semi operating cost

[fbaurley]

I was wondering what the average cost ,insurance, fet, plates ,etc would be to put a ten year old road tractor and trailer on the road. I have noticed, tha older semis are cheap, and have been needing a way to transport my 18,000lb dozer, I farm, therfore i should be able to get away with farm plates.

 

[R.E. Miller]

I work for a "C", and our shop labor rate is over $80 per hour. This might shine a tiny beam of light for you.



Russell

 

[QRTRHRS]

Not sure about your state but in PA we have three farm tag rates. They vary with miles of operation, inspection/non inspection daylight only or other than daylight operation. I had my dump registered at 33k. No CDL needed even with air brakes. My tag was for 12 miles away from the farm, daylight and cost 50 bucks for two years. Insurance off the top of my head maybe 75-150 a year through my farm policy. With any of the PA farm tags, you can go a bit further for something like to take it to a repair shop, etc. The big thing is usage must be for your operation. When push comes to shove, they absolutely do not want to see you haul even say one load of stone for your neighbors driveway. Or, using your dozer to grade so and so's lot, etc.



So, plates and insurance can be not to bad depending on your needs. However we license here though, the rig must be able to pass DOT safety checks. Older semi's can be had for cheap but like Russell said, 80 bucks per hour is not. Can you fix it yourself?



That said, I will tell you about a guy I ran with around 1975. I was hauling steel for small fleet owner who was struggling to survive as were the one truck OO's. Due to the length reg's at that time most were running cab over's. This one guy had picked up a White day cab for about ten grand. Small engine even for that time, maybe a 250 Cummins with a ten speed. He had bought well and this little White ran good. He had that paid off and was making money. So, you don't always need the latest and the greatest.

 

[krohn]

Alot :--)

 

[fbaurley]

The maintenace , would not be a problem, unless something major happened. I would try to buy a rig in good shape, and not be putting over 1500 miles a year on it. Compared with what these rigs are made to run I am not worried about taking the chance,on maintenance costs. I guess Ill do some checking with the Indiana Dot and BMV.

 

[esommer2500]

No doubt, right now it is a buyers market on almost any kind of iron. The question becomes how well can you play the numbers game? Since you are in IN, as I am, I would advise against using farm plates if you are using the dozer for ANYONE other than yourself. I am in Building Construction Management at Purdue, and we just got done going through some of these scenario's in an accounting class. Not pretty. Check it all out, including the truck/trailer you plan to buy. If you are only planning to haul a small dozer, you won't need anything major, could probably even get away with a single axle.



Do your homework and good luck.



Want to rent your dozer?Oo.



Eric

 

[QRTRHRS]

Yeah, sounds like Indiana's like PA with the farm tags. The PA state police have an info booth at the yearly farm show. Taking advantage of this, I had a lengthy conversation with an officer about tags. He was adament about not doing for others with the farm tags. Like alot of things people do and get away with, it's fine until you maybe get cought. Then it's gonna cost.



Depending on your needs, a dump with a tag along trailer can be pretty versatile too. There are always plenty of dumps on the market or pick up a road tractor and have the body put on.



Tandem dually tag alongs can carrying a pretty good gvw are readily available.

 

[speedracer]

I do OTR 48 state operation, so I don't know much about farm tags and very local operation. But, fet only applies to new equipment.

 

[Champane Flight]

Solid

You need to get something solid, with a good lowboy trailer for the dozer. What size depends on the dozer? You will probably be looking at around 30,000. 00 for a solid older tractor and trailer. Then plates, fuel permits, insurance, and other costs like tiedowns, oversize permits? Of course if you have other hauling needs, like hay, grain, cattle, and things of this nature it might pay for itself. Good luck.