How to decide between grain truck and gravity wago

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   I do not farm much ground at the moment (5.5 acres, and I harvest another 6 for my father in law), but I am looking to add another 20 in 2011 and then would like to add another 20-40 around 2012/13.  How do you decide when the time is to upgrade to a strait truck.  I have found a very nice 74 Dodge D700 that can most likely be picked up for a good price.  At the moment I have 2 225 bu gravity wagons and a 100-125 bu gravity wagon to use.  From what I can tell 40 acres loks to me to be the magic number, but I know I am missing something (I have included liscence and insurance in my figures).  Let me know your opinions
Thanks
Adam

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Sandknob Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Oblong, IL Points: 2456	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sandknob Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: How to decide between grain truck and gravity wago Posted: 01 Dec 2009 at 10:01pm
	I do not farm much ground at the moment (5.5 acres, and I harvest another 6 for my father in law), but I am looking to add another 20 in 2011 and then would like to add another 20-40 around 2012/13. How do you decide when the time is to upgrade to a strait truck. I have found a very nice 74 Dodge D700 that can most likely be picked up for a good price. At the moment I have 2 225 bu gravity wagons and a 100-125 bu gravity wagon to use. From what I can tell 40 acres loks to me to be the magic number, but I know I am missing something (I have included liscence and insurance in my figures). Let me know your opinions Thanks Adam

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farmer_rob Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Silver Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: N.Lancaster ont Points: 362	Post Options Post Reply Quote farmer_rob Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 Dec 2009 at 10:13pm
	well i have 600aces and been using 8 400bu wagons. they r hooked in pairs. there r always 6 in the field at one time and 2 being unloaded. when dad comes back he picks up the pair that is loaded. u could pick up more wagons if u need them. our big tractor does 50kms which is alittle over 30 mph.. no need of a truck specially when u have to consider plates and other things.
	if farming was easy everybody would be doing it

Rfdeere Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Idaville, IN Points: 3283	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rfdeere Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 01 Dec 2009 at 11:48pm
	How far are you hauling? Are you working by yourself? If you have somebody hauling in, are you filling your wagons and combine and having to wait on empty wagons? Hauling to Elevator or Bins? Your saying you will be farming less than 75 acres, that truck is going to cost you around $6-7 an acre every year not including the original purchase price or any major repairs.
	Randy Freshour,Member Indiana AC Partners, http://www.rumelyallis.com

Don(MO) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Bates City MO. Points: 6862	Post Options Post Reply Quote Don(MO) Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 2009 at 5:46am
	I'm with Randy on this, I have a old 16' grain truck but its 20 miles to town, If it was closer I'd use wagons.
	3 WD45's with power steering,G,D15 fork lift,D19, W-Speed Patrol, "A" Gleaner with a 330 corn head,"66" combine,roto-baler, and lots of Snap Coupler implements to make them work for their keep.

michaelwis Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Wi Points: 8765	Post Options Post Reply Quote michaelwis Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 2009 at 5:57am
	Do you have hills . Wagons you dont liscense and register or have as many maintenance issues . And you can always hire a truck , or work with a neighbor . Esp . if he has a pretty lookin Allis

John (C-IL) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Illinois Points: 1654	Post Options Post Reply Quote John (C-IL) Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 2009 at 6:16am
	Well, wagons don't have batteries, motors, registration or insurance. If the truck dies you don't have a way to haul grain. You can pull the wagons with whatever is handy or appropriate for the situation. I have about 120 acres and 2 450 bushel wagons and a 250 bushel wagon. We are 10 miles from the elevator. You don't have to have a truck to be a BTO. One of the bigger guys here has 10 650 bushel wagons and pulls them in pairs with pickup trucks!

David Maddux Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 13 Sep 2009 Points: 2524	Post Options Post Reply Quote David Maddux Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 2009 at 6:27am
	You can always do like my Dad did. After ten years he finally got caught not licenseing the old grain truck. I guess considering the ticket, when you average it out ten years he is still ahead. I don't think he will do that anymore. Dave.

jiminnd Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 16 Sep 2009 Location: Rutland ND Points: 2244	Post Options Post Reply Quote jiminnd Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 2009 at 7:00am
	I have about 200 acres and always had a truck, blew the motor a month ago not going to fix it I guess, have had years when I put 50 mile or less on it very spendy for that use.

omahagreg Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Points: 2805	Post Options Post Reply Quote omahagreg Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 2009 at 7:13am
	My grand dad had a 16' grain truck, bought it new in '74. Sold it in the early '90s, got double what he paid for it! It had only 600 miles on it-BUT-Dad was putting on new exhaust every other year! It appeared to not be driven enough to evaporate the water out of the exhaust, and would just rust out-twas VERY spendy I am told.
	Greg Kroeker 1950 WD with wide front and Freeman trip loader

john(MI) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: SE MI Points: 9262	Post Options Post Reply Quote john(MI) Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 2009 at 7:25am
	You will need to buy a truck with working hydraulics as well. Don't know of any elevators around here that have a lift anymore.
	D14, D17, 5020, 612H, CASE 446

Byron WC in SW Wi Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Wisconsin Points: 1635	Post Options Post Reply Quote Byron WC in SW Wi Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 2009 at 7:39am
	I'm in the same boat. I bought a small truck and put a grain box on it four years ago because I was 35 miles from a facility and haulers didn't want to mess with my small acreage even if it was a couple of semis. I've hauled for my brother which pays for the repairs and license but it's a convenience for me. In the last couple years a new facility has been built only 10 miles from me. It's on the edge of making sense to go either way. For me I pay $10 for three months of insurance when I'm not using it. It's more than that when I uses it but, without looking it up, I'd say your under $150 a year in insurance. License is about $130 a year. I got a good deal on the truck but needed to put a hoist and box on it. If you don't include that in yearly maintenance I'm probably approaching $300 in stuff to fix, (e.g. tire, battery cables, parking break cable, and now leaf springs). I built a bin so I could load a semi in 15 minutes cause that's what they require but being able to load the grain truck at my convenience is a big plus. So, if I get rid of the truck I get rid of the $600 in expenses and my time to do those things but I also limit myself to one facility. And, that facility went bankrupt last year and I think didn't pay some farmers. Also, driving on the road is hard on tractor tires. Those buggers don't wear out in one year but their expensive to replace. But, if I end up with a JCB I'll probably get rid of the grain truck.

Brian F(IL) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Location: Paxton, IL Points: 2700	Post Options Post Reply Quote Brian F(IL) Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 2009 at 7:44am
	I'd go with more wagons. Less initial invesment, less annual upkeep & repairs. Besides then you get to use an AC tractor to pull them! Heck, buy another tractor! LOL Brian

bobkyllo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Location: minnesota Points: 1550	Post Options Post Reply Quote bobkyllo Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 2009 at 8:23am
	a truck would cut down on the tire repairs. wagons like other said have no license insurance or other items to keep up. personaly i like the grain trucks but that is only because i cant back wagons and i dont like to have all them tires and bearings to keep up

Sandknob Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Oblong, IL Points: 2456	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sandknob Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 2009 at 8:31am
	I like the idea of the grain truck as some of the ground I am trying to pick up would be around 10-15 miles from an elevator and about 20 from the elevator I would prefer, and as bobkyllo said less tires to deal with. Time is also a HUGE constraint as I haul propane as my main job so it has to come first and we all know how this fall went!!!! Yes, for the most part it would just be me farming, but occasionally I will have help. Wife has said she possibly could pull wagons to the mill. I think for now I will just stick with the wagons until I know for sure that I will be picking up the extra ground. Until then I will just keep my eye out for either more good wagons at the right price or a good deal on a strait truck. Adam

Rawleigh Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Location: White Stone, VA Points: 421	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rawleigh Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 2009 at 8:59am
	Adam: Do you have a heavy duty pickup? If so, what about a large gooseneck dump trailer? No additional costs after the initial purchase that way. I hate running the tractor down the road too much with the price of tires these days! You need to factor that into the cost! The round trip with a truck is much quicker than with a tractor too.

mark/indiana Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Silver Level Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Location: Central Indiana Points: 129	Post Options Post Reply Quote mark/indiana Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 2009 at 10:00am
	If you go wagons, like I do, be first class and have good mirrors and temporary tail lights....pull mine with a dually with added ballast....Be sure to have enough weight so the brakes work....2cents..Mark
	mark/indiana..."My favorite Allis Tractor or Crawler is the one I'm sitting on at the time!!..

Gerald J. Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Hamilton Co, IA Points: 5636	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gerald J. Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 2009 at 10:22am
	My tenant harvested a couple thousand acres with wagons and tractors for hauling. My prior custom combiner hauled with wagons years ago, I pulled them with my tractor some years, but bought a semi and is more effective with the semi though he drives both the combine and the semi. On a small patch, I believe both the combine and the hauling eat you profits alive with the annual rotting repairs, like battery, belts, hoses, and tires that you never wear out, just they rot with age (and sun). I considered the price of hiring the custom combining and hauling cheaper than that annual maintenance. I do know those with small patches and vintage combines that disagree with that maintenance cost evaluation but that is my view. There are arguments for both schemes because the fact of the matter is that both schemes work, both get the crop to the buyer, and in a fairly timely manner most of the time. Gerald J.

9675 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Colorado Points: 38	Post Options Post Reply Quote 9675 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 2009 at 10:31am
	The best argument for the truck is that the 74 and 75 dodge D series were just plain cool looking trucks, we have a 75 that had a beet bed on it up till last year now its sports a feed mixer box! The old dodges just keep ticking!

Calvin Schmidt Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Ontario Can. Points: 4526	Post Options Post Reply Quote Calvin Schmidt Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 2009 at 10:39am
	i have two single axle Chevy trucks one with a 400 bu. and one with a 450 bu. gravity bin mounted. In Ontario they are considered a self propelled gravity bin and are do not require a licence. SMV sign and regular farm insurance the same as a tractor. Both trucks are setup to pull another 400 bu. wagon. Both trucks were surplus from our construction business and had only scrap value. One truck has had the bin on for more than 20 years. My trucks are underpowered with 366 gas engines but there should be lots of good cheap single axle diesel trucks with air brakes available. If you buy a truck, be sure that the wheel base of the truck is compatable with the gravity bin.

niele Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Silver Level Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Location: Red Bud, IL Points: 146	Post Options Post Reply Quote niele Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 2009 at 10:47am
	Adam remember that Ill cameout with a new tax on trucks If you sell your grain you are suppose to get another tag from Idot Niel

DanWi Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 18 Sep 2009 Location: wttn Points: 1834	Post Options Post Reply Quote DanWi Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 2009 at 12:30pm
	Trucks with working brakes and lights and decent tires, hard to keep tires on gravity wagons, helps on some of the big ones with the truck tires. Depending on tractor tire size getting close or over $1000 apiece. I had 30 acres of beans and 15acres of corn this year but I keep my semi busy all fall hauling for neighbors. Their combines keep getting bigger and they get land farther away so they need more trucks.

ryan(IN) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Bluffton,IN Points: 766	Post Options Post Reply Quote ryan(IN) Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 2009 at 1:01pm
	this year with drying we used wagons because they are easier to dump in a auger. Most years we use our two grain trucks with one usually pulling a wagon. one is a diesel one is a gas. It depends on where your going. We farm 600 acre with a Gleaner L3 too. it could depend on what combine you have. it might not dump in certain trucks
	ryan 1984 8070 FWA,1979 7060,1975 7040,1971 190,1960 D-17D,1957 D-14, 196? D-19G, 1975 5040,1971? 160,1994 R62

Eric[IL] Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Location: Illinois Points: 485	Post Options Post Reply Quote Eric[IL] Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 2009 at 4:18pm
	My 66' chevy c60 300 bu grain hoist truck is more expensive, but also more useful besides harvest. I have hauled the following with it: ca6 rock for the lane, landfill trips for roofing jobs, old house restoration material (plaster/flooring), construction supplies like drywall, sand, rebar, & concrete wire, farm auction items - tires, combine wheels, fencing material, & fuel tanks. spring planting season items - water tank, seed, & liquid fertilizer tank. Insurance is $60/yr, inspection $34/yr, license 24,000lbs $290/yr. Truck weighs 8600 empty, so only haul about 260 bu at a time to be legal. I also have 4 300 bu gravity wagons, which allow me to continue harvest while the truck is gone or into the evening when the elevator is closed.

T.J._N.J. Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 25 Oct 2009 Location: N.W. Jersey Points: 20	Post Options Post Reply Quote T.J._N.J. Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 2009 at 6:41pm
	Old trucks were cheap to come by around here until scrap went crazy a few years ago. I wrench for a living on heavy equipment and trucks for the rail road , one of my biggest problems is occaisionally used equipment sitting is harder on most equipment than being used is. My neighbor used to use an old Chevy single axle dump with a coal chute in the gate for his grain and it worked great for him, we bagged everything with our all crop 60 so we didn't need a truck or wagon. We have an old F-600 that we use for pulling a 9 ton tag along trailer and put a poly water tank on in the summer and plow the lane with in the winter, for me the gas engine works well its no rocket ship on hills but it gets the job done and points and condensors are cheaper than pumps and injectors. It would have been nice to have a few gravity wagons when we were picking corn thogh we put sides on the hay wagons and shovelled the ears into the crib by hand .T.J.

CTuckerNWIL Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: NW Illinois Points: 22823	Post Options Post Reply Quote CTuckerNWIL Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 2009 at 7:03pm
	My neighbor has a goose neck gravity trailer. He says it's the best investment he ever made. Pulls it with a 1 ton Dodge. He farms over 1000 acres and has to haul 6 miles one way at the most. He also pulls 500 bu to town with a tractor trying to keep up with the combine. Lots of things to look at here but it sounds like you should keep what you got till you get into farming more ground.
	http://www.ae-ta.com Lena 1935 WC12xxx, Willie 1951 CA6xx Dad bought new, 1954WD45 PS, 1960 D17 NF

DSeries4 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Points: 7364	Post Options Post Reply Quote DSeries4 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 2009 at 10:00pm
	My dad was faced with the same choices 10 years ago. It was cheap to buy a truck, but with the licensing and maintenance, he would not recover any money whenever he chose to sell it. He ended up buying two new grain wagons that he stores inside. No maintenance required if you look after it, and they will command top dollar when he goes to sell them since they still look brand new.

Amos Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Ontario Points: 1318	Post Options Post Reply Quote Amos Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 Dec 2009 at 7:15am
	Around here a good old farm truck single axle dump box will sell for $1000-$1500 at the sales. No one wants a gas engine single axle. Great for around the farm at a fair price. I have a v box that holds 375 bu, never use it unless an emergency. We have a couple tandem trucks and a couple semi trucks. I have my own grain storage. When I do have to haul into an elevator I will pass almost always four or five tractor and wagons on the way and am always ahead of them in line to get unloaded because of this. Right now I am on my way out to unload both combines and the grain buggy from last night when it started to rain. I will bring back 20 tonne from them. Go to a sale here and a v box that holds 500 bushels will sell over $6000 easily if decent shape some to $8000 now. Makes my aluminum dump trailer that holds 1100 bushel at $7500 20 years ago look pretty cheap to me. Fuel is way more than license and insurance (about $600 a year) on the semi dump.

Stan IL&TN Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 13 Sep 2009 Location: Elvis Land Points: 6730	Post Options Post Reply Quote Stan IL&TN Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 Dec 2009 at 7:34am
	I'd get one of each. Remember every project is an oppertunity to acquire more toy's......err I mean tools. LOL Get another tractor too!