Business ideas

[imron2]

Like alot of other folks I became a statistic this week as entire B2B sales level was eliminated when my employer decided to "downsize/rightsize". Anyway I no longer have a job but I do have a Kubota BX24 with loader and backhoe. I'd rather sit in a tractor seat than behind a desk anyway so does anyone have any suggestions on how I might turn this little orange machine into a profit center. Have a little time to build up business due to severance and unemployment but I don't want to sit still, need to get something going as soon as possible. Any suggestions on what implements might be best investment to generate additional business? Trailer size and style? Your suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[LD1]

A bx24 is not really suitable for a business. The jobs that it can handle are usually small enough that people will just do them by hand with a shovel and wheelbarrow rather than spend the money. The bigger jobs that can't be one by hand, aren't done very efficiently with a BX, rather a larger TLB.

Mowing might be an option with a little landscaping and mulching depending on the area you live in, but it will be hard to compete with a zero turn.

A larger backhoe or a skid loader might a good business investment, but like I said, it depends on the area and what kind of business is avaliable. Most construction/excavating companies around me are desprate for work, as there are a lot of people with equipment and few jobs.

With the economy the way it is now, fewer people are paying to have their lawn mowed, getting that driveway graded and new stone, landscaping, new pond dug etc. The non-necesities are the first to get cut from the average joes budget. Not to mention their are a lot of other people with tractors that are hard up for money wanting the same as you, so you have to compete with them too.

Best advice is to hang some ads in the local stores/gas stations to see if anyone is interested. And do yourself a favor and get the proper liability insurance.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Being involved in any sort of excavating business is a "pay me now or pay me (dearly) later" situation. You need to concern yourself with insurance, proper registration on tow vehicle(s), taxes, permits & license, advertising, and any other cost the world will throw at you. It's not a pure profit business by any stretch. And the problems compound themselves in certain areas.

But....If you're bound and determined, a good friend of mine started a simular business a few years back. When he couldn't find a suitable number of home-owners, ect, to fill his schedule, he went knocking on doors. He ended up in a VERY unlikely place.

A CEMETARY.

He digs graves with his mini-back hoe. Customers are just DYING to get on his schedule.

 

[LBrown59]

Like a lot of other folks I became a statistic this week as entire B2B sales level was eliminated when my employer decided to "downsize/rightsize".
1*I do have a Kubota BX24 with loader and backhoe. I'd rather sit in a tractor seat than behind a desk anyway so does anyone have any suggestions on how I might turn this little orange machine into a profit center. additional business?
2*Trailer size and style? Your suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

1*and 2*I'm kicking around the same idea.
2*My hold up is I don't have an 18' trailer and a 1 ton pick up to haul my BX23 with.

1*A bx24 is not really suitable for a business.
2*The jobs that it can handle are usually small enough that people will just do them by hand with a shovel and wheelbarrow rather than spend the money.
3*The bigger jobs that can't be done by hand, aren't done very efficiently with a BX, rather a larger TLB.
4*Mowing might be an option with a little landscaping and mulching depending on the area you live in, but it will be hard to compete with a zero turn.

1*I don't think so.
2*Wish I'd have known that I could have done the 1200 hours of projects I did with my BX23 that quick and easy with a shovel and wheelbarrow so I could have saved all that money.
3*I didnly realize that = must be because I've done to many of those jobs with the BX23.
4*0 truns aren't the end all mowers.

 

[newbury]

Location
A BX in farm country is a toy, in downtown Atlanta a tool.
You can easily lift small loads and get them thru gates.
You can dig small trenches.
Good luck

 

[Farmwithjunk]

1*and 2*I'm kicking around the same idea.
2*My hold up is I don't have an 18' trailer and a 1 ton pick up to haul my BX23 with.


1*I don't think so.
2*Wish I'd have known that I could have done the 1200 hours of projects I did with my BX23 that quick and easy with a shovel and wheelbarrow so I could have saved all that money.
3*I didnly realize that = must be because I've done to many of those jobs with the BX23.
4*0 truns aren't the end all mowers.

What in GOD's name would you need a 1-ton truck and 18' trailer to haul that tiny little tractor around? That's akin to taking the space shuttle to the store for a pack of cigarettes! I frequently haul a full sized 6000lb tractor and bush hog around behind a 3/4-ton w/ 18' trailer and it's almost over-kill

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

We've actully had three guys who bought BX's and built full time businesses for themsevles almost by accident. Start doing a few jobs around some well to do neighborhoods and one thing leads to another. Your not going to dig foundations with a BX, however there is lots of work doing landscaping and trenching at 3-4 feet.

 

[mjarrels]

One guy here got a job clearing the county fire plugs and keeping the grass/weeds cut... probably hundreds in the county.

mark

 

[LBrown59]

*What in GOD's name would you need a 1-ton truck and 18' trailer to haul that tiny little tractor around? That's akin to taking the space shuttle to the store for a pack of cigarettes! I frequently haul a full sized 6000lb tractor and bush hog around behind a 3/4-ton w/ 18' trailer and it's almost over-kill

To also haul dirt sand gravel slag stone etc.

 

[kodiak88]

The smart thing to do would be get a job with someone that does what you think you could do,and spin off eventually,just to see how the operation works.You will need money,and do stuff on the side -weekends!The more you put in the more you get out of it.Unless your wife makes a pretty penny,its hard to start flat out and make it when the jobs are scarce.