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Spreader trucks (this post is only for spreder truck pro's no othe r advise needed)

crane operator

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Joined
Mar 27, 2009
Messages
8,275
Location
sw missouri
So I'm starting up a spreader truck business. I'm looking for a couple trucks, I'm leaning towards 3208 (cause they are CAT and I've heard CAT are the best).

I would settle for a hot running 6-53 or 6-71 if the right one showed up. Maybe a 8v92 for hilly areas. I could just swap the bigger detroit in when I needed more power- I heard detroits are modular like that.

I've got a old international s2500 hood in the back yard, I was thinking about building a truck around it. I only have the hood but should be able to source the rest.

I'd really like one with bigger tires in the rear than in the front, that way I'd get better mileage running downhill all the time.

(Mitch504-- If you're still locked up and can't communicate- stamp your foot on the floor three times- I'll send help!- hopefully she won't read this far into the thread)

international 1.jpg spreader truck.jpeg spreader truck 2.jpg international 3.jpg
 

mitch504

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Location
Andrews SC
I like the 2300 better than the 2500, shorter hood, better visibility, tighter turning.
 

mitch504

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Andrews SC
Actually, it's funny you decided to do this now.

I just bought these two machines today. My business plan is that I am going to go out and get the red one and drive it straight to the job I have already committed to. The ad says "ran good when parked", so what could go wrong? The best thing is, no winch; I know all about hydraulic cylinders!

dsci1468-custom-xl-768x576.jpg

IMG_1853.jpg

http://www.sunriseequipment.com/product/bucyrus-erie-hydrocrane-h-3-1507/

Then, I'm going to take the money I make with it the first month, and fix the yellow one. Once I have two cranes, I'll be a millionaire in a year!

image000004.jpg
 

hvy 1ton

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Jul 24, 2006
Messages
1,943
Location
Lawrence, KS
All I can say is those converted trucks are a thing of the past here...
Everyone runs the big Agco 3 wheel floaters.
]
Missouri is weird. There are decent sized farms still running pickup sprayers over there. That said, the third sentence of the OP sealed it for me that crane op is just having some fun. Just in case he isn't joking, I'd be looking for a 25 ton volvo and the biggest bed you can find.
 

Truck Shop

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Dec 7, 2015
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WWW.
Use a Volvo or Scania with their power plants, parts are cheap and easy to get. Make it so you can remove the spreder and attach a crainer and you can have a deul purpuse machino.
 

digger242j

Administrator
Joined
Oct 31, 2003
Messages
6,628
Location
Southwestern PA
Occupation
Self employed excavator
I don't even know what a spreader truck is, or is used for, but I'm going to follow this thread so that in the future I'll be fully qualified to offer advice on them to anybody smart enough to take it. I might even post that advice right back here...
 

crane operator

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2009
Messages
8,275
Location
sw missouri
Sorry guys, Mitch504 was posting some really weird youtube video's. I was concerned he was locked in a basement against his will, and was sending a cry for help. I was looking for a secret way to send messages to him....

It seems that his wife has not locked him in the basement, and he is able to freely communicate. Crisis averted.
 

crane operator

Senior Member
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Mar 27, 2009
Messages
8,275
Location
sw missouri
Then, I'm going to take the money I make with it the first month, and fix the yellow one. Once I have two cranes, I'll be a millionaire in a year!

Thank goodness you aren't locked in the basement. I was worried about you.

THis however, is the very best business plan I've read on the forums. I don't see how it could fail.
 

mitch504

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Feb 27, 2010
Messages
5,776
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Andrews SC
Why, Thank You Sir! I spent nearly a minute analyzing the numbers. I am glad to hear all that effort wasn't wasted.

I did like your idea to swap in a bigger engine under high load conditions.
 

Mother Deuce

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Joined
Jul 17, 2016
Messages
1,603
Location
New England
Actually, it's funny you decided to do this now.

I just bought these two machines today. My business plan is that I am going to go out and get the red one and drive it straight to the job I have already committed to. The ad says "ran good when parked", so what could go wrong? The best thing is, no winch; I know all about hydraulic cylinders!

View attachment 216553

View attachment 216554

http://www.sunriseequipment.com/product/bucyrus-erie-hydrocrane-h-3-1507/

Then, I'm going to take the money I make with it the first month, and fix the yellow one. Once I have two cranes, I'll be a millionaire in a year!

View attachment 216555
Is that an H5 or a 3? Very cool one way or the other. Just kind of hard to tell from the image
 

Tags

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2012
Messages
1,610
Location
Connecticut
I personally think the idea of building a truck around a hood that you already have is probably a sound business plan, that way you end up with exactly what you want…you could call it the Fabricobblespreader.
 

mitch504

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Feb 27, 2010
Messages
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Location
Andrews SC
That's an H3. I actually looked at buying an H5 years ago. could have gotten it for a little over scrap value, it was running but needed a new gas engine. I just wanted it for a toy/shop helper.
 

CM1995

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Alabama
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Running what I brung and taking what I win
I am glad somebody final started a thread talking about all the money you can make with trucks and heavy equipment!:D

Currently thinking of getting into the grading/clearing/pond/landscaping business - not full time as I've got a killer job as a level 3 bovine proctologist, just wanting to do small projects like building 100 acre lakes and clearing a couple hundred acres of mountainside in my off time as I work 2 days on and 3 days off.

Found this trackhoe on Craiglist and it's a smoking deal. An E50 is big enough to do what I want to do right?

https://bham.craigslist.org/hvo/d/jasper-very-powerful-bobcat-excavator/7108279005.html

At just $11,800 for this nice looking machine it would leave about $4,000 for a truck and trailer to pull it around with. What do ya'll think? I've already sent the seller my credit card for a down payment and all my banking information with routing number for payment as i don't have time to go look at it in person.

What do ya'll professionals think about my plan? Personally I think mitch is on to $$ with the crane idea.;)
 

Tags

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2012
Messages
1,610
Location
Connecticut
I am glad somebody final started a thread talking about all the money you can make with trucks and heavy equipment!:D

Currently thinking of getting into the grading/clearing/pond/landscaping business - not full time as I've got a killer job as a level 3 bovine proctologist, just wanting to do small projects like building 100 acre lakes and clearing a couple hundred acres of mountainside in my off time as I work 2 days on and 3 days off.

Found this trackhoe on Craiglist and it's a smoking deal. An E50 is big enough to do what I want to do right?

https://bham.craigslist.org/hvo/d/jasper-very-powerful-bobcat-excavator/7108279005.html

At just $11,800 for this nice looking machine it would leave about $4,000 for a truck and trailer to pull it around with. What do ya'll think? I've already sent the seller my credit card for a down payment and all my banking information with routing number for payment as i don't have time to go look at it in person.

What do ya'll professionals think about my plan? Personally I think mitch is on to $$ with the crane idea.;)

You guys have both inspired me. I'm going to go into gold mining right here in CT! My plan is this, the neighbors have a small stream and runoff pond, after watching all of the dramaless and unscripted gold shows on tv Im fairly certain I know plenty, plus, I already have some equipment. I'm thinking that there's got to be gold in that runoff pond and stream, I am not going to do any testing, I will get no permits, and I won't even get a sluice box until I have a huge pile of "Paydirt" to run, I don't think I'm even going to ask the neighbors if I can do this on their property, if they do ask what's going on, I'm just going to say that's it's a win win situation for both of us, since I'll just split all of the gold I find with them 50/50.....
 

CM1995

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Alabama
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Running what I brung and taking what I win
Tags all you need is a 349 and sluice box. I agree on the sluice box, don't get one until you've dug enough up with the 349 to make it worth the $$ for a box.
 

digger242j

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Oct 31, 2003
Messages
6,628
Location
Southwestern PA
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Self employed excavator
Now wait, you guys are confusing me. Which part of the spreader truck does the sluice box go on?
 

Tags

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2012
Messages
1,610
Location
Connecticut
Now wait, you guys are confusing me. Which part of the spreader truck does the sluice box go on?

Duuuuhhhh....you mount the sluice box ON the spreader truck.....mobile sluice box! Since CM has made such a great suggestion, I’ve put all my other equipment up for sale and a deposit down on a 349…
 

mitch504

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Joined
Feb 27, 2010
Messages
5,776
Location
Andrews SC
uhh,...As this threads resident spreader truck expert...I think you could just take the chain out of the bottom, put riffles in, and the switch the tires back to front and you'd have it.

On edit:
Hey, maybe I'll keep one and do that for a hobby after I make my first million with the cranes.:cool:

2nd edit:
Hey Tags, you start digging as soon as you get the 349, and I'll pull the chain out soon as I get the crane to lift it with. I'll meet you at your neighbors place.
 
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