Is this a good chioce?

[GreatWhitehunter]

I'm thinking on jumping in the plowing game. I plan on subing for the town so I think 2wd will be ok. I know nothing about these trucks so I'd really appreciate any insite. eBay

Thanks
Matt T.

 

[Dmace]

Your link is dead, I assume this is the truck you are talking about.

It looks in really good shape for 10yr old truck and 70k miles is nothing. The sander doesn't look to hold much unless it is fed from the dump body. Good tires and under CDL is a good thing.

For a solid 5yd dump truck, that is a pretty good price. I would be worried about the clutch since its a 5-speed but clutches are much cheaper than auto transmissions. No pics of the plow...

 

[deereguy]

I would find out what your town spec's are as to when they call you out, what insurance do they require (if you hit mailboxes or parked, buried vehicles), and how much are they willing to pay (per push/per hour/per inch)? Then figure out if its worth it to be in the "plowing game"? Our township used to sub-out cul-de-sacs, we have a few hundred here and their 2 ton trucks couldn't navigate them well, then I was told that that the township called the subs at 4" of snow, as a private contractor, I had my contracts set up at 2" to push snow. 4" of snow is A LOT of snow when tring to push the stuff around and its harder on the truck, plow, electric pumps, etc.

Just a few things to consider.

Other than that- it seems like a do-able truck for your needs.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

The rate is 75 an hour. I emailed for pics of the plow. I haven't looked into insurance yet. Is this the typr of truck I should be looking at? I have a 3/4ton diesel for my daily driver. I also have a dump trialer. I was thinking I could sell the trailer is I bought this rig and use it for bulk materials like I use the trailer now. I'd also have another option for towing my tractor. I was also thinking a older 1 ton might work for me. I don't plan on doing this ful time. Only where I'm not obligated by my real job.

Matt

 

[George2615]

The rate is 75 an hour. I emailed for pics of the plow. I haven't looked into insurance yet. Is this the typr of truck I should be looking at? I have a 3/4ton diesel for my daily driver. I also have a dump trialer. I was thinking I could sell the trailer is I bought this rig and use it for bulk materials like I use the trailer now. I'd also have another option for towing my tractor. I was also thinking a older 1 ton might work for me. I don't plan on doing this ful time. Only where I'm not obligated by my real job.

Matt

Truck seems pretty decent. I'm guessing its a power angle plow that goes with it. Will be great for doing parking lots too big for a pickup. Keep plenty of weight in back and it will push lots of snow. You will need separate plowing insurance coverage for any damage that might occur. Most towns in my area provide a bid spec. listing the required insurance you must carry. Be prepared for long hours during heavy snows through the night and make sure you agree to a cut off time so your plowing doesn't interfere with your real job. Get your agreement in writing and whether you start getting paid when you leave the house or actually start plowing.

 

[Builder]

I'm thinking on jumping in the plowing game. I plan on subing for the town so I think 2wd will be ok. I know nothing about these trucks so I'd really appreciate any insite. eBay

Thanks
Matt T.

Matt,

That's a nice truck. I've plowed with Internationals for many years and they are a solidly built, reliable truck. Nothing fancy, just a good get er done work truck.

You'll find so much work for that truck, you'll wonder why you didn't buy one like it years ago.

I couldn't function without a dumptruck in my business.

 

[Rara Avis]

I'm thinking on jumping in the plowing game. I plan on subing for the town so I think 2wd will be ok. I know nothing about these trucks so I'd really appreciate any insite. eBay

Thanks
Matt T.

Make sure you have plenty of insurance...

This is what happened to a plow driver for the town of Milton, VT

FindLaw for Legal Professionals - Case Law, Federal and State Resources, Forms, and Code

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

I emailed the seller about the plow. He said I could come take a look, but he had no pics. He said he hadn't used the plow. The sander looks interesting. I take it you fill the bed with sand and then tilt it to feed the sander? I'm alittle concerned about getting stuck with it though. This last storm we had there were plenty of larger plows stuck. I think this truck will be good for town roads and parking lots but not real good on hills and driveways. Is the engine in it around the same size as my poerstroke? What do thede thrucks cost new? Is this too much truck to start with?

Matt T.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would be worried about getting stuck also with out the weight of the sand in the back which will happen. We had a snow storm here over the weekend and we had a tri-axle truck stuck on my road. They pulled it out with a new 2008-F350 4x4 Diesel county truck.

Chris

 

[George2615]

I think the price is decent. New ones will cost 4, 5, or 6 times as much depending on options. $75 an hour seems low considering the price of fuel today. And it you do get stuck, hope and pray the town will be nice enough to pull you out for free. In fact, if you do hire on with the town you might want to have it in your contract that they will pull you out if you get stuck. If you have to call a private tow company they would charge you many times your hourly rate just to pull it out. Local operators here get $100 or more to pull out a car from a snow bank. More if they have to tow it away.

 

[rtdiggr]

In my opinion, 2wd sucks i have a F-350 diesel 2 wd with a dump, the other day i got stuck in my own driveway twice and it is a flat drive.
I do not have any weight in the back the truck weight almost 9000lbs. when i bought it, it was a city truck and was set up with hydraulics in the front but i can't believe they could plow with that.
The truck you are looking at looks nice and is definately larger then mine and the salt would help weight it down. The price seems fair, that is a good size truck i would love something a little bigger.
my 2 cents
Shane

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

To be totally honest, I was looking for a 1 ton or larger 4x4 to buy as a plow. I came across this rig and thought about how the town was using this size truck for a good portion of the plowing. The price seems right but I don't want to pigeon hole myself with the type of plow jobs I can do. This would be a little money generator for me outside of normal hours. I talked to a few private guys around here. They're charging $100 for every 3". The sanding is extra. I think a truck like this could be a good earner in the summer too. Delivering materials to homeowners and haul off's.

Matt T.

 

[Rara Avis]

In my opinion, 2wd sucks i have a F-350 diesel 2 wd with a dump, the other day i got stuck in my own driveway twice and it is a flat drive.
I do not have any weight in the back the truck weight almost 9000lbs. when i bought it, it was a city truck and was set up with hydraulics in the front but i can't believe they could plow with that.
The truck you are looking at looks nice and is definately larger then mine and the salt would help weight it down. The price seems fair, that is a good size truck i would love something a little bigger.
my 2 cents
Shane

Onspot of North America

 

[Builder]

I emailed the seller about the plow. He said I could come take a look, but he had no pics. He said he hadn't used the plow. The sander looks interesting. I take it you fill the bed with sand and then tilt it to feed the sander? I'm alittle concerned about getting stuck with it though. This last storm we had there were plenty of larger plows stuck. I think this truck will be good for town roads and parking lots but not real good on hills and driveways. Is the engine in it around the same size as my poerstroke? What do thede thrucks cost new? Is this too much truck to start with?

Matt T.

You worry too much. First, you bought a fine plow truck as long as you keep it on relatively level surfaces like roads & parking lots. It's not the ideal truck for hilly driveways. Most bigger plow trucks are 4x2. The reason is big 4x4's (like mine) are very expensive and easy to rip-up. The other reason is with a 5+ ton load of sand/salt/cinders in the back of a 4x2, traction can be excellent. Also, you have the option of tire chains which give a 4x2 darn near the traction of a 4x4 in snow, and maybe better on slick ice. You can remove the chains when the snow's over and have a nice streetable truck in warm weather.

Yes, you fill the bed and tilt it to feed the tailgate sander.

Anyone can get stuck. i've seen lots of 4x4's (your's truly included) get stuck even with 4x4. Sometimes 4x2 keeps you more conservative and careful. Getting stuck is nothing to worry about or be embarrassed of.

Yes, it's the IH medium duty version of a Powerstroke. Typically, they're turned down a little on HP so they'll live longer and put less stress on the drivetrain.

A truck like that new would cost ~$50K. A tailgate spreader and plow is another 20K installed.

I'm sure others will present receipts for plows and sanders and trucks and all kinds of contradictory info, but I've plowed many storms with lots of different equipment owned by me, and I can tell you that's a good plow truck that's reliable, easy to own & insure and drive/plow with.

 

[rtdiggr]

Onspot of North America

I like that thanks Paul,
GWH i did like BUILDERS reply, my truck is around 9000lbs, with the one you are looking at being over 23000lbs. would make a huge difference on traction. I have never plowed with this truck, so i definately listen more to someone who has used this type of set up before.

Shane

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Those chains a awesome. I can't seem to pin down the seller to look at the truck. He has a few offers on it he hasn't accepted. I may not end up with it but it sure is a good weapon to have. I think that I could make out very well with this type of truck. If this one gets away I'm going to keep looking. How much are you folks paying for the plowing insurance? I got a few quotes and they seem lower than I'd expect.

Matt T.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Those chains are awesome. I can't seem to pin down the seller to look at the truck. He has a few offers on it he hasn't accepted. I may not end up with it but it sure is a good weapon to have. I think that I could make out very well with this type of truck. If this one gets away I'm going to keep looking. How much are you folks paying for the plowing insurance? I got a few quotes and they seem lower than I'd expect.

Matt T.

 

[MikeD74T]

Matt, Check with the town to find out if the 10' plow is the right type for the plowing they want done. A parking lot plow is different than a highway plow. Also make sure they can accomodate your hours of availibility or vice versa.
Without being a negative, the only people I've known that make real money plowing are never in the truck, they have employees for that. They also have other seasonal needs for their trucks that they don't have in the winter. I've also never seen a plow owner that wasn't claiming to be making a fortune every time it snowed. I think there is money to be made sanding though, provided you have access to sand/salt. I enjoy plowing & wish you the best of luck. MikeD74T

 

[Builder]

Great White Hunter,

What you need to decide is what type of plowing you want to do. That IH would be good for plowing parking lots or roads as a subcontractor (unless you're "connected" with big customers and can get contracts like that for yourself. Usually you need a lot of years in the business and lots of equipment before you get the big contracts.

A one ton 4x4 dump with a power V plow would be my weapon of choice as an all around plow truck for a small contractor. They're small enough to do hilly driveways, yet with a 9' plow, big enough to do small commercial work. You can add a V-box or tailgate spreader for ice control. Then you can use it all summer to do dirt work, pull trailers, etc.

However, a 1-ton 4x4 dump is a lot more expensive and not as heavy duty as that IH.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Something like this? 1999 Ford F350 Diesel Truck
If this truck had a vee plow I'd already be driving it. Do they make sanders to fit in these rack bodies? This truck would serve me quite well too. I'd get another diesel to tow with and a rack body for side work (I'm an electrician) so I think it would be a good starter for plowing. I'd only be using it maybe once a week so the miles don't scare me. What do you guys think? Builder I really value you opinion on this as your make a living at it. Thanks!

Matt T.