How to regularly move 12,000 of equipment?

wushaw · Jan 19, 2008

Early to mid 90's day cab class 6 or 7 single axle truck can be had for cheap and the appropriate low boy trailer to do the carrying.

jdbower · Jan 19, 2008

I've always wanted to see someone driving around with an International XT Series

Used I think they're not much worse than a decent new pickup, $40-50k or so.

Builder · Jan 20, 2008

john_bud said:
Guess I was too scant in the information areas.

I am investigating getting into some land clearing, to go along with food plot development and pasture renovations. The "problem" is that any decent equipment for clearing is heavy. 12,000# is about the practical minimum. It would be for short (10-50 mile) day hauls.

Right now I have a 12k trailer (18') and a 3/4 ton duramax to pull with. That won't do. So, a much larger larger truck and trailer is needed.

It's probably just going to remain a pie in the sky idea as the equipment cost is way out there and the support equipment (truck, trailer, fuel hauling, etc) adds a major layer to it.

12K probably falls above the realistic GCWR of a 3/4 ton, but not by much.

I'm guessing you think you need a bigger truck because you need bed space for tolls, debris from clean-up, etc. The way I started was with a 1979 IH S-1700 4x4 dump with a gas engine. I bought a trailer and towed my Ford 555 backhoe with it. That worked great because I could get the truck across wet pasture & across trails to me barn building projects.

Start out with old equipment and see if you can make a go of it with your business. If thigs work out, you'll be in newer equipment within a few years.

You can get a very serviceable used dump for $7,000, a used trailer for $2,500. I don't know what piece of land clearing equipment you're looking for.

PBinWA · Jan 20, 2008

jdbower said:
I've always wanted to see someone driving around with an International XT Series Used I think they're not much worse than a decent new pickup, $40-50k or so.

They're around $90K around here:

Trucks For Sale at TruckPaper.com

john_bud · Jan 20, 2008

Builder - Rayco C87 Loader version with forestry mower. Also a grapple, root rake and maybe a shear. That would be all that is needed to clear. I have tractors and attachments for working the ground. It's just clearing off the stuff over 1.5-2 inches. It's rough on smaller tractor attachments.

The economy sort of makes it a spooky time to even consider it .

jb

Builder · Jan 20, 2008

john_bud said:
Builder - Rayco C87 Loader version with forestry mower. Also a grapple, root rake and maybe a shear. That would be all that is needed to clear. I have tractors and attachments for working the ground. It's just clearing off the stuff over 1.5-2 inches. It's rough on smaller tractor attachments.

The economy sort of makes it a spooky time to even consider it .

jb

If you do decide to buy the Rayco C87, just get a dump & trailer that's adequate to get the job done. Let's face it, when starting a business, you can't spend $200,000 on equipment and expect to be able to make the payments and make a profit. The truck & trailer are just needed to get your "tool" to the jobsite. You can always upgrade in a few short years if things go well.

As far as the economy goes, I know what you mean, but if it keeps getting worse, you're going to see a lot of cheap equipment available for sale from businesses going under. You got to look at it as an opportunity, too.

john_bud · Jan 20, 2008

Yeah, there is a used C87 relatively local at a fair price. Has me thinking. Ya know? But all the other stuff gives me pause. I called around to some foresters and there were some guys doing this work, but they lost money and moved to greener pastures. Still some around, but not many.

What are some "good" choices for --> cheap but good <-- dump trucks in the correct size?

jb

Builder · Jan 20, 2008

john_bud said:
Yeah, there is a used C87 relatively local at a fair price. Has me thinking. Ya know? But all the other stuff gives me pause. I called around to some foresters and there were some guys doing this work, but they lost money and moved to greener pastures. Still some around, but not many.

What are some "good" choices for --> cheap but good <-- dump trucks in the correct size?

jb

If you see guys fleeing the business you want to get into, that would give me reason to rethink.

Dump trucks? Ehhh, they're all decent. You'll be more affected by the previous owners' level of care than any particular brand being better than another.

IH, GMC & Ford make a nice, basic, easy to care for chassis.

You definately don't need a CDL-size truck, heck, you might be able to get by with a smaller dump, a 450 or 550, a GMC 3500HD, etc.

Just get the best bang for the buck and forget brand loyalty.

john_bud · Jan 21, 2008

I was looking at flat bed dumps and regular flatbeds and dumps.

I don't get the comment that I don't need a CDL type truck. (must be slow) If the truck weighs 10,000 and the equipment is 12,000 and it rides on the truck, then I get it. But if I buy a 10 ton dual tandem axle trailer, boom even a ford ranger pops it into CDL turf.

jb