Profitable Uses 4 Botas

[tnuke]

Newbie Disclaimer: I'm no Keyboard Kowboy so conveying my question exactly right is going to be a bit tough.

My Situation/Background: I am a fairly young contractor looking for practical money making uses for one of the commercial TLB models. Being that I'm just starting out I can specialize in a variety of things, meaning the market is wide open here in the town where I live and I can go in whatever direction I choose. As of right now I do what I call Ornamental Masonry which includes small masonry projects, concrete driveways and slabs, as well as a multitude of smaller jobs having to do with bricks, block and stone. Having said that I am looking for my niche in the construction world. I can almost justify the TLB within my current work parameters, but not quite. Now I just provide these scanty details as background for my forthcoming question. I will be glad to clarify anything in future posts.

My Simple Little Question for you Wise TBN'ers:

What profitable uses do use your tractor for?

I would like specifics if possible and I'm sure all you farm and ranch guys will have something to contribute even though you don't "profit" from your tractor use.
Although I am looking at the larger Models please don't hestitate if you have a smaller B or L model. I am just trying to get a feel for these tractors in the working world.

I appreciate any and all input.

Tim
Looking to Replace (for sale)
~ Wheelbarrow
~ Square Bottomed Heater with new wooden handle

 

[Holzster]

Tnuke

How about getting a larger trencher (Rock kind) as you could go DEEPER then most & cut through rock. A Backhoe attachment would go in hand with this also. If you get a backhoe a smaller one might be better as you could go into yards a lot easier.
This is just my 2 cents

 

[Holzster]

I ment when I said "smaller one" - a smaller tractor (B or L series)

 

[RayH]

Here is what Im hoping to do with my L3130.
What Im looking at doing is finish grading and leveling construction sites for contractors. Ive done some of this for individuals but would prefer working for contractors if I can. Im also working a deal right now, that I hope takes off this spring, to do prep work(leveling, clearing, graveling) for pre manufactured sheds and carports. Basically I would work for the consumer and pay a percentage commission to the shed/carport dealer for recommending me. This shed dealer sells about 100 sheds a year and he says almost 1/2 of them need some sort of prep even if its just a gravel pad. It also helps that Ive got an F350 dump.
Another nich that a friends father makes his entire living at with a John Deere TLB110 is prep for mobile home sites (digging for piers, digging for power and water). He had a smaller JD with a Bushhog BH until last year he just bought the 110. Hes been working with one guy that sells and sets mobile homes for a few years now and that all he needs to do.
Just a couple of ideas to kick around.

 

[40Kchicks]

A contractor in our town has a L series Kubota that he put a fancy laser guided grader blade on the back of it. He finish grades for all sorts of people including lawns, driveways, new construction site prep ect. I see him working all the time in our little town.

I do have to add one thing here. Tractors are great but when I am doing construction I prefer my skid steer. It can move material so much faster and in tighter spots than my tractor can. Skid steer attachments are more expensive but very available. Just something to think about.

Good Luck
Eric

 

[tnuke]

Hey thanks for the reply's Holzter and RayH.

In response to the actual model I think that the L39 will be as small as I can go as I need the hydraulic lifting capacity for lifting the occasional pallet of brick/block.

As to the lot finishing I will def. use the L39 for that. I pour driveways quite frequently and I am always needing to work on the grade and I bet I could cut deals with contractors I work with to do some of the finish grading that needs done.

Maybe this should be another thread but whose hydraulics do you use for your dump bed. I have a F350 with an Aluminum flatbed with foldup sides and curious if I could convet that into a dump bed as well.

Does anyone use their BH for septic work? How about lot mowning/tilling, gravedigging, MX track building etc. There's got to be lots of uses out there.

Tim

(for sale)
~wheelbarrow
~shovel

 

[tnuke]

Hey Eric,

Yeah after I posted this thread last night I found the Construction part of this forum and read through a bunch of their posts and saw a laser operated grader blade which was sweet.

I also have been trying to objectively think about a skidsteer as opposed to the L39 and the perfect scenario would be to have both of course. Having said that, though, since one is all I can afford I think the bota wins out due to the fact that I am more comfortable with the 3 point attachments and the greater capacity and usefullness of the BH.

Give me 3 years though and I will have both.

Tim

 

[RayH]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Maybe this should be another thread but whose hydraulics do you use for your dump bed. I have a F350 with an Aluminum flatbed with foldup sides and curious if I could convet that into a dump bed as well.


(for sale)
~wheelbarrow
~shovel

)</font>
Im not sure who makes the hydraulics. It uses a single large piston, straight linkage, no scissors, and a PTO pump. The body is made by Heil. Ive had 3 tons in it and it pulled it great and the dump hydraulics didnt slow at all. I bought this used and looked long and hard for a manual shift either diesel or big block with 4X4. If I was buying new, I think I would opt for an electric over hydaulic dump though. My PTO dump makes tailgating harder.

Dont get rid of that shovel and wheelbarrow yet, Believe me, you will still need them.

 

[RayH]

My brother in law got a New Holland skid steer and a single axle CDL dump truck about the same time I got my equipment and started doing roughly the same kind of work. His skid steer is much stronger than my tractor and much more manauverable but also much more expensive to maintain and add attachments to. His skid steer doesnt grade or level as well and is a nightmare on hill sides (I live in WV, that played a big part in my decision to get a tractor). My tractor doesnt tear up yards either. On a constustion site, a skid steer is nice but if you plan on entering finished lawns, you may want to stay with the less destructive tractor. The one thing I would change is the backhoe. I would spend my money on a mini trackhoe instead of the BH on the tractor.

 

[40Kchicks]

My concern was that you had never thought about the skid steer option. I’m glad you have and am sure your making the right choice for you. I sure don’t want to get into another skid steer vs tractor debate.

I always thought that the perfect contractor combination was a dump truck, trailer, excavator, dozer, and skid steer. For my farm the perfect combination is a skid steer, tractor and plenty of attachments. The shovel and wheelbarrow are my least favorite but all too often used tools.

Eric