Snow Equipment Owning/Operating Indulge My Business Idea for a Minute

[timster2]

I have a lot of experience with salt spreaders. Salt will get into everything within several yards of where it is stored. Fumes/vapors from the salt will penetrate and get into places you could never imagine, no direct contact required. Anything parked near the salt will rot. You cannot store salt in whatever you plan to use for spreading more than a few days without unloading and reloading. The salt holds a lot of moisture and will harden into a solid, think of that salt shaker on your table after a few humid days just a lot bigger. If you plan to hose down your tractor after spreading salt you will only spread the problem quicker. The lifespan of your tractor will suffer tremendously plan on half the lifespan you were expecting.

 

[strum456]

I don't disagree with anything that has been said. However, it is a shame that a guy can't go out on his tractor and earn some extra money plowing snow without having to consider a bunch of liability nonsense. My dad has told me stories about how my grandfather would take our Ford 960 15 miles into town after a big storm. He would plow out gas stations, parking lots, and anybody that needed it. No contracts, no nonsense, just snow that needed plowed and people willing to pay to have it done. This was in the 60s. I wouldn't dream of trying that today.

 

[allen6634]

as i read all of the posts , and i must say there is some very wise advice here , it seems that you arn't going to take anyones advice , so i must ask,
why did you post this anyway?

 

[Olympus]

as i read all of the posts , and i must say there is some very wise advice here , it seems that you arn't going to take anyones advice , so i must ask,
why did you post this anyway?

Don't know where you come up with that. How do you know I haven't already called my insurance to get a quote on an umbrella policy? Seems a little presumptuous.

 

[CobyRupert]

as i read all of the posts , and i must say there is some very wise advice here , it seems that you arn't going to take anyones advice , so i must ask, why did you post this anyway?

Maybe to get a pulse on business in America? I think the results are in. Dead. Somebody call it. Stick a fork in it. I was going to say it's been sucked dry by vampire lawyers, but it seems more like everybody has been pussified, and the risk takers are ostracized. Everybody is afraid. Scary, scary scary! Afraid of terrorists, and lawyers, the child abductors, the knock-out game ("better carry a gun, it's scary, scary, scary out there!") Instead of America the land of opportunity, it's a Climate of Fear. Have you checked under your bed lately?!
The OP is a big boy, he knows the risks. But nobody mentions that buying insurance is also a risk, a form of gambling. Example: My 76yr old mother has probably spent $200,000's on various insurance, money thrown away with nothing tangible returned over the years. Of course, no insurance (or self-insuring) is a gamble too.

I'm sure the OP knows about insurance, or should now that he's been beaten over the head about it. As far as taxable income on $1000 or $4000, doesn't his expenses and depreciations offset a alot of this?
One thing he might want to think about is what happens if his tractor is out of service during that big storm?

 

[Olympus]

I don't disagree with anything that has been said. However, it is a shame that a guy can't go out on his tractor and earn some extra money plowing snow without having to consider a bunch of liability nonsense. My dad has told me stories about how my grandfather would take our Ford 960 15 miles into town after a big storm. He would plow out gas stations, parking lots, and anybody that needed it. No contracts, no nonsense, just snow that needed plowed and people willing to pay to have it done. This was in the 60s. I wouldn't dream of trying that today.

Heck, I mowed yards every summer during college. No insurance policy, no CPA doing my taxes, no contracts, just a guy with a mower going door to door, and that was only about 7 years ago. Made enough money to pay for most of my college, never had anyone sue me, and had a great time. I didn't have to have a business plan drafted either. I guess it's a good thing I didn't ask for advice on a forum back then or I would be up to my eyes on student loan debt right now from being scared away.

I appreciate all the advice, particularly the technical advice. I'm thoroughly scared away from using any kind of salt or brine with a brand new tractor. Definitely good information to know up front.

 

[skyhook]

I say, give it a shot,
Just make sure, (if) you have to sign something, it states that your NOT responsible
for any type of damage.
It would be better if there were "no" contract at all.
Just an invoice at the end of the season.
I do 14 cottages (homes), I now charge a flat rate, since I also live here and am retired,
enjoy doing it, "no contract" just a bill to justify expenses to the comity.
We have a hill and a few curves that have to be salted etc,
We have a couple of storage bins, salt/stonedust that's spread manually, probably not
a good idea in your case,lol,,
but when it gets too bad on the ice dept., I hire out for the salt truck,
and charge extra for these times. (the most was 4 times that was contracted out for salt),
it doesn't happen that often.
Something you could also consider.
Good luck, and yes, you would or should definitely have a cab, heated.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I say, give it a shot,
Just make sure, (if) you have to sign something, it states that your NOT responsible
for any type of damage.
It would be better if there were "no" contract at all.
Just an invoice at the end of the season.
I do 14 cottages (homes), I now charge a flat rate, since I also live here and am retired,
enjoy doing it, "no contract" just a bill to justify expenses to the comity.
We have a hill and a few curves that have to be salted etc,
We have a couple of storage bins, salt/stonedust that's spread manually, probably not
a good idea in your case,lol,,
but when it gets too bad on the ice dept., I hire out for the salt truck,
and charge extra for these times. (the most was 4 times that was contracted out for salt),
it doesn't happen that often.
Something you could also consider.
Good luck, and yes, you would or should definitely have a cab, heated.

Now that, contracting out the salting, makes a bit more sense and would for sure be a better option than storing, loading spreading salt with your tractor. Bad enough to just drive over a salted area. With that option, it may make this job a profitable option IF the HOA agrees to the cost. You still need to look at the fee structure and the time involved to see if it is a money maker for the amount of investment required.

 

[namesray]

Maybe to get a pulse on business in America? I think the results are in. Dead. Somebody call it. Stick a fork in it. I was going to say it's been sucked dry by vampire lawyers, but it seems more like everybody has been pussified, and the risk takers are ostracized. Everybody is afraid. Scary, scary scary! Afraid of terrorists, and lawyers, the child abductors, the knock-out game ("better carry a gun, it's scary, scary, scary out there!") Instead of America the land of opportunity, it's a Climate of Fear. Have you checked under your bed lately?!
The OP is a big boy, he knows the risks. But nobody mentions that buying insurance is also a risk, a form of gambling. Example: My 76yr old mother has probably spent $200,000's on various insurance, money thrown away with nothing tangible returned over the years. Of course, no insurance (or self-insuring) is a gamble too.

I'm sure the OP knows about insurance, or should now that he's been beaten over the head about it. As far as taxable income on $1000 or $4000, doesn't his expenses and depreciations offset a alot of this?
One thing he might want to think about is what happens if his tractor is out of service during that big storm?

very true. I get so sick of the commercials on tv about "call so and so law firm if you have been injured due to the neglect of a business or property owner" some lawyers/lawfirms and sue happy people are out of control and it definetly has hurt small business America.

to the op, I was in a similar position you are in now about 8 years ago when I started my small side business (firewood and mowing) instead of starting the business to justify getting a piece of equipment, I took equipment I already needed for my own tasks on the farm so to say and started putting them to work to make money doing firewood and mowing lawns and bush hogging. I started out just doing it, but slowly obtained the general structure of a "business" over the years. I started claiming the income, then came the commercial equipment inland marine insurance policy, then a general liability policy, then the commercial auto policy for my 2 trucks and trailer and so on. still with all that, I am probably not fully "legally" equipped to do what I do. even if I was, there would still be somebody that could get through all the insurances/licences and put me out of business. there always will be crooked/greedy people in this world. I guess the point I am trying to make is, you had better REALLY want to do what you are proposing because I have found through out the years that there will be ALWAYS something to come along and try to knock you down, and if you don't have that "drive" to succeed you will be out. and also take what you "think" you will profit and cut it in about half, because that is about what it comes out to.

I plow snow, both driveways with my tractor and for the state highway dept. in large plow trucks. some things to think about. will the "smallest cab tractor" you propose be big enough to turn a profit? I would stay far away from the salt. and have a plan both for "icy" events/times and if your tractor goes down. I personally get a liability ins. policy. looking back for obstacles/traffic/people backing up all the time to push ahead again for hours will wear your aleartness down and that is when accidents will happen eventually. plowing snow for people, I have hit buried steps, tore into lawns, hit headwalls on driveway pipes, knocked a mailbox over, and probably a few other things. one time my hydrostat pedal stuck and I almost went through a garage door. surprised me and just got stopped in time. and NO I am not a slam and bang operator. I am a slow and cautious operator, so it can happen to anyone. I wish you luck with your endeavor.

 

[jel1988]

Your insurance will cost more than your fuel!!! You'll have to plow and salt a couple of times just to break even, not even considering your wages or a profit. If there's no profit there's no reason to accept the risk of business.