The Life of a Custom Mowing contractor

[Hay Dude]

If it's cheap and easy to fix, why don't you get a couple spares to keep on the shelf? Unless they are all different shapes/sizes? You know your equipment and your business, I was just suggesting...

Because my business is very thin on profits and keeping thousands of dollars in parts laying around ties up cash flow
I do keep filters, oils, grease, twine, etc on hand, but not occassional need expensive parts

 

[Gregster613]

Because my business is very thin on profits and keeping thousands of dollars in parts laying around ties up cash flow
I do keep filters, oils, grease, twine, etc on hand, but not occassional need expensive parts

Gottcha HayDude, I was just suggesting and I seem to recall you said it was a cheap/cheaper part in your earlier post. I probably misread it. You said it was an easy fix so I guess I thought cheap also. Sorry.

 

[Hay Dude]

Gottcha HayDude, I was just suggesting and I seem to recall you said it was a cheap/cheaper part in your earlier post. I probably misread it. You said it was an easy fix so I guess I thought cheap also. Sorry.

It was at first, then the repair developed “scope creep”. Turns out I broke a billhook. Now it gets a lot more complicated.
Here I am at Messicks this morning to pick up parts in Mount Joy(less) location.

Now back at the shop. I have to drive out this 5/32nds roll pin to extract the billhook assembly. It’s really hard to get to with a pin punch and a hammer.

Here’s the broken billhook removed.

All said & done, 3+ hours of driving and 1-2 hours shop time to install.
Parts were $291.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Because my business is very thin on profits and keeping thousands of dollars in parts laying around ties up cash flow
I do keep filters, oils, grease, twine, etc on hand, but not occassional need expensive parts

I've found that keeping parts around tends to reduce the need for them. But that bill hook isn't cheep....

 

[RayIN]

As Hay Dude said, maintaining an inventory of needed parts is expensive; that's why Messicks and other farm suppliers have to order parts when requested, cuts down on overhead.
The strange thing is, the U.S.A. taught Japan industry this method of reducing overhead after WWII. We(American Industry) forgot about that and began maintaining a huge inventory until after Vietnam.
Then American industry woke up-so to speak and began purchasing needed parts by the "just-in-time" method; by the time they used the last part, the new shipment was departing receiving enroute to the assembly line.

 

[Hay Dude]

Theoretically, I can get parts same day from some dealers. If you want to pay for a driver, they will drive a part to you. Probably costs you plenty. I’ve only done that once.

 

[Gregster613]

Theoretically, I can get parts same day from some dealers. If you want to pay for a driver, they will drive a part to you. Probably costs you plenty. I’ve only done that once.

At 300.00 for parts I see rapidly what you mean. I was thinking 40-60 maybe.

 

[Hay Dude]

At 300.00 for parts I see rapidly what you mean. I was thinking 40-60 maybe.

At first on Friday, when all I saw was a broken twine guide, that was true. We replaced the twine guide, fired up tractor and baler and tried to tie a bale. Knotter failed up top. I felt around the back of knotter #4 and felt its billhook tongue was missing.
Thats when I knew I was into more parts and time.
Turns out it was a lousy baling day anyway.

 

[BleedingOrange]

Haydude, you could be the poster boy for GETERDUN. ! Great work. Find the problem, fix the problem, get moving ahead again.

 

[sixdogs]

Funny you say that. I always figure on poor picture quality because I’m usually taking pictures behind cab glass thats really dirty.

Don't even think poor pictures. I look forward to the land, job, equipment and repair photos. They tell the story to go with the words.