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Post by Claude Hachey on Jan 12, 2007 11:21:35 GMT -7
Ahh, Bettis,if I recall right and in the words of my high school Shakespeare - methinks thou doth protest too much! ;D I may have mentioned this before but it bears repeating. Ford's best innovation was the heated tailgate so you don't freeze your hands pushing them home - pretty cold your way eh? As they used to say - colder than a well digger's ass! ;D Okay, now that I have that out of my system - Brian. I got by for several years with a 16 foot tandem (two axle with the wheels on the outside for lower deck and easier loading) trailer with torsion bars hauled with a 4x4 CHEV 3/4 ton. Stay away from the 305 and go for the 350 cu in...unless you can only af ford a Ford. I was able to get 64 colonies on the trailer (8 rows of 8 stacked two high) and an additional 20 on the truck (regular 8 foot truck bed) for a total of 84. I do not use telescopic covers but they are not migratory covers either - built flush with the dimensions of a super. A two man hive lifter of the type sold by Mann Lake or Kelly's did the trick for lifting. You do run out of helpful friends and neighbors thoughafter a while...but family can't evade you.
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Post by HarryVanderpool on Jan 12, 2007 11:46:48 GMT -7
Michelle of course the best bee truck would be a 4x4 FORD. Frankly there should be a law against trucks that are not 4x4. Larger trucks like these when empty can get stuck on a cow patty. Bettis This is so true! The first thing I did after buying my truck is have a Detroit Locker installed in the rear differential. A Detroit Locker is a LOCKING, dog and gear arrangement that is far superior to a limited slip carrier. I have since learned that the Ford limited slip is junk anyway. At the same time, I bought some killer traction tires; Toyo's from Swabby. The improvement in traction is absolutely amazing. I rarely need to use 4WD since, but sure am glad it's there when I do! With the locking rear end, you know when you are getting close because the rear of the truck starts hopping up and down if empty!!! I've got stuck once, and that was because I was stupid.
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Post by HarryVanderpool on Jan 12, 2007 11:55:01 GMT -7
What you are looking at here is a dumb-@$$ mistake. Once the front end sinks through a peat bog, you are not moving, regardless. Thank heavens, Kenny Williams and Nick VanCalCar were on the scene. It took both of their trucks to pull me out. Then we went and had breakfast. ;D
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Post by michelleb on Jan 12, 2007 12:41:21 GMT -7
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Post by Claude Hachey on Jan 12, 2007 15:52:38 GMT -7
Well Michelle, discretion is the better part of valor so I will not comment on the "purty" truck. Is there a prize for post # 5000?? I will however one up Harry on getting stuck with yet another pimped photo!
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Post by Bettis on Jan 12, 2007 15:55:19 GMT -7
I think this is an excellent example of to good to be true. $1500 bucks for this truck is too cheap unless there is something wrong. The 14ft bed is a little short for the payload capacity (guestimating over20,000 GVW) of this truck and your intended end use of hauling bees. That could always be fixed with a longer bed if the wheelbase is long enough to handle a longer bed. These trucks are the worst for getting stuck on smear. All the weight in the front and nothing on the rear. The other option of getting stuck, is when loaded with bees, a disaster waiting to happen. It never happens where it is convient to unload the bees and you are working in the dark against a timeline (sunrise). If the truck got stuck it is probably is safe to say that the loader will also when loaded with pallets. That is if you can get to the side of the truck with the loader.
These trucks decks are 42''-54'' off the ground really difficult to load with a boom.
Besides if you want a truck this size I would purchase a Freightliner with a Cat engine. More money up front and to work on, but years of abuse and use without a complaint
My $0.02 Bettis
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Post by michelleb on Jan 12, 2007 17:55:10 GMT -7
Claude: Wow! Begs the question, how did the truck get IN there in the first place??? Look at all that clay! Gee, I can't wait until the first time that happens to me...
Bettis: Too good to be true is what I was thinking, too--but again, I know little about trucks. Thanks again for the detailed pointers.
Since I'm going to be looking for a used truck, I've decided that my first step is finding a highly-recommended mechanic to do any pre-purchase inspections. Already met with one today who gave me some decent pointers.
And by the way, I've been chatting with my semi-retired neighbor friend. He's been getting back into welding--just completely converted his garage into a shop--and is dying to build something for "the farm". Might just end up with a boom after all.
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Post by drew on Jan 14, 2007 18:19:01 GMT -7
Hehehe I will say Freightliners worked well for my dad's operation. Would pull a Swinger behind, load them up with bees, honey, feed. Whatever they just keep going with little down time. But everyone has there own idea that works. As mentioned what is your final outcome in bee count. That will give you a better idea what truck will work. Who knows maybe after you have about 60-100 hives you will look at yourself and say "What the hell was I thinking!" shortly after will be the great bee sell off. . Equipment is killer to most (if not all beekeepers) all it takes is 1 bad season, or 1 virus (etc...) to be bankrupt. DOOM AND GLOOM don't listen to me. Keep buying bees to help get that bee count up
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Post by michelleb on Jan 14, 2007 19:55:47 GMT -7
Actually, I'm holding out for a bee helicopter. I hear all the best keepers are getting them now...
I figure even with a gazillion hives, I'll still need a smaller truck to do the quick and dirty stuff--getting hives where a big monster wouldn't fit.
And by the time I hit 100 hives, I should have a pretty good idea just how big a nutjob I am!
As for buying bees, well, hopefully I won't have to start from scratch after this winter--wasn't able to get out there this weekend, but might sneak up there tomorrow to harass the girls.
M
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Post by petersanz on Jan 17, 2007 10:03:52 GMT -7
Hi Michelle and others, Saw an old flat-bed truck for sale in the Wilco parking lot in Mcminnville last night and thought of all you on the list. I'm guessing this might be another of those 'too good to be true' deals but will leave that to you all to decide.
$1600; F600; 23,000 GVW; gears, shift, clutch good; used to haul hay; (503)-472-0787
Best, Peter
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Post by michelleb on Jan 18, 2007 13:09:52 GMT -7
Thanks, Peter! I know you know some of us are looking! But just discovered a nasty leak in my roof, so I'll be delaying any truck shopping for a wee bit. Grr. And I think that I might be better off holding out for a 4x4. Saving up the pennies...
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