Guy around hear who runs a 9+ man crew uses a half size school bus. Besides a repaint he removed the seats except for the first 2. The rear of the 'bus' is set up with storage compartments/shelves and a small work bench. He added a tow hitch also. Moves the normal equipment, hand tools, and gets 5 guys to the job.
Dr. Cornwallis's Work Thread And Stuff
- Thread starter Dr. Cornwallis
- Start date
tc262
Branched out member
- Location
- SE Wisconsin
Nine guys seems like way to many. Sounds like he needs a mini!
tc262
Branched out member
- Location
- SE Wisconsin
Yeah I have a windowless one ton diesel van and love it. I leave it packed with all my climbing, rigging, and saws. It's a mobile gear and toolbox and usually pulls the dump trailer and mini. I have a t-case and front axle I'm hoping I'll have time this winter to throw in and make 4x4. That's the only real downfall to vans is four wheel drive is extremely rare.
Dr. Cornwallis
New member
- Location
- Tampa
I like the idea of a 4x4 van, especially diesel, however, I'm unfortunately not in a position to do a 4x4 conversion. I need something turn key.
My issue with buying a new truck is I just bought a new truck two years ago, and the girlfriend wasn't particularly happy about that. It would be very hard to convince her I need another new truck to pursue a new business.
A more reasonable solution is something used, nice and cheap that could be used as a work truck only.
I've been looking for an OBS Ford 250 or 350 4x4 manual as well as Chevy and GMC. preferably regular cab. Gas or Diesel, it doesn't matter to me as it wouldn't get driven much as just a work truck. The problem I'm having is people want a fortune for anything that's not a heaping pile of shit.
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He needs to stop laundering coin. I won't say no more.
tc262
Branched out member
- Location
- SE Wisconsin
Is 4x4 a must? I don't need it, just is nice to have in the snowy winters up here.
Yes, used trucks bring big money, but vans don't! That's the biggest benefit from a van is they are cheap! 4K or less buys you a clean presentable rig if you are not afraid of a few miles.
And why a manual? Driving something that will likely always have a trailer that you'll be backing into tight spots is much more convenient with an auto. If your reasoning is durability you did just say it won't be getting driven much.
Dr. Cornwallis
New member
- Location
- Tampa
For a work truck neither the 4x4 or manual tranny is a must, however, it would be very preferable. If I could find an older 2wd in great shape for a great price I'd jump on it. I also really love the van idea, and the same applies, if I come across a good deal on a super duty panel van, I'd be tempted to jump on it.
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southsoundtree
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Olympia, WA
You can wait forever for a deal, it gets to well now for a fair deal, a solid price on a solid vehicle. No free lunch.
Charge enough for the work and it will pay for the tools needed.
You don't want to have breakdowns, as they are way too expensive all the time.
Charge enough for the work and it will pay for the tools needed.
You don't want to have breakdowns, as they are way too expensive all the time.
- Location
- Retired in Minneapolis
This is a great place to find used vehicles
https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm
The vehicles come from a government entity. In general there is some sort of routine maintenance. On some auctions all of the records are available
Look for 'cutaways' to find box trucks, ambulances and small buses. Most are on E350/450 chassis with plenty of towing capacity
https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm
The vehicles come from a government entity. In general there is some sort of routine maintenance. On some auctions all of the records are available
Look for 'cutaways' to find box trucks, ambulances and small buses. Most are on E350/450 chassis with plenty of towing capacity
Dr. Cornwallis
New member
- Location
- Tampa
Thanks for they link Tom, that place is a treasure trove of awesome trucks.
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SomethingWitty
Arkansawyer
- Location
- LR
Seems to me that having to wait on the warranty work to be performed still stops the job.
Luck comes into play on every piece of equipment purchased, and new stuff still breaks down sometimes.
I could buy a fleet of the same truck (for parts compatibility) that's 20 years old for the price of one truck new enough to have a warranty. They still almost always do the work.
I'd love to have some shiny new stuff, but I'd also love to be able to keep from having a note on something that won't be mine for years.
This rant is more geared towards modern consumerism than some guy on the buzz' choice in a vehicle to pull his tractor, and for that I apologize.
tc262
Branched out member
- Location
- SE Wisconsin
A lot also has do with how much mechanical knowledge and time for maintenance one has. If you don't have the time or place to keep up or take care of a breakdown on an older truck sometimes taking it into a shop will cost you a small fortune. If I would have taken in the older vehicles I've owned and just dropped them off at a shop when something needed fixed I probably could have just bought new. For some it makes sense to own older stuff, for others it doesn't.
Dr. Cornwallis
New member
- Location
- Tampa
I appreciate the insight, no need to apologize. I want this thread to be an open forum to discuss everything tree care, how I can set my business up for success, streamline and improve. I love talking gear and techniques and everything related. We don't have to stick to one topic here. I prefer to buy used, I can buy an older Ram 3500 Cummings for around 15 grand with some miles on it, literally around 1/3 to 1/4 the cost of a new one, and that's especially valuable to me as if I'm buying a second vehicle, dedicated for work, it may see 5k miles a year. So an older truck with 150k or so on the odometer is probably fine, especially a Cummins. What concerns me is what @tc262 brings up below. I am mechanically inclined, have been wrenching on my own stuff for years, have the tools, however, what I don't have right now is the time. For the next year I'm going to be attending Paramedic school, plus my job at the fire department, thus, I can't afford down time. If a vehicle breaks down, I may have a week before my next job, however, during that week I'm going to be at school and work.
Regardless, though, I think it would be more feasible for me to pay cash for a good used truck that's going to be driven very little and potentially push a job back in the case of a break down, versus having a $600 a month truck payment on a truck that only gets driven a few times a month.
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Dr. Cornwallis
New member
- Location
- Tampa
What say the buzz about this?
Load Trail DV21, 83"14' Low-Pro Triple Axle Dump 21,000 Lb Dump trailer, I would add in the optional 24" solid extensions.
Mahindra Max 26XL
- MSRP w/ Loader is 21.5k
- Lift 1400lbs to 82" high
- 54.3" Wide x 109.3" Long
Mahindra Emax
- MSRP 18.5K w/loader
- Lift 900lbs to 75.3"
- 50.8" Wide x 100.5" Long
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Load Trail DV21, 83"14' Low-Pro Triple Axle Dump 21,000 Lb Dump trailer, I would add in the optional 24" solid extensions.
Mahindra Max 26XL
- MSRP w/ Loader is 21.5k
- Lift 1400lbs to 82" high
- 54.3" Wide x 109.3" Long
Mahindra Emax
- MSRP 18.5K w/loader
- Lift 900lbs to 75.3"
- 50.8" Wide x 100.5" Long
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southsoundtree
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Olympia, WA
Do you have a CDL? Looks like you're going over 26,000 pounds.
Seems like a whole lotta trailer, maybe too much. Put behind what truck?
How will the tractor load branches and wood? Grapple bucket or...?
7x14?
I'm thinking 6x12, 10K with extension sides. Anyone can drive it behind my F450 (15K GVWR) making a 25,000 CGVWR.
Are you trying to sell mill logs? Around here 16'10" is common minimum length for lumber, locally.
Seems like a whole lotta trailer, maybe too much. Put behind what truck?
How will the tractor load branches and wood? Grapple bucket or...?
7x14?
I'm thinking 6x12, 10K with extension sides. Anyone can drive it behind my F450 (15K GVWR) making a 25,000 CGVWR.
Are you trying to sell mill logs? Around here 16'10" is common minimum length for lumber, locally.
Dr. Cornwallis
New member
- Location
- Tampa
I do not have a CDL I'm not sure what the law is in Florida, could a 21k dump potentially require a CDL? And yes, a Grapple Bucket. I like the size of the E max but I'm worried about whether a 900lb capacity is enough or not.
I chose that trailer as I want to maximize capacity, if I'm not using a chipper I want to make sure I have as much trailer as I can. Do you think it's more trailer than is needed?
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southsoundtree
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Olympia, WA
I would buy a mini over a tractor all day long, for my market. I know you are PT, and want to be versatile.
I don't know how well a tractor will load that.
For a mini, I'm considering some wooded blocks to drive the mini onto for extra loading over the sides. I've only loaded logs, mostly from the end, due to reach.
I'd check with othe tractor owners doing treework.
Only guy that I can think of who had both tractor and mini, used his mini/ BMG.
I don't know how well a tractor will load that.
For a mini, I'm considering some wooded blocks to drive the mini onto for extra loading over the sides. I've only loaded logs, mostly from the end, due to reach.
I'd check with othe tractor owners doing treework.
Only guy that I can think of who had both tractor and mini, used his mini/ BMG.
southsoundtree
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Olympia, WA
How much is a mini payment versus a tractor payment.
Strikes me as trying to do tree work out of a car instead of a truck. Different markets and weather.
How will the tractor tires do in wet weather? IDK.
How is your access?
I just took long piles of branches and 10-15' logs through a man-gate and down a narrow space between the garage and laurel hedge with my mini. No way I'd get a tractor in there.
How much weight do you think you'll get in your trailer? Do you plan to load over the side, dropping logs and brush? From the end (can you get to the front end effectively? IDK).
Strikes me as trying to do tree work out of a car instead of a truck. Different markets and weather.
How will the tractor tires do in wet weather? IDK.
How is your access?
I just took long piles of branches and 10-15' logs through a man-gate and down a narrow space between the garage and laurel hedge with my mini. No way I'd get a tractor in there.
How much weight do you think you'll get in your trailer? Do you plan to load over the side, dropping logs and brush? From the end (can you get to the front end effectively? IDK).
southsoundtree
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Olympia, WA
900 pound lift capacity minus attachment weight...ummm.... is that 100% capacity, 50% capacity.
My mini is 50% capacity at 1050 pounds, and tracks narrow to 34.5", expand to 43.5"
My mini is 50% capacity at 1050 pounds, and tracks narrow to 34.5", expand to 43.5"
southsoundtree
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Olympia, WA
http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/cdl.html
Are you going to rent your equipment out, maybe to other FFs? A consideration when taking on a payment. Seems like people rent their dump trailers out on CL here.
Are you going to rent your equipment out, maybe to other FFs? A consideration when taking on a payment. Seems like people rent their dump trailers out on CL here.
