Buy, Rent, Hire out or ??

[wagspe208]

Woohoo! I can post!
OK here goes. I have 70 acres with nothing on it. I have an old cowpond that has had the dam cut and drained. It needs to be dug out and the dam patched. No big deal.
I have about 5 acres of trees that need to be cleared. 20 year growth... most under 14" diameter. That is a lot of work with a chainsaw and tractor... but can be done. I also have a basement to dig down the road, a place to level for a shed, etc. This is about a 5 year proect, so it would be a few rentals or hirings.
Used 955s go for about 12 to 15g around here. I have seen some 977s also pretty reasonable. I found a 941 for 13g. I also found a 953 for 25g. If I buy something I'd sell it after I am finished with it.
So, I would need to buy something reasonable enough to sell it after I am finished. Market is slow now with construction being slow. I'd rather spend 15g or less.
What do you guys think? Model recommendations? I'd rather stay with cat for resale value. It if is cheap... I will just keep it.
(BTW I also have 20000 yards of dirt to move for the big lake. I am not doing that project)
Thanks
Wags

[Ozz]

Why not move the dirt youself? I mean with a 77 you could move it pretty quick..;) But in reality,check a bid and see if the bid would be cheaper than the machine cost. If not, go for the 41. A 77 is way to large for clearing and a55 could work but I think would get stuck easier than a 41.

[Red Bank]

I bought a 955 just to play with on the farm and if I get good with it, start doing some jobs with it. I like my 955, but I would love to have a 953 and I think would have an easier time selling the 953 than the 955. Just my opinion, but I think you should buy and play with it and if you get in a bind, like I did last year you can find an operator. Side note- I got behind in leveling my building pad for my shop, I lost my patience and was making a big mess, hired a retired operator, he did in 2 hours what would take 8 for me, anyway it helped me out and I got to watch him operate some so I learned some new tricks, considered the wages as tuition for me.:D

[wagspe208]

They want 38g for the dam. :eek:
Will the 955 get stuck easier because of the front engine?
Are the 941's easier to resell than the 955s?
Thanks
Wags

[grandpa]

I have a 955L that I bought in 1976 and still have it today. Other than the normal wear items the only problems I have had in all those years is the coupling joints between motor and tranny, and one final drive hatched. That otta be a testimonial for ya!

[wagspe208]

I hear the 955s are pretty hard to tear up.
953s are newer and more $$ obviously. There is my question. With the market and construction down is it easier to sell a $12000 machine (955) or a $25000 machine (953)?
I don't need the fastest thing around. I need the most reliable piece. (cause they are expensive to fix and heavy) I can pay cash for a 955. I'd have to borrow some $$ for a 953.
Thanks
Wags

[LT-x7]

They want 38g for the dam. :eek:
Will the 955 get stuck easier because of the front engine?
Are the 941's easier to resell than the 955s?
Thanks
Wags
$38g just to patch a dam?:eek:
How big is the dam?

[wagspe208]

$38g just to patch a dam?:eek:
How big is the dam?

Oh... no I wasn't clear. 38g to build the dam for the new lake. It is about 18000 yards of dirt for the new dam. 15 acre lake or so.
The old cow pond dam I could patch with my TC25 tractor in a couple of days. It just has a 5' cut out to drain it. It needs digging out. It has been silted in over the years.

Wags

[Red Bank]

Wags if you are paying cash buy the 955, but in doing so remember you are limited if you ever resale the machine on the buyers for it. My opinion is you have a greater market that would be interested in a 953, but not the 955. But chances are you will fall in love with the 955 and like Grandpa will keep it forever. I like my old battle wagon 955 but would love to have a 953, I talked to the Cat salesman about trading (I was joking around with him) he offered to give me what I paid for the 955 but told me he would have to find a farmer or someone like me to buy it from him, he said selling 953s was not nearly as difficult as 955s. This is all just my experience and someone else may have a different opinion. The question is how long do you want to keep it? But that is a hard question to answer because you probably don't know. I was taking the angle that if you want to buy a machine, do the work, then resale it you need the 953, but if you are like me and buy something with the intentions of keeping it forever, then don't finance a 953 when you could own a 955 straight out. As far as getting stuck, that will probably happen, check this section of the forum, I have a neat little thread about me getting stuck, sorry I did not post pictures, but it is a neat story.

[wagspe208]

Hmmm... I see the point about of the 953 being easier to sell. I agree with that I guess.
I could pay the 15 cash for the 953, finance the 10g and that would motivate me to use it and sell it.
I don't know the year of the 953 the local guy has. I know it is well taken care of. Maybe I will investigate that further.
I have to sell it when I am finished so I can pay for the big dam.
Maybe I'll just get a shovel, a couple of oxes and dynamite and clear the trees the old fashiioned way. HA
Wags