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12-05-2005, 06:36 PM
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Gold Oak Member
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Join Date: Mar 2003
USDA Zone 5
Posts: 409
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My best purchase this year was Grundens rain gear. Grundens.com. I had always bought the cheap stuff in the past, and it would rip really quickly. The Grundens were expensive ($70 per set) but they are indestructable and comfortable. They made rainy days a lot less miserable. What was your best purchase this year? |
12-05-2005, 06:49 PM
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Administrator
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Wisconsin
USDA Zone 4
Posts: 7,549
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There was really only one new tool we purchased this year, and that was a set of tracks for the skidsteer. Having the tracks gave us the ability to get in and out of places we would never have been able to access otherwise - but there was a bit of a painful learning curve with the lug bolts....
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12-05-2005, 07:36 PM
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Gold Oak Member
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Join Date: Nov 2003
USDA
Posts: 1,882
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Our best purchase, actually came in a three piece set. 1) a 6500 series truck, 25,999 GVW. 2) Another 301.8 mini micro x, with 3 bucket options and a Dingoi trencher adapted to the quick connect. 3) 2 Ingersol-Rand 23 cubic foot power wheel barrows, that measure 36" wide.
With the three, the take excavation jobs that would take 160 man hours and squirt them out in 32-40.
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Bill Schwab
In the year 1491, if the Naturescape Landscape Company did the site work in Pisa, Italy, they would not be calling it the "leaning" tower.
Encinitas, Ca. 92024
www.naturescapelandscape.com
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12-05-2005, 07:48 PM
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Gold Oak Member
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Join Date: Nov 2003
USDA
Posts: 883
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Haven't bought much this year. The "Super Siphon" I got to drain our equipment prior to storage worked great. $20 and consists of a tube with a one-way valve at one end and a hose-end adapter at the other. Simple and effective.
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12-05-2005, 08:20 PM
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Gold Oak Member
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: Lake Geneva, WI
USDA Zone 5
Posts: 1,242
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Having the local rental place repair my Dingo after Reinders couldn't; now that I don't have to worry about the right track peeling off, the stress of operating the machine is less, and its productivity and quality of work greater.
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12-05-2005, 08:34 PM
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B&B Tree
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Join Date: Oct 2003
USDA
Posts: 805
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Our Vermeer S600 and all the implements.
2004 rental expense = $ 14,568.
2005 rental expense= $ 256.00
Vermeer payments= $ 10,644.
Net Gain of $ 3,924 in just cash alone.
Probably saved and billed another $ 3,800 that we spent running to the rental place.
That machine put $ 7,000 in our bank account this year.
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Dale Wiley - Owner / Project Manager
Western Sports Turf
Landscape Specialty Services
Wetland Restoration Nursery
Forest Grove, OR
503-357-7202 - Phone
503-359-9294 - Fax
Semper Fi
You know that on Judgement Day, all the gold and silver is gonna melt away ...
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12-05-2005, 10:02 PM
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Gold Oak Member
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Join Date: Jan 2004
USDA Zone 7
Posts: 205
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Our enclosed trailer aka "rolling tool shed".
Best 7k spent. Goes out everyday and saves approx. 3 man hours in loading and unloading tools, materials, equipment, not to mention the lost time saved running to grab that one little drain fitting, light bulb, or wire nut.
BTW...thanks guys/gals I got a lot of input here prior to that purchase.
Oh and the other great tool would be the wall splitter we got ealier in the fall. What a great asset that has become.
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12-05-2005, 11:07 PM
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Acorn
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Join Date: Dec 2005
USDA
Posts: 8
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I would have to say that the best new purchases I have made this year was;
1. CAT 257 MTL to replace the old Bobcat 843. Major increase in productivity.
2. Bobcat 331 mini X bought in Feb for $18.5K, sold last month for $18K, replaced with brand new Kubota 161. What you can do with a mini/midi X is phenominal, especially paired with the 257
3. A new MK 100 paver saw for $600. Rented an Edco 3 times this year at $175/day. It was time to buy.
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D. Svarczkopf
Schooner Excavation-Landscape Const.
Sunny Cape Cod!
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12-06-2005, 09:30 AM
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Gold Oak Member
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Join Date: Feb 2004
USDA Zone 5
Posts: 540
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We're pretty well stocked up on large and small toys (or "tools" in case my wife reads this). And until I can find the piece of equipment that can create a few more worthwhile employees (Mexico?), I don't foresee the need to spend thousands on equipment that sits idle.
So, with that in mind, I'd have to cast my vote for "best purchase" using a non-landscaping item. Hands down it would be TiVo. I can watch baseball/football games and news etc. in 1/2 the time by skipping over all the idle chatter and annoying commercials..... I know maybe I'll see if it works on my employees. I'll just fast forward past all the "sick" days, screw-ups, cigarette breaks, whining etc. and the season will be done in September instead of December.
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12-06-2005, 10:22 PM
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Ranger
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Chicago
USDA Zone 5
Posts: 1,558
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Ok so I broke down and added a new machine, Pictures later this week when I pick it up.
Bobcat Toolcat
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12-06-2005, 11:13 PM
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Ranger
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Southwest ct
USDA Zone 6
Posts: 1,742
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I'll go with my Dingo and as important Ringo trailer for storing attachments.
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As a father I was always aware that I was raising my sons to leave home, marry, establish families, and be men who could stand on their own two feet. We must fulfill our own destiny. I really wasn't concerned about what they might 'do' but I wanted them to 'be' good men.
- David Epps
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12-10-2005, 05:24 PM
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Ranger
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Chicago
USDA Zone 5
Posts: 1,558
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Ok here's the first picture of it
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12-10-2005, 05:32 PM
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Administrator
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Wisconsin
USDA Zone 4
Posts: 7,549
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JW - A Ringo for your Dingo? 
Paul - That toy looks like a lot of fun! Are you using it to push snow? |
12-10-2005, 05:45 PM
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Ranger
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Chicago
USDA Zone 5
Posts: 1,558
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I had to try it out!
Not using it to push snow wanted something for the farm that had ac and heat that can be used for mowing and general clean up. Still need to install a sound system in it and a few more bells.
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12-10-2005, 06:39 PM
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Gold Oak Member
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Join Date: Nov 2003
USDA
Posts: 1,882
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The gardner at one of the estates we work at has one. Awesome weapon Paul!
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Bill Schwab
In the year 1491, if the Naturescape Landscape Company did the site work in Pisa, Italy, they would not be calling it the "leaning" tower.
Encinitas, Ca. 92024
www.naturescapelandscape.com
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