Pictures from the last 2 weeks

[QwikDraw]

The first few jobs I rented a Bradco Magnum. These are pictures from the orchard I pruned and then mulched the branches and did some clean up around the edges.

Some before and after pics, actually during as I wasn't finished.

I finally decided on the FECON. It seems a little better built then the Bradco and I feel does the quicker job. The Bradco has the faster recovery time BUT the Fecon stalls a whole lot less, it pulls through wood that the Bradco would not. I took down a 15 inch pine and chopped it up in less then 5 minutes, just to show someone it could. I am very happy with this choice.

Here is the mulch rig and my Bradco root Grapple.

The is the first part of a road and 10 building lots I have started this week. This is a few towns over from where I live and it has totally different
trees and no rocks like near my house.

I blew one hydraulic line for the quick attach system, after this job I will be fabricating some guards.


Ted

 

[johnno]

Nice fleet. Should make some good money for you. Those RC 100's are nice machines, we rented them a couple times and they can move a lot of material. Can't wait to get some work lined up to try one of those heads.

 

[Robbie Hegwood]

Hey Ted. Your pictures and work look great. Those will make good web site pictures. It feels good to be mulching doesn't it??

I think your choice of the Fecon was a wise one. It should last you awhile. I still haven't demoed the magnum and I'm not sure I will. I'm trying to be patient and see where God leads our company and what will be next. I'm waiting to see if a second tractor is warranted and let it have a carbide head. I have ordered a set of the new alloy blades for my timberax so we'll see how they hold up.

ASV has a good guard for the connection block, If I remember correctly it was only about $50.00. That was the first think I added. I will soon add a overhead canopy over the engine compartment to keep debri out. Also you will want to fab a guard for the rooftop A/C unit. A few trees pushing on it and those dinky L brackets and they will break. I just had mine replaced with angle iron while it was in the shop. Everyone of mine broke and the unit was held on with bungies till it went to the shop.

Also watch the hyd tank cap, it will vibrate open and let dust and dirt into your hyd tank. Put a tye wrap thru the lock and the cap, that work good for me.

Oh yea, Your killing that poor trailer aren't ya????? Nice setup though, looks very functional. My setup is twice as long and twice the headache.
Later Robbie

 

[QwikDraw]

Thanks.

The trailer is 16K GVWR, 18 feet long, so it's only a little over weight, with some weight on the hitch it's close enough....about 13,600 + light trailer at 3100.

The biggest problem I am having is the rear plate, the one below the engine compartment. Just behind the rear axle, under that plate I seem to get some sticks wedged in there and have to drop that almost everyday. It needs to be reinforced or have some more ancor points toward the front.

I can see where that pressurized cab would be nice, dust seems to be pulled into the cab. I'm going to try and seal them some how. I have already mounted a 1/2" polycarbon "forestry door".

Ted

 

[Robbie Hegwood]

The way my tractor processes material it all stays out in front so I don't run over any unprocessed material. But I do understand what your saying. What if you welded a plate onto that plate that covered the axle and overlapped onto the large middle plate. You could put a slight up angle on it to make it sit flat up against the middle plate. The new forestry skid pans are hinged right there. That would be nice.

What door did you get?? I've looked at them all. I can get the best price on a ASV door, but the price still sucks! Alot of dust comes from where the cab sits on the fenders and from the engine compartment. Under the A/C intake vent under the seat its open to the engine compartment. Dust comes into the engine comp. where the drive hyd hoses inter and then under the seat. When I had my cab up I put some weather stripping down there and on the fenders. It helped some but has worn off. Maint. Maint. Maint.

That is a high rating for a bumper pull trailer. I was commenting about the tires touching the fenders. I would like to have a small trailer for local jobs. Oh well.

Robbie

 

[QwikDraw]

I didn't really buy a forestry door, I just added a 1/2 poly sheet to the front of the exsisting one.

It does make me slightly nervous, as I probably can't get out through the window now. I thought about securing the new safety window right to the exsisting one but wasn't sure if it would hold the weight then I could just kick both out forward if needed. I bought the poly from a friend of a friend who works with the stuff, he had this lying around and charged me $60, that plus some spacers, bolts, nuts and rubber washers was under $100.

I thought about extending that belly plate but was not sure how much movement the rear axle did and if it actually came down below the plate when it was unweighted.

A shot of the Fecon's teeth....

 

[Robbie Hegwood]

Your door looks good. I have a friend who is offering to make me a door about the same but wants to try 1/2 plexi. I think I will try your design. I have an easy solution for your front door emergency exit. Buy clevis pins the same size as the bolts holding your window that have multiple holes in it. on the inside put a cotter pin thru it. In case of emergency just pull the cotter pins out, push the clevis pin out and out you go. You will have to use a foam spacer of some sort to keep the assembly tight. Does that make since.

As far as the skid pans go the suspension piece between the pans doesn't move. Just the ends. The piece under the tractor is solid mounted so your good to cover as you see fit. After I told you about the hyd fill cap I was looking at mine today and low and behold my tye wrap is gone!! They guy at the shop cut it off and I didn't think to check and put one back. Just talking about maint. helps us maint them.

That head looks mean. Is work steady for you?? Robbie

 

[QwikDraw]

Steady....no not yet but things are just thawing out here and spring is when things pick up.
I have this job and then the 10 lots as they sell plus the lawns and walks/patios/walls for the development. I have picked up a few 1-2 day mulch jobs too. I have a BIG bluestone job after this and that should take me in to May by then a few other mulch/clearing jobs should be ready. I am still waiting to hear on a 18-20 acre job that would really take some pressure off.

Thank you for the advice on the cap and all the other info for that matter, you have been a big help. I have made a lot of good contacts and am confident this is the right direction for me.

Ted

 

[QwikDraw]

Robbie you should make some calls and find a shop that uses sheets of poly, they should sell you a piece. I cut the door on my table saw and used a hole saw for the wiper and door handle, really not that hard. I am going to give that cotter pin idea some thought...

 

[Robbie Hegwood]

Im glad you feel good about your new business. If you follow God's lead he will take you on one heck of a ride. I'm enjoying my ride. I think you starting this time of the year will pay off. Time to develop contacts and work out the bugs in your operation. Take care of your tractor and she'll make you money. Yes big jobs ease the pressure but a few little ones add up pretty qiuck also. I had almost forgotten about your landscaping work, one should lead right into the other. I stress over our weather I would go crazy with your. Makes for a short mulching season!!

 

[QwikDraw]

I'm pretty good with care for my machines. I power wash them between every job and on the weekends.

How about you, is work good down there? Are you full time now? I read you work for Coke, is that right? I used to deliver for Poland Spring.

Ted

 

[Robbie Hegwood]

I just bought a pressure washer for cleaning as well. These tractors are pretty easy to maint. from day to day. Shoot some grease and check for debri and your good.

God is great!! Work is good!! We haven't gone full time yet but getting close. We have a few things we would like to accomplish before mulching fulltime. My father-in-law is working with me and helping me keep up with things for now. He wants to drive the tractor, I don't know about that. Atleast if I tear it up I can only blame myself. If we get another tractor he's the driver for sure. We'll see.

No I work for Kroger's distribution center. I do industrial refrigeration here. we get paid to keep it cold. But nights are wearing on me and my family. I took last week off from both jobs and it would be nice to be mulching fulltime. We intially said we would do both for 1 year and see where we were. That would be May first.

Unfortunately I started into mulching only and do not have the "dirt work and background" to fill in between mulching jobs if it gets slow. To many people doing "bobcat" work around here and will lowball the crap out of ya. They can have that.

I just need to have more faith and get busy doing God's work and go mulching fulltime and never look back!!!!

And talk about this business getting popular. At my tractor place today they said they sold 4 RC-100 with forestry packages last month. I better do my job and stay ahead of the game.

Robbie

 

[Terra Firma Scott]

Fellas, Hope its ok to chime-in on this..

I too work a full time job outside of tractor related stuff...Hard to juggle both the tractor biz and regular jobby...I run the CAT on weekends and tend to pick and choose what and where Ill do it..I started in dirt work with the 72" bucket doing rough and fine grades for 2 new home builders...its ok work but frustrating when you are working in a subdivision where the streets and lots are PACKED full of plumbers,roofers,framers,electricians,etc who park everywhere you need to be doing grading..pallets full of pavers and lumber scattered evrywhere and the Gen Contractor wants it all done yesterday.....Everybody trying to make there jack $$ all at once in these booming neighborhoods...

1 year ago I left my trade (MAZDA Master Tech)to give this tractor dream a go....Its been rocky- 2 months after I got started I broke my ankle in 2 places on the dirt bike ..Just getting established making contacts and connections and poof...I'm in a cast for 6 months...Wife was pregnant and by the time I was able to walk again i had to park the tractor and fall back on my trade/skill...Needed that consistant paycheck with the new baby here...

Ive been easing back into it weekends (also hard on family life)picked up a root rake/grapple and work the heck out of that and the final bang will be this mulcher...They can have all the grade work like robbie said low balling ya to death !! I truly admire you guys doing the mulching thing keep at it your already so far ahead of the pack.Seems like my kinda work without all the hustle and bustle of 25 different subcontractors working all over you...Get in the zone , listening to the machine, and clean cut whatever the customer wants done and feel good about it when you leave the site. I cant tell you how many times I do a grade and wont even have the ramps up on the trailer before some clown drives right up on the lot with his panel van and extension ladders and rut everything up ....

So- with that long story ..I maintain my occ licencse, Gen liabilty Insurance, Got my CDL class A, and drool everytime I see a rubber track loader going down the road..lol...Ahh to be your own boss-someday Ill be there FULLTIME.

Scott-

 

[Robbie Hegwood]

I am blessed by many facts. But my story is neat for a year ago we had the idea to start our business. I told my wife my idea and she said she didn't know what to tell me exactly. She said pray about it and see what happens.

Within two weeks my work decided they needed a night shift person since the place is open 24/7. They thought it was funny to say I was I was unvoluntary
picked as the one with lowest siniority with 9 years. I didn't fight it and they couldn't figure out why. Devine intervention. You can't do two jobs at the same time (during the days atleast). So now I was free to persue our business dream during the day. I work from 7 pm till 330 am sunday night thru thurs night.

Within 2 weeks we had the tractor/trailer/truck and were insured and liscensed. So one day my wife and I stopped by work and just happened to have the tractor with us. The look on there faces was priceless. A few of my coworkers kinda knew but none of the bosses. Only one showed out alittle.

They know it's a matter of time and my boss told me to give as much notice as possible. I think I need to call him!!

If I were a single guy this would be a dream oportunity. You could almost have someone run the tractor for you and still make money.

Terra the only caution I give you is it would be near impossible to do enough work to make money with a mulching head working only on the weekends. The overhead for mulchers is mind boggling. A few numbers

1. A set of carbide teeth 2k plus
2. A set of timberax blades 1300.00
3. these tractors burn between 4-5 gals. an hour, even offroad diesel is 2.40
4. Hyd hoses to the head not covered under warranty about 400.00
5. Truck pulling said tractor 10mpg at best
6. Insurance

The lady that does some office work for us asked if the figures were right. Couldn't believe the cost!!

 

[Terra Firma Scott]

Robbie,
absolutely agree that weekends only would not cut the mustard.That is the current state I am in. Going back to the wrench is a crutch at this point..My plan is to get away from wrenching (15 years).When I left my trade/skill last year (also due to managerial-owner related situations) I also saw the same jaw dropping- boy was that priceless Boss and I disagreed a few times too many and I said Bye..2 weeks went bye and my property finally sold and I said "NOW" is the time for me to purchase this equipment.4 weeks later found myself with the CAT ,Trailer and Truck....So its been a real rollercoaster of events and would like to get back to where I believe could be a good thing..

If getting the smaller head can get me started slowly(learning curve) and get back to bigger jobs maybe get that 100 hp package down the road and keep the smaller one as backup or hire a helper...I too have a supportive wife that understands my objective ..Even though she has the puzzled look from time to time.lol..

Scott

 

[Robbie Hegwood]

Keeping your smaller tractor is a very good idea. If you bought a timberax for your cat, then a carbide head for the big boy, that would be the ideal setup. That's what I'm going for just with two 100's or a 100 and a 130's hp machine. You will be amazed at the uses you will find for your smaller machine when you start running a bigger one. I have grapple and I sometimes use to cleanup after running the timberax and then mulch the piles. It's proved to be faster that way. That would be a great fit for your cat. Put a helper in it and have him go behind your iniatial pass and when you return mulch the piles on your way out. We use a farm tractor with a landscape rake now and it works well. My father-in-law cleansup tight around trees and make piles as I move on and were done, neat and gone sooner. These machines will break down and a backup is a great idea.

My wife's support has been awsome. SHE knows more about mulchers than some salesmen. Plus there viewpoint is usually 180 degress from ours and comes in handy. She's also a good reality check for some of my crazier ideas. It also helps her feelings because she owns the company! i'm just the operator!

 

[QwikDraw]

You know guys, I can make the machine/head payment in a day or two. One more day and i have the expenses paid. If you have another set income, this is what I figured to pay for the equipment, after that you could make some money. I went through this with a friend who was trying to talk me out of this business when I was thinking part time.

I do spend.

fuel - $100 a day (off Rd is $3.59 here)

$7 per hour for tooth replcement cost add some for a broken tooth($60 for Fecon)
$10 per hour for track wear (this may be high but a safe #)
$150 is the number I use for those two for an 8 hr day.

Machine maintenance(oil changes, filters, hoses, grease) $50 (??)
Ttruck/trailer costs (fuel, reg and ins + maintenance/tires) $50 a day(??)

That's before insurance, property taxes, advertising, business card and the phone bill.

So what's that about $350 a day to show up at a job when you are running, of course when the machine is sitting the cost is much less per day.
I don't think part time is a bad option until the work load is there for full time.

I do see more companies getting these machines here too. I am not sure if it will hurt or help. Most landowners around here don't know these even exsist and some exposure, even by other companies might help.
Ted

 

[MarEng]

Several guys have mentioned renting mulchers. I have yet to find any place locally (East Texas) that rents mulchers/skid steers. I usually rent from Mustang CAT - Dozers. I'm not looking to get into the business but have a ton of fenceline to clear and some other touch up work to do. Hiring somebody might be just as cost effective but will require a lot of upfront work on my part - besides I'd love to drive one for a while.

Any suggestions on where to rent? Who do you rent from?

 

[Terra Firma Scott]

I'm located in North Florida so I couldnt help ya on where to rent. I however rented a CAT 287b XPS High Flow with Cats version HM312 of a carbide mulcher. they will deliver for a FEE..Machine rented for 600 and the mulcher was 350 i think per day and the longer you rent it the cheaper it gets usually.
good luck-