Looking to buy a tandem dump this spring, largely to pull my 210 hoe around, and the occasional use otherwise. I am trying to decide between financing a $40-60k truck, or paying cash for a older $15kish truck. I hire out trucks fairly regularly for digging basements and wouldn't mind having mine working a bit but at the end of the day I know there is very little money running trucks and don't mind not having the headaches.
If I go older I would try to find a semi-retired person to run it maybe 1-2 days a week tops and run my skidsteer a bit, or if it's too difficult I would just move my hoe and use it for the odd sand for services, etc wouldn't get used much maybe on average 1 day every 2 weeks but if i'm only spending $15k I don't care if it's rarely used.
If I spend $40-60k I would need to be running the truck average of about 2-3 days a week to pay for it, if I get a good truck should make a bit of money on it, but at the same time I would have to have a driver running it.
I'm leaning towards the older truck, economy here isn't great and no idea how busy this year will be. I'd rather buy a old truck be super busy and worst case upgrade it really soon, then buying something newer and worrying about the payments.
Right now there is a 95 L9000 with Cat 3406C 500,000 miles, says 8000 hours on rebuild, 425 hp with 18 speed asking $16,500. With the hoe I will gross about 90,000lbs, I would think this would be enough power not to be too hard on the old truck? Would obviously get it inspected prior to purchase, not overly comfortable buying such a old truck at auction I just don't know enough to look it over myself. I had a 88 L9000 a few years back and was really pleased, my only complaint was the 260hp Ford motor grossing 35,000lbs wasn't a powerhouse but was reliable and incredible on fuel. I know cab rust is a big concern with these trucks.
My big concern with a truck like that is, even if it checks out good is it going to nickel and dime me to death with little stuff? I have no problem doing what I can myself, and can do stuff like water pump, starter, basic stuff but don't have the knowledge for any actual engine, etc work. I would guess it would see maybe 4000-6000 miles a year.
If I go older I would try to find a semi-retired person to run it maybe 1-2 days a week tops and run my skidsteer a bit, or if it's too difficult I would just move my hoe and use it for the odd sand for services, etc wouldn't get used much maybe on average 1 day every 2 weeks but if i'm only spending $15k I don't care if it's rarely used.
If I spend $40-60k I would need to be running the truck average of about 2-3 days a week to pay for it, if I get a good truck should make a bit of money on it, but at the same time I would have to have a driver running it.
I'm leaning towards the older truck, economy here isn't great and no idea how busy this year will be. I'd rather buy a old truck be super busy and worst case upgrade it really soon, then buying something newer and worrying about the payments.
Right now there is a 95 L9000 with Cat 3406C 500,000 miles, says 8000 hours on rebuild, 425 hp with 18 speed asking $16,500. With the hoe I will gross about 90,000lbs, I would think this would be enough power not to be too hard on the old truck? Would obviously get it inspected prior to purchase, not overly comfortable buying such a old truck at auction I just don't know enough to look it over myself. I had a 88 L9000 a few years back and was really pleased, my only complaint was the 260hp Ford motor grossing 35,000lbs wasn't a powerhouse but was reliable and incredible on fuel. I know cab rust is a big concern with these trucks.
My big concern with a truck like that is, even if it checks out good is it going to nickel and dime me to death with little stuff? I have no problem doing what I can myself, and can do stuff like water pump, starter, basic stuff but don't have the knowledge for any actual engine, etc work. I would guess it would see maybe 4000-6000 miles a year.