[porter lawncare]

any pics of wheel loaders

 

[sk187]

These are 2 of mine, I have the rest of the lineup linked in my signature.

 

[IDOCTORTREES]

12-24-07

 

[IDOCTORTREES]

--

xysportxysport

 

[ultimate plow]

Nice daniels box wade.

 

[IDOCTORTREES]

:salute:Thanks

 

[JD Dave]

Nice daniels box wade.

Sweet loader too!

 

[IDOCTORTREES]

I like your equipment as well dave :salute:nice job

 

[ultimate plow]

These are 2 of mine, I have the rest of the lineup linked in my signature.

I like the white one. Nice equipment

 

[dr.lawn21]

Sure would like to have some snow like Wade. We have not had much of anything here in Great Falls.

 

[jeepxj]

how much snow do you guys get? I don't see how you can justify buying them new when you get maybe what 100 hrs a year on them? I don't know maybe you get more but that is a lot of money to put into something for the return. What are you guys getting hourly? 250-300? Not bashing as I would love to have one and some people around here do. I just don't see how you make any money with them. Our family has a farm that I have thought about bring 2 JD8420's out and putting blades on but I have to be able to make a decent amount on them to justify this. Please enlighten mepayup

 

[IDOCTORTREES]

Many years of exp have afforded me the privalge to run what I want I would not even think about it if it was 20 plus years ago:salute: maybe I dont get the return you would want from your loader but I am happy with what i get wesport

 

[JD Dave]

Many years of exp have afforded me the privalge to run what I want I would not even think about it if it was 20 plus years ago:salute: maybe I dont get the return you would want from your loader but I am happy with what i get wesport

Exactly, we rarely plow more then 100hrs/season but the tractors earn their keep. We don't use 4 of them in the summer but buying is cheaper then leasing and at least you own something in the end. The loaders don't depriciate anywhere near as much as a pickup and take the place of 4 of them and you only need 1 driver.

 

[dr.lawn21]

This is the first year with our 938. It is leased through the CAT Rental Store for 5 months. There winter lease rate is exceptional compared to the summer rate. (about 1/4) A few hours in the machine will pay for its lease for that month. We would need at least one snow per month, and usually average about 15-18 plows per season. When you plow larger lots these machines save you sooooo much time as opposed to plowing with trucks, i don't see why you wouldn't do it.

 

[jeepxj]

Many years of exp have afforded me the privalge to run what I want I would not even think about it if it was 20 plus years ago:salute: maybe I dont get the return you would want from your loader but I am happy with what i get wesport

fair enough. You have great looking equipment. I must say first of all I think you have done very well for yourself especially with a town the size that Bozeman is. I know you save hours by running a loader but from the investment side of things with 130k I could run roughly 6 decent truck that can bill at 125 an hr vs 1 loader at say 300... now you pay 6 guys 120 and another 100 for fuel vs 1 25 and 30 for fuel but you still would come out ahead at the end by running trucks. I know you have lots of truck as well so maybe this is what you did to get established and get enough cash flow to justify the loaders. I would love to use one and they definitely do have their place when you get large storms to move the snow but I would think one could get a better return with just a truck. So is it basically more just the pride of being able to afford something like that vs the profitability? Thanks for your opinions guys I hope it continues to snow like crazy.

 

[jeepxj]

Exactly, we rarely plow more then 100hrs/season but the tractors earn their keep. We don't use 4 of them in the summer but buying is cheaper then leasing and at least you own something in the end. The loaders don't depriciate anywhere near as much as a pickup and take the place of 4 of them and you only need 1 driver.

the depreciation factor is a good point and it can be a hassle to find more people to drive

 

[jeepxj]

This is the first year with our 938. It is leased through the CAT Rental Store for 5 months. There winter lease rate is exceptional compared to the summer rate. (about 1/4) A few hours in the machine will pay for its lease for that month. We would need at least one snow per month, and usually average about 15-18 plows per season. When you plow larger lots these machines save you sooooo much time as opposed to plowing with trucks, i don't see why you wouldn't do it.

what do they charge to rent up there. Down here they want around 2800 a month.

 

[Little Jon]

fair enough. You have great looking equipment. I must say first of all I think you have done very well for yourself especially with a town the size that Bozeman is. I know you save hours by running a loader but from the investment side of things with 130k I could run roughly 6 decent truck that can bill at 125 an hr vs 1 loader at say 300... now you pay 6 guys 120 and another 100 for fuel vs 1 25 and 30 for fuel but you still would come out ahead at the end by running trucks. I know you have lots of truck as well so maybe this is what you did to get established and get enough cash flow to justify the loaders. I would love to use one and they definitely do have their place when you get large storms to move the snow but I would think one could get a better return with just a truck. So is it basically more just the pride of being able to afford something like that vs the profitability? Thanks for your opinions guys I hope it continues to snow like crazy.

Ok, heres the thing, you are using 130K, thats a new loader, so to be fair use prices of new trucks too. Figuring a new truck at 30k (cheap if we're talking 3500 dumps with 4wd and deisel) so thats roughly 4 trucks.

4 trucks worth of fuel, insurance, parts, licences, & operators
Vs.
1 Loader with fuel, insurance, parts, a lic, & operator.

Another thing to consider is workers. Its hard to find GOOD workers who are willing to work the hours we do, when we do, and are actualy skilled with the equipment, and do minimal damage to equipment & properties. I would rather find that one loader operator rather than those 4 truck drivers.

For hourly billing, yes, 4 trucks are going to make more $$ than one loader. But for people who do seasonals, having somthing that can clear so much so fast, allows them to get more accounts and make even more $. Also, Loaders allow you to remove snow from a site, insted of paying someone. And they allow you to stack it better. Loader can stack 12'+, a truck with a 9' V can stack about 6 or 7', and from what I see others around here, a straight blade can stack 3 or 4' tall.

 

[IDOCTORTREES]

We would never work by the hr If i did ? What would be the reason to invest in better equipment??? I try to reduce cost--labor,comp, insuance, ect. And increase income

 

[jeepxj]

We would never work by the hr If i did ? What would be the reason to invest in better equipment??? I try to reduce cost--labor,comp, insuance, ect. And increase income

Ok thanks for the reply. For the most part everything that is large down here is done by the hour so I guess our incentives for productivity are not the same.