. If so, I may have to get that one too - and then probably sleep in it too since the dog already has dibs on her house! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Thanks. It is pretty satisfying seeing the big loads of material laying around that this thing will move!
I have only seen 2 other F-600s for less money, but they were already sold when I called about them. They were also in worse shape than this one based on what the sellers told me. Believe it or not, I actually found this one by just cold-calling truck dealers in the area that the yahoo yellow pages pulled up. This truck is far from perfect, but if I hit it with my loader - so what! Of course, I try not to, but I'm relatively new to all this, so mistakes will happen. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
There is a farm auction up here in Milton at the fairgrounds next Saturday. They may have some things y'all may be interested in. Last year's sale was pretty good. There were a few diamonds in the rough amongst all the rusted iron. I just hope I don't see a nicer dump truck that sells for less than what I paid. If so, I may have to get that one too - and then probably sleep in it too since the dog already has dibs on her house! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
RobS
Super Member
Looks like a perfect truck for your uses Herd... mine too. Now you've really got me thinking about it again. Do you plan on hauling in road gravel for your drive? If so, how many trips and how far? This is why I opted away from the dump truck. For as much gravel as I'll need the hired Tri-axle was far more efficient for my own time.
Still, nice truck /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Still, nice truck /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
RobS
I plan on hauling a lot of gravel. I may even need to go get a load today to dress up some of the areas that I've been working on. There is a gravel place about 4 miles up the road, so hopefully it won't be too bad to make the trips. If it becomes too much trouble, I'm sure they'll deliver it for a reasonable fee being that close. I'll do it myself if I can though, 'cause I like being self-sufficient! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I plan on hauling a lot of gravel. I may even need to go get a load today to dress up some of the areas that I've been working on. There is a gravel place about 4 miles up the road, so hopefully it won't be too bad to make the trips. If it becomes too much trouble, I'm sure they'll deliver it for a reasonable fee being that close. I'll do it myself if I can though, 'cause I like being self-sufficient! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
theboman
Veteran Member
I'm pretty and familiar with Milton, home of the Mountaineer Opry House and the Pumpkin Festival!! I go to the Opry House several times a year. I also got my box blade there in Milton at the 'Bota dealership.
Maybe oneday I'll get me a dump. Just got a car for the girlfriend so the ole savings went away.
Maybe oneday I'll get me a dump. Just got a car for the girlfriend so the ole savings went away.
MarkV
Super Member
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2000
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- Cedartown, Ga and N. Ga mountains
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- 1998 Kubota B21, 2005 Kubota L39
I have a stake side 1 ton that has been converted to dump. Some of you may know "Gary_in_Indidana" who is a member here and a semi truck dealer. I was asking advice from Gary as to what to look for in a small dump, just kind of getting an education. As it turns out we discussed what type of uses I had in mind and Gary reluctantly mentioned a truck he had access to. Gary didn't want it to seem he was trying to generate business through this forum.
Though at the time I wasn't that serious this just seemed like to good of deal not to act on. It is a 1989 Chevy C-30 diesel dually with a 12' stake bed. The truck was an Air Force truck used to shuttle parts from hanger to hanger at a local base and had 36,000 original miles on it. To me a diesel with 36k and a regular maintenance program was just getting broken in. Gary had a local truck fabricator put an electric hydraulic lift and modify the frame and bed rails for $2500 and I had my dump truck. The wife and I flew up to Indiana and drove 700 miles back to Georgia. The whole package ended up under $8500.
With only 2.5 tons of legal carrying capacity it is not the truck for those who need to haul large amounts of gravel or soil. For general farm use the truck has been great for hauling mulch, firewood, picking up supplies or towing a trailer. The sides are those metal fence like units that can be removed in 4' sections which offers a lot of versatility. I bolted PT deck boards in the gaps of the sides to haul loose material and with the sides off it is a great flatbed for picking up a load of banded lumber that can be dumped at a job site.
I think I have told everyone more than they wanted to know about my truck, sorry. From my experience if you are looking for a farm truck you may want to look into government vehicle auctions. They are open to the public so you do not have to be a dealer to buy. If a dump is what you want a flat bed can be converted for something in the $2500 range.
MarkV
Though at the time I wasn't that serious this just seemed like to good of deal not to act on. It is a 1989 Chevy C-30 diesel dually with a 12' stake bed. The truck was an Air Force truck used to shuttle parts from hanger to hanger at a local base and had 36,000 original miles on it. To me a diesel with 36k and a regular maintenance program was just getting broken in. Gary had a local truck fabricator put an electric hydraulic lift and modify the frame and bed rails for $2500 and I had my dump truck. The wife and I flew up to Indiana and drove 700 miles back to Georgia. The whole package ended up under $8500.
With only 2.5 tons of legal carrying capacity it is not the truck for those who need to haul large amounts of gravel or soil. For general farm use the truck has been great for hauling mulch, firewood, picking up supplies or towing a trailer. The sides are those metal fence like units that can be removed in 4' sections which offers a lot of versatility. I bolted PT deck boards in the gaps of the sides to haul loose material and with the sides off it is a great flatbed for picking up a load of banded lumber that can be dumped at a job site.
I think I have told everyone more than they wanted to know about my truck, sorry. From my experience if you are looking for a farm truck you may want to look into government vehicle auctions. They are open to the public so you do not have to be a dealer to buy. If a dump is what you want a flat bed can be converted for something in the $2500 range.
MarkV
