Rotary Cutter Need advice on 6' rotary cutter

[Soundguy]

We (day job w/general contractor!) frequently use a sub (excavator) on our jobs that doesn't own anything more than a pick-up truck and a cell phone. He has a knack for getting vendors/rental companies and the like to let him "demo" equipment. Every once in a while, he'll actually rent something for a week or two just to keep 'em interested.

I've worked with a Bush Hog rep on a product development project and got a few weeks use of a batwing, and had one dealer to let me demo a couple tractors, but nothing like this guy!

I know what you mean.. We have one sub that just has a dodge 3500 dually, and a gooseneck trailer and a cell phone.. He owns no other equipment.. picks up what he needs on a daily basis.

Around here, those guys are 'stuck' as subs. Many of our municipal contracts now have a check box on the bid form asking if you own all or a substantially significant amount of the equipment needed for the job. ( I believe 'lease' counts as owning.. but not 'as needed rental '. I've seen contracts get pulled from a contractor that was having to rent equipment for a job... etc

Not sure if I agree with that or not... but it is becomming common now on the bids from our city / county.

soundguy

 

[Dargo]

While your mower is HEAVIER, (and uglier ) it's yet to be determined as to it's being "far stronger". So far the 406 has withstood abuse that's occasionally surpassed the limits of the tractors it's been hitched to. Strength is not always determined by sheer mass, weight, or measurments.

Yeah, I am laughing at the "uglier" comment. No disagreement on that issue. BTW, this looks to be a reasonable starting price for what appears to be a decent condition used 406 http://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/detail.aspx?OHID=5388069&GUID=11ced96a85714a07b09e9bcf42716bee

LOL, when you loan your cutter to the guy ripping apart anvils with a rubber mallet....oh, nevermind. Maybe that was just dumb to loan him anything anyway! I'm darn lucky anything at all came back. I heard from a guy who loaned him a 8' tandem disk and only the hitch came back.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I know what you mean.. We have one sub that just has a dodge 3500 dually, and a gooseneck trailer and a cell phone.. He owns no other equipment.. picks up what he needs on a daily basis.

Around here, those guys are 'stuck' as subs. Many of our municipal contracts now have a check box on the bid form asking if you own all or a substantially significant amount of the equipment needed for the job. ( I believe 'lease' counts as owning.. but not 'as needed rental '. I've seen contracts get pulled from a contractor that was having to rent equipment for a job... etc

Not sure if I agree with that or not... but it is becomming common now on the bids from our city / county.

soundguy

Most of the time, that's a political loophole more than a legitimate contract issue. Our local municipality had a long term contract with a refuse service. Not coincidentally, the period of contract was the EXACT same length of time as the former mayor was in office.

Enter the NEW mayor. (SHE is also from a different political party...)

Contracts were re-bid. Long term contractor was actually CHEAPER, but bid was given to a new contractor on a technicality. Bid form had a line where "brand of truck" was to be listed. Since the old contractor was still using the same trucks as before, they didn't write in the brand name. Their bid was disqualified, and the higher bidder was awarded the contract.

Also not coincidental is the fact that the new mayors husband is VP of the company awarded the new contract.

It's not WHAT you know......

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Yeah, I am laughing at the "uglier" comment. No disagreement on that issue. BTW, this looks to be a reasonable starting price for what appears to be a decent condition used 406 http://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/detail.aspx?OHID=5388069&GUID=11ced96a85714a07b09e9bcf42716bee

LOL, when you loan your cutter to the guy ripping apart anvils with a rubber mallet....oh, nevermind. Maybe that was just dumb to loan him anything anyway! I'm darn lucky anything at all came back. I heard from a guy who loaned him a 8' tandem disk and only the hitch came back.

If that 406 isn't hurt in any way, that is a BARGAIN. They just don't pop up on the used market very often. Louisville/Jefferson County school system uses them (on a variety of tractor) to mow school grounds. Every few years they rotate new ones in and auction off the old ones. I've seen them sell north of $2500 in ROUGH condition. If I was just a LITTLE bit closer to Wisc.....!

I've got a Bro-in-law that resembles your buddy. NOTHING is safe. I have an old MF50 (1957) that was my uncles. I loaned it to Bobby a couple summers ago. About a week into the "loan", he calls and tells me he's having a hard time getting it to start.

"It just won't fire", he told me. "I tried pulling it with the wrecker after we pulled it out of the pond".

I didn't even bother asking the details. Some things you just rather not know.

 

[Soundguy]

Speaking of breaking anvils with rubber mallets.. I swear my wife could break an anvil with a rolle dup newspaper!

soundguy

Yeah, I am laughing at the "uglier" comment. No disagreement on that issue. BTW, this looks to be a reasonable starting price for what appears to be a decent condition used 406 http://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/detail.aspx?OHID=5388069&GUID=11ced96a85714a07b09e9bcf42716bee

LOL, when you loan your cutter to the guy ripping apart anvils with a rubber mallet....oh, nevermind. Maybe that was just dumb to loan him anything anyway! I'm darn lucky anything at all came back. I heard from a guy who loaned him a 8' tandem disk and only the hitch came back.

 

[Soundguy]

I've seen that too.. bids kicked out for esoteric reasons.. etc.

soundguy

Most of the time, that's a political loophole more than a legitimate contract issue. Our local municipality had a long term contract with a refuse service. Not coincidentally, the period of contract was the EXACT same length of time as the former mayor was in office.

Enter the NEW mayor. (SHE is also from a different political party...)

Contracts were re-bid. Long term contractor was actually CHEAPER, but bid was given to a new contractor on a technicality. Bid form had a line where "brand of truck" was to be listed. Since the old contractor was still using the same trucks as before, they didn't write in the brand name. Their bid was disqualified, and the higher bidder was awarded the contract.

Also not coincidental is the fact that the new mayors husband is VP of the company awarded the new contract.

It's not WHAT you know......