Major Decision

[islandedge]

I run a mini with a branch manager grapple rake. My rg85 blows through stumps real quick, but also makes a huge mess! clean up is not a problem with the rake, in 5 minutes you're done! I carry them both on one trailer

 

[islandedge]

Why would you need to tow anything when you have a crane and can self load?

You mean load them up on the flatbed?

 

[islandedge]

That's a good idea but my flat bed is only 12 ft. So it would only be one of them not both on the flatbed. Steve how big is your flatbed going to be?

 

[Steve Connally]

I'm not sure. Truck should be 26 to 28' total so not a big bed. I have no desire to do anything but mek and run. Once I start carrying or towing stuff I can't tag it specialized equipment. Then I need dot numbers fuel tax log books if I wanna leave the state. Plus equipment registration is $15.00 a year instead of god knows what. With those tags I can go anywhere and through anywhere and just hit the scales. I can even disregard bridge weight ratings in VA as long as I can show proximity to a job site. Mobile equipment tags are the way to go. Again if I pull or tow it's no longer equipment.

 

[D x D]

I don't know shit about shit most times, but every time I see a large expensive piece of equipment not moving, I wonder how the owner can afford it. Seems odd to me to let the 350K investment sit idle while you run a stump grinder. I mean that would be gravy with two operators, but with one doesn't make sense to me. Every thing you do with the stump grinder - from unloading it, to trailering it, to using it, to clean up - is another minute you are not making money with Mek.

Hey Steve, let me offer my congrats to you as well. I am so happy for you and your boy. You seem like a hellofa nice guy and I hope you make millions...

 

[Steve Connally]

Actually I'm probably an asshole but thanks anyway. Millions would be cool even just one of them. I'm excited and petrified all at once. I appreciate your kind words.

 

[Hoowasat]

Actually I'm probably an asshole but thanks anyway.

I only spent about 3 hours with Steve, but I did not see one signal to indicate him being a tail-hole. Me, on the other hand, had a hemorrhoidectomy long ago to MAKE me a perfect tail-hole ... then I got requalified as such via colonoscopy.

 

[Steve Connally]

Hahah. Thanks. You're pretty ok in my book.

 

[Steve Connally]

Well crap. So the KW was advertised as a 20k front end. Finally got all the specs to send to palfinger for the engineering drawings. Turns out the spec plate on the door says 16k. Dealer says it's 20. Vin number says 16k. I could beef up the springs to 20 but the 20 is supposed to have a dual steering drive and this only has a single. Builder strongly recommends I walk away from this truck. So sorry Kevin I wasted your and your buddy's time. Time to look for another truck.

 

[96coal449]

Sorry to hear about the let down, Steve. I'll keep an eye out as I'm surfing the web. You'll find your gem.

 

[NE Tree]

That's to bad Steve. Looked like a nice rig. Hopefully this won't delay your build

 

[Gorman]

Classic dealer bamboozle. After reading this I won't look at a truck without seeing a pic of the vin plate.

 

[TreeVB]

No worries man. Sorry they gave wrong info but stoked you found out before it was on your door step. Once again, best of luck with your search and I really hope you are able to find something soon

 

[Steve Connally]

Well the saga continues. It actually has 2 steering pumps/motors and the axle beam is 20k. The question now is the spring pack. Trying to determine if the springs were updated. Seems the second pump was after market and not included in the KW specs from the factory. The axle beam is verifiable through the aftermarket part number. If they didn't update the spring pack that's only about $1200 at the most. I haven't completely written the truck off yet. They did pull transmission fluid samples and they are all clean and metal free. We'll see how this pans out. I'm learning quite a lot about heavy duty trucks lately.

 

[evo]

This is starting to sound like most big projects that I've ever taken on... Much leaning, and emotional. Generally persistence pays off. Keep your head up, and try not to get swept up.

 

[frashdog]

Super stoked for you!

We are gonna get one as well in the next few years! Lots of thought on chassis.

 

[Steve Connally]

Thanks!!!!!

 

[Carolinatreeco]

Hey man that's great! I ordered one awhile back, and can't wait for it. It is a learning experience for sure.

 

[Steve Connally]

What are you getting and who's the builder?

 

[Carolinatreeco]

I'm getting a pk5002 mid mount with dump bed. I'm having it put on a 03 Volvo tru-axle. I went with Tiffin.