Good day to you all. I am a medium sized grain farmer in MN and also own and operate a residential and light commercial construction business. I have recently decided to venture into the dirt work business with efforts to expand our current businesses and also use these machines on our acreages and building sites farm related. I had done run all types of Deere equipment, CAT, Kobelco, etc. year earlier in most of my young life and truly love the dirt work. I have two employees with significant operator skills and credentials as do myself. I am asking for advice from all of you regarding a couple things. First, the machines we are looking at purchasing are a 2008-2010 Deere 160D Excavator, Deere 700H dozer, and Deere 333E track skid loader. I have had a handful of people suggest purchasing the track skid loader and rent the dozer as needed as the skid loader is so fast, versatile, and overall a more profitable investment. I struggle with this concept as my experience in a skid loader is all wheel with little track experience. Secondly, in your opinion which of those three machines will make you the most money??? I am leaning towards the excavator (160D) but I am excited to hear others opinions and insights. What type of work will these machines be doing you may ask??? Lot/site prep, demolition, basements, possible septic assistance, some road building. Thank you for your time and comments.
Sounds like good machines to get started with. I did the same thing 15yrs ago. started with a 200 size excavator and kept adding more equipment. I also farm in SE North Dakota and could always use the machines for my own use also. For me it has turned out to be a good way to make some extra income. I would definitely start with the excavator, don't forget to add a thumb. very versatile machine. you will need something for finishing. the track skid loader is a good option. I don't even have a skid steer. I use a JD 700J or a MFWD tractor with a boxblade to make things nice when I need to. ( Already had the tractor and blade for the farmstead) . It didn't take very long to have more work than I could get done. so I turn down some jobs every year. I have always been honest with customers, showed up on time, and try to do the best job for a fair price. I know it sounds kind of corny but a lot of guys don't get that part right. I do mostly the same things you listed, plus tree clean up. Here is I ended up with for machines: Volvo 210blc, JD 700J, Cat 973C, Cat D8H, Pete 378 dump truck and Kenworth with detach trailer. Sometimes I would like to have a 3-4yd wheel loader. maybe some day. Best of luck with your new venture.
Welcome to the Forums Blu Ox.:drinkup What kind of projects do you want to do? This is the biggest question that will answer what type of equipment you need. As far as track skids go, yes they are versatile and can accomplish a lot of small tasks on a grading job. However keep in mind the operating costs. I have a T250 and it costs the most per HR undercarriage wise to operate than any other track machine I have - 953, D5G and 321DL. I broke my operating costs undercarriage wise down in a post somewhere on the Forum, I'll have to track it down.
Hey Farmerlund, That was a very helpful post. Sounds like we are on the same page...you just have more time in the seat and business than I do. I notice you are running a Volvo 210 blc for your excavator. I have never run one but boy I see a lot of them online for sale at a little better price than the CAT's and Deere's. Just curious how you like it and if it a brand you would stick with? Thanks for the knowledge and assistance. Blu Ox
Thanks CM 1995, I appreciate that info. I will likely be running a lot of demo and clearing jobs with the occasional basement, and some road building and clearing. Boy I am really torn on what way to go. Really appreciate the help and thoughts. Blu Ox
I bought mine with 2600hrs on it, now it has 5500hrs. has been a good machine for me. I would buy again. the biggest negative is parts. I am 60 miles from Fargo so I use ASC Volvo but they don't stock a lot. usually is next day or they ship direct to me. For hoses I sometimes use the hydraulic shops in Fargo. I haven't had any major problems just little things. I like the way it operates, Smooth, Quiet and cab is comfortable. I think the hard part is finding used machines that aren't hammered. one thing I can't understand is why is the inside of the cab all busted up at 3000hrs? must be hauling rocks in it. Lol. good luck with the dozer/ loader decision, that could be interesting. get both
If it were me I'd look at track hoe and dozer. Depending on what you have or plan on having to move it will sway the size of the track hoe. A 160 sized machine is a great size machine for a lot of work and is easily moved on a tag as well as a small dozer. I would have a 160/315 sized machine but I need the lifting capacity of a 50K lb machine for unloading and setting storm sewer structures so I sacrifice the ease of mobilization for size. For the task of demo, clearing, basements and roads I would forgo the rubber tracked skid and go with a dozer, it will be more productive and less expensive to operate in the long run. You can always add a tracked skid later as your business grows. They have a place and are very handy as a support machine, not a producer, for what you describe. Of course my choice would be a track loader - 953C and a hoe but I'm a track loader guy.
I'd go with a 160 sized hoe with a thumb and quick coupler first, the uses for a machine that is set up like this is almost endless.
Thanks Farmerlund for those words of wisdom. I truly appreciate them. Parts for a Volvo machine for me would also be about a 70 mile drive to Rochester MN. Not too bad. I like to hear the cab on your machine is comfortable. That's important when you are in there for hours and hours. I was in La Crosse WI getting a job site set up yesterday and looked at a 200D Deere (size similar to yours) at United Rentals. I really liked the size of the machine and think going to that next size up from the 160D will be better suited for what we will need. So many times you can always use that added horsepower and weight. Only drawback is the hauling but that shouldn't be too big of an issue. Dozer vs. Track skid steer...I am going to give this concept so good long thought but am leaning towards the dozer. I feel a lot of the work I will be doing will be for farmers needing roads and ponds built, etc. I currently have a smaller Gehl wheeled machine and will work for finish work if I am in a pinch. But time will tell on that. I have an amazing (and attractive ) wife whom is on board with the excavator and dozer. If I throw a 50K track skid steer into the mix I will be sleeping in that "quite and comfortable excavator cab" ...but will see. On a different note, how are things and crops looking your way?? Down here we may be set for a bin buster of a year. Corn looks great and beans as well. What type of farming do you do where you are?? Also, I am a CaseIH guy, strong there but know they all are good brands and machines for the most past. Well I must get to work in the shop today before my wife and I head to Spencer IA to spend the weekend with friends at the Clay County fair. Thanks for your time and I enjoy the posts. Chat again soon. :waving
We are mostly corn and beans few acres of small grains. we have done 600 acres of beans last few days. They are a little above average so far. we were lucky and got some timely rains this year. Corn looks good to. Mostly JD machines, but have had about every thing over the years. Hope you have a good harvest.
Hey Farmerlund, sorry for my late reply. Glad to hear you are underway on your soybeans. We will hit the fields likely this coming Tuesday. A couple farmers north of my farmer (10 miles) took some out and had 80 bushel plus on the monitors and 12.5 moisture. Let's hope we are all in for that type of yield...corn and beans both. I did have another question and I will likely post on the general discussion board...I recently came across a 2007 Case 1150. Very nice clean machine and low hours. Never run one but am interested. Seems a lot of larger excavation contractors in my area are running case dozers vs. Cat or Deere. We have all brands supported locally so parts availability aren't an issue. Just curious what the thoughts would be out there on these machines. Have a great weekend!!
Hey Blu Ox, I don't have much experience with case machines. someone on here will pipe in that has some. I have ran quite a few small dozers, (85-100hp). The one thing you should do is run a few that have pedal steer or power shift. Than run a hydrostatic one with the drive functions on one lever and blade on other. I personally would only buy one like that. They are easy to learn and quick once you have some time on them.( I am sure I just opened a can of worms there. Ha). I had a JD650H for 6-7 years really liked it, but was open station. good machine didn't have much trouble with it. Last winter I bought a JD700j with a ripper and cab Ac/heat. really love that thing. If I could go back to when I started doing excavating I would buy the small dozer years before I did. I got the 650H because It was cheap and I wanted to try one. Turned out to be way handier than I thought.:thumbsup Happy harvest
Hello Farmerlund... Your replies and knowledge is greatly appreciated. So a local heavy equipment dealer just contacted me tonight as he recently brought in a low houred Deere 700H with ripper, cab, a/c, and heat. I am anxious to see this baby in person. So if all goes well that will be in my shop by Saturday. Moving forward I found a Volvo 210 EC. It has 4800 hours and lots of updates and improvements. I understand this machine is what you have. Do you see a benefit of this machine vs. a 200D Deere? if so please relay your thoughts and opinions. Again, I truly appreciate the comments. Blu Ox :iagree
Sorry for the slow reply, Blu Ox. we are full bore on soybeans. So how does the 700H look? For me the deciding factors between the JD or Volvo would be condition, hours on each and cost. both are good machines. JD will have better parts availability. Do they both have thumbs? hydraulic thumbs? I ran a 2008 or 09 JD 200C don't think it was a 200D. Not sure. Ran it for 5-6 weeks back when it was new. was a nice machine. It only had 400hrs on it. I just didn't need that new of a machine. so I found the Volvo later that fall. I do Like the Volvo. If they were dead even in all categories it would be a tough decision. same year, same hours they are the same price? I would think the Volvo would be cheaper. I do know the Volvo is better/has more power for doing tree work. I think it is heavier. The actual weight of mine is 62,000lbs with a Solesbees hyd thumb and 48"bucket. I Don't know what the deere weighs. I would get the Volvo again. If the JD was less money I would get that. I would not pay more to get the 200D. Post some pics of the 700 if you get it. If you want to chat on the phone, I could PM you my number. Later, Farmerlund