Curtain side Luton with a tail lift sounds like it would be right up your alley 😊 it would fit pallets lovely and allow you to use a set of pump trucks to move your logs around when a forklift isn’t available.
I would say only 50% of my customers have a drive way that allows a pump truck and I would say id loose a good few if I couldn’t put the bag as close to the house as I do now
@@oakfarmfirewoodthe grafter is the ideal tool for domestic deliveries, but for commercial a nicely lettered up transit Luton with a power pump truck would be the business
If you own a piece of iron you will make more money than rentals or payments. I drive desiel trucks to 500000 which gives me 5 to 7 years of “free” usage. Repairs are cheaper than payments. Good luck! Iron will always be a liability
each to there own,, but i think id keep the pickup you have ... if its serviced as it should be,, then it is very unlikely to give you bother and would be cheaper to drive it into the ground,,,, if you dont have repayments to make on something that depricates then your cash flow is better, and you have more cash to invest in the business,,, and you never know,,, what oppertunitys are around the corner,, that the cash would be handy for,,,, you will get the same price for firewood what ever way its delivered.
In my fleets, ive always noticed the cost to run most vehicles and equipment is the same. A payment or repairs or a mixture of both. Pick the balance that works for your and your income. We had an old fleet when we expanded and it cost us exactly the same as payments not counting down time. The last 3 months my repair bill for 32k and i own part of the auto shop so we went and bought 9 new pickups. Still have a few old ones for lower mileage uses or spare
Once you own your equipment you are going to have more profit. The issue is possible downtime which always comes when you least need it to happen. If you can afford it, trade it in for a new one after 5 years. Warranty can be extended by the dealer when they resell, so don’t worry about that, no need to sell after 4 years.
We have a 2007 L200 single cab, 198k’s on the clock and keeps going. Cost me £2500 10 years ago! There’s no reason why yours couldn’t do the same. The repair bills won’t be any where the payments. It’s a bad year if it costs £250 a year to keep on the road.
Good to hear the orders are coming in again. It must be so hard to keep focused through summertime with little to no money coming in. Gotta say that little crane is worth its weight in gold for that job mate, When you were 1st talking about getting one I couldn't see the logic of it tbh but hey, Its paying off nicely by saving your back & shoulders. You really need to start taking a short ladder/steps with you though... Makes me cringe seeing you climbing about on the load like you do. As you strap down the bags anyway it'd be no extra hassle just to lay a short ladder on top before you strap.
Your second vehicle will come to its own when the business grows and you hire help to drive deliveries. Its coming. Just dont leave the dunny paper on the dash. The second timber deck for the palax will drive the business forward,,,, when one comes available jump on it.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news Archie but your D-Max does have a DPF filter. The DPF collects exhaust soot particles and the AdBlue system treats the exhaust to lower nitrous oxide levels. The two systems have a different purpose.
@@oakfarmfirewood It probably regens when you are out and about on the motorway so you probably wouldn't notice. Roughly speaking about every 500 km's or so depending on your loads etc.
I work on a lot of Isuzu engines in Takeuchi and case excavators and there are a few Isuzu grafters and d max trucks on the fleet and I can’t say a bad thing about them have seen them go for over 13000 hours and never been opened up. Yes the trucks are a bit agricultural but bullet proof yours has plenty of life left in it yet id say
Curtain side Luton with a tail lift sounds like it would be right up your alley 😊 it would fit pallets lovely and allow you to use a set of pump trucks to move your logs around when a forklift isn’t available.
I would say only 50% of my customers have a drive way that allows a pump truck and I would say id loose a good few if I couldn’t put the bag as close to the house as I do now
But to replace the dmax, yes that is a possibility
@@oakfarmfirewoodthe grafter is the ideal tool for domestic deliveries, but for commercial a nicely lettered up transit Luton with a power pump truck would be the business
Its a backup truck at this point so I wouldn't just replace it to keep it new (unless you are also using this as your personal daily).
If you own a piece of iron you will make more money than rentals or payments. I drive desiel trucks to 500000 which gives me 5 to 7 years of “free” usage. Repairs are cheaper than payments. Good luck! Iron will always be a liability
Interesting thanks
Your other wheels covered your truck in mud to the point where the livery couldnt be seen. If you put them back on get proper size mud gards too.
Personally there is a certain something to be said for the factory wheels never mind the cost saving
each to there own,, but i think id keep the pickup you have ... if its serviced as it should be,, then it is very unlikely to give you bother and would be cheaper to drive it into the ground,,,, if you dont have repayments to make on something that depricates then your cash flow is better, and you have more cash to invest in the business,,, and you never know,,, what oppertunitys are around the corner,, that the cash would be handy for,,,, you will get the same price for firewood what ever way its delivered.
In my fleets, ive always noticed the cost to run most vehicles and equipment is the same. A payment or repairs or a mixture of both. Pick the balance that works for your and your income.
We had an old fleet when we expanded and it cost us exactly the same as payments not counting down time. The last 3 months my repair bill for 32k and i own part of the auto shop so we went and bought 9 new pickups. Still have a few old ones for lower mileage uses or spare
Wow that’s impressive! Cheers
@@oakfarmfirewood thanks. Love watching your growth in your business. You're very good at seeing efficiency
went past your Aztec pals on way to East Grinstead yesterday, lads have got some nice kit
They sure do!
Thanks for the review I'd asked for. Could I ask for a recommendation for an entry level processor for mainly Sitka spruce?
Depends on what size you are getting up to? If it’s smaller the palax c750 is a great machine
Once you own your equipment you are going to have more profit. The issue is possible downtime which always comes when you least need it to happen. If you can afford it, trade it in for a new one after 5 years. Warranty can be extended by the dealer when they resell, so don’t worry about that, no need to sell after 4 years.
Thanks for your input
We have a 2007 L200 single cab, 198k’s on the clock and keeps going. Cost me £2500 10 years ago!
There’s no reason why yours couldn’t do the same. The repair bills won’t be any where the payments. It’s a bad year if it costs £250 a year to keep on the road.
That’s very good going 👍🏼
Good to hear the orders are coming in again. It must be so hard to keep focused through summertime with little to no money coming in. Gotta say that little crane is worth its weight in gold for that job mate, When you were 1st talking about getting one I couldn't see the logic of it tbh but hey, Its paying off nicely by saving your back & shoulders. You really need to start taking a short ladder/steps with you though... Makes me cringe seeing you climbing about on the load like you do. As you strap down the bags anyway it'd be no extra hassle just to lay a short ladder on top before you strap.
Thanks! Yeah it does get hard but it’s all part of running a business I guess! Yeah good idea
Your second vehicle will come to its own when the business grows and you hire help to drive deliveries. Its coming. Just dont leave the dunny paper on the dash.
The second timber deck for the palax will drive the business forward,,,, when one comes available jump on it.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news Archie but your D-Max does have a DPF filter. The DPF collects exhaust soot particles and the AdBlue system treats the exhaust to lower nitrous oxide levels. The two systems have a different purpose.
How weird I’ve never seen or heard it doing a regen?
@@oakfarmfirewood Not all vans do a regen that you would notice. If they get sufficient higher revs running, many will be just fine.
Interesting thanks
@@oakfarmfirewood It probably regens when you are out and about on the motorway so you probably wouldn't notice. Roughly speaking about every 500 km's or so depending on your loads etc.
@6point5by55 it has never come up with a light or anything.
Just out of interest, how did you quickly get all your old order email addresses? Is there a quick way? Cheers
I use woo commerce, my website guy managed to do it… sorry I don’t know the details
🏴👍
I work on a lot of Isuzu engines in Takeuchi and case excavators and there are a few Isuzu grafters and d max trucks on the fleet and I can’t say a bad thing about them have seen them go for over 13000 hours and never been opened up. Yes the trucks are a bit agricultural but bullet proof yours has plenty of life left in it yet id say
Nice to hear! Thanks
You should really have some weight in the tray when towing three ton on a trailer
No need with correct tongue weight
5.5t tipper van? 4x4 even 🤷♂️
I don’t sell many loose loads if I’m honest