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Note: Please don't comment or make suggestions if you have not read this original post. I will explain our situation and goal as best I can. Too many times people post something that wasn't asked for or the option was not even on the table to begin with.
Ok, well I have been researching this option for about 2 years now and would like to implement this in my area. I have read, searched and watched videos and ran some numbers to see if this service would be not only feasable but profitable as well. Looking at Neige, BlackIrish, Blowerman as examples I applied their business model to our operations and looked at the overlaps.
Our current situation:
-This year we are operating 4 of our own plow trucks, 1 sub and 1 ASV RC100 with 85"blower
-We service approximately 200 residential customers, about 75% of which are located within a 1.5mile radius of our base of operations. ~110 of those customers have a 10hr. service window. (senior citizen program, discounted rate and longer service window)
-We service a 62 unit HOA with driveways that avg. 1 car length by 2 car widths. This account will be done with the ASV with Blower and 1 of the trucks will do the roadway (6/10ths of a mile)
-We service 4 other commercial lots the largest of which is approx. 1 acre. 2 of those lots are done regularly, the other is a church and activity center that need to be done only for certain days, unless they get 3" or more.
-We strive for and achieve a 6hr route completion time (under normal circumstances)
Opportunity for more clients:
-there are approximately 1000-2000 senior citizens that participate in the program and about 6 contractors. We have taken over quite a few clients b/c of word of mouth. Oftentimes we have done a driveway twice during a heavier storm when the other contractors havent even gotten out once. During renewals in October we are often requested to take over service because we finish so much faster and do a more professional job than the other contractors. My plan is with a blower service I can take over the entire program through the inherent benefits, faster, no piles, cleaner edges etc...
-The neighboring city also offers a senior program but is done only by maintence workers, after the municipal route is completed. There was an article in the paper about how this program is costing them too much money, as it is free. They have been exploring the option of letting private contractors take this over and I want to meet with the council members and offer them a similar set up to what our city has set up. They currently service 850 clients, but with a more structured program with better service I estimate an additional 300 clients to sign on to this program.
What I need help with:
-Deciding which equipment best suits my needs
-The vast majority of our clients can be accessed via side roads that all connect with each other so there is minimal driving on main roads.
-Tractors with inversed pto driven blowers
-Toolcats with either pto or front mount hydraulic driven blowers
Toolcats:
59hp
18mph road speed
17gpm standard or 27.5gpm hi flow aux hydraulics
1500lb lift capacity FEL
25hp pto rating
1775lb lift capactiy 3pt
5500-6000lb op weight
used prices 4-600hrs: 27-35K
Tractors:
60-75hp class (kubota m6040 & m7040)
up to 25mph road speed?
11gpm, no hi flow
up to 4000lb lift capacity 3pt
used prices 100-600hrs: 20-32K
now, obviously the specs favor tractors for blower situations, but from those who have used toolcats, is there anything i missed? I mean, anything that would make me take a closer look at using them vs. blowers?
specifically BlackIrish, what do you like about your toolcats?
About 90% of these machines use will be residential driveways, but if we get more commercial accounts I may also utilize them there, but this isnt a deal breaker, if we get a large lot or lots, then that will dictate what equipment i need onsite.
I really wont have a need for either in the off-season since our uses mainly require mtl or other skid steer and excavators.
Sorry for such a long winded post, but i wanted to provide as much info as possible so that you guys may provide the most accurate points of view.
Ok, well I have been researching this option for about 2 years now and would like to implement this in my area. I have read, searched and watched videos and ran some numbers to see if this service would be not only feasable but profitable as well. Looking at Neige, BlackIrish, Blowerman as examples I applied their business model to our operations and looked at the overlaps.
Our current situation:
-This year we are operating 4 of our own plow trucks, 1 sub and 1 ASV RC100 with 85"blower
-We service approximately 200 residential customers, about 75% of which are located within a 1.5mile radius of our base of operations. ~110 of those customers have a 10hr. service window. (senior citizen program, discounted rate and longer service window)
-We service a 62 unit HOA with driveways that avg. 1 car length by 2 car widths. This account will be done with the ASV with Blower and 1 of the trucks will do the roadway (6/10ths of a mile)
-We service 4 other commercial lots the largest of which is approx. 1 acre. 2 of those lots are done regularly, the other is a church and activity center that need to be done only for certain days, unless they get 3" or more.
-We strive for and achieve a 6hr route completion time (under normal circumstances)
Opportunity for more clients:
-there are approximately 1000-2000 senior citizens that participate in the program and about 6 contractors. We have taken over quite a few clients b/c of word of mouth. Oftentimes we have done a driveway twice during a heavier storm when the other contractors havent even gotten out once. During renewals in October we are often requested to take over service because we finish so much faster and do a more professional job than the other contractors. My plan is with a blower service I can take over the entire program through the inherent benefits, faster, no piles, cleaner edges etc...
-The neighboring city also offers a senior program but is done only by maintence workers, after the municipal route is completed. There was an article in the paper about how this program is costing them too much money, as it is free. They have been exploring the option of letting private contractors take this over and I want to meet with the council members and offer them a similar set up to what our city has set up. They currently service 850 clients, but with a more structured program with better service I estimate an additional 300 clients to sign on to this program.
What I need help with:
-Deciding which equipment best suits my needs
-The vast majority of our clients can be accessed via side roads that all connect with each other so there is minimal driving on main roads.
-Tractors with inversed pto driven blowers
-Toolcats with either pto or front mount hydraulic driven blowers
Toolcats:
59hp
18mph road speed
17gpm standard or 27.5gpm hi flow aux hydraulics
1500lb lift capacity FEL
25hp pto rating
1775lb lift capactiy 3pt
5500-6000lb op weight
used prices 4-600hrs: 27-35K
Tractors:
60-75hp class (kubota m6040 & m7040)
up to 25mph road speed?
11gpm, no hi flow
up to 4000lb lift capacity 3pt
used prices 100-600hrs: 20-32K
now, obviously the specs favor tractors for blower situations, but from those who have used toolcats, is there anything i missed? I mean, anything that would make me take a closer look at using them vs. blowers?
specifically BlackIrish, what do you like about your toolcats?
About 90% of these machines use will be residential driveways, but if we get more commercial accounts I may also utilize them there, but this isnt a deal breaker, if we get a large lot or lots, then that will dictate what equipment i need onsite.
I really wont have a need for either in the off-season since our uses mainly require mtl or other skid steer and excavators.
Sorry for such a long winded post, but i wanted to provide as much info as possible so that you guys may provide the most accurate points of view.