Dougster

The magnificent Mahindra 7520! $26K (+/-) brand new cash money as pictured out the door (no financing, all rebates included) last time I checked. No sales tax in New Hampshire! How can you beat this??? Add a slightly used Bradco 611 to it off eBay and you've got yourself a hefty digging monster for not much over $30K!

Not sure if anyone can still buy one for that with the American dollar worth 63 cents today... ...but it sure does form the basis by which I evaluate all my other options.

Dougster

Attached Images

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Dougster

In between doctor's appointments, dentist appointments, vision appointments and visits to the MA state health insurance office to argue my case for "Commonwealth Care" coverage (trust me, end of COBRA is a b***h!), I managed to do even more "second machine" shopping yesterday. Got a pretty decent price on a new/leftover Yanmar CBL-40 and a so-so (read: disappointing) price on a new/leftover Yanmar VIO27-3 CAB. Also looked at a used CBL-40... but it was pretty beat up. My repeat impression is that they do not show their age particularly well.

I still keep coming back to the magnificent Mahindra 7520 and what I could do with that machine if fitted with a Bradco 611 for less cash outlay than either of those two Yanmar machines. I think the Yanmars (CBL-40 and the mini-excavators) are very nice indeed... but dollar for dollar, no match for the big red monster.

Yes, seems I am "hooked" but good.

Dougster

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PaulChristenson

Paul in VT

I used to own an ant farm but had to give it up. I couldn't find tractors small enough to fit it.
-- Steven Wright

Dougster

Now isn't that funny Paul!!! If all else fails, Northern Tool to the rescue!

But for now the hunt will continue. I've actually found some pretty darn good used candidates (albeit ALL out of state and NONE exactly giveaways)... but no cigar yet. Two issues continue to dog me:

1) The weight vs. depth vs. digging power issue (i.e., fitting my needs and 10K trailer/towing capacity precisely)... and,

2) The Mahindra 7520 concept & price always nagging at me in the background.

Dougster

PaulChristenson

In Mass. its called a Hoisting License. The test is pretty easy and only costs $65. Small price to pay considering the fine is $1000 for the operator and $3000 for company owner for 1st offence. All operators of equipment that falls under the guidelines needs this license no matter where their working, only exception is if foreman on job has license and is supervising the operator. If unsure whether you need one, the law defines the equipment as anything that can reach 10ft. in the air OR can lift at least 500lbs. OR has a bucket capacity of 1/4 cy. or more.

Paul in VT

I used to own an ant farm but had to give it up. I couldn't find tractors small enough to fit it.
-- Steven Wright

Dougster

I do have one Paul... yes. Class 2A. Essentially covers backhoes, loaders and wheeled/track excavators. No cranes.

If I didn't have one, my expensive business liability insurance would be pretty dang useless since I would be breaking the law (and thereby voiding the coverage) on essentially every job.

Dougster

LarryRB

They must have really changed this around,, I have one of the rare "unrestricted" hoisting licenses and it was not easy to obtain.. I am talking when they started this stuff back in the middle 70's. It was a 50 question written test in the little state house, Springfield MA then their investigators came to your place of business and you had to operate in front of them,. everything you wanted on your license, I had to "dig" with the hoe, dry load a dump with a loader, operate a Deere 790 which today is about a 215 excavator, run the catch basin cleaner, we borrowed a fire ladder from another town, and operated that which covered hydraulics and cranes up to 110 feet. My license which I always keep up is 80 per year,, are you guys different with this 2a?

Dougster

I paid $75.00 to take the exam and get my initial license (good up until my 2nd birthdate... i.e., expires this year). I'm not sure about the current two-year renewal fee. I will find that out in ~3 months.

But Paul is right. Everything is in the process of being changed. God only knows what the new fees will be... but I can absolutely guarantee you that they won't be lower. The state is adding new "operating proficiency" test and "continuing education" requirements on renewals that are sure to send the renewal fees well into the stratosphere. Both are apparently to be administered by outside (commercial equipment) schools... so you know you'll have to pay out for that nonsense too.

The only good thing for us license holders is that the state is eliminating those instant, free 30-day licenses for anyone wishing to rent a machine from the local Home Depot or rental guy. In theory, this should mean much more work for us licensed folk since homeowners and landowners can't just go out and rent a machine for a day or week anymore. Unfortunately, I fear the same illegal alien crowd operating skidsteers and whatnot without licenses now will just grab a bigger share of the work since their costs are the only ones that will not increase under the new proposed rules.

And you wonder why I can't stand this bizarre socialist state.

Dougster

bandit67

Wow, that's insane! I couldn't imagine not being able to rent a piece of equipment if needed. If Colorado also was a bunch of babysitters like that, I wouldn't have been able to rent that B7800 last fall. So, I take it if you are buying your own compact machine, you've got to get the license in Mass if you don't want someone stopping by and ticketing you while you're out working on your little tractor one afternoon?

So, you had a big problem with Mass residents killing themselves on rental equipment? Or is it just another one of those revenue increasers in Taxachussetts? Boy, and to think we used to drive up to the MA/CT border to the big liquor stores to save some $$. I know CT tried cracking down if they saw you pull out of the parking lot, then head for the border, but I assume MA has probably closed that "tax loophole".

KUBOTA B3030 with R4s, fender mount FEL joystick, 40 amp alternator, block heater, loaded rears, LA403 w/60" bucket, BH75 w/12" bucket, pin-type QA, pallet forks, & Landpride RB2572, Bro-Tek thumb.
Old attachments: Midwest LR2072 rake w/gauge wheels, Rhino SE4 rotary cutter, 3pt trailer receiver.

Click here for Tractor photos

Dougster

Correct. Under the proposed rules, no one without a Hoister's License (if they are still gonna call it that) would be able to rent a tractor with an FEL, skidsteer, backhoe or mini-ex of any consequence. They do it now under what really amounts to an exemption from the licensing rules for short-term rentals. That exemption is proposed to be eliminated.
Technically correct... although many private parties and illegal alien workers flaunt the law and get away with it 99.999% of the time.
You know the People's Republic of Taxachusetts. Take a wildazz guess.
Taxachusetts only worries now about booze sales and general sales tax lost to New Hampshire where booze is cheaper and there is no general sales tax. Anyone from Eastern Taxachusetts and Rhode Island with half a brain does all of their major shopping up there.

Dougster