Recent content by James R.

A clean, well-maintained unit will save you way more in the long run.

That's usually a drive motor seal starting to go on those machines. On a CASE 650K Series 2, when the motor leaks into the final drive, it's often the shaft seal or internal seal failing.

I've used VeriTread a couple of times-pretty solid overall.

I’m a small contractor and thinking about picking up a machine from there, but not sure how it really works out in practice. The listings and inspection reports look solid, but I know it’s still a bit of a gamble buying sight unseen.

Back in 2021-2022, things were much easier-payments were lower, approvals came faster, and lenders were more flexible. Now, everything feels a bit tighter across the board.

One thing that worked for me wasn't anything fancy. It was just consistency and small wins. On one road job we did, I started doing quick 5-minute check-ins every morning. Not a full meeting, just "here's the plan, here's the target for today." Then at the end of the day, I'd call out what we...

I've gone through a few setups over the years, and honestly, what works depends on how you actually use your truck day-to-day.

Stuck? Not even close. John Deere pushing through the mud and still getting the job DONE.

Off-highway trucks are on a different level when you're in rough terrain or moving a lot of material. We used ADTs on a muddy site, and they kept going where dump trucks would just spin or slow down. Way more efficient for big jobs. But for normal construction work, I still prefer on-road dump...

A few years back, I financed a machine early thinking I'd save long-term. It worked out eventually, but when work slowed down, those higher monthly payments hit hard. You're locked in whether the machine is earning or not. On the flip side, I've also leased equipment during busy seasons or...

I ran into something similar on a John Deere 544H-boom was slow, but everything else worked fine. It wasn't the cylinders. Since you've checked pilot pressure and resealed cylinders, here's where I'd look next: Main control valve (boom section): likely internal leakage or worn spool Load...

For a John Deere 245G LC excavator, hitting around 1800 RPM at full throttle is pretty normal. These newer machines usually top out around 1800-1900 RPM, not as high as the older ones. Before you stress about it, I'd check a few simple things: Power Mode: Make sure you're in P (Power) mode...

If you're choosing between a heavy equipment operator and a construction estimator, it really comes down to your long-term goals. Heavy Equipment Operator: Best for those who enjoy hands-on work, being outdoors, and earning quickly. High demand, solid pay, but physically demanding with slower...

I've been checking out listings on IronPlanet and trying to figure out the best machines to start with for a small construction business. From what I see, a lot of people suggest starting with: Mini excavator Skid steer Backhoe loader But I'm not sure what actually makes the most sense in...

Thank you for the response!