Retiring and selling equipment

[Welder Dave]

I'm not sure if that's a big concern if someone is looking for a particular machine. I think the track loader with a backhoe would be of interest because you don't see too many of them, at least in good condition. Buyers could demo the equipment better than at an auction yard too. I might be able to arrange for trucking within a reasonable distance.

 

[cuttin edge]

I'm not sure if that's a big concern if someone is looking for a particular machine. I think the track loader with a backhoe would be of interest because you don't see too many of them, at least in good condition. Buyers could demo the equipment better than at an auction yard too. I might be able to arrange for trucking within a reasonable distance.

Sorry I meant it would be expensive for you to pick up and move to a new home if you live there. Housing market is crazy

 

[suladas]

I'm not sure about RB's. Why are you selling all your stuff? I thought you were pretty busy.

I'm tired of the BS doing excavation/demolition full-time so going more towards home building. My equipment has hardly been used the last 2 years so it doesn't make sense having so much money tied up and sitting. So going to sell both hoes and trailers and just get 1 mid size one, dump truck I sold yesterday and did ok.

 

[SlatcoAu]

Thanks for the responses. I don't think I have to worry too much about taxes. I don't have a limited company and other than the skid steer I bought the other equipment outright under my own name. The tractor I inherited. It will be the hardest machine to let go. I think everything has been depreciated as much as it could several years ago.
The auction company I had issues with basically stabbed themselves in the back. Had they been even the least bit professional I'd talk to them when the time came. The owners eye's lit up when I said I had a grader... and other equipment. I'm not in any hurry to sell. I was thinking I'd try to sell stuff myself first. Tire kickers can be a pain though. Some on-site auctions get decent prices if they advertise heavily. I have to consider the commission too. Getting a little more money but then paying the commission negates the higher selling price. Reserve auction might be good compromise. My equipment being older is probably more geared towards farmers or land owners than contractors so maybe a farm auction would be the best bet?? Lots of things to consider.

If there is a upcoming farm auction in the area, you can sometimes list your items in conjunction with it. The larger the sale, the larger the buyers plus the commissions charged at the farm auctions are sometimes less.

 

[Tony Wells]

If you have the time, perhaps you could link up with a couple of brokers and get them to do some nation-wide advertising for you. They will do comps and list it for a slice. I would guess selling across the border might be a hassle though.

 

[40mud]

I'm sure they'd let me keep it there for awhile but not in the pole shed.

Here's a list of the bigger stuff I have. The tractor is the oldest but a very desirable model. I also have various 3pt. hitch implements, some like new and a 94/95 Yamaha Big Bear 350 quad and trailer.

1965 ** 135UK. 3 cyl. Perkins diesel with working 12 speed multi-power trans., loader with blade and bucket and cab off an MF20 industrial tractor, very good rear tires, chains, 5000hrs.

1986 Cat 931B track loader with factory quick attach backhoe, 4 in 1 loader bucket with teeth and bolt on edges, approx. 1500 hours on new undercarriage, rebuilt engine with 3 ring IPD pistons, rebuilt steering clutches and brakes, 5800 hours.

1986 Champion 730A grader with ripper, like new rear radial foam filled tires, 16' moldboard (2' extension was welded on), new serrated blades, Cummins 8.3, new seat. Hours unknown but starts and runs excellent.

1994 Thomas T133 skid steer loader, Kubota V1902B, comparable to Bobcat 743/753, built in Canada, both drive motors replaced, new glow plugs, like new tires, 3 good buckets (smooth, tooth and snow), 1 bucket needing rebuilt, 4500hrs. Most service records, original owner, runs like new.

1994 Ford L9000 dump truck, Cummins M11, 9 speed trans., heavy spec. with 16K front axle and 40K Hendricksen walking beam rears, double frame with minimal rust and no rust jacking, dual steering boxes, 15' box with air trip gate, replacement speedometer, new steer tires, good rears except 1 has a patch.

1995 GMC Topkick with 16' grain box and hoist, 6.0L gas engine. Good tires, runs great with under 200,000 kms., used as a water truck with or without 2000 gallon poly water tank, box is rough.

Where are you located at Dave?

 

[Welder Dave]

I'm in Alberta.

 

[cfherrman]

The Texas of Canada

 

[Welder Dave]

Alberta has much more oil. More than Saudi Arabia if you count the untapped reserves. There seems to be new technology to extract more oil all the time.

 

[cfherrman]

That's why it's called oilberta

 

[Welder Dave]

The really sad part is Alberta could sell a lot more oil and gas overseas if Ontario and especially Quebec would agree to a pipeline. Quebec imports 60% of it's oil which is a travesty considering Canada has more than enough oil. Pipelines are much safer than rail transport and much more efficient in getting oil and gas from point A to point B. They are at least reconsidering pipelines now with all the tariffs and uncertainty going on in the US.

 

[Welder Dave]

I got another call from the gravel pit today. They really want my property. Maybe??? they could put a road through and I could keep the track and they could purchase the property a few years later. They said they'd pay a premium price for the property. Another guy was helping me figure out how to get more riders this year. I had another idea that maybe they would let me use/rent about 10 acres in the field across the road to make a new track. That could be a good deal because the field has about 5' of sand on top. It wouldn't be affected by heavier rains nearly as bad as the existing track and would be good for spectators. If I don't sell they might not be interested in a few years as they would have made other plans. They bought the property West of me about a month ago. That's why they want my property to put a haul road through. Lots to think about for sure.

 

[CM1995]

Friend of mine's father sold the family farm to Martin Marietta around 15-20 years ago. Stipulation in the sale was the family could use the farm including the house, barns and fields for a set period of time.

To this day my friend still cuts hay, grazes cows and one of his employees lives in the old farmhouse on the property. A little different situation as Martin Marietta wanted the property for a buffer to their cement kilns and quarry but still something you may be able to negotiate on a shorter term.

 

[Welder Dave]

Well I certainly can't get rid of my equipment and clean the pole shed out in 30 days. If I could get enough land to build another track for 3 to 5 years could be a good compromise.

 

[HarleyHappy]

Just curious, since you aren’t riding, what is your fascination with a dirt bike track?

 

[Georgia Iron]

I got another call from the gravel pit today. They really want my property. Maybe??? they could put a road

 Dave,

It hard to know what to suggest to you since we don't know what is going on in your area. Is this property you have easily replaced with the money they are offering. That is the first question. From reading your words it feels as if you worry there might not be another buyer around. If you just sell to them without putting it up on the open market you might not ever know it's real value. You might be getting way over market or under market value with their offer.

I also wonder about Harleys question. Why do you want to build another track? It does not sound like it makes money. Could it be you can do it better the second time?

I see you are considering selling all your equipment. Sounds like you are on the fence. If you don't sell out and you keep what you have and you don't ever sell will you be happy with what you have and can you live out your life without much changes?


Selling, moving building a new track and what all is a lot. Sounds like a whole lot.

 

[Truck Shop]

Fascination=if ever watched a old movie on the subject {On Any Sunday}. I suppose
in Dave's case it lends a place for those who live to act out their own On Any Sunday.
Motor sports of most any type is a popular spectator sport, and for many who don't
necessarily participate but work in the back ground another avenue.

 

[crane operator]

The quarry wants your property, check with a realtor and make sure it is a fair offer first .

Then make a list of the price you think is fair for the equipment. Not a sky high, but fair price .

Add that equipment price number to the sale price of the property, and tell the quarry it's one price , property and equipment included. They can deal with selling whatever they don't want.

If that doesn't work, your equipment being allowed on the property, for six months after the sale to allow you to sell it, would be a alternative. But it would sure be easier to sell equipment and property, all in one shot.

I think with your health issues, the quarry offer sounds like a great way to get out from under all the work of your track and equipment.

 

[Welder Dave]

Thanks for the replies. Having a track is kind of the same as riding a dirt bike. Contrary to what some think, riding a dirt bike and doing jumps and stuff isn't a death wish. It's doing something not everyone can do and is exhilarating and exciting. People do specific jobs for kind of the same reason. When you can transform a bare piece of property into the foundation of a shopping mall or fully transform a yard into a landscaped masterpiece is very rewarding for most who do it. They say doing something you like is half the battle. I think it's more than that. When you enjoy what you do is also great for your well being. You're happy and even excited to go to work everyday. If you have to work late or do overtime is just part of the fun. Some people are very lucky and find their calling at a young age. Other's can spend decades doing different jobs and never really find their true calling. This makes some people bitter and miserable. It also leads to depression and other health issues.

When I bought land to build the track it was kind of a dream fulfilled. I did track prep. on one the most famous tracks in Canada and got a lot of compliments. Riders would come knowing I did the track prep. They even set attendance records when I did the track prep. I even did the track prep. for the Canadian nationals for 2 years. There were several tracks and places to ride shut down in the early 2000's so I thought building a track would be really welcome to all the riders. The club I did most of the track prep. for unfortunately got a new president that didn't really acknowledge the history of the club or the people that made the club the success it was. I did the track prep. for peanuts as my contribution to the club. After I built the track the new president wasn't interested in it. He lived close to another track that wasn't even open to the general public or even the club for practice. Only time you could ride it was at an event. I still went to club meetings and asked why the club isn't interested my track. To say I was shocked at the presidents arrogance is an understatement! He said "You're a promoter now and you can't just expect the club is going to come to your track". Wow!! On the clubs web page a few riders who did come out loved the track and said others should check it out. Even the most famous member of the club who was one of the primary founders of the club. He went on to win the world vet championship 12 times! Someone actually responded that if the club isn't supporting Dave's track then I'm not going to either. Another wow!! I thought if someone doesn't like me fine don't come out but to not come out because the president of the club isn't supporting ithe track is just stupid. You might actually like it. I was pretty bitter about it. One founding member, who's wife was the greatest lap scorer on the planet, told me that the way they decide where to put on events is BS! I did get a couple small events, one being a snowman race where the snow is cleared off the track and the bikes run special studded tires. The track was absolutely perfect and the riders loved it. Only problem was only 16 riders showed up. They did say that anyone who didn't come really missed out.

Fast forward about 15 years and this former president is running a vintage MX club. Out of the blue I get an e-mail asking if I'd like to put on a vintage race. I literally almost fell out of my chair. The race was put on and the riders really liked it. I whole heartedly believe this was an apology for treating me like I had the plague and not supporting my track. I had a vintage race scheduled every year after that except last year. Last year was odd because the year before the majority of riders said I had the best event. I was quite upset about it because another track that had been dropped for a couple years by the club suddenly was back on the schedule and getting preferential treatment. Turns out the new president of the vintage club lived close to this track and was friends with the president. I can't win. Part of the reason I've stayed open is to say f%$! you to the people who didn't support me. I feel like such a smuck doing track work for the one club for peanuts for 10 or 11 years. I went to a club meeting and they were discussing finances. It was brought up the club owes $5000 for track prep. The founding member who's wife did lap scoring patted me on the shoulder and said it's OK. He knew. I asked if it was for the full year and was told no. Holy ****! I got paid between $400 and $600 to do track prep. for an event. $5000 would have covered 3 or 4 years of track prep. Back when I did it, I was always the first one they asked if there was a way to lower track prep. costs. It seems like I should be the poster boy for nice guys finish last. Sorry for the long post. I thought people might understand better if they knew more of the story.

 

[HarleyHappy]

Than you for that detailed response. I think now I understand.
I have had my own club issues and now I could care less about the club that I helped start but I do still miss the club atmosphere and I was the hero, that always got the job done. Or so I thought.