Glen1978
Well-Known Member
We run a small contracting business. Land clearing, pads, ponds, driveways, etc. Currently have a Kubota skid steer, and Deere 450J LGP machine. To get into bigger clearing we need to put an excavator on. Ive looked at all sizes 30k, 40k, 50k machines. Seems most prefer that 50k machine and its the most popular. Problem is moving it.
We currently move our machinery with Dodge truck and Freightliner single axle cabover with either 25' 14k trailer or 30' 20k dual tandem. We also have a tandem Peterbilt cabover we are building at the moment. So dont have a trailer to move any size hoe and are limited to what the single axle can do. Not 100% sure I could get a 160 size hoe behind the single axle and be within weight tolerances.....at least on axle weights. Texas has one trip OW/OW permits for $210 or a yr one for $4k. Can do 90 day over width but they dont offer a 90 day weight one. So we are contemplating several things.
1.) Is a 30k hoe big enough? Not many big tracts left here....mainly small and most dont want big trees taken down. Keep our single axle and smaller hoe?
2.) Sell the single axle and get the Pete finished (hire out moving in meantime), buy bigger machine. 210 size, 160 size
3.) Do you need a RGN trailer to move a 50k machine or can you run them up ramps on a 30 ton lowboy?
Im just lost on which way we should head. We arent into commercial big work. Most folks around here run 30k machines and seem to be fine. Id like a little more ass I think but seem alot of folks say the 160 machines are tippy due to being narrow/tall.
Sorry for the long rant. Just need a little advice.
We currently move our machinery with Dodge truck and Freightliner single axle cabover with either 25' 14k trailer or 30' 20k dual tandem. We also have a tandem Peterbilt cabover we are building at the moment. So dont have a trailer to move any size hoe and are limited to what the single axle can do. Not 100% sure I could get a 160 size hoe behind the single axle and be within weight tolerances.....at least on axle weights. Texas has one trip OW/OW permits for $210 or a yr one for $4k. Can do 90 day over width but they dont offer a 90 day weight one. So we are contemplating several things.
1.) Is a 30k hoe big enough? Not many big tracts left here....mainly small and most dont want big trees taken down. Keep our single axle and smaller hoe?
2.) Sell the single axle and get the Pete finished (hire out moving in meantime), buy bigger machine. 210 size, 160 size
3.) Do you need a RGN trailer to move a 50k machine or can you run them up ramps on a 30 ton lowboy?
Im just lost on which way we should head. We arent into commercial big work. Most folks around here run 30k machines and seem to be fine. Id like a little more ass I think but seem alot of folks say the 160 machines are tippy due to being narrow/tall.
Sorry for the long rant. Just need a little advice.