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Following my dream(s)

CM1995

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Joined
Jan 21, 2007
Messages
13,248
Location
Alabama
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Running what I brung and taking what I win
I am a fan of Trail King but that one is over priced IMHO. The Eager Beaver looks to be a better deal, of course you need to look at them in person.

A 763 Bobcat is a good machine, almost as hard to kill as a 743. Personally a 10K lb skid/CTL is the sweet spot of machines - big enough to handle a range of jobs and not to big to still pull with a 3/4 ton pickup.

X2 on the rental aspect Dave said. Rental is a great tool to have in your arsenal.
 

AzIron

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Messages
1,541
Location
Az
That trailing is about 2500 to high maybe even 3 grand that eagar beaver looks decent price is not bad

I think trail king makes solid trailers no matter the style but eager beaver made there names in tag trailers and they hold up well
 

td25c

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2009
Messages
5,250
Location
indiana
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!!!

Thank you PNW1020D for posting this .

Was starting to think I was the only contractor on this forum that incorporates a farm tractor along with the " yellow Iron equipment " on job sites . LOL ! :D
 

PNW1020D

Active Member
Joined
Jul 23, 2019
Messages
37
Location
Washington
Thanks for all the replies everyone. Good community here, damn.

Welder Dave: that is what I was thinking in my head as well. But you are totally correct in terms of where are you going to be working. What is your mainstay type of work. So for me, I dont need right now, a 10k skid steer to go out and help clear lots. I am thinking more now 7k-10k. That is why I really like that JD CT315, but that is a lot of money for me. Also, there is a local JD dealer that would def. be a good resource. These are the types of things I think about all the time. "What is my perfect equation, combination". What should I own, vs. what do I rent, etc. These must be calculated moves to truly make these type of investments pay off. Which you all know, but it just isn't as easy as one would think. It a complicated game.

Thank you AZ and CM. These are the types of things that I really appreciate hearing. Real life based opinions. I think the trailer is over priced. If I had cash, I wonder if they would take less, etc. That's if it checks out and all. I am sure you all know how Craigslist can go. Lord, some people have no morals or ethics. I have had some horrible past experiences.

How do you normally go about putting on new decking? Like what is the standard for attachment hardware and wood planking? 1/2" diameter bolts every 24" O.C.? Yea know what I mean.

I 100% agree regarding the weight/size of a skid, and I am really glad I just asked for you all to think aloud. If you are going to buy, it should be versatile. I am thinking somewhere between 8-10k weight range the more and more I think about it. As you said, it works for my PJ 14k trailer, and the old stinky 7.3 dually to move it.

Hell yea td25c. The old JD 1020d is much appreciated. Especially around our 6 acres. I am still making it better. I just did a ported hydraulic filter return for my FEL as an upgrade. The way the FEL was previously plumbed was not optimal. Routing the FEL control valve return oil to a ported filter cover puts return oil back into the hydraulic oil charge circuit much quicker than any other method of returning oil. This will give the fastest FEL reaction time (so says the TractorbyNet gurus). I also plan to add a hydraulic 3pt top link to run off of my rear aux. ports, and would like to add a third function for a grapple. The tractor is capable for many tasks still. From brush hogging, to fine grading.

Before and after photos of the new FEL plumbing. I just brush hogged the pasture, so the old girl is dirty dirty.

---Original supply and return for the FEL---
12ZqQw.jpg

X2uIfd.jpg

---Original hydraulic filter housing with port just capped off---
VCZGSi.jpg

---New---
683cWm.jpg

nWnOVg.jpg


As for my Kobelco mini, IDK if that is considered "yellow" iron? I thought that was only Chinese iron? But it sure seems to be well built, just leaky...:mad::(
 

td25c

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2009
Messages
5,250
Location
indiana
I love it , nice work on the hydro modifications on the JD 1020 D !

That tractor was built for the " long haul " :cool:

No trouble codes flashing on that rig . If it quits it's more than likely out of fuel . LOL !:D

This is the " chain gang " staging " for a lake job .

Minneapolis - Moline G-1000 breaks ground first with the disc tearing up the top soil .

100_2070.JPG

I can't believe people pay us to do this ? Had so much fun we should be paying them . LMAO! :D
 
Last edited:

colson04

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2016
Messages
2,057
Location
Delton, Michigan
No trouble codes flashing on that rig . If it quits it's more than likely out of fuel . LOL !:D

Ain't that the truth. My grandpa had a fleet of 4020's when I was growing up. If they didn't start it was because someone ran them empty, or it was too cold to be working. Great machines and solid. Just not big enough though for today's market.
 

PNW1020D

Active Member
Joined
Jul 23, 2019
Messages
37
Location
Washington
Hey all!!!

Man I had a busy busy weekend. I took on a side project that is large for me, and of course the Kobelco decided to **** out the lower oil cooler hose. It started as a drip, and quickly turned into a stream. I was able to get the demo/dirt work done, and brought the machine back to the barn to tear into it. It is currently torn down, and ready for the new parts.

Here are some before and after photos of the project. It will be a new reinforced driveway, with walkways/flatwork, and a patio out back. I plan to pour on the 20th.

Before:
VwIPib.jpg

uBSHzB.jpg

3H8kRF.png

YS7K4x.jpg


After:
 

CM1995

Administrator
Joined
Jan 21, 2007
Messages
13,248
Location
Alabama
Occupation
Running what I brung and taking what I win
How do you normally go about putting on new decking? Like what is the standard for attachment hardware and wood planking? 1/2" diameter bolts every 24" O.C.? Yea know what I mean.

I like the TEKs self drilling screws for the wood decking. You'll need to pre-drill the lumber as it speeds up the process and the self tapping screw will go right through the cross members. I've done many trailer re-decks this way.

2 screws per board per cross member. Depending on the size of your cross members I like to use a 3/16" x 4" wide piece of mild steel where the boards butt together at a cross member. Drill through the metal strap, deck board and into the crossmember - it helps to keep the butt ends of the board from coming loose from the cross member.
 

PNW1020D

Active Member
Joined
Jul 23, 2019
Messages
37
Location
Washington
Idk why I can't edit my previous post?...

After:
JvNmRM.png

Q3uHha.png

RuDRjo.jpg

RcUa9o.png

pLL0zI.jpg

0a5DN9.png

0A21Rc.png

----------------------------------

While I was tearing into the machine, I wanted to get back on the topic of my slew motor, and the need to change the gear oil? I cracked this top Allen plug, and what looked to be hydraulic fluid came seeping out? I looked to my manuals, and there is no mention of a drain/fill plug or port? What do you all think? Didn't crack the bottom one open?

2O3VV7.jpg

kvjJMm.jpg

--------------------------------

Man!!! That is so cool td25c. I really like that photo. And yes sir haha, definitely no CEL lights on this tractor.
 

PNW1020D

Active Member
Joined
Jul 23, 2019
Messages
37
Location
Washington
Hello all. Been a little while.

I have a general question.

Has anyone welded "d-rings" onto their equipment? To ease in loading and chaining down? Or is that a big no no?

Please let me know, and thank you all for your help.
 

CM1995

Administrator
Joined
Jan 21, 2007
Messages
13,248
Location
Alabama
Occupation
Running what I brung and taking what I win
We have D rings welded to the skid steer buckets and forks, not for chaining down per se but for picking or dragging small items on the job site.
 

PNW1020D

Active Member
Joined
Jul 23, 2019
Messages
37
Location
Washington
Hey thank you so much for the response.

Right, I have one, well a "hook and clasp" on my bucket for rigging and picking/setting items.

But I wanted to weld on 4 "d-rings" onto the machine. 2 at the front somewhere, and 2 in the rear to chain off of.

It seems that no one does this, so maybe I am wrong in thinking this would be a good idea.
 

Welder Dave

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Oct 11, 2014
Messages
12,257
Location
Canada
I'm sure it can be done but you want an experienced welder to do it. I think the biggest issue would be if were to break there would be a BIG liability issue. There's no tie down points on your machine? How does the dealer tie them down?
 

PNW1020D

Active Member
Joined
Jul 23, 2019
Messages
37
Location
Washington
Totally Dave. I have an experienced welder that would/could take care of it for me. Proper surface prep, etc. etc.

But I am worried now that it may not be "worth it". As you stated, if it failed, what sort of recourse would I have?....if any.

Now that you stated that, I need to look in the manual to see how they state to chain the machine down on a trailer for transport.

I just crisscross two chains up front. They are attached to the trailer, and the two holes that are on the front blade (one on each end). I then crisscross two chain in the back. They are attached to the trailer, and the mini's "lower frame". I also put a 3k strap over the bucket just to be safe, and secure the boom.
 

John C.

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Jun 11, 2007
Messages
12,865
Location
Northwest
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Machinery & Equipment Appraiser
I've seen then welded to the insides of the track frames on mid sized excavators that jump job sites all the time. They used the same types of D rings you see on equipment trailers.
 

Akmc5

Active Member
Joined
May 30, 2010
Messages
26
Location
SW WA
Hey man.......I did the exact same thing as you are talking about.

Two and a half years ago I quit a Project / Operations Management position with a large oil company. I'd been working for big oil in a management capacity for over 10 years. They paid me more money than I could spend. And I hated it. It was soul crushing work. I'm just not wired for corporate politics and the BS that comes with it. We pulled the pin and moved from TX to WA in July of 2017. I had all my business licencing and insurance in place before we left TX. I didn't have any equipment when we landed in WA........and no more paycheck.

I've bought 90% of my equipment at auctions.

First thing I picked up was a 6 yd dump and a 20 ton trailer. The truck was a 2001 International with a large bore cummins and 13 speed and the trailer was a trail king beaver tail. I paid $7000 for the truck and $5500 for the trailer. I sold the truck within 6 months to upgrade to a tandem axle dump. My first job was a 1000ft driveway. I took me about 6 million trips with that dinky little truck.

Most guys start out doing site preps, driveways and land clearing. That's what I did too. Get your septic installers licence. Go meet the Salesman at the local high volume home builders (adair, hiline, lexar.....) he'll hand your card out to buyers and they'll call you for bids. Almost all of those home buyers only want deal with one guy so if you can do the underground and septic you'll get more jobs. Those full site prep gigs are worth anywhere from $30k-$60k+.....and they can easily be executed by one guy.

Also go buy your local septic designer with a box of donuts and coffee. Those guys send me more jobs than I can even bid on.

My first piece of real equipment that I bought was a 2006 Cat 430E IT backhoe......It wouldnt start at the auction yard (I had it running in 10 mins). I got a smoking deal on it......enough of a deal that even if i had to replace the engine I'd still make out ok. and it has every option you can order it with......4x4 cab, heat, A/C, hydraulic Couplers on both ends, auto-shift trans, ride control.....blah, blah, blah.....everything. I love that thing. For the first 6 months it was all I had, but it got me started.

In the first year we bought a LTL9000 Tandem Dump Truck, 2001 JD 120, Case 450c Dozer, 2016 Cat 305.5, F250 Utility Truck, 10 ton small trailer, two double drum compactors and all the small junk you need to get going. Lazers, compactors, extra buckets, hoe-pac.... Most of my equipment is "well used". but we fix things when they break and take care of what we have. Aside from the 305.5 its also all paid for.

We did $150k in business our first year....we'll do $500k this year, our second year. Half our work is private / homeowner work and the other half is Federal / Local government.

I'm way, way, way happier now that I was in the corporate world. There's more stress but it's a different kind of stress and it doesn't really bother me. If I'm working at 9:00pm on a friday night it's because I chose to not because some ding dong in houston want to get his TPS reports by midnight.

And every ounce of sweat that I give goes to building something I can leave to my kids.....even if they don't want it.

I say pull the pin and jump in with both feet.
 

PNW1020D

Active Member
Joined
Jul 23, 2019
Messages
37
Location
Washington
John C.: Yea you are totally right. I just checked out our Kobelco 140 we have on site, and it has rings welded both front and rear. Maybe I will add a 4"x4" plate as backing, then weld the D-ring onto that? I still like the idea just for ease of loading and unloading.

Akmc5: WOW!!!

That is quite the story, and seems quite analogous to my current situation. Minus the fact that I CAN spend what my company pays me as a P.M. HAHAHA.

Your story and advice is greatly appreciated. I truly cannot thank you enough for taking the time and effort to write that.

I have just a few more pieces (in terms of equipment) that I would like to buy before I make the dive. I am still set on getting a skid steer, and a 15/20t beaver tail trailer to tow behind dumpy. Auctions scare me though. I like to be able to read the seller. The person usually tells me all I need to know by their body language, etc. when looking to buy equipment/trailers. If I don't have a good feeling, I almost always walk.

I will def. need to look into getting my license to install septic systems. That is a great idea, and advice. I also do know plenty of local engineering companies that I could work with, etc.

You took the words right out of my mouth. I am all for working hard; blood, sweat, and tears, but I want it to be for something of my own.

But honestly I am scared to fail/I will fail. I don't have any kids, as I am just a kid myself lol, and I am not married either, so its not like I am providing for me and my family, but still. I am worried I will fail.
 

CM1995

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Jan 21, 2007
Messages
13,248
Location
Alabama
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Running what I brung and taking what I win
Nice pour! I really like the tooled expansion joints in that last pic.;)
 
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