Following my dream(s)

[PNW1020D]

Hello all.

I have this dream of leaving my current construction management position to go out on my own, and start my own company. I have been performing CM work for about 5 years now. It was/is my first job after graduating from college.

I am looking to perform projects like driveway tear outs and re-pours, light clearing, demolition, etc. I would like to shoot for getting into clearing small lots, excavation for house foundations, etc. etc. Then finally getting into purchasing land, and developing it on my own (dreams are good right?).

This is where I am currently at with my business set up (I am currently performing side work utilizing):

1) 2000 f-350 dually (powerstroke) with a 14k PJ equipment trailer

2) Kobelco SK035-2 mini excavator (hydraulic thumb)

3) 1988 FL-70 Freightliner 6 yard single axle dump truck (Air Brakes and plumbed for trailer, Big cam 4 engine/350HP, tare weight of 15,800K)

4) JD 1020D tractor (Ballasted, FEL, 6' box blade, 6" grading blade, brush hog, etc. etc.)

I am looking at getting the final pieces to my puzzle, and wanted the advice of all you gurus out there.

-Skid steer. I am looking at an older Case 1840. But I would really like a tracked unit. I have read many good things on the 1840 skid steers but what do you all think? Tracked units are a lot of money. Is it worth it? Thoughts? Check out this local one?
https://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/hvo/d/marysville-skid-steer-1840/6950399688.html

-Trailer for my dump truck. I was going to get a 10-12 ton trailer, but the more I read, the more I see people saying get a 20ton unit. I thought that a 20ton would be too much trailer for my truck? I would never be loading 32k onto a 20ton trailer behind my single axle dump, but the more I think/thought about it, it would be wonderful if i could put both my mini and a skid steer on the same trailer, and haul it with dumpy? I would think that I would need at least a 25' deck to fit both? Does anyone have any setup pictures? Thoughts? Here is a local 12ton I was looking at.
https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/hvo/d/lakebay-1977-miller-equipment-trailer/6953205067.html

-Larger excavator. I don't want to get a tandem dump truck (yet), so I would like to get a nice 17-18k machine that I could pull behind my dumpy, and haul it on the trailer I am looking to buy (12/20ton). What do you all think about this? It seems like a logical step? Should I look at getting just a larger mini? 12k machine?

Any feedback would be great. Thank you all.

 

[NepeanGC]

Looks like you've got a good bit of kit to start with.

I personally own a tracked skidsteer. Ran a wheeled one for a while before, and it was totally fine. When I was shopping I demo'd a tracked machine and loved the stability and extra lift capacity. If you're doing a lot of work on pavement, or plan on doing snow, I'd go for a wheeled machine.

I tow my skid and 5 ton on my 24ft 12 ton trailer. It's tight, but I got a screaming deal...Attachments and buckets and crap goes in the dump. Very happy with the setup and working in the city, I'm happy the trailer isn't longer.

I'll likely be getting a tandem truck, larger shovel and a 20-30 ton trailer in the next year or two. The conclusion I came to is that I'd rather have 2 good setups than end up with a trailer that is a compromise for both trucks.

 

[aighead]

I don't have any suggestions just wanted to say good luck! Sounds like an exciting adventure!

 

[AzIron]

As far as tags go if your buying new it's not a big step from a 15 ton to a 20 ton you can overload a 15 quicker than you think I would get a 20 ton and never need to update

Your pretty iron rich there at the moment for not doing it full time If it were me I would be full time for a lite while before I get to head long into money on more equipment but that's just me

2 things I have learned stick to what your good at that's were you make the most money and the jobs that I get eager to do usually give me the most heartache

 

[PNW1020D]

Wow!!!

Thank you so much for the replies. I truly appreciate them.

NepeanGC: That set up looks very very nice. Tinted windows in your mini??? BMW style!!!
So to make it work, I am looking at a 24' long trailer minimum. That is really really good to know. And I totally agree with you. The trailer that I am going to buy/plan to buy should be able to work on a tandem dump truck if/when I get one. That makes logical sense and is a great idea. I am going to look for a nice used 20t.

AzIron: I agree with you in terms of being "iron rich" for just me.

The only things I can say is that I own everything outright, and all the equipment that I have acquired is used on my family's 6 acre farm as well, not just for me making money on side work. I have done tons of work to our place since my father passed 10 years ago (Merkel Cell Carcinoma). This is how I justify it (My mother thinks I am nuts lol). Check out my thread from TractorbyNet for what I have been tackling (post #95 is a good update): https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...72447-1969-jd-1020-diesel-10.html#post5498786

But you are right. Maybe I need to think about slowing my roll, and get more work under my belt. I also need to listen to you in terms of sticking to your forte. That is absolutely great advice.

I mean we are talking a-lot of money (for me that is) to complete my so called plan.

1) used 20ton trailer (7-12k)
2) used skid steer, tracked or wheeled (10-40k)
3) used Midi excavator (10-50k)

 

[PNW1020D]

I am going to look at this 1985 Eager Beaver unit tomorrow. Price seems to high from what I have seen others go for around the PNW.

What do you all think? Opinions? Experiences?

https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/trb/d/pacific-1985-eager-beaver-ton-2-axle/6960963972.html

Thank you all in advance!!!

 

[AzIron]

Never have been a fan of tilt trailers axels are to far forward

The price doesn't seem to out of line for what I see around here

 

[Welder Dave]

I think there's better skid steers than the 1840 you posted. Looks like it was pretty rusty in the floor boards and running new and worn out tires on the same side can be hard on the drive chains. It's better to run 2 new on one side and 2 worn on the other side. Better yet why not put 4 new tires on it? Looks like a rattle can paint job the wrong color and didn't properly mask everything or clean all the dirt off. Lots of used skid steers to look at though.

I think start out with what you have and see how much work you can get before investing more money. Also look into insurance and licensing requirements. Lots of people would like to run their own business but it can be full of headaches too.

 

[td25c]

I love it !
You have a good team pairing up the John Deere loader tractor with the excavator .

We do the same . Sent the Ford 4000 along with the excavator to demo out a concrete swimming pool for a customer .

Now you see it …





Now ya don't .




Funny part is the old Ford 4000 don't care if he's making a seedbed for a corn field or grass in somebody's back yard . LOL !

 

[NepeanGC]

I'm not a fan of tilt trailers either. Especially when you want to move multiple pieces or attachments. I'd look for a traditional tag with ramps. They tend to be more versatile.

 

[John C.]

Tilt trailers seem to be the go to in the northwest. You just don't see as many beavertails going down the road now days.
The trailer in the photos is a rust bucket. If you go look at it make sure to check the tongue for dents and repair welding. I used to get people wanting to trade them in after they jack knifed them into the back of the rear duals and partially folded the tongue. I've also seen plenty where people welded longer tongues on without notifying the manufacturer which made them impossible to sell.

 

[Raildudes dad]

A friend of mine went out on his own after wrenching at the local CAT shop. His dad and uncle had a small excavating company but had gotten out of that and into the sand mine business. So he bought a mini ex , skid steer, pick up truck like yours and did very well digging for plumbers and home builders. He bought a tandem dump so he could haul in sand, spoils out etc. His wife got her CDL and she drove the tandem when he needed trucking. She was about 5 foot tall, 125 lbs soaking wet. I could always spot his truck with the mini driver lol. They did real well until the lost decade hit Michigan. He ended up OTR for 5-6 years, leave home and not return for 3 weeks . But their kids were out of the house and he was able to keep their acreage, house, shop, the truck and equipment.

 

[CM1995]

PNW what sector of the market are you in with your construction management job - Residential, commercial, industrial, civil, ect?

Can you leverage your contacts in the sector you work in to open up a contractor/subcontractor opportunity? In order to be successful it takes what you know and who you know to put it all together.

 

[dozr]

Dream or not if you love what you do you will be a success, was able to do just that most my life,not always easy but always full filling.

 

[td25c]

I'm not a fan of tilt trailers either. Especially when you want to move multiple pieces or attachments. I'd look for a traditional tag with ramps. They tend to be more versatile.

No tilt trailers for us either .

The corporate office never would allow funding for " Ramps " on track equipment .

Crawl up or off that trailer like ya own it . LMAO !

https://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/threads/todays-tip-how-not-to-move-equipment.70994/#post-739383

 

[PNW1020D]

Hello all!!! Thank you so much for all of the replies. It is 100% greatly appreciated. All of your knowledge and experiences is information that is key to me understanding how I am going to execute my plan(dream).

Ok, so the consensus is that I should stray away from tilt decks. Got it. I will look for a standard beaver tail tag along trailer. Used 20t are super expensive. I am going to have to look awhile, and save some more $.

td25c: thank you for the pictures and the boost in confidence. My 69 1020d is an absolute beast. Yea its old, yea its not 4x4 or hydrostatic, but she gets the job done, and is built like a tank. Its only 39 PTO HP, but with the FEL and being ballasted she weighs over 7k. As you said, she doesnt care what she is working on, she just wants to work!!!

Welder Dave: Yea, I agree. I didn't want to listen to my gut feeling, and just was going to buy to to get one. But you are right. It looks like someone cut corners in many respects. I didn't even take the time to go look at it. Will wait for the right one. A better one.
I have looked into most everything in terms of insurance, bonding, licensing, etc. It will be a headache/expensive there is no doubt, but if its my operation, I will grind, and make it work.

NepeanGC: Totally Agreed. How would I get my tractor off the trailer while the mini is still loaded up front? In theory, would you just leave the mini rigged? and just back the tractor off? Just wondering for my own knowledge/know how.

John C.: This is absolutely great information. I would have never even looked for such things. People actually pull this stuff??? I would have only looked at structural integrity, wheel bearings, brakes, etc.

Raildudes dad: That is a real scary story right there. I am all for hard work and overcoming challenges/obstacles, but sometimes it comes down to good timing and luck. Good timing is essentially luck, but you get what I am saying. The only thing I can say is that I live right in the middle of Tacoma and Seattle/Bellevue. Meaning my local market area is extremely "hot", and would be resilient to the national economic down turn if/when we experience the next "business cycle" valley. I know that doesn't mean we/I are immune, I simply see it as I will have more time to adapt.

CM1995: I work in the federal construction market. Meaning we are a G.C., and perform heavy industrial type projects on Federal installations (Naval base(s), Army base(s), etc.). Projects range from new construction of seven-eight story structural steel buildings with fully integrated powered roof halves that open for top of building access (like T-Mobile Park in Seattle lol), to high pressure steam systems, to medium/high volt underground electrical distribution systems, to pier restoration which includes new piles, utility distribution systems, etc. etc. etc. We usually self perform all of the cast in place concrete work, some civil scopes, rebar installation, etc.

I most def. think I could leverage who I know, and what I now know after 5 years, but I am not looking to perform federal work honestly. The red tape, and paperwork is just insane. I literally have to track how much common trash we export off site lol. The way I see it, the company has been teaching me how to run my company for the last 5 years. Not everything of course, but key aspects.

1. Estimating work (understanding the CSI master format, and how to actually create an estimate). This includes understanding the pre-construction phase, bond rates, risk assessment, etc.
2. Creating your project budget from your estimate bid.
3. Buying out sub-contractors. Verifying scopes of work, ensuring coverage, procurement schedule/lead time analysis, etc.
4. Reading plans and understanding specifications. Shop drawings, erection drawings, O&M(s), warranties, etc. etc.
5. Building and understanding schedules. Then taking your baseline schedule, and creating a schedule of values for owner billings.
6. Billing, cash flow analysis, AP/AR.
7. Creating RFI(s), submittals, Prime and sub-contract change orders.

dozr: Thank you very much for the kind words. I would like to think that my father would say something similar to me.



To sum it all up: I am going to continue to look for a nice beaver tail 20t trailer. I will also continue to look for a nice skid steer. It really depends on my capital funds. But I am still leaning towards getting an older wheel skid, and save/wait for a tracked unit. Maybe I can sell my kidney to my mom for some funds!!!

Finally, I have another question. I tore into my mini over the last weekend to deal with the machine running hot. The temp gauge would slowly creep past dead center if I used the machine for a couple of hours non stop. It didn't matter the activity, it would steadily get hot (verified with my temp gun). So i ripped the radiator and oil cooler out. Flushed the radiator and cooler, and cleaned and cleaned the radiators cooling fins. Man, I have never seen a radiator so clogged. I also tore out the thermostat, and replaced it. After reassembly, the machine ran great and cool.

While doing the maintenance, I came across reading about changing the slew/swing motor gear oil? I removed the three floor covers and exposed the motor. But I don't see a dipstick? Or any drain/fill plugs? Am I missing something? Also, I know the slew/swing motor gear that meshes against the large "sun gear" that turns the "house" needs to be lubricated with grease. Mine seemed to be greased up, but how much grease should be in there? From what I can see, the cavity definitely isn't "full" but where the gears mesh, there seems to be plenty of grease?

Thank you all in advance!!!

 

[aighead]

As an outsider to any work like this it looks to me like you've got your stuff together PNW, well done!

 

[CM1995]

CM1995: I work in the federal construction market. Meaning we are a G.C., and perform heavy industrial type projects on Federal installations (Naval base(s), Army base(s), etc.). Projects range from new construction of seven-eight story structural steel buildings with fully integrated powered roof halves that open for top of building access (like T-Mobile Park in Seattle lol), to high pressure steam systems, to medium/high volt underground electrical distribution systems, to pier restoration which includes new piles, utility distribution systems, etc. etc. etc. We usually self perform all of the cast in place concrete work, some civil scopes, rebar installation, etc.

I most def. think I could leverage who I know, and what I now know after 5 years, but I am not looking to perform federal work honestly. The red tape, and paperwork is just insane. I literally have to track how much common trash we export off site lol. The way I see it, the company has been teaching me how to run my company for the last 5 years. Not everything of course, but key aspects.

1. Estimating work (understanding the CSI master format, and how to actually create an estimate). This includes understanding the pre-construction phase, bond rates, risk assessment, etc.
2. Creating your project budget from your estimate bid.
3. Buying out sub-contractors. Verifying scopes of work, ensuring coverage, procurement schedule/lead time analysis, etc.
4. Reading plans and understanding specifications. Shop drawings, erection drawings, O&M(s), warranties, etc. etc.
5. Building and understanding schedules. Then taking your baseline schedule, and creating a schedule of values for owner billings.
6. Billing, cash flow analysis, AP/AR.
7. Creating RFI(s), submittals, Prime and sub-contract change orders.

10-4 - understand that. Federal work is not something one just walks into.

Looks like you have a good foundation on estimating and pm which will serve you well in addition to hands on knowledge of how to actually produce a project in the field. A man that can work with his hands and his mind has no limits.

 

[PNW1020D]

Hey all.

Thank you very much both Aighead and CM1995. I appreciate your kinds words.

And that is for sure CM, not a market you just jump right in to. But, on what you said, I do pride myself in knowing how to put on both white and blue collars. And with that, goes respecting each "side" as to what they bring to making the plan all "work" out.

But I am still on the hunt. Trailer and a skid steer are my top priorities.

I was looking at this trailer. The trailer will obviously need a whole new deck, but it looks to have good bones. IDK.
Trailer: https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/hvo/d/snohomish-trail-king-equipment-trailer/6964309582.html
Another one: https://yakima.craigslist.org/hvo/d/yakima-1990-eager-beaver-10-ton/6941420350.html

Some local skids:
https://seattle.craigslist.org/est/hvo/d/bellevue-bobcat-743-skid-steer/6959432426.html
https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/hvo/d/college-place-ct-315-deere-skid-steer/6968713158.html

I am ok with older, and tinkering needed. Just as long as we aren't talking about blown head gaskets, or spun rod bearings, I am open to buying cheaper, and wrenching. All my stuff is old, and has needed massaging, can't afford the new stuff (yet ).

What size skid steer is like a minimum? To be a good demo unit (concrete, light vegetation, etc.), ok at moving spoils, base course. I was thinking 5k is too small?

Thank you all in advance.

 

[Welder Dave]

A 1300lb cap. is about the smallest SS you'd want to go, usually around 5000lbs. operating weight and 5' wide. If you're going to be working in between houses or tight quarters is something to consider. When looking at a skid steer see if the local dealer has attachments you can rent for it. Then you can rent what you need for the job instead of having to buy it right off the bat.