Justification for purchase of 4710

[MikeInIdaho]

I think that you are going about the business angle somewhat backwards. Unless you will be content to own the tractor on your own, you might want to figure out the demand for your proposed services first. Keep in mind that a CUT is not the best for many of the tasks you listed. It cant dig as well as an excavator, skid logs as well as a log skidder, mow a large field as well as a larger tractor. In my area, there are plenty of backhoes with skilled operators for $40/hr. Pretty hard to see how this operation would pay for itself evenings and weekends.

 

[Steve02]

Mike,

Thank you for the information. You are right, what I have proposed is going about it the wrong way. What I should do is find what services are in demand, see what those services are paying and then base my equipment selection based on what I would be doing.

I just want a CUT!, that's why I proposed what I did. Your post really gets me thinking that (for the most part) a CUT is not meant to do contract work as it does no one task great, but rather to work an individuals property(s) where it can perform a great many tasks all-be-it slower than the specialized equipment.

So I guess I'm back to square one. How can I justify getting a CUT? I guess my answer lies in the fact that I need to get more land first. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif


Thanks,

Steve

 

[Golfgar4]

Steve,

I agree with Mike that maybe you're approaching the entire idea from the wrong direction. And certainly a CUT may not the best choice of equipment that could be used for some of the jobs you've mentioned. But that doesn't make your idea wrong on all counts!

There are a number of guys that are operating very successful businesses using the very kind of equipment you're talking about. Here's a link to a thread that I've saved for awhile. Make Your Living With Your Tractor? PaulinSD was very successful in doing the kinds of things that you're talking about. There was also another fellow, Kodiak I think, that also provided these kinds of services.

I'm not saying that all of your ideas would pan out. But certainly if you investigate your area and determine what services are already being offered, then you should be able to tailor your ideas to fill that nitch that the other services don't fill.

I'd just hate to see you give up on your idea without really trying to find out what you could do. I bet you'll be very surprised!

Besides, I want to help you spend your money! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif