Should I buy this truck?

[Torvy]

If you don’t get a back haul, you’re hosed.

It's all gravy. If you're driving an empty flatbed to pick up used equipment for yourself, any load or partial load helps offset your deadhead costs.

Similar of you're hauling something one-way, like grain or cattle (though its harder to find a load that works in those trailers).

For off-season work, its more like a hotshot type deal. Definitely better to have both ways, but they either figure it out or don't take the gig.

 

[Hay Dude]

Everytime I get something hauled, they won’t move my load unless they have a haul going the other way. Otherwise, the costs would be way high.

 

[Hay Dude]

Heres a perfect example of a heavy spec 6x6 with power (C-13), but the frame has to be stretched and its a manual trans. Plus I have to add a flatbed.
I’d have 70K in that truck before alls said & done and still be rowing gears.

Here’s another example. This one is a 2000 Freightliner 6x6. Its automatic and has 24’ of frame. OK, great so far, but $30,000 and have to remove bucket body. Then have to add $10,000 for a flatbed. Now were at almost 50K. Powered by a 275HP engine and allison 3000 series.
Might have enough power to feel adequate when unloaded. Now add 12 tons of square bales and a trailer with 10+ more tons and its slow goin.

One more. I tried like hell to buy this one. Cat C-7 250HP, auto 24’ frame. Low miles, auto, lockers, AC.
Seller jerked us around for weeks. Finally gave up on him. Liked the truck, but sheesh, the guy was impossible to get answers from and talk about underpowered….

 

[5030]

The High Ranger as well as the utility body are extremely marketable fyi.

You look on FB Marketplace per chance? Bucket trucks, unless they have a chipper box on them don't require a big motor as all they are hauling is the high ranger and probably some saws. One of my arborist customers has a Freightshaker with an Allison and a Cat but he also has a chipper box on it. The High Ranger (Altec) is mounted right behind the cab so he can dump the box when it's full of chips. Last year I helped him reline the Altec, that was an expensive deal just for the hydraulic hoses. They require special non conductive hydraulic hoses and are made to a specific length. If I remember correctly, the hose set was over 5 grand.

 

[Hay Dude]

...and you seem to be partaking in both as well along with your typical disparaging comments....lol

You’re the one calling the truck a turd. Constructive criticism is welcome, but you’re just here to troll, and tell the same stories you’ve told here for the last 10 years.
You’re top poster of the month again, no surprise there, either.
Go on now, run along and polish your little tailpipe on your little kubota.

 

[Rustyiron]

Thats what I was thinking.
If I don’t have to give much, I figure what the heck, I’ll give it a shot and throw farm tags on it. I’m not hobby farming and cheating the system it’ll be for real farm work hauling bales, IF I buy it lol

Still looking, but I like the features, size, capacity, price of this truck



It’s growing on me, but I’d like to have all trucks same color. I think dark green will cover the camo better than white, again IF I buy it.

To me, it checks a lot of "boxes" for a farm hay hauler.
Nice long bed, nicely equipped with straps and a box or 2.
Set up as a tractor with air to the back.
Nice drive train with axle interlock
Relatively low mileage
Front floaters
And a cool paint job
Would 3 days off and hauling home with your Ram and the GN be out of the question?
I can appreciate you being a little timid with some of your experience with the IH chassis. At least this truck appears to be able to go to work right away and for this hay season.

 

[Hay Dude]

To me, it checks a lot of "boxes" for a farm hay hauler.
Nice long bed, nicely equipped with straps and a box or 2.
Set up as a tractor with air to the back.
Nice drive train with axle interlock
Relatively low mileage
Front floaters
And a cool paint job

You had me till the cool paint job

I actually like camo for hunting of course, and even some casual clothes.

Would 3 days off and hauling home with your Ram and the GN be out of the question?
I can appreciate you being a little timid with some of your experience with the IH chassis.

It would if it was a detachable low boy.
I’d be close to 15’ tall with the truck atop my Kaufman GN.

At least this truck appears to be able to go to work right away and for this hay season.

Tough to say. IF I buy it, I will run it up to my buddy’s repair shop and check it out for safety, throw farm plates on it and take it from there.

 

[5030]

You’re the one calling the truck a turd. Constructive criticism is welcome, but you’re just here to troll, and tell the same stories you’ve told here for the last 10 years.
You’re top poster of the month again, no surprise there, either.
Go on now, run along and polish your little tailpipe on your little kubota.

I call it like I see it. Nothing more and to that end, maybe you should go polish the tailpipe on your big tractors as well. Far as your personal tailpipe, too much info for me but maybe you should stop over at the Biden residence and polish his...lol

I'm waiting patiently for you to start posting pictures and expounding about your mushroom hay like you have done in years past.

According to you, you are quite the producer, big time operator... I'm not and I admit it. At 74, it was time to get smaller, not bigger.

I'm just a certified alfalfa hay grower with a dedicated customer base, small potatoes but good potatoes none the less. Really like to cut my 'tiny' fields but the weather isn't being cooperative.

Finally, only you will determine if the used truck is a turd or not as you will be the one who covers any expense. I don't need a truck like that because my customers come here and pick up the bales. I don't have to deliver squat and have no intention of doing so either.

I removed you from 'ignore' because I falsely assumed you had matured a bit. Guess I was mistaken.

 

[Hay Dude]

Looks like I’d have to cut the moffitt apparatus off the back. The brackets behind the wheels would bottom out coming out of ditches.
Theres air to the back and a beefy pintle hitch. Looks like the tool box seen better days.

 

[Rustyiron]

I wondered about height.
You know about the 6x6 dream, I have limited experience in that class truck (in awd), but in reality (and IMHO) if a tandem with inter axle lock is not enough to pickup your big squares in the field, you really shouldn't be there unless it's just the morning dew and a few hours of sunshine would make it passable.
Maybe adding some additional time to the weather guesswork that hay making is and stack near a roadway or somewhere with suitable (flat & hard) 10 wheeler access.