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Calum1
New member
Hi I haven’t been operating to long but naturally the end goal would be to become an owner operator. Just wondering if all the owner operators out there could offer any advice? Any help much appreciated cheers.
TiltyShaun
Well-known member
Find what your market will be by hiring machines to start. No good buying a 13ton of the money where you are is 3ton
doobin
Well-known member
Don't buy Chinese. Buy new, on finance over 5 years and go for it. If I were to have only one machine I'd have a micro digger that I loaded onto the back of a tipper or into a van with ramps. Can do most domestic things on a fiver of diesel, and no transport hassles. At £250-300ish a day it won't set the world on fire though, how much are you on as an op currently?
Where in the country are you and whats your local market like?
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Steve
Well-known member
This also means you always have the right machine for the job you are doing .
JD450A
Feral as Fk 🐾
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Calum1
New member
Hi mate I currently operate
hi mate cheers for the advice , I currently operate a zx130 on mainly archeological digs and muck shifts in and around Lancashire
GazCro
Well-known member
Being blunt but how do you like getting off the seat and using a pick and spade?
doobin
Well-known member
I deduce from the pic that you're not charging enough for your own gear?Oh god..... It's my topic.
I'm a owner operator...... This is today's number. Make of that what you will but it's not my name on the boom today
Focus on the coin.
doobin
Well-known member
Important point. Remember though that you will be charging machine rate for any time you spend hand digging on a domestic dig out, so it's not all bad either!
Is £250 a day a big enough step up from what you are currently earning? Overheads with a micro are very low, but you will be responsible for finding the work and it won't be fortnight long muckshifts either at that end of the scale! Personally I like a new job every couple of days, but something to think about.
Also, if things go south then plenty with a micro will work for £150 a day!
Over five years you'll be paying around £250 a month to hire purchase a decent micro digger brand new, so it's not huge money to worry about.
JD450A
Feral as Fk 🐾
Depends.... Driving is easy money and the choice is very easy when the money is correct
GazCro
Well-known member
The thing is @doobin every penny he's paid there goes in the bank (other than tax man if he's getting the hours in). No fuel, servicing, repairs, tracks etc and you're not scratting on all night getting gear ready for the next day.
doobin
Well-known member
Yup. Which is why I asked if it would be enough of a step up, given what operators are allegedly on currently.
I still maintain that a micro costs absoloutely peanuts to buy and run, however. Hence why if I could only have one machine.... it would be that.
doobin
Well-known member
I guess the thing currently is that big outfits (who are pricing work that you or I wouldn't get a sniff at) are currently desperate for ops due to HS2 etc? Can't say I blame you if the alternative is working for farmer Giles with your 7.5t for farm rates.
I'm aware that I'm living in a very affluent area, so rates for me make others do a double take.
TiltyShaun
Well-known member
I don’t run a micro so can’t judge on how much of a run of work it brings. Being able to move your own machine is a big tick. My Kubota kx71-3 is not new. But boy it brings the money in with a decent run of work for new build plots. The 8ton machine is becoming more or a farm luxury now my nephew has moved on as my market is really in the drive and do the work sector rather than just as a lever puller
JD450A
Feral as Fk 🐾
I expect me and you are equal thereabouts on operated plant hire......
But when the machine is only earning you a extra £50-100 per day before wear and fuel..... Path of least resistance...... I'll be the first to admit I'm lucky, that said it's a case of experience, reliability and ability
If money was no object I'd be driving a timber harvester
But when the machine is only earning you a extra £50-100 per day before wear and fuel..... Path of least resistance...... I'll be the first to admit I'm lucky, that said it's a case of experience, reliability and ability
If money was no object I'd be driving a timber harvester
doobin
Well-known member
What's Mr Baron paying then?I expect me and you are equal thereabouts on operated plant hire......
But when the machine is only earning you a extra £50-100 per day before wear and fuel..... Path of least resistance...... I'll be the first to admit I'm lucky, that said it's a case of experience, reliability and ability
If money was no object I'd be driving a timber harvester
Shovelhands
Well-known member
JD450A
Feral as Fk 🐾
doobin
Well-known member
£400 a day??Same as I can earn a day with the Mini Digger Gross.
JD450A
Feral as Fk 🐾
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