Snow Plowing for profit

[Old Red]

When did "Man Toys" become so expensive? When working and raising kids couldn't afford them. Now that I am retired, still can't afford them because the costs are ridiculous.

I retired 12 years ago and spent $6K on a '91 F-350 with a snowplow. 2 years ago, I found a Troy-Bilt riding tractor with a 3' snow blower for $300. I see UTV's are selling for $8-20K and while great fun are out of my league.

They are pricey but it is one purchase I have not regretted. Back in 2010 when I bought it I had actually just sold a business. Took $10 grand of it and splurged on this ranger...I have way more in it now by adding a cab, stereo, plow... as they are nothing but tools used by manufacturers to sell accessories. I did take rest of cash and paid off wifey student loans and invested the rest. Very handy machines to have around, but they just keep getting more and more expensive. A good old honda 300 2 wheel drive machine can be had four about $1,500 and it will probably last your lifetime and do everything you need it to.

 

[Doofy]

After surviving divorce, I splurged on pity toys...a Suzuki King Quad and a Arctic Cat Bearcat snowmobile. Still both running strong. That was in '94. Where has the time gone?

My last and final splurge was my tractor. Could have certainly lived without it. Really didn't need a brand spankin' new one but the Wife decided I did.

 

[timswi]

Nice!!. I like the speed of the Rangers.

 

[timswi]

When did "Man Toys" become so expensive? When working and raising kids couldn't afford them. Now that I am retired, still can't afford them because the costs are ridiculous.

I retired 12 years ago and spent $6K on a '91 F-350 with a snowplow. 2 years ago, I found a Troy-Bilt riding tractor with a 3' snow blower for $300. I see UTV's are selling for $8-20K and while great fun are out of my league.

Yeah they are expensive--But not Man Toys---They are Man TOOLS! ...Anyway, I agree--I have about 60k tied up in my three Kubotas but I don't regret any of it. When I bought my first one, a 2004 BX23, I was literally sick to my stomach after finalizing the deal. Had a pickup with 175k on it and the 20k I just dumped made me literally sick...Best purchase I ever made and am glad I did it...I do agree though, I had just built a new house and my daughter is disabled, so there were additional expenses. Having a supportive and understanding wife helps a lot--She saw what I was trying to do manually and she said "Go get what you need"--WOOHoo!

 

[Old Red]

Yeah they are expensive--But not Man Toys---They are Man TOOLS! ...Anyway, I agree--I have about 60k tied up in my three Kubotas but I don't regret any of it. When I bought my first one, a 2004 BX23, I was literally sick to my stomach after finalizing the deal. Had a pickup with 175k on it and the 20k I just dumped made me literally sick...Best purchase I ever made and am glad I did it...I do agree though, I had just built a new house and my daughter is disabled, so there were additional expenses. Having a supportive and understanding wife helps a lot--She saw what I was trying to do manually and she said "Go get what you need"--WOOHoo!

That 60K tied up in the equipment you are refeffering to is not like having $60K tied up in a car - mega depreciation - or vacation, gone when you get back.....you can have a sale and get some of your investment back. I keep a net work statement up to date every 3 months and all my equipment is valued conservatively (what I think I could get at auction) and a part of my net worth.

When I bought my duramax pickup truck 8 years ago this month I was literally sick for a week. It is Chevy 2500 LTZ 2007.5 model diesel. I paid $35K for it and today I think it is still worth in the $20K + range. 146,000 miles. I plan to drive it until the wheels fall off. I vowed that week during those sleepless sick nights I would wear this thing out and never buy another one again because of an itch.....

 

[Doofy]

Yeah they are expensive--But not Man Toys---They are Man TOOLS! ...Anyway, I agree--I have about 60k tied up in my three Kubotas but I don't regret any of it. When I bought my first one, a 2004 BX23, I was literally sick to my stomach after finalizing the deal. Had a pickup with 175k on it and the 20k I just dumped made me literally sick...Best purchase I ever made and am glad I did it...I do agree though, I had just built a new house and my daughter is disabled, so there were additional expenses. Having a supportive and understanding wife helps a lot--She saw what I was trying to do manually and she said "Go get what you need"--WOOHoo!

Hahahaha. "MAN TOOLS" Gotta remember that one! Yes, a supportive Wife is Priceless. Mine calls my 3135 "Bufords Heavy Equipment" and giggles.

I just now got the garage cleaned out and decided to put the tractor away. Swept 20" of compacted, frozen snow off the thing, plugged the block heater in for about 20 minutes and she fired right up. The glow plugs never even cycled. Drove it right out, moved some snow piles that the plow truck couldn't move any farther and put her to bed. I was impressed.