Is the backhoe loader a thing of the past?

S

Stroppymonkey

Well-known member
Nick... said:
£55 hour is just ridiculous.most of us must be on nearly that for 2.5/3 ton machines.ive not had a backhoe since 2009 and not had a call for one since.when i started full time with my avatar it was costing a pound a clock hour for tyres and I was on £17 in 2001.backhoes need to be at least £70 but ill agree people dont want to pay.getting fewer and fewer about these days and not many ops who are any good on them either.i dont know what the answer is.just seems a big race to the bottom
nick...
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Plenty round me running 2.6-6 ton machines with qualified ops on white derv for less than £40 an hour .
 
JD450A

JD450A

Feral as Fk 🐾
The answer TBH is building small networks of reliable and loyal customers and not getting greedy. Not everyones cup of tea, but I've just sat down and done my Invoicing.
£1000 odd for a stoning up/wrap up job that we recieved via a friend. We had already been in for his firm to do footings etc. Sent at 9am, paid by 10. Two days work with a lad and the wheeldigger used for a day just to get dumpies up the driveway.
Theres a 5k bill sent out for the past two weeks on another job.... that'll be paid within 24hrs I suspect.
£350 for a day out with the mini digger.
Now in fairness It's not set the world alight money. But there are no overheads with this beyond machine costs and diesel.
IMHO most get greedy and wind up on price jobs that never quite work out. The other one I get to hear is "I'm only starting out so I need to be cheaper to attract customers" which is fkn bollocks.
 
Simon edwards

Simon edwards

Well-known member
Gunners said:
I’m not done yet Doob, I just don’t currently have one.
And I’m definitely done with Avants! They can go to hell😆 Even managed to get through an entire Chelsea without driving one and my temper is all the better for it
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Sorry to hear you’ve got rid of it.looked a very tidy machine.
I’m personally considering moving mine on when the warranty runs out and very possibly buying another tidy p12 and a lower houred 6tonner, I just can’t see this 3cx as nice as it is being anything but a headache over time .
Shame we have to view modern kit this way especially consideringthe massive initial investment .
 
Simon edwards

Simon edwards

Well-known member
JD450A said:
The answer TBH is building small networks of reliable and loyal customers and not getting greedy. Not everyones cup of tea, but I've just sat down and done my Invoicing.
£1000 odd for a stoning up/wrap up job that we recieved via a friend. We had already been in for his firm to do footings etc. Sent at 9am, paid by 10. Two days work with a lad and the wheeldigger used for a day just to get dumpies up the driveway.
Theres a 5k bill sent out for the past two weeks on another job.... that'll be paid within 24hrs I suspect.
£350 for a day out with the mini digger.
Now in fairness It's not set the world alight money. But there are no overheads with this beyond machine costs and diesel.
IMHO most get greedy and wind up on price jobs that never quite work out. The other one I get to hear is "I'm only starting out so I need to be cheaper to attract customers" which is fkn bollocks.
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I think you’re bang on there, this game can be very high risk and like yourself I favour sensible rates and regular customers, over the course of a year all the small paid invoices amount to a steady sustainable business, my preference over risky pricework for unknown customers!
 
S

Stroppymonkey

Well-known member
Stroppymonkey said:
Devon Cornwall border . One local Op runs 2x towable and 2x6t, all newish gear . Owner Op and couple lads. Chap I borrow the Kubota from is £37. BIL is £46 with his 6t Kubota ….
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But to be fair … they are probably taking home the same money as me on running heating and plumbing company. Our hourly rates are nearly £60…. But overheads in running a compliant service based construction company these days are obscene ☹️.
 
Lancs Lad

Lancs Lad

Well-known member
JD450A said:
The answer TBH is building small networks of reliable and loyal customers and not getting greedy. Not everyones cup of tea, but I've just sat down and done my Invoicing.
£1000 odd for a stoning up/wrap up job that we recieved via a friend. We had already been in for his firm to do footings etc. Sent at 9am, paid by 10. Two days work with a lad and the wheeldigger used for a day just to get dumpies up the driveway.
Theres a 5k bill sent out for the past two weeks on another job.... that'll be paid within 24hrs I suspect.
£350 for a day out with the mini digger.
Now in fairness It's not set the world alight money. But there are no overheads with this beyond machine costs and diesel.
IMHO most get greedy and wind up on price jobs that never quite work out. The other one I get to hear is "I'm only starting out so I need to be cheaper to attract customers" which is fkn bollocks.
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The voice of reason.
Grandad always said....
"A sale is not a sale till the invoice is paid"
 
J

jimmy

Member
The old girl left last week after 32yrs here and 42yrs of service
 

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J

jimmy

Member
6feetdown said:
A good life
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Was in two minds if she should go or not but was offered a 1200hr 2013 sitemaster cheap that I know is genuine hours and had a man chasing to buy the old one if I ever sold it. It should be a white cab but cab was bent in an accident 20yrs ago and a black one put on. Will be nice to have 4wd 4in1 extra dig etc now as well as some more comfort. Will be on farm work loading bales and seed in the field to keep the telehandler working on the yard much as it will be digging with us.
 
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