Chosing a tractor

[Z-Michigan]

It sounds like you have far more experience with skidsteers than I do, so nothing to add except good luck with the tractor shopping.

 

[john_bud]

How would you know what the market is here in saskatchewan canada if you even know where that is i almost know for a fact that there would be a market for such a bussiness because this provine is going to expand within the next five years and there are alnost certaintly going to be lots of houses built in that area and i know for a fact that these little tractors work well for snow removal and also landscaping because there are a few people who own tractors around 30hp range and they say that they are great for snow removal. And it wouldn't be a SCUT it would be a CUT because most lines of tractors a SCUT is under 25 horse i can get upto 33 horse and still be around that 54 inches wide and if you go to a tractor that is 60 inches wide it leves nothing for clearance also the private owners of these small tractors on the farm did quite a bit of their own landscaping and they worked just fine. So as for snow removal and landscaping it the same as what has been said many a time "The Machine Is As Good AS The Operator" The Question is not about wheter this is a feasable bussiness or whether a tractor would work well because i know the answer to both those questions and it is yes. the Question is About what kind of tractors are out there. And anthing above 35 horse gets too big dimensionaly i explained that at the begining and insurance won't likely de the same here as where you live so GET OFF IT. I LIVE IN SASKATCHEWAN CANADAso hoiw would you know what the market is like here i already have a bunch of experience and knoledge on how this kind of bussiness will work. also there are alot of farmer around with livestock and tractors to big to clean pens and corralls SHOVEL THAT

Hey Canada, cool down - eh?

The guy made lots of good points. The points don't matter where you (or he) lives. The points are that you have to understand the business, your clients, the jobs, prevailing rates currently charged by your competition, the number of competitors, why you are going to be better than your competitors, why your customers are going to choose you over the competitors (or just doing it themselves), how are you going to advertise, how much will you spend on it, for how long, finally how many people have started businesses like that in the past 5-10 years and how many are still at it and making $$. These aren't just smart A-s questions, they are ones experienced successful business owners know the answers to.

It sounds like you are a smart hard working person looking to get into a new endeavor. That's great - good luck. But, do the homework before you buy the equipment and find that you have to sell it off at a loss when you don't make enough to pay taxes, insurance, damages to a customer's house, underground utility, or you have a big customer that fails to pay you. Lot's of smart hard working people loose everything doing similar things every year. Don't be one of them.

Oh, for snow removal. If you can get a rear mount snow blower and a front mount hydraulic broom, you can move the snow fast and leave a clean bare walking surface. 2x the investment, but one reason to call YOU and not someone else. The large back pack style leaf blowers are also good at getting the last bit of snow off the walk quickly. Just a couple thoughts....


jb

 

[pick_up_man]

Yes i understand what it would take to start this kind of bussiness my father has done it for quite a few years already although he has an older skidsteer and he is in alot smaller towm also when i was in highschool i took a entreprenuership class where wo had to do a bussiness plan i have already done a little bit of homework and it is looking like a feasable bussiness that is why i am looking into tractor to get an idea of startup costs and what kind of tractors are out there to choose from. i am not a joe schmoe looking for quick cash. I am more or less in the research phase. I am knoldgeable about the subject when you father does this kinda thing for about 10 years you catch onto whats involved and i know for a fact that there is virtually nobody offering these kind of services in the area. i know LoneCowboy brought up some good points but if i hadn't looked into it for a while already i wouldn't be looking into tractors just though i'd throw that out there and i do apologize but it is wandering away from my initial question and i also understand that he wasn't trying to be a smart a_s but i have already done a bit of homework on this trust me i know there is a market for this kind of bussiness but insurance is one thing i hadn't looked into thanx for that but i have done some reasearch and thanks for your concern.

I am a hardworking guy i cut grass when i was a kid and when you work on a farm it's hard not to be hardworking. Also i would be willing to go a little bigger but for sure not over five foot

Also can you get a FEL for the Antonio Carraro machines i looked but couldn't see

 

[Raddad]

I work for a residential construction company. We build about 50 houses a year. Our sub contractor uses a skid steer with a bucket, Land Pride power rake and a york type rake. 3 guys to a crew. Rough grade is compleated before the concrete is poured so all he is doing is finish work. Some houses are sod some are seed. He has a small trailer mounted hydro seeder and a small dump truck. All the lots are less than 1/4 acre and flat.

I am very impressed with what the power rake can accomplish. He calls it spinning the lot. The key is production and not trying things you can't specialize in. He wont do stump removal, fence removal, rough grading,

 

[john_bud]

Pickupman,

Sounds good. Don't forget, nobody that has responded knows you. Your background, education or anything. Yet, they are willing to spend time sharing what they feel may be helpful for you. If it is too basic to be applicable - just ignore it. No need to respond with aggravation. Don't forget that all the people that failed in business also thought "I" won't be one of the poor schmucks that fails. Yet they did.

Have you ID'ed models from the various companies that match your width target? Direct questions comparing models may be more productive than a non-directed discussion. Also, might want to think about the ROPS. Some get in the way on smaller jobs. Folding or removable.


jb

 

[pick_up_man]

i know of some tractors that would meet my specs but i was wanting to see what else is out there and i appolagize for being short i realize that people are just trying to help and some times i do get a little agrevated by people telling about stuff i already know the answers to or question if i have thought something through. i just realize now that people are just trying to help and keep me from falling flat on my face. And thank you for that

i have been doing some looking and i have found a few models that might work for me
Massey Ferguson 1531
John deere 2520
New holland TC31DA, TC33DA (with Supersteer)
Kubota b3030
I can always build a cab for any of these tractors after.
Would these be good choices or am i going in the wrong direction all fo these there would be a dealer with around an hours drive.

 

[pick_up_man]

i was looking the new hollands are probaly ruled off of my list the tractors are about the right width but you cant get a narrow enough bucket the narrowest is 60 inches.

 

[hosejockey2002]

A Kubota B3030 would be really sweet, especially with a Woods x80 backhoe and the factory cab.

 

[BTDT]

i was looking the new hollands are probaly ruled off of my list the tractors are about the right width but you cant get a narrow enough bucket the narrowest is 60 inches.

If you have a torch and a welder, you can make the bucket any size you want it. Good luck with your endeavor.

 

[pick_up_man]

yes thats true i was having a blonde moment i could do that because they were looking like the best tractors the supersteer option looks like it would really improve manuverability.