How many miles are you comfortable with?

[Diamondpilot]

I've considered that option.

If I go that route, here are a few things I'd need answered.

1.) My Kubota L35 doesn't have the highest reach, I think it's around 8' at the pins. It seems like most dump trucks beds are to tall. I can always take the board extensions off, but what kind of a height does that get me down to? Not being able to dump into the center of a bed seems like it'd really cut down on the useful load one could carry.

2.) License? If it has air brakes, then I thought I'd have to get a CDL. I know you can do the farm tags route, but I have some properties more than 150 miles away that I like to be able to drive to.

3.) Plates and insurance? Do you have to plate a vehicle for it Gross? What kind of insurance does one have to carry on something of that size?

Thanks to everyone who has posted comments so far.

I do not think you will have a problem. I load my neighbors 2 dump trucks, a 74 Ford F650 and a 76 GMC C60, all the time with my Jinma 284. On the Ford I must remove one of the wood extenders on one side of the bed to load but have no issues with the GMC.

Chris

 

[Big Wave D]

Diamondpilot,

Any certain things about a dump truck you want to be checking on that are different than on a smaller truck?

Anything about frame, hydraulics, air brakes, anything else you can add.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have never owned one but have driven and worked on 3 and the three big cost items are brakes $2000, tires $250 each or more, and hydraulics $depends.

I have seen trucks that were cheap and the guy went and put $2000 plus in the brakes. Take someone with you who knows class 4/5/6 trucks to look it over. Many are not pretty but will do lots of work cheap.

By the way, I think your old F-250 can pull your tractor no problem if you have a truck that has good brakes and is in decent mechanical shape. Guy across the street pulls a 3 axle goose neck with a 76 2wd F-250 camper special with a Case 560 BH on it. The BH weighs 14,000# and the trailer has to be 6,000#. It will not win any races and he is way over weight but it does it.

Chris

 

[Big Wave D]

Diamondpilot,

Well, I must say that that kind of surprises me about my truck. I've been selling the old girl short, I guess.

Your neighbor has A LOT more nerve than I ever would for taking that rig down the road. Have a friend that is always fond of saying, "I'm a brave coward!" I prefer to error on the side of caution and not be throwing it to the wind.

Thanks for your time and responses.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Diamondpilot,

Well, I must say that that kind of surprises me about my truck. I've been selling the old girl short, I guess.

Your neighbor has A LOT more nerve than I ever would for taking that rig down the road. Have a friend that is always fond of saying, "I'm a brave coward!" I prefer to error on the side of caution and not be throwing it to the wind.

Thanks for your time and responses.

I am not saying he runs all over the place with it or even at high speeds but he takes it as far as 15 miles weekly. I am surprised the bed has not fallen off with all the rust. I think it has a 460 in it if remember right but maybe its a 390. I know its a stick and 2 wheel drive.

Chris

 

[Duffster]

I've considered that option.

If I go that route, here are a few things I'd need answered.

1.) My Kubota L35 doesn't have the highest reach, I think it's around 8' at the pins. It seems like most dump trucks beds are to tall. I can always take the board extensions off, but what kind of a height does that get me down to? Not being able to dump into the center of a bed seems like it'd really cut down on the useful load one could carry.

2.) License? If it has air brakes, then I thought I'd have to get a CDL. I know you can do the farm tags route, but I have some properties more than 150 miles away that I like to be able to drive to.

3.) Plates and insurance? Do you have to plate a vehicle for it Gross? What kind of insurance does one have to carry on something of that size?

Thanks to everyone who has posted comments so far.

Air brakes do NOT require a CDL.

 

[Big Wave D]

Duffster,

Wow, I did not know that. Thanks for the info.

I'd like to get my CDL. Had an opportunity with an excavation company a few years back, but I was a temp and my time ran out before I could get it. Decent of them, they'd pay for the testing.

Alas, opportunity lost.

 

[Big Wave D]

What does it mean in an ad for a truck when they say, "Under CDL"?

How do you get a truck 'out' from "Under CDL"?

 

[Cat_Driver]

If the price is right the vehicle can go another 300K.

I learned my lesson a few years ago. I was being shuttled to the airport in Orlando and I sat right behind the Van driver. I looked at his speedo and it said 650K. WHAT? I asked him about it and he said all their vehicles FORED, CHEVY, DODGE all have about the same mileage. The vehicles run 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

I asked him what's the secret, he said just keep them serviced.

I then had a conversation with the guy that serviced my big trucks and he had 700K on his Toyota tundra and thinks nothing about driving across country.

If you look at some of the Ford sites or Dodge Sprinter sites these guys are getting 600K plus on their vehicles.

 

[Big Wave D]

Cat Driver,

I have heard of this as well.

What I DON'T know is what kind of servicing the vehicle REALLY got.

I don't know how much work a diesel engine is getting moving packages or commuters, but one that is towing heavy loads or hauling heavy weight may not be expected to reach that kind of mileage with much usefulness left in it.

As they say, "Your mileage may vary!" :laughing: