downsizing equipment

[bearmtnmartin]

hi all,
just doing my year end, and looking at some of my expenses. The big jump in fuel makes me wonder if I might be better off selling off my big equipment and downsizing everything. I currently do new systems (about 1/3 each ATU's sand mounds and conventional stone and pipe) and a lot of repairs. I do most of it with a full size rubber tire backhoe which I pull with a tandem dump truck. I spend a few thousand every year renting or hiring small equipment. Its always worked well for me, but I know that doing the same work with something I can pull behind a pickup truck wouldn't take a whole lot longer, and I would probably burn way less fuel and spend less on maintenance. So I'm wondering how many installers use big equipment, and how many use small equipment. Any thoughts?

[COLE_Jeff]

Coincidentally, there is an article on downsizing equipment in the April Issue of Onsite Installer on page 24.

http://www.onsiteinstaller.com/editorial/801/2008/04

[hockeyologist]

I use a 25 horse power excavator to install new systems , and pull behind a 1 ton truck and can do anything the big boys do, just takes a little longer.

[KPToilets]

you will not save that much money towing with a smaller truck. Most ton trucks might get 10-14 mpg when towing. The tires are cheaper but won't make it to 25,000 mile when 22.5 will go 40,000+. The stopping power of a big truck so much better to. In my area most contractor use 8,000 to 10,000 lbs min-ex and 6,000 to 8,000 lbs skidd loader and tow with a ton truck. Most wish for a little single axel dump truck but don't buy one because of the insurance and they still need a pick-up to so they upgrade to the diesel ton truck instead of a 1/2 ton and a 2 ton truck.

[hockeyologist]

Sterling has come out with a heavy duty ton and a half truck comparable to the Ford f-550's and GM 's 5500's that will pull anything you put behind it up to 20,000lbs and get 15 to 18 mpg doing it , Check it out !!!

[supersepticman]

about 8 months ago, we officially downsized to smaller equipment. We use a 35D and 50D Deere mini ex and a bobcat T190 with a few attachments. We still have our larger loaders and backhoes, but we haven't "needed" to use those since I switched over. We are in north florida and we average about 4-5 installs a week, ranging in new, atu, mound, repair and larger commercial systems. I use a 30' rolls rite goose neck, tandem axle, dual wheel, low profile trailer. I pull it with a new d-max 2500 (shoulda got the 1-ton), which i bought before we fully downsized. With fuel costs like they are, we are looking at alternatives, because even with the smaller truck, i only get 10-12 miles per gallon. Bobcat small equipment is great. The greatest advantage is insurance, and job cleanup is a lot quicker and easier with the small equipment.

[Bumgarnerpottys]

We still have the big equipment. However we do lot clearing and grading as well. But due to fuel and manpower we are going more toward the smaller equipment.