Everything Attachments

[fried1765]

Some big operations are an organized group of small operations. Rather than one gigantic acreage or facility, the business operates farms or does landscaping in many counties or states. While they may own some larger pieces of equipment, they use many compacts as they are more practical for many functions.

"Some"?

 

[Torvy]

"Some"?

Yes? Not sure what is confusing. There are some big operations with many acres of contiguous land. They use things like a CaseIH 9250 and have scant use for small attachments. Other big operations are essentially a series of small plots that are better worked with a smaller tractor. Most big operations tend to have at least a few smaller units for specialized work.

Maybe it is different in Florida, but in the Great Plains, there are some very large farms and ranches and a lot of land. I guess I could have said many, instead of some. I would even say most, but that may not quite be true.

 

[RickB]

Large conglomerations of operations using fleets of EA sized equipment are far more the exception than the rule. One subset of that small group would be those actually buying from EA. That number is probably in the low double digits at the very best.

That's not justification for a $20M investment on anyone's part.

 

[Torvy]

I never said these businesses were the bulk of EA's business. What they are is a more reliable and profitable business relationship than small operations like mine. At most, I may buy 5-7 attachments in 20 year relationship. A bigger operation may buy 5-10 times that many over the same period. All I am saying is that 1st come 1st served appeals to Americans sense of fair play but it is irrational in business to treat large customers exactly by the same as a one timer. I have no idea for certain, but I would be shocked if a company like EA never bumped up shipment for a good customer. That is not the same thing as saying it happens all of the time. It is most likely a rare, but necessary part of doing business. I also doubt EA or anyone else, would come on and mention that. People get butt hurt when they hear anyone else may be a higher priority.

 

[Avenger]

I'm just gonna leave this right here

 

[ranger danger]

Nice job Avenger. I ordered mine just about when you did. Was told it would be available for pickup in Sacramento on Sep. 7th. No such luck. Its been in the carrier's warehouse in Tennessee for 10 days and apparently nobody knew it. Estes said there warehouse in Sacramento CA. Is over full and cannot recieve any more deliveries. I had to find this out myself. EA is attempting to get FedEx to pick it up at the shippers place and get it going.

 

[California]

Nice job Avenger. I ordered mine just about when you did. Was told it would be available for pickup in Sacramento on Sep. 7th. No such luck. Its been in the carrier's warehouse in Tennessee for 10 days and apparently nobody knew it. Estes said there warehouse in Sacramento CA. Is over full and cannot recieve any more deliveries. I had to find this out myself. EA is attempting to get FedEx to pick it up at the shippers place and get it going.

Wow. Any chance they could ship it to Reno, Stockton, Marysville, Oakland etc? Or maybe a different carrier could have the capacity for it. FedEx Ground sounds expensive.

 

[ranger danger]

Expensive ain't my problem. It's EA's. Estes said all other terminals are full as well. Fedex looks like its my best bet at this point.

 

[California]

Expensive ain't my problem. It's EA's. Estes said all other terminals are full as well. Fedex looks like its my best bet at this point.

Wow. That illustrates what I've read about transport problems being a major cause of supply chain difficulties. One article I saw said there aren't any more qualified drivers to be found anywhere to move the trucks, both big semi's that need a class A license, and even short-range box trucks.

Yesterday's mail had a flyer from the Post Office saying USPS is recruiting drivers with 2 years experience driving 17k lb (?) semitrailers. I've never seen USPS recruit this way before.

Now add the ocean vessels anchored off Los Angeles that can't unload for lack of onshore transport. No wonder things take so long to arrive.

 

[ranger danger]

I drove semi's for 38 years. Retired 1 year ago. The problem is not enough pay and to many hours. Estes as an example, pays less then standard wages and works there drivers to the max aloud by law. No wonder they can't get drivers. If you look at craigslist or indeed, truck drivers are barely being offered more than minimum wage. Never in my wildest dream would I have though of driving truck as a minimum wage job!! If you want frieght moved, your going to have to pay atleast $30 an hour and a work day thats something less than 10-12 hours a day.