Snow Removal

[kevm14]

Of course there are good reasons. For supply and demand reasons, you will always think something is awesome while the seller would rather have the cash. By definition.

[kevm14]

Truck snow blower: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UlzjJrQ-dI

Another: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOSYl9W8WqM

[kevm14]

This is kind of lame, but it supposedly explains the costs behind snow plowing. Nothing novel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FE6VX6p6vC0

This comment explains other costs that a small time guy isn't necessarily going to have.

This video makes valid points but dosent even scratch the surface...I plow commercially and some resi...you start planning for winter in July you send out contracts in the end of August you have to stockpile salt, insurance, etc. then the maintenance on the truck...Tranny services, ball joints, etc...its not easy money, but it is good money....

Thats just the truck...you got spreaders, blowers, shovelers (guys you gotta pay) etc...Snow stakes...I mean the list goes on...plus the crazy hours

Thing about insurance is its not just plowing insurance you should have commercial truck insurance...You get in a wreck with your plow truck and your auto insurance company does not know you plow snow...you are going to have issues...

[bill25]

There may be another good side effect to owning a plow. I might be able to make a little money. You aren't getting rich, but maybe pay for the vehicle over a couple years and stow cash away for repairs.

[kevm14]

http://worcester.craigslist.org/cto/4888554920.html

It's a 3/4 ton diesel Suburban. Ranks high on the interesting scale but you have to be handy with these 6.5s. There are a few things that are known issues, one of which is the PMD or pump mounted driver. They went to electronically controlled injection in 1994 and the issue can be resolved by relocating the PMD on a heatsink (and using an aftermarket PMD rather than a Stanadyne). I still kinda want one of these, though if I was going to bother, I'd get it as a pickup to replace my Ranger.

[bill25]

A few things about the diesel: (My opinion, and things I have heard from guys who like diesels)

Gas engines are better for plowing - from a diesel guy at work
Diesels have more longevity
Diesels are way more expensive to replace where the 5.3 ls is like 600 bucks.
Diesel vehicles usually cost more.

For these reasons I am leaning more towards gas 5.3 or 6.0

I also think it is in my best interest to wait since I don't need this vehicle as an emergency. I really believe gas will go up in the Spring/Summer and these types of vehicles will be worth even less due to lack of demand. Either way, they aren't going up.

Feel free to recalibrate these ideas/assumptions if you think I am off.

[kevm14]

Gas engines are better for plowing - from a diesel guy at work

Interesting. Is it just the general responsiveness of the gas engine that is beneficial? Plowing isn't like towing. It's more abusive. And diesel drivelines don't necessarily take abuse any better than gas engine drivelines. Maybe worse.

Diesels have more longevity

In olden times, yes. In modern times, not really. I'd strike this. Gas engines have improved in fuel economy and longevity while diesels have done the exact opposite. I'm referring to lighter duty diesels, not heavy over the road truck stuff.

Diesels are way more expensive to replace where the 5.3 ls is like 600 bucks.

Yes. Way more. The transmissions, as well. They have some pretty exotic parts that can fail, as well, driving up maintenance costs to be higher than a gas engine, ironically.

Diesel vehicles usually cost more.

Yes. But you can get older, unloved diesels like the GM 6.5TD for affordable prices. In the 90s, you were also looking at a Cummins 12V turbo, or the Ford 7.3L powerstroke turbo. There were non-turbo versions of these. Actually, I had an opportunity to buy a high mile 93 GMC K1500 from a guy at work for like $1000. That's a half ton with the 6.5TD. Rare. That's what you really wanted.

For these reasons I am leaning more towards gas 5.3 or 6.0

Those are probably too new unless you want something that is modern enough to be a real family vehicle that the wife can drive. Is that a requirement?

[bill25]

billgiacheri wrote:
Gas engines are better for plowing - from a diesel guy at work

Interesting. Is it just the general responsiveness of the gas engine that is beneficial? Plowing isn't like towing. It's more abusive. And diesel drivelines don't necessarily take abuse any better than gas engine drivelines. Maybe worse.

He was commenting that gas engines normally have more HP, and diesels are popular for torque. He said that for plowing you really want HP and that most people looking to plow desire gas engines.

He is a diesel guy and pretty smart when it comes to machinery so I took his word for it.

[bill25]

Those are probably too new unless you want something that is modern enough to be a real family vehicle that the wife can drive. Is that a requirement?

I think if I am going to spend in the 3500 range for this, if 2 more grand can get me a vehicle that is good for more than just plowing, I may do that even if it means selling something.

I don't need the 3 and Corolla if I have a reliable Full size and the RAV4.

I really need more time to define the requirements which is another reason I haven't seriously looked at anything. I am not excited about spending Monte Carlo money on something I am only going to move snow with. I think it needs to be a back up car, and dump car to justify the expense.

[kevm14]

But having it as an auxiliary car that A) you can spend less on to buy B) spend less on to maintain, is pretty useful. By the time you add all the normal people requirements onto a vehicle that is really used, you end up spending too much, or trying your hand at being a mechanic. Which is fine but just be ready for that.