ready for spring - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

IHI55j · 02-08-2009, 03:52 PM

Its been a long winter so far, a good time to get ready for spring and have everything cleaned and mantinced but with the way things have been and are prob. going to be i havnt done to much large mantince projects just small stuff like paint the sticks and change grease fittings oil and filters what kinda stuff have you guys been doing. and how close have you been watching your dollors. I think if we get past this year next will pick up a little.

Vinny · 02-08-2009, 07:27 PM

We've been pretty much doing the same as you. For instance: I have 2 skid steers (cat 257) and one of them needs tracks. In the past I would have simply done them. No question asked... Just do them.

Now......, I gave it some thought, looked at the numbers, consulted the ultimate monetary conservitive (my 85 year old dad), and decided to put it off. If things get busy for some reason, I'll do the re-track then and if need be while its down, I can always rent to get a job done.

PM, and regular service??? Well, here again, in the past if the hour meter didnt quite hit the mark I always changed all filters regardless while we had it in the shop. But now I really check the hour meters, change filters that I feel are critical, and things like expensive air cleaner elements for a triaxle dump??? I have been blowing out with an air hose if I deem it possible.

And if April 1st brings no work, I'll lock the gate and wait it out.

rino1494 · 02-08-2009, 08:24 PM

Same here, no major repairs, although there are some that we would like to do. Fixed some leaks, changed the dump pump on the Autocar, some tires and fluid changes. Gotta get some AR400 steel and build up our 315 bucket and sandblast and paint the frame and paint the cab on our Diamond Reo tractor. Other than that, no major dollar stuff as cash flow is tight for us as well and since the upcoming season is a unknown, better to be safe than sorry.

**denick** · 02-08-2009, 08:47 PM

I haven't done anything yet. I don't see us back to work before March 15th. I know what needs to be done on the machines that we will use on the work we have. We'll do that 2 weeks before we go back to work and then as needed.

tgeb · 02-08-2009, 09:43 PM

Repaired a skid loader, fuel tank had a Small leak, would not start when cold. replaced all the glow plugs, general clean up.

Had to put glow plugs in my F-350 on friday.....that's a fun job.

It was really warm here yesterday, washed my pick up, and an excavator. I have a couple of things on the maintenance to do list, I will get to those at some point.

Bidding new work is priority.

IHI55j · 02-08-2009, 10:24 PM

sounds like everyone is just trying to make every dollor last to ride this thing out atleast thats what i am doing nothing that take a hole lot of money just things that take time

rino1494 · 02-09-2009, 04:49 PM

One of our customers called today, he has a small house to do, just waiting on permits. He will have another one to do, but he won't know for about another week. The homeowner is waiting to see if he will still have a job.

dayexco · 02-09-2009, 06:23 PM

we're getting blown out of the saddle by contractor's 200 miles away....and this is on 30-40k jobs...we're just going to sit back and watch.

Noodle · 02-09-2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dayexco

we're getting blown out of the saddle by contractor's 200 miles away....and this is on 30-40k jobs...we're just going to sit back and watch.

We do alot of street lighting and traffic signal work for the Nebraska Department of Roads and we are seeing alot of paving contractors from South Dakota and Iowa on the bid tabs and trying to get work here. I just don't see how they can manage to mobilize for the prices that they show. But this really don't affect us because we submit bids to them too.