What heavy equipment do you have, or plan to get?

[JFMX345]

Seems the most popular combo is a full size skid and mini-x. Any other interesting equip. out there? Mini skids, compact tractors?
What do you have now or plan to purchase in the near future?

I've been renting the mini-x and will probably make that my next purchase, but I still weighing all my options...

[Mbella]

I have two skid steers. I would buy a mini-ex, but I sub out all of my excavations. If that ever changes, I will definitely buy one.

I have thought about the mini's, but never pulled the trigger.

[-EGLC-]

Nothing until 2009-2010. Right now I don't have enough work to justify a big purchase; just a mower, enclosed trailer & a couple other things for 2008.

2009-2010 I probably will be looking at buying a 20,000lb truck & if enough work a skid steer or compact tractor.



Mbella - wouldn't it be easier just to have one of your own crews for excavation so you don't have to work around the other guys schedule & bs?

[mrusk]

mbella- I was subbing all my excavation. However, for the last 2 months i have had a cat 305 on rent. I think its great having a mini on site all the time. Sometimes you can not dig everything in one shot. I use the mini for way more then just digging. I think i am still going to sub out majority of the excavation, but still buy a mini x. It saves alot of time having it on site.

[Mbella]

Nothing until 2009-2010. Right now I don't have enough work to justify a big purchase; just a mower, enclosed trailer & a couple other things for 2008.

2009-2010 I probably will be looking at buying a 20,000lb truck & if enough work a skid steer or compact tractor.



Mbella - wouldn't it be easier just to have one of your own crews for excavation so you don't have to work around the other guys schedule & bs?


No "bs" with him. He works around our schedule. He does light excavation for a handful of contractors and we are first on his list.

[Mbella]

mbella- I was subbing all my excavation. However, for the last 2 months i have had a cat 305 on rent. I think its great having a mini on site all the time. Sometimes you can not dig everything in one shot. I use the mini for way more then just digging. I think i am still going to sub out majority of the excavation, but still buy a mini x. It saves alot of time having it on site.

Matt, if I need my sub to come for an hour, he comes for an hour. For example: We are in the process of building a retaining wall around a swimming pool. The pool company excavated most of the job. Today, my sub came out to excavate for the step pedestal/clean up pool companies excavation and not much more.

After the manufactured block retaining wall/steps are built, we are going to install about 10 natural stone steppers, which will lead from the pool area manufactured steps up to the existing patio.

We will call him back to help install the natural stone steppers.

No mini-ex needed otherwise.

If I could find a way to bill for a mini-ex on my snow sites, I'd probably buy one.

[mrusk]

Sounds like you have a sub that is like mine.

I did not belive how much a would use the X until i had it on site. Between all the time backfilling and spreading/grading material, you could easily eliminate atleast 1 guy from the crew.

[tthomass]

I'm pretty good on equip.

Chevy 2500
International
T-190 + attachments
2 dump trailers
1 enclosed

I would like to add a mini ex to that but its more want then need. I just don't use them very often and when I rent them for $250ish for a mid size......doesn't pencil out.

I now need a solid crew. I think it will take two crews to max out my capabilities with present equipment and once maxed I will purchase more stuff. If two crews are staying busy I'll get a third truck and keep the Chevy setup as I do now......backup. The other truck would most likely be an extended cab International roll off. Then I should be set. I don't want to go beyond 3 crews.......stay small, stay selective, stay productive and make more money then the guys with three times or more the employees and overhead.

I want to be known as the expensive company in time.

[mrusk]

I'm pretty good on equip.

Chevy 2500
International
T-190 + attachments
2 dump trailers
1 enclosed

I would like to add a mini ex to that but its more want then need. I just don't use them very often and when I rent them for $250ish for a mid size......doesn't pencil out.

I now need a solid crew. I think it will take two crews to max out my capabilities with present equipment and once maxed I will purchase more stuff. If two crews are staying busy I'll get a third truck and keep the Chevy setup as I do now......backup. The other truck would most likely be an extended cab International roll off. Then I should be set. I don't want to go beyond 3 crews.......stay small, stay selective, stay productive and make more money then the guys with three times or more the employees and overhead.

I want to be known as the expensive company in time.


Your mind set is correctly. There is no need for more then 3 crews. With the right jobs you could make excellent money even for northern VA

[Grn Mtn]

well for me, the Dingo is the key. Small company, flying solo, I can't imagin working without one (just have to stop renting and bit the bullet). I agree on the mini-ex, they are very useful too.

[tthomass]

Even for northern VA? haha.........theres tons of money here. Old and new money.

The further south you go the tighter the pockets get.......in VA.

[kootoomootoo]

Vibratory Plow.

[Mbella]

Sounds like you have a sub that is like mine.

I did not belive how much a would use the X until i had it on site. Between all the time backfilling and spreading/grading material, you could easily eliminate atleast 1 guy from the crew.

Not mine.... I run two man crews.

[Grn Mtn]

...
If I could find a way to bill for a mini-ex on my snow sites, I'd probably buy one.

sidewalk salter, they have the attachment.

[Majland]

yea mini x's are awesome, get around great, dig great, easy to use a very nice machine but if you are getting something for your first big expense it is very nice to have a scoop and backhoe at one time. i would recommend getting a tractor with both. Yes much slower but you have both a scoop and backhoe, just make sure you get a good size one!!! would be your best bet for your first big expense

[CaptainsLS]

I still rent the skid. No repairs at the end of the day, they give me the trailer and I’ve developed such a good relationship with the store from all the renting that I get deals on lumber and hand tools they sell. Funny thing is I have a CASE 1845 that sits in my back yard. Loads the salter with sand, takes the sander in and out, moves pallets of stone around the yard. If we need to set only a couple granite steps I can rent the trailer for $10 and bring out the CASE. It cost me $2500.

[Mbella]

sidewalk salter, they have the attachment.

Can't imagine any of my customers would want to pay the rate for a mini-ex to do what can be done by a laborer.

[curbman]

I got tired of breaking backs and paying rental fees so we shopped aroundfor a mini skid. Ditch witch mini skids didn't impress me. I found a BOXER dealer, he brought it out for a 5 hour demo (on a saturday) with a bunch of different attachments. It impressed me so much i bought it on monday. TURELY A LIFE SAVER. Its a BOXER 526 on tracks 26 hp disel engine, tracks move in and out to get through narrow openings. The hydroulic flow is 14.5 gpm and it will run a 3ft in diameter tree auger. This thing is down right a work horse.

http://www.boxerequipment.com/series.html?series_id=33

[mrusk]

Not mine.... I run two man crews.

Do you find 2 man crews more efficent on all jobs?

[Mbella]

Do you find 2 man crews more efficent on all jobs?

Matt, I started new thread on crew size in order to help keep this one on topic.

[GreenMonster]

We run two install crews. Each crew has an equipped trailer with compactors, saws, tools, etc.

Each crew has a skid. We share a mini x, and we share a mini skid.

Bobcat T190
ASV RC-80
Bobcat 335 mini x
Bobcat MT52

Attachments:
Auger with 12, 24, 36" bits
Harley Rake
Root grapple bucket
Vibratory plow (for MT)

I've never been a big fan of renting. I feel as though I'm throwing my money away. Also, I don't have a rental house real close, so it's very inconvienent. Sharing the mini x seems to work pretty well in most cases.

[yardpro]

we have a track bobcat t200, and a dingo...

LOVE the dingo, use it 2 to one over the bobcat.

[GSVA]

Vermeer S600TX is whats up!

pic:
http://www.vermeer.com/vcom/Image/ModImage?ModID=56685&LangID=en&ImageType=VDC_LARGE

[GSVA]

woops here ya go:

http://www.vermeer.com/vcom/CompactEquipment/Model.jsp?PrdlnID=47717&ModID=56685

[-EGLC-]

GreenMonster, which do you like better, the Bobcat or ASV?

[GreenMonster]

GreenMonster, which do you like better, the Bobcat or ASV?

depends on the application.

Overall, I'd say the ASV. But, it's kinda unfair because it's a much larger machine. So it can push better, pick up more, plus it travels faster, it has pilot controls, and hydro quick-tach.

I like running the Harley rake on the Bobcat better because it's a rigid mount undercarriage. The ASV has a tendency to create a washboard effect because of the suspension which can cause the front to dip. But because of the suspended undercarriage, it is a very smooth and comfortable ride. It also excels in moving large amounts of material quickly. Very fast compared to the Bobcat. You can move, spread, rough blade a tri-axle load of loam in about 15 min, depending on proximity of loam to work site.

I do like the auxillary controls better on the Bobcat. I haven't had to do any major maintenance or repair on the ASV, but the Bobcat sure is easy to get at. The ASV looks like it will be a nightmare.

[dallas05]

cat 247b and dingo. we also use our dingo twice as much as the cat

[cgland]

We have a CAT 252B & Kubota L39. We sold our CAT 232B last year and we will be getting a CASE mini x in the near future.

Chris

[mrusk]

I might be pulling the trigger on a new 304ccr. 52k and zero percent.

[GreenMonster]

I might be pulling the trigger on a new 304ccr. 52k and zero percent.

what size is the 304?

[cgland]

304 is their 10K# machine. I would go w/ a case machine before a CAT. This is coming from a CAT guy too. The case was just a better machine in general

Chris

[GreenMonster]

304 is their 10K# machine. I would go w/ a case machine before a CAT. This is coming from a CAT guy too. The case was just a better machine in general

Chris

I think I would too. 0% is great, but $52k for 10K# is too much $$$

[mrusk]

Chris- What prices have you been getting from case? What did you like better on the case vs the cat? I have had a 305 on rent for 2 months but really could not tell you much about it. I think i personally put like 2 hours on it.

[cgland]

Matt - The Case machine I looked at was an 8K# machine and I will pay $38K for it (enclosed cab, heat, ac, 2 speed, and 2 buckets. The thing I like about the CASE is that it is waayy smoother than the CAT plus it has more creature comforts. It has 3 hydro pumps ( tracks, arm, turret) thus it has more power while performing several operations at once. Better visibility as well.

Chris