Finally going for it,lorry purchase.

[Smiffy]

Is that not more a pilot error than actually worked hard?

I don't disagree in what you've said, I've several lumps of wood for chocking my beavertail ramp (full width) and I'll position the truck in a certain direct to aid with thongs like uneven ground. Similarly with if I'm going two different places I'll re position the load after one is loaded or unloaded...most probably wouldn't

It may be pilot error but is often brought about by the rush and time pressure put on plant hire drivers. Some of the big companies start getting itchy if the machine isn't left running outside the gate when they turn up.
Also with the miss loading thing it is far easier to do with a plant lorry than anything else.

On this subject check the front axle weight. More than a few are stretched tractor units with very light weight front axles. Meaning that a 13t excavator has to be loaded arm forwards to get the weight distribution right, This makes it harder to get the boom low, more chance of damaging both lorry headboard and machines bucket ram and puts the cab of the machine in the trees. The heavier weight the front axle the more flexibility you have.

 

[6feetdown]

Is that not more a pilot error than actually worked hard?

I don't disagree in what you've said, I've several lumps of wood for chocking my beavertail ramp (full width) and I'll position the truck in a certain direct to aid with thongs like uneven ground. Similarly with if I'm going two different places I'll re position the load after one is loaded or unloaded...most probably wouldn't

direct to aid with thongs

Can't beat a nice 1 but not on a bloke

 

[hiluxman]

Can't beat a nice 1 but not on a bloke

You ought to see what other predictive words that pops up in my texts

 

[jd6820]

My only advice would be buy the best you can afford as a bad truck can cost a fortune to run. Maybe even buy from a main dealer, or at least take a truck mechanic with you.

 

[Furniss]

My only advice would be buy the best you can afford as a bad truck can cost a fortune to run. Maybe even buy from a main dealer, or at least take a truck mechanic with you.

Agreed - I passed up some cheaper trucks and bought from a firm with a long est reputation, no guarantee I suppose but 2nd generation still at it must say something, at least your doing what you can to reduce risk.

 

[Simon edwards]

My only advice would be buy the best you can afford as a bad truck can cost a fortune to run. Maybe even buy from a main dealer, or at least take a truck mechanic with you.

I have to admit to doubling my budget for the right truck if I need to as the you more you look online the dodgier the market looks.I’m comfortable buying plant,Lorrie’s are new to me,I have a good mate with years of experience who will look over any potential purchase with me.

 

[hiluxman]

I have to admit to doubling my budget for the right truck if I need to as the you more you look online the dodgier the market looks.I’m comfortable buying plant,Lorrie’s are new to me,I have a good mate with years of experience who will look over any potential purchase with me.

Just go and look, old or newer can both give issues.

I'd personally buy direct from the operator or owner and not a dealer.

I bought older than I was expecting...but owner op, lorry was absolutely honest. I did same with the 2 other lorries I've bought since.

 

[JD450A]

I'll be honest, buy to a budget and expect to pay double again to get it right..... That goes whether the truck is 4k, 10k or 25k.

Trucks gather defects like Jimmy gathers..... Zero point stretching your budget to buy something mint as it will cost you again.

Just make sure it has minimal rust and ideally a fresh plating/MOT

 

[Simon edwards]

Cheers guys, sound advice ,makes a lot of sense.

 

[Furniss]

I'll be honest, buy to a budget and expect to pay double again to get it right..... That goes whether the truck is 4k, 10k or 25k.

Trucks gather defects like Jimmy gathers..... Zero point stretching your budget to buy something mint as it will cost you again.

Just make sure it has minimal rust and ideally a fresh plating/MOT

Go on il risk saying it mine hasn't wanted anything apart from pads in 3.5 years

 

[V8Druid]

Go on il risk saying it mine hasn't wanted anything apart from pads in 3.5 years

WTF did that go ?????

 

[Simon edwards]

Go on il risk saying it mine hasn't wanted anything apart from pads in 3.5 years

What age and model,might be worth looking out for similar.

 

[Furniss]

2014 Mercedes Axor 1829
V Basic Tuck inside (which is fine by me) but might not suit everyone.
Manual box - ok for our job - not a lot of expérience but id prob want auto for any other work
On air - rocks a bit loaded but its very handy for us suits skip n ipppibg work.
Built like a tank underneath and goes well.

Don't see a lot about - think it was a poverty spec fleet truck model but less bullshit the better afaic

 

[JD450A]

2014 Mercedes Axor 1829
V Basic Tuck inside (which is fine by me) but might not suit everyone.
Manual box - ok for our job - not a lot of expérience but id prob want auto for any other work
On air - rocks a bit loaded but its very handy for us suits skip n ipppibg work.
Built like a tank underneath and goes well.

Don't see a lot about - think it was a poverty spec fleet truck model but less bullshit the better afaic

As said at the time, bombproof trucks.

 

[Furniss]

As said at the time, bombproof trucks.

Yep i remember you said "buy it" straight off

 

[Simon edwards]

2014 Mercedes Axor 1829
V Basic Tuck inside (which is fine by me) but might not suit everyone.
Manual box - ok for our job - not a lot of expérience but id prob want auto for any other work
On air - rocks a bit loaded but its very handy for us suits skip n ipppibg work.
Built like a tank underneath and goes well.

Don't see a lot about - think it was a poverty spec fleet truck model but less bullshit the better afaic

Sounds good to me, less crap the better, to be fair most of my driving was in Australia years ago on some right old heaps and then good Old Ford cargos back here ,not much since so anything slightly modern will seem pretty slick, my work runabout is an Isuzu grafter which is about as basic as you get, fancy an auto ideally though as my left ankle is f###ked.
Learnt in this old beaut,crash box,no power steering,terrifying at the time.

 

[jd6820]

I'll be honest, buy to a budget and expect to pay double again to get it right..... That goes whether the truck is 4k, 10k or 25k.

Trucks gather defects like Jimmy gathers..... Zero point stretching your budget to buy something mint as it will cost you again.

Just make sure it has minimal rust and ideally a fresh plating/MOT

That's the approach we took and whilst we now have a truck we know and have replaced most of the aftertreatment system and major wearing parts it hasn't half been annoying leaving the yard a day after being in the mechanics shop and then another light appear on the dash... Thing is with trucks it is much less stressful to run legit than try and cut corners. We didn't buy massively high mileage (670,000km) but it has had a life before we got it. Good clean chassis but last owner wasn't a fixer he just mapped the problems away and let things build up. Our first issue was buying with a spec in mind AND a budget. The two don't really go hand in hand unless you land in the right place at the right time. Hence my advice on spending a bit more on a genuine looked after truck rather than cheaper end of market.

 

[Furniss]

That's the approach we took and whilst we now have a truck we know and have replaced most of the aftertreatment system and major wearing parts it hasn't half been annoying leaving the yard a day after being in the mechanics shop and then another light appear on the dash... Thing is with trucks it is much less stressful to run legit than try and cut corners. We didn't buy massively high mileage (670,000km) but it has had a life before we got it. Good clean chassis but last owner wasn't a fixer he just mapped the problems away and let things build up. Our first issue was buying with a spec in mind AND a budget. The two don't really go hand in hand unless you land in the right place at the right time. Hence my advice on spending a bit more on a genuine looked after truck rather than cheaper end of market.

What is it your truck ?

 

[jd6820]

What is it your truck ?

A Scania R490, probably the worst model to buy according to my Scania mechanic... EGR, VGT Turbo etc... But to be fair it now pulls well and seems a good bus now we've worked out the kinks.

 

[6feetdown]

Here's some info