[rippinryno]

Some of you may remember me. Some of you may not.

I had some threads last year regarding a large commercial account, those threads were locked by Michael due to arguments.

I made it through last season with flying colors after fixing up a beater of a truck. It's going to be the same truck this year and I'm hoping to carry through another season. So, here's to those of us getting by with what we have!

I was able to maintain the zero tolerance policy and keep this lot slip free during operating hours. Many argued that I am hurting the industry by giving such service, but it is what it is and it's working for me.

https://www.plowsite.com/threads/ne...r-with-boss-v-plow-and-600lb-spreader.177737/

https://www.plowsite.com/threads/some-hope-for-the-rest-of-us.178452/

 

[rippinryno]

Right on. I'm in the same boat, obviously one day i'll move to a better plow truck but will keep grinding with what I have.

 

[rippinryno]

This truck is shot and gone. I have a nicer 2002 2500HD now that received a new plow last week.

This upgrade is a result of the first old beater truck getting the job done for 2 seasons.

It may not be much but I've been able to work up to a much newer/nicer setup for this season along with more accounts.

 

[rippinryno]

Hard to see in the photo but the truck itself is very solid. Minimal rust everywhere, new cab rockers at one point or another. Some rust happening there on the front quarter panel and the rear cab corner of the other side. Hope she gets me through a couple seasons! Plow is a brand new 8'2" V XT

I still need to get my headlights dialed in, the installer did not do that but left the bolts loose so that I can get them where I want them. They don't seem super bright for being LED, but they have to be better than the old halogens on my other plow. How do you guys align the headlight? I assume like a normal headlight where I pull up to my building and shine them and then get them set as they should be. Same thing?

 

[rippinryno]

I had my mechanic go through it over the summer. $2100 worth of crap. New brake booster because it was leaking, new rear axle seals, diff fluid, new rear brakes. Before I got it all of the brake lines had been replaced. The fuel lines look better than my 2008 silverado, so they've either been replaced or they just haven't seen the salt like the other truck.

I had this as a personal truck this summer. Hauled my camper on some 3 hour trips as well as my boat almost every weekend. I was able to work out all the kinks at least I hope. The one thing I did a couple weeks ago was the fan clutch, it wasn't running right and noticed the engine temp starting to climb at idle this fall.

I bought some easy pressure washer winterizer in a can that i'm hoping to be able to use as needed so that when I get home I can pressure wash the underside after storms instead of washing it at the car wash then driving home through all the salt again.

 

[rippinryno]

I wanted to bump this back up and let some of the members here know how things ended up turning out.

IF you look at the 2 links originally posted in my first post in this thread, you'll see they've been closed and I was dang near murdered for trying to get into snow removal. Not only was i told I would not succeed and that I didn't know a thing about it, but i was silenced as well when the threads were closed.

Success, I was able to start out and forced myself into making my own decisions while taking the beating from the guys who know best on this forum. Luckily i pursued and snow has been a fantastic income addition.

Let's be clear, all of my contracts to this point were worth my time and money, very little risk was taken from the get go, contrary to what some said.

I am glad I didn't listen to so many of the naysayers in my original posts that I linked above.

On top of that I had several pm's on this forum stating just the same thing, ignore the naysayers and get to grinding.

I wanted to share this for anybody else who might be in the situation I was in a few years back.

I hope the guys who got after me and had no consideration for my jumping into this game will step back and think about what they said as it very well could lead other folks getting into this, to not make the plunge. Do it!

 

[rippinryno]

Yes I make a living doing this and yes I am obviously legitimate. THat is the reason i came back to this thread 2 years later with the update.

You can call it luck if it makes you feel better but it was mostly just putting myself to the task that allowed me to succeed the first two seasons.

 

[rippinryno]

This is my 4th year. Take a couple minutes to read this thread and the links i provided in the original post. the posts are dated and that will help you out before making random claims.

I'm not here to prove anything to you so if you can't understand how a guy makes money doing snow removal then maybe start a thread about it and get your answers.

I posted this to help some of the guys who want to get into this game.

 

[rippinryno]

were you asking me something? it read to me like you were just doubting, and making unfounded claims that i can't make money and it costs more to live down by the river.

 

[rippinryno]

Not for anything ryno, you seem to read a lot of posts that way

how do you read it?

[/QUOTE]

I don’t see how you can be making a living.
it takes a bit more $$ to live down by the river these days.
What else do you do for $$$

this is the start to your 2nd year…

 

[rippinryno]

Maybe my posts arent for you then sir.

 

[rippinryno]

Cool story.

 

[rippinryno]

playing nice until hydro gets involved.

Yeah, you're right hydro, i started with the beater and now have a brand new plow, new salt spreader, and a solid truck. Tell me again how I can't afford better equipment vs what I used to start? Do you think before you type or just continue to make assumptions that aren't accurate?