difference maker

[koolhandlinc]

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So my buddy have a lease of 770 acres and cattle etc. Hes struggling and it seems his business will not make it.

We have been discussing his situation at length. I figured that 2 travel to and return from the pasture costs 25 dollars in fuel each trip. HD2500 diesel

So I asked him if he has thought much about this.

I begin crunching numbers making ruff estimates. He isn't a busniess man but more a good old boy. He really is a good guy but never did well putting down numbers.

So I am running down the numbers and finally it comes to light that for the last 4 years if he had been getting 25 mpg average. He would not be about to claim bankruptcy.

So of course I bring up a new truck coming out that will get somewhere more than 25mpg, have a 4 cyl. diesel engine, have a bed rated capacity of more than 2000 pounds and will pull a trailer better than any standard duty pickup. (I guessed the trailer capacity at 8000 pounds)

Then he says to me, I could not pull my cattle trailer full of cattle. I pointed out that I could never remember it being full except when we helped out another guy and took a load of calves for him. So I suggested that it is better to make 2 trips once a year and get 25mpg average then to 1 time a year haul a full trailer but get less than 15 mpg average! (15mpg is his best)

I asked him what would happen if he sold the big trailers, 1 is a fifth wheel flat bed and the other a long cattle hauler. We hauled 27 medium sized calves about 1 month ago. and the flat bed fifth wheel is longer than 36 feet.

So he began thinking and we kept talking about this. Now he is decided he will sell his trailers. Then later he will get a Mahindra! hahahaha so now he see's the light!

So the MPG of one of these trucks combined with the capacity will be the difference maker for the people who are wise to see the affect on the bottom line.........

I see a difference maker

[gandrimp]

One of the best things I did over the summer is let someone else do my hauling. Saved me 2000.00 just in tires and probably that much in fuel.Brakes cost just under a 1000.00 a year.Dont think Ill ever sell my trailer but it sets alot more now, and if I had a little diesel the duramax would set alot more too. I need 4x4 and the little gas trucks dont get much better than what I got now.

[AsphaltCowboy]

By getting the Mahindra truck he could save a lot just running around on the farm. I know it doesn't seem like your doing that much driving until you look at the actual numbers.

You mentioned it's towing capacity. Thats a figure that I have yet to find. Does anyone know what the exact numbers are.

[koolhandlinc]

I was guessing at what they will end up with.

from reading on here I don't think the final numbers are out yet.

I did a little thread here about tires. Something that came from looking at the tires was looking at the trucks. Its surprizing how many 1/2 ton (F150's for example) are being used.

Then while at the sale barn I began looking at how many cattle are on the trailers. Mostly the people don't take full loads. Just as my friend, they have a extra heavy duty truck and an extra large trailer then rarely run fully loaded.

So seeing the number of trailers not fully loaded lead my to suggest a truck that can haul such a heavy load but its only used to do this once or twice a year isn't worth the lost fuel economy over a years time. Better to once or twice a year make 2 trips! The over all savings would really pay for its self.

It seems to me that this truck will be what a good business person would choose.

[mdcheif]

The Mahrindra sure has a lot of utility. I'm glad you made your friend realize that he should downsize to something more efficient. Since it is his business... I will say that is his current truck paid off? Have you considered what he will pay in interest if he has to finance a Mahindra? Let me know after you crunch those numbers

[gomjabber]

This sounds like a discussion after a 12 pack of Bud.

If that Mahindra is rated for 8k lbs towing I will buy you one.
Again, I don't know of anyone on this board who has driven one yet so I think calculations and perceived fuel savings are really premature.

[olds88]

sorry but it looks like it will not be 8,000lb but 5,000 would be nice DFW Mahindra Trucks SUV 4x4 Dealership Arlington Dallas Ft. Worth Texas India Home Page DFW Mahindra will sell the Mahindra Pickup Truck, also called the Mahindra Diesel, Mahindra Diesel Hybrid, Mahindra Hybrid, Mahindra Truck, Mahindra Trucks or Mah

[koolhandlinc]

At one point the flier says 5000 pound towing capacity and another it says estimated. That's still in line with an entry level standard duty full size competing lines.

No drinking going on here.

No his current truck isn't paid for. His current business likely won't make it.

You know what they say. The most successful people have failed in their past.

He and I have been discussing his options. While doing this I am thinking of possible options for me. I am looking at beginning a busines as well. So I am learning from someone else who isn't doing so well.

[koolhandlinc]

I have been discussing my friends situation as I have been helping him out and learning as I go. I just thought I would throw out a little more info. I have not verified or researched this in depth. Just like when we were driving we just estimated amounts.

He has a Duramax 2500HD 4x4 We hauled 22 round bails and at the time he said he thought they were about 1200 pounds each. I was thinking he said he had a 42 foot goose neck. The trailer is a pretty good weight. The bails would be 22000 pounds if the weight is only 1000 pounds per bail. So that is near max capacity of the truck without adding the trailer weight. When we placed them on the trailer we placed them side by side then double stacked them. So basically once in a while he hauls at capacity.

The times he hauls a tractor and a bailer on the trailer or tractor and another piece of equipment. Hes hauling a good weight.

We made 1 trip at that weight. then we hauled another that was 16 bails and another at 13 bails.

A specialized trailer made for hauling bailes that has the easy dumping on it will be about 1/2 the weight of his trailer and would haul about 8 bails. (next time I see one of these trailers I will count the bails)

The point of this when he and I were talking we in the beginning to point out how much money he spent on fuel. Planning trips a little better could save some and having a truck that saved on fuel could nearly equal the payments he was making. This basically proved true using rough numbers.

The kicker is figuring if he can haul everything he needs.

If hauling 1/2 the number of bails and making more trips. hauling the tractor only and not adding everything he can the the trailer. Then making a few more trips.

Because mostly he doesn't run loaded. He occasionally hauls round bails on the back of the truck with spears and could make a few more trips and work at planning well. He could cut operating costs a lot.

Soooo how does this relate to me. I am thinking over some business plans. I am weighing options and plans for the future. By doing these types of exercises I learn about making future decisions. I am somewhat well positioned and hope to keep myself so placed.

Long explanation but I do have reason.

I like the Mahindra and think it could be a future purchase for me. If the 5000 pound trailer weight ends up being greater when running trailer brakes. Then this could be a really great fit.

I will continue to watch as these trucks get nearer being finalized and begin sale.

[olds88]

hey im big diesel nut guy has he done any thing to the truck yet if not look at a programer intake exhast and bio fuel big time cant argue when it cost 1$ a gallon to make cng or propane injection and nos not only are they big power adders but it will give you much better mpg look at deisel power mag and you will see what im talking about