- Видео 70
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Diggin’ Down South
Добавлен 17 дек 2023
🌿🚜 Diggin' Down South: Transforming Land with Heavy Equipment One Project at a Time!
Hey there, fellow equipment enthusiasts! Welcome to your new favorite channel, Diggin' Down South, where we set out on an adventure to improve and transform the land using heavy-duty machinery like forestry mulchers, excavators, and bulldozers! 🌳
If you’re passionate about operating equipment, transforming land, and having an inside peek at operating a small business, buckle up and prepare for an unforgettable ride! 🎥🌱 Throughout our journeys, we typically encounter various surprises, obstacles, and triumphs - all captured for your viewing pleasure.
Don't forget to hit that subscribe button and join the Diggin' Down South community for outdoor adventure, thrilling machinery action, and inspiration for your own land improvement projects. 🌍 🚜
#ExcavationBusiness #ForestryMulching #LandImprovement #HeavyMachineryMadness #DigginDownSouth
Hey there, fellow equipment enthusiasts! Welcome to your new favorite channel, Diggin' Down South, where we set out on an adventure to improve and transform the land using heavy-duty machinery like forestry mulchers, excavators, and bulldozers! 🌳
If you’re passionate about operating equipment, transforming land, and having an inside peek at operating a small business, buckle up and prepare for an unforgettable ride! 🎥🌱 Throughout our journeys, we typically encounter various surprises, obstacles, and triumphs - all captured for your viewing pleasure.
Don't forget to hit that subscribe button and join the Diggin' Down South community for outdoor adventure, thrilling machinery action, and inspiration for your own land improvement projects. 🌍 🚜
#ExcavationBusiness #ForestryMulching #LandImprovement #HeavyMachineryMadness #DigginDownSouth
Land Clearing | Equipment Breakdowns | Troubles in Burning!
Day 3 on this clearing & pond construction job brings with it even more equipment breakdowns with excavator troubles and pop up fires! Even though I’m behind schedule and still encountering problems we’re still persevering! Watch along as we work on this Land Clearing project and deal with trouble in burning!
Просмотров: 2 302
Видео
Project Update: Pond overflow install!
Просмотров 1093 месяца назад
A quick update on the current project, just wanted to touch base with you guys and try to get some more up to date content in! I’m super behind in video editing but I promise it is a priority!
Day 2 on the Massive Project: The beginnings of a bad week of Equipment Breakdowns
Просмотров 1666 месяцев назад
Day 2 on the Massive Project: The beginnings of a bad week of Equipment Breakdowns
Massive Project Commences! Driveway, Site Clearance, and a Pond Dam! 😱 Sand Hill Project
Просмотров 5707 месяцев назад
Massive Project Commences! Driveway, Site Clearance, and a Pond Dam! 😱 Sand Hill Project
Fence Line Mulching at a Wedding Venue
Просмотров 1,7 тыс.8 месяцев назад
Fence Line Mulching at a Wedding Venue
New Channel Intro Video - Diggin’ Down South
Просмотров 1199 месяцев назад
New Channel Intro Video - Diggin’ Down South
Caught in Parachute while Forestry Mulching…
Просмотров 4609 месяцев назад
Caught in Parachute while Forestry Mulching…
Wrapped Barbed Wire around the Cimaf Bearings!
Просмотров 6119 месяцев назад
Wrapped Barbed Wire around the Cimaf Bearings!
First Steps in Lot Clearing for New House - Forestry Mulching
Просмотров 13 тыс.10 месяцев назад
First Steps in Lot Clearing for New House - Forestry Mulching
Part 3 of 3 - Concluding The Dreaded Robertsdale Job: Final Touches & Costly Lessons Learned
Просмотров 48110 месяцев назад
Part 3 of 3 - Concluding The Dreaded Robertsdale Job: Final Touches & Costly Lessons Learned
My Rant about the Competition - Mulching & Dirt Work Pricing
Просмотров 10 тыс.10 месяцев назад
My Rant about the Competition - Mulching & Dirt Work Pricing
Mulching and Freezing! 🥶 Leaksville Part 1
Просмотров 1,6 тыс.10 месяцев назад
Mulching and Freezing! 🥶 Leaksville Part 1
Track Slip Recovery: Mulching Deep in the Woods
Просмотров 99311 месяцев назад
Track Slip Recovery: Mulching Deep in the Woods
A quick sod run for the Landscape Supply Store!
Просмотров 13211 месяцев назад
A quick sod run for the Landscape Supply Store!
First Time Stump Digging with a Kobelco SK210 Excavator!
Просмотров 3,7 тыс.11 месяцев назад
First Time Stump Digging with a Kobelco SK210 Excavator!
Walking the Excavator into the Swamp! Will I Make it Out?
Просмотров 84211 месяцев назад
Walking the Excavator into the Swamp! Will I Make it Out?
Mulching Operation Against the Clock! Part 2 of 3 | Repairs, Tree Felling, & Haul Off
Просмотров 2,3 тыс.11 месяцев назад
Mulching Operation Against the Clock! Part 2 of 3 | Repairs, Tree Felling, & Haul Off
Forestry Mulching to Seeded Ground - Part 1 | Removal & Raking |
Просмотров 2,2 тыс.11 месяцев назад
Forestry Mulching to Seeded Ground - Part 1 | Removal & Raking |
Changing the Teeth on the Denis Cimaf 180D
Просмотров 51511 месяцев назад
Changing the Teeth on the Denis Cimaf 180D
Mud Hole Makeover - A DIY Homesteading Adventure in Road Building
Просмотров 61311 месяцев назад
Mud Hole Makeover - A DIY Homesteading Adventure in Road Building
Installing a Custom Trampoline In-Ground saved us THOUSANDS!
Просмотров 1,6 тыс.Год назад
Installing a Custom Trampoline In-Ground saved us THOUSANDS!
Forestry Mulcher shredding underbrush on 55 acres!! Kubota SVL97 and Denis Cimaf180d Combo
Просмотров 14 тыс.Год назад
Forestry Mulcher shredding underbrush on 55 acres!! Kubota SVL97 and Denis Cimaf180d Combo
Home Site Prep with Heavy Equipment! Excavator, Forestry Mulcher, & Bulldozer! Project Compilation!
Просмотров 159Год назад
Home Site Prep with Heavy Equipment! Excavator, Forestry Mulcher, & Bulldozer! Project Compilation!
Shoulda took the key and gave them scavenger hunt directions 😂.
Market is too saturated. Unfortunately it’s hard to sell service when everything is based on price. One thing to consider in your pricing is what would it cost to even rent the type of machine you are using. Then add the cost of transportation, labor, and profit. Also biggest drawback is all the added time of running around giving free estimates only to be told “I’ve gotten someone cheaper”.
I’m with you if I can’t bill out 1,000 a day I’m not doing it most of these 2 to 3 hundred a day guys arnt doing quality work experience it everyday
Sure you can go up in price but what happens is you get known as the expensive guy and the good work gets given to the guys just under you. They build their businesses stronger while you sit. There is definitely a balancing act on pricing in this world. It requires spending a little more time with the client and offering a few easy add ons that help them feel they are getting a good deal. This has helped me. Been doing this since 2011 and as soon as you think you get things figured out stuff changes. Also if you don't own your stuff outright you are at risk at any point. Own your stuff. I know it's not easy but it's a hell of alot easier if you own your equipment outright. You will beable to operate at 1k a day. Good luck fellas!
3 acres for $600🤦♂️. I would have said $600 an acre and I would have felt like I was cutting myself short. Im experiencing the same thing rn. I’m in Georgia and sometimes I get underbid by half. Its all good though. When the good customers call it all evens out.
I've been running in the same problems in my area, they will low ball just to get the job. You have to know your price. I've lost many jobs this year due to this problem. It is just ruining the market around here.
Good on you for doing that !
A great video and the perfect song for it !! I just found your channel , it was the video about explaining how you price jobs . Keep’em coming !!
It's called capitalism. Suck it up buttercup.
Same problem I see. Lots of people with equipement and zero business sense...they think they're making money, but don't know basic math. The risk/liablilty you take hauling and operating expensive equipement by itself is huge forget how much work you get done after you show up. Along with wear and tear, people don't consider this and end up getting killed in deperation. They're trading their equipement wearing out for money...almost working for free after they realize they can't sell it for anything near what they paid. I started doing work for 750 per day and 400 minimum, but then increased to 1200 per day, 500 minimum... I notice no change in getting work (grading, fixing driveways, minor clearing mostly)...people either going to be able to afford whatever you ask and are happy they found someone, or they can't afford paying you anything. I also started charging for estimates...end up wasting time with 50% of them...if somone unwilling to pay for an estimate, I guarantee they're wasting your time. I never regret over charging, but rather under charging realizing it takes longer than expected. End of the day, this type of work is a rat race against dumb people with toys they want to play with unfortunately.
Can you do an update on this pond?
Yeah, we’re going to do an update and some additional work. The pond held water pretty well for a few days but did develop a leak about 1/2 way down the sides.
How wide, long and deep is that hole?
Just broke into the industry. I base all my jobs at day rates and I tell my customers that, if the job is smaller than a day I will tell them its not going to take me all day, but with my overhead, I cant go lower than my day rate unless I can line up 2 half day jobs in a day and run them both that day so they both win by getting my half-day rate with moves. ATM im @ $1600/day for my brush hog and $2700/ day for the forestry mulcher without moves. I always give veterans, farmers, first responders, teachers, and hospital staff a break on pricing(usually eating the moves and coming down on price 10-15%). But I agree with you you gotta know your price and when to walk away otherwise if everything doesn't go perfectly you could be paying the customer to do the job before you even take the chains off the machine at the job site. I had a job that was a little over a half day but thank god I charged my day rate and the customer understood where I was coming from with my pricing because 10 minutes after leaving the shop my truck went into limp mode (ended up being water in the diesel) and that cost me about an hour of frustration.
I run into the same problem where I’m at. I’m right at your daily rate and have a minimum. But there are some guys that do poor jobs and are cheap. Yet they still keep getting work. I pride myself on the quality of work I do. But Ive figured out 99% of customers don’t care what the end result is. All they care about is price.
You get what you pay for. Cheaper is not good, it comes with problems that shows later.
You get what you pay for. I wouldn't trust someone who underbids to have pride in their work.
I was charged $1850 per acre to clear(20) 3-5 inch loblolly pine and brush on level ground, thought that was steep. Renting one was about $6k a month
Just picked up identical machine with same head yesterday. What are you rates out there curious on what to charge?
You Fags either need to be youtubers or go to work…Quit advertising to get more wanna bee’s to continue to flood the market…THE GAME IS TO BE SOLD NOT TOLD!
Sounds to me like you are doing a good job at fair prices. My son just started the same sort of work down here on north central Florida. I have been helping him the best I can (Mostly on the bookkeeping and web side). I really don't understand how people undercut him.... Also getting in with the builders down here is a pain. Unfortunately I would bet a lot of the people undercutting the bidding is uninsured people doing fly by night crap with even worse equipment. I will give you a great example. I would in Fasteners/Safety/Hardware - All industrial. I had someone come in my shop asking for fasteners to put a 2 inch receiver mount (conversion) on a factory bumper to haul a tri-axel dump trailer.... Wait... On a late 90's F150. I refused the sale. Good on all your folks doing the right thing.
Finished and filled update?
Filled up by Sunday, I’m going to get out there this week and get some updated video!
@@DigginDownSouth65did you do an update video? Also how much did each of the 4 bags weigh?
@@DigginDownSouth65 please update I am excited to see because I am doing the same inspired by you.
@@DigginDownSouth65except much slower. Because I have only a shovel. And can only by 50 pound bags a few at a time. 😂
? 3 of? ton bags or 50 lb bags? how big is that hole?
IT'S GOD
😂 the look on your dad's face
Could you add a picture of your rear bumper/winch set up please sir
Thanks for clarifying. Is it possible to clear computer to rest the machine temporarily??😊😊
It’s not an electronic failure, it’s a mechanical failure. The bolts securing the swing motor have broken or bent and allowed the swing motor to unseat itself in the swing gear.
Competing on price is always a race to the bottom. Compete on quality of service. Answer the phone, show up on time, over communicate.
Love this!! I agee 100%
What toolbox and fuel tank you have?
Toolbox is just a black aluminum tractor supply box, just cheap, nothing special. The fuel tank I’ve had for a few years and bought 2nd hand. It’s a 98 gallon L shape.
@DigginDownSouth65 nothin wrong with that, ive been looking for ideas for fuel and tool storage
@@H.ThompsonExcavation1304 I saw another contractors setup with a camper shell the other day. I didn’t get a good look at it but he had a fuel tank in the bed plus kept all his tools in Milwaukee pack outs and could lock the camper shell and keep everything out of the weather. I really liked that idea. I just couldn’t see the exact setup for aux fuel tank filling
@DigginDownSouth65 that'd be sweet, I pull gooseneck so all open bed for me
Honestly, I would be fine with the customer talking about low bids. Let the customer take the low bid give them your card and say well in my past you get what you pay for there’s no way you can stop it being control of the low bids guys like that won’t be around forever, no way is he posting or advertising pictures leaving stumps behind
Absolutely agree! No way they’re advertising pictures of shoddy work. I also like to hear my competitors pricing to help me keep a finger on the pulse of the market!
I know ya pain man. Seems like every time I’ve gotten on a piece of equipment the last two weeks something has broken down. Where ya located down south. I’m in south Alabama.
Same here, South Alabama. Working in Robertsdale on this job.
I just don't know what I'm looking at????😊😊😊😊😊 lol 😊😊😊
The swing motor (tall dark cylinder thing in the middle of the excavator) is cocked off at an angle. It sheared some bolts and shifted causing it to loose contact with the turntable gear.
The boom, the bolts to the boom...... broke... 😊😊
OH, REMOVE, AND RE-BOLT, LOL 😊😊😊😊😊😢😢😂😂😮😮😮❤❤❤❤❤
Wait are you saying the boom is bent?????? Then remove and Re-machine parts. Best regards 😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤❤
Ruining all kinds of artifacts.
Trust me, if I find some “artifacts” that aren’t beer bottles I’ll gladly save them! (Then sell them! 😂😂)
So here is the question: Is it possible to do diagnostics and potentially clear the system temporarily, but you are going to have to get it fixed. For another question: Is that part you are referencing a manifold for the Hydraulics?????? If that is the case, then the sprocket gear is getting worn, kicking metal fragments into system and potentially blocking the Hydraulics. Clear and clean the Hydraulics, refill with Hydraulic fluid. 😊😊😊 hope it helps, thanks 😊😊😊 lol 😊😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😮😮😮😮🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Didn’t grease that trunnion bearing and it wore out and broke off the ⚙️
Something is causing the swing motor bolts to shear off… this will be the 3rd time on this machine, first time for me. Previous 2 times were with the previous owner who did a half repair himself. I paid the Doosan dealer to repair it completely but it still didn’t hold.
Where down south?
South Alabama, Baldwin County 😊
That other contractor won't be in business long. Stick to your plan... You're pricing isn't the problem. The other guy who is running cheap isn't putting anything away for when a big problem happens. WHEN it does he won't know how to get out because what he is making won't cover expenses then, and it's a death spiral for the business after that happens. New subscriber... Good content!
Thank you!!
You’ve got a new subscriber here, 👍🏻👍🏻 I appreciate this video and listening to your rant. It definitely seems like you and I have a lot in common when it comes to pricing and our philosophy of business. I plan to watch more of your videos to hopefully learn more about mulching and land clearing. I’ve been a general contractor for over 22 years and I’ve almost always ran the equipment on my projects and I’ve loved it. I’m hoping to learn more about the mulching business so I’ll be watching more of your videos. I appreciate what you’ve put out to keep it up. 👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you very much!
I need to get out of El Paso and charge 6000 for three days of work that’s wild
What rate are you charging there?
As someone who has hired this work out dozens of times; one of the biggest recurring issues I see in your industry is that so many folks treat it as a hobby business and go out and buy the big ole expensive Kubota from their buddy at the shop; carry a couple grand a month in notes and then need to make a salary on top of it so they can drive the big truck and 'look legit'. Instafacesnap has ruined contracting because there's all these people out there who appear to be legit businesses and they're really a guy or two with a couple rented or old machines financed to the hilt and they wanna sell real estate or have a tech job on the side while hiring day workers or operators to do the actual work. Why would anyone hire Chad in the lifted Cummins to bring 2 day laborers over and run a bobcat ? These guys brains live somewhere between General Contractor and Project Manager with very few of them being actual proficient operators in their own right. While there are PLENTY of folks dabbling in the industry and doing a fine job; the fact remains that the majority of the 'land clearing and forestry' folks have a primary career and they're trying to exploit the housing and tiny home boom to make some side cash. All the more power to them. But the problem for any of us that KNOW what we want is that type person has it in their mind they want 100 an hour for their time plus a daily equipment cost. All well and good, but if I can rent equipment and hire an operator for 1/2 or 1/3 of what someone's quoting me, I know I'm being had. The work 'for the most part' doesn't require a degree or a high IQ. Certainly people get better results from life long experience in excavating but the difference between the sh1tty operator and the best operator isn't that great that you can expect to be able to charge a 1200 - 1500 day rate for mundane leveling work without clearing or haul away. If someone's just pushing dirt and leveling, sure, charge them a flat 2k for the work since you're passing up multi-day work or otherwise putting another client on hold to do a quick day job PLUS you're dragging a big piece of steel out to a site for a days worth of labor. But if you got something that's gonna cover your overhead for 3-4 days or a week or more and you and the client agree on a Flat Fee, then that should be the end of the conversation. That conversation is best served cold, up front and without hesitation. 'I'd really like to show you the kind of work we do, but for a 1 to 2 day job I have a $2500 day min and my 2 day minimum is 4k.' After that, it's fixed bid. I don't have a fixed 'per day rate' beyond 2 days'. In the end it all starts with communication up front. I recently needed 4 acres of Lob Pine mulched and leveled with a 100' circle carved out for a Chert pad. A guy (as described above) came out and quoted me his $2,500 /day rate for 5 days, for 2 guys with a Skid Bucket and a 2nd High Flo Skid Mulcher. Even with a generous reserve for maintenance and upkeep, plus fuel, delivery and pickup; the weekly rate on that Machinery is 2k for each for a total of 4k in equipment overhead for the WEEK and that's on the HIGH side for a small crew that mostly rents or leases gear. Someone that owns it and is spreading that cost out over the year probably has 2/3rds that overhead. Add in the 2 guys for a week at 80hrs and you get $112/hr each guy. Now, In what universe does an equipment operator get 200k / yr. salary ? Even if you're paying the operator (or yourself) $50/hr there's a TON of additional profit on that project. I'm very likely to consider shopping that job because you're trying to command premium rates for mundane / commodity work. Grading to a plan, precision trenching or other design based work aside; routine clearing and moving dirt should not be charged at the same rate as precision work. period. One of the major challenges small business like this will face is the pressure from clients who know the market, know the costs and challenge you to accept 'modest' profits. I don't have any issue with a small businessman who's honest, reliable and responsive; making 15% - 20% profit on their services. But knowing that most of these shops are paying dudes $25/hr on their best day to run a skid it becomes really hard to justify paying rates approaching $100 /hr. for the convenience of a 'do it all shop'. . I know you wanna cover all your costs in 1000hrs for the year, but not at my / our expense. I know I'll catch some hate for this, but if you're in the land management or excavation business to drive the lifted struck and have the ski boats and stuff, you might wanna do your time and build out a portfolio before expecting to charge those kind of rates for 'just above homeowner' grade work. And that's not directed at you personally; I'm just offering some insight from the other side of the table as to why you see yourself getting undercut. There's two parties at fault 1.) The cheap client who you probably wouldn't wanna do business with anyway and 2.) You, for not asserting your value proposition from the jump. .
What battle wounds do you have?
Those little hooves are sharp! I’ve got a good sized scratch up my arm! 😂
How do you like the Kubota hydraulic cooler? And where did you get that rear bumper with the winch?
The cooler helps out, but I think it could be a lot better. I’ve never had to use the winch bumper, although it has protected the rear of the machine from tree impacts it has caused more strife than anything else. It’s tough to open because it is easily warped after hitting trees. I think it should be stronger.
@@DigginDownSouth65 if you could go back, what kind of aux cooler would you go with?
@@Thetreeminatorllc I don’t really know that there’s a big difference between the different types. If I did it over again I’d probably still go with the kubota cooler
I've delt with customers telling me that they had gotten a lower price before. And I wonder if the customer is lying just to get a better deal, or if the other contractor with a lower price even has insurance or does quality work. Maybe the other contractor is new and is trying to build his business and is offering lower prices just to get their name out there. Maybe the competitor isn't basing his price thinking of his or the company's future ie. rain delays, replacement of tools and equipment, maintenance, inflation. So when a customer tells me some other person quoted them a cheaper price, I say well I can't come down, this is what I charge for this kind of job and then I leave. I know what I'm worth. and will never lower that. The only discounts I give are military, senior citizen, repeat customer, and a discount on future jobs if the customer recommends me to a future customer and I get that job.
I fully agree!
One thing to keep in mind...stating the obvious, but sometimes it's that simple. You work 4 days for 1k ea. I work 2 days for 2k ea. It's the same ammount of money, remember not everyone is your customer and the person that gets every job isn't pricing appropriately. You should focus on perfection and going the extra mile more then doing more hours for less, careful when discounting larger projects, the complaints you will receive will not come from your large jobs, they will come from the small quick jobs
I agree!
good video. you are 100% correct. you get what you pay for. And yes your workers are a reflection of the boss. You know your worth so keep it up.
Thank you! And thanks for watching!
What length tilt trailer do you have? Do you feel like it’s enough for a skid/cutter m/grapple/plane?
It’s a 24’ tile deck. 18’ tilt and 6’ flat front. I can load up my skid steer with mulcher and have room for a bucket and / or grapple but it doesn’t a bit heavy. If I’m carrying multiple attachments I prefer my gooseneck.
No you don't get paid for travel time. Your first error is thinking that hourly is the way to bid a job
Fully agree! I prefer job pricing or day rate when necessary.
I'm able to do the job less than the competition because I don't have the overhead most guys do. So I'm able to transfer affordable work to the customer
What additional overhead are you thinking of? While I do have an office and staff, typically when I calculate my operational costs, especially for mulching, it consists only of the repair and replacement cost of the machine, mulcher, truck, trailer, and miscellaneous tools. Even paid off equipment should be working with a replacement cost in mind. I'm interested to know if you have put a dollar figure to your hourly operational costs.
Great job! Im learning from you. Tfs
Thank you for the kind words!