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Tuscola, IL | Wanting to go from a Chevy C60 and C70 both single axle to one tandem truck and auger cart this fall. Even with all the gas vs diesel discussion lately I would like to go with a diesel. Probably something mid 80's to mid 90's. Been looking around on truckpaper because I know very little about trucks outside of the engines. Any suggestions? |
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Statesville, NC | Two years ago I bought an '87 International S-1900, DT466, tandem hendrickson, 10 speed. It has a 18' bed and I can haul 500 bushels and gross about 47000. Truck is rated 46000, 12k front and 34k rear. I don't run a truck many miles and wanted something low maintainence. This is about as simple and low maintainence truck as you can get. All mechanical, no electronics. A little slow with 5.38 gears, and low on power, but by the end of the day I couldn't do any more if it had more power. It was a forestry service truck and had low miles. I put the bed on it from my old Chevy tag axle tandem that the frame was rusting out. Here is almost a twin to the truck I bought, same dealer. The miles on these trucks is correct: http://www.truckpaper.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=3714875
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West Central, IL | I have the same thing, but single axle, auto, and 16' bed. I really like the truck, its been low maintenance and almost anyone can drive it. I would buy another one if it was a bigger tandem and priced right. All round great truck for the money. |
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EKS | Might think about a twin screw, doesn't take much for tires to spin sometimes. |
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| When you decide what you want check out Rowland Trucks in Greenville, OH. Several local farmers have bought grain trucks from them and have been very pleased. . If they don't have what you want they will set one up for you the way you want it. We recently bought a semi tractor from them & they were very courteous and professional. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another truck from them. |
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West Union, Illinois | Been there, done that sort of. Went from single axle to tag axle to twin screw to single axle semi to twin screw 18 wheeler. It seems decent tandems are premium priced. I'd suggest learning from others experience and looking around at small semi's and skip the 10 wheeler phase. edit: I know, there is a reluctance to go from a good ol' farm truck to a small semi. I fought it for years and was WRONG. Especially if you get an automatic, it is much easier to get around than a straight truck. The only real trick is learning to back. I'll see if I can add a few photos of my journey through trucks.
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West Tennessee | Mike SE IL - 1/17/2013 22:31
Been there, done that sort of. Went from single axle to tag axle to twin screw to single axle semi to twin screw 18 wheelerIt seems decent tandems are premium priced. I'd suggest learning from others experience and looking around at small semi's and skip the 10 wheeler phase.
I agree with Mike. Been there done that too. |
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| Agree I have less money in a used single axle tractor. 
And a new Jet 22ft single axle trailer 
Than what I see many nice diesel tandems advertised for. It's a very maneuverable rig turns shorter than the single axle and wagon combo. Better braking, better handling and higher speeds. 
I was reluctant at first to go this route but would recommend it to anyone else to at least explore this option. BTW both setups each haul about the same amount. 
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Elsmore, Kansas | Agree. Ten wheelers are a ton of money in comparison to a small semi. |
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South East Illinois | We have a twin (almost) to what Von has and it works great. Wife was worried she would not like it. Our single axle truck is 12" shorter bumper to bumper than our extended cab Chevy pick-up. We added a hitch to ours to pull seed wagons and used it to pull NH3 wagons. We pull a gooseneck in the spring to haul seed corn to the planter. The plates will run about the same for the semi or the 10 wheeler also. Trailer plates for a semi are a one time fee. I think it is $25.00 or so.
We think the semi is more versitle (sp) than a 10 wheeler.
If you have any more ? e-mail works........... |
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Central Minnesota | I have a very nice tri-axle for sale... just haven't gotten around to advertising it yet. |
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NW Ohio | The diesel motor is the way to go......however, you may want a block heater on it if you harvest in cold weather. It really saves the batteries. Also, I would go with the live tandem.....not a cheater or air tag. It will work in the soft conditions better. Some of the newer put together tandems I have seen cost more than going to a semi and hopper bottom. Some of those older units are very reasonable and there seems to be quite a few of them available. The larger farmers are trading them off and going with newer. |
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east central illinois | i agree go with semi single or tandem you will be happy you did in long run |
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| The OP is from Illinois. Last I knew they did not recognize tri-axles. His gross weight would be limited to a tandem.
In my other post I didn't address the subject of truck size as his question concerned tandem trucks so I figured that was what he had decided upon. We went straight from single axle grain trucks to twin screw semis. Tandem trucks never seemed that popular in this area though I'm seeing more today than I did several years ago before the trend went to semis. Several area farmers went from single axle grain trucks to single axle semis but the majority of them moved up to twin screw tractors & long trailers. When we went to semis we were able to buy a semi-tractor & trailer cheaper than a diesel tandem grain truck. WE figured if we were going to sit in line for an hour or two we'd rather sit with a 1000 bu than 600.
Edited by boog 1/18/2013 07:39
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Geuda Springs, Kansas | I was shopping for a tandem this past summer. I was driving our 76 chevy Tandem when it caught on fire this summer during wheat harvest. We needed a truck that we could mount our drill fill auger on the back to plant wheat with in the fall. I decided I wanted a big tandem that could pull a pup trailer so we could have more truck capacity during harvest and it can have more of a purpose. I found smaller tandems that were reasonably priced from 25,000 to 35,000. However when I got to the big trucks with a lot of horse power it was 50,000 to 75,0000. We ended up buying a 300 strobel seed tender instead and just hauling with our two semis. We decided if we needed more capacity in the future we would buy another semi for a lot less than what a tandem and pup would cost. I would seriously think about a small semi though. They are cheaper, easier to get around in and comfortable.
Good Luck |
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cropsey, il 61731 | We went to semi's after hog manure pretty much forced us to and now, like mike, wonder what I was thinking. Straight trucks are easier to drive in some cases and more dmv's do the test, but a semi and trailer is often more maneuverable than a tandem and a cdl isn't that tough to get (you do need to practice before taking the test). We did go a little heavy on the semi's (freightshakers w/470 detroits and auto shift) for the manure ($12K). There are lots of trucks with smaller engines and with autoshifts where the biggest issue is you get a sleeper (which can be removed). We have 'new' (used suspension) steel 30' hoppers that cost $15K each. At the time hopper prices were just insane and there was no point in buying used/worn out for $12K. It seems like it's different now and perhaps you can get a better deal on a used hopper - maybe aluminum. At $27K or $54K for 2 total it's still cheaper than lots of the tandems out there.
Also, we used to run 3 straight trucks (2 pulled 300bu wagons) with 1 to 2 drivers all hauling 600 to 700 bu. Now one driver hauling around 700 bu easily keeps up even in good corn - dumping a semi is a no drama event and quick. Good brakes on lots of axles are a plus as well.
If you are handy at all, there are a lot of trucks on the market these days and most of things you'd spend money on (tires, brakes) are the same for a semi or straight truck (maybe cheaper on the semi).
Something like this if you don't mind shifting: http://www.commercialtrucktrader.com/find/listing/1997-FREIGHTLINER...
Autoshift: http://www.commercialtrucktrader.com/find/listing/2006-VOLVO-VNL64T...
these are just examples and you could get a better autoshift price if you bought it with a sleeper.
A possible hopper trailer: http://www.truckpaper.com/listingsdetail/detail.aspx?OHID=3812857
No one makes a perfect truck or trailer and they can all have problems. A truck that's in service and being maintained is often a better reason to buy than make or even model year. Steel hoppers can be repaired on farm pretty easily and are pretty durable (though they rust).
that's my 6 cents (tmi maybe)
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N.W. Illinois | Mike, your progression of hauling grain is similar to ours except we never had nice looking tandems. Same thoughts too regarding why the heck we didn't go to semis earlier. I sure don't miss the much higher center of gravity a straight truck has and the time it takes hoisting the box up and letting it down especially in cold temps.
For some farmers they will never be comfortable driving a tractor and trailer. Also some grain setups simply will not work with a semi trailer.
I have to smile(laugh) when I saw your last name on your trucks. You are probable tired of seeing and hearing about it but I could watch this 10 times in a row and still chuckle the 10th time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cFHAJ5asMk |
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SC IL | Mike, your red chevy single axle is junked on the hill behind wehrle brothers in vandalia in case you didnt know. It still says bumpus farms on the doors.
Edited by grainfarm 1/18/2013 08:21
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Tuscola, IL | That's a really good point, Mike. It's something I have definitely thought about. We don't NEED a semi, but with the equipment we've bought recently, we've learned that it's more about price than need. We didn't need the 3594 or the 1688 when we were looking for a tractor and a combine, but when we were able to get them for as good, or better, of a price than say a 2594 and a 1660. Not to mention the price difference between what we got and a 7130 and 21/2388. We have more equipment than we need for sure but we were able to get some nice iron for the prices we wanted to spend. Now, talking Dad into a semi might be harder than it was to talk him into the 1688 after 40+ years of green combines. |
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cropsey, il 61731 | You make an excellent point - I never should have owned an over priced 1660 when there were 1680's all over the place for better prices. Needs vs wants are always important to consider, but if costs are inverted where something bigger is the same price and potentially cheaper I'm not sure it makes sense to go against the market. |
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Tuscola, IL | Thanks, Pat. A lot of great info. |
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| Mike is spot on in this one. I bought a Tri-axle and was nothing but headaches. Sold it, bought a semi and a 30' hopper bottom and put 2k in my pocket. It has been a great unit with no issues.
INDY |
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Central Illinois |
Twenty+ years ago, I got a couple tickets for being over weight on the rear axles of a tandem, and that was when the gross weight limit was 50,000.
I've been told the limit now is 54,000 (gross) and I really think you need the tri-axle to get anywhere close to a "full" load without being overloaded on the rear axles.
Hard to get enough weight on the front axle of the tandem trucks I've been around, I'm not sure if a 500 bushel load (loaded heavy on the front) would still be legal on the rear axles.
Edited by Ron (Cen. IL.) 1/18/2013 09:43
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Macon, IL | Thanks Mike, I am about 1/2 way through that journey...why I like this site-nice to learn from others who have already been through it. |
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Ludington/Manistee MI area | With all this talk about short semi's if someone is looking at selling the one they got look me up I might be interested. |
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SE MN | CASE3594,
Would it be worth converting one of the chevys to a single axle semi (adding 5th wheel and air brake kit) and then getting a small hopper trailer? |
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| True but unless they changed the laws lately IL doesn't recognize a tri-axle. If you're running a tri & get stopped the max gross weight would be what the front & the two rear axles would allow. If you look at state hwy projects almost all the contract trucks are semis. Cross the line into IN & almost all you see on those jobs are tri & quad axle dumps, seldom see a semi. |
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Tuscola, IL | I like the idea, but I don't think either one has the power or gearing. One has a 350 and the other a 366 and a 350 bushel gravity wagon was about all they wanted.
You guys with the smaller semis and single axle trailers, what does it cost per year in Illinois to license these? Right now it's $506 I believe for 1 of our trucks. So we're paying $1012 a year. That was the main reason for going to one and getting an auger wagon. If we sell one truck and get an auger wagon for a reasonable price, the $506 a year in savings on one truck pays for the wagon in a few years. But, with going to one truck I would like to get a nicer one. Just wondering what you guys are paying to have them licensed. |
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South East Illinois | Home • Departments • Vehicles • Cft • Fees
VEHICLE SERVICES
Farm Registration
Gross Weight of Vehicle and Load Class 16,000 lbs. or less VF $150
16,001 lbs. to 20,000 lbs. VG $226
20,001 lbs. to 24,000 lbs. VH $290
24,001 lbs. to 28,000 lbs. VJ $378
28,001 lbs. to 32,000 lbs. VK $506
32,001 lbs. to 36,000 lbs. VL $610
36,001 lbs. to 45,000 lbs. VP $810
45,001 lbs. to 54,999 lbs. VR $1026
55,000 lbs. to 64,000 lbs. * VT $1202
64,001 lbs. to 73,280 lbs. * VV $1290
73,281 lbs. to 77,000 lbs. * VX $1350
77,001 lbs. to 80,000 lbs. * VZ $1490
We run R plates on the truck then we put the $25 plates on the trailer.
Go here and look around for more answers.
http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/vehicles/cft/fees.htm...
Hope that helps. You will not save on the plates and insurance, the saveings will be one truck and one trailer.
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Central Illinois |
I agree on your gross weight comment, but I just don't think it's possible to achieve that weight with a tandem because you just can't get enough weight (18,000) on the front to avoid being over on the rears (32,000). First ticket I got was for being over on the rears, but only got a warning for the gross. The second, I got tickets for the gross and rears, was trying to clean the bin out in 2 loads. Got it in 2 loads but the last load was even bigger than the one I got caught with. Right idea, poor timing.
With the tri-axle, the weight you couldn't get on the front could be on the "added" axle, and wouldn't all be on the "regular" rears.
Cousin brought over his tandems to haul beans, and said we could gross 54,000 pounds. I questioned whether we could legally gross 50,000 pounds because of the axle weights (distribution)
I believe they used to write warning tickets for up to 990 pounds on each axle, so maybe the 54,000 limit keeps you from being fined for being overloaded on the gross weight and only getting warnings for the axle weights.
Edit: After reading Little Duck's post below about the weight range on the different license plates, I'll bet the cousin isn't thinking about the limitations on the axle weights when he told me we could gross 54,000 pounds.
Edited by Ron (Cen. IL.) 1/18/2013 15:01
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| I'm not sure about IL but in IN I believe 46,000# is max weight on a tandem truck. That would be 34,000 on the rears & 12,000 on the front axle. That's if you have the correct tire size to get that much weight on the front (800# per inch of tire width). |
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West Union, Illinois | grainfarm - Mike, your red chevy single axle is junked on the hill behind wehrle brothers. We saw that this summer. If I am remembering right the truck the doors are on is not the one we traded in. We traded the red single axle and the blue cab truck for the white tandem. Oddly enough, the VIN on the door and title did not match the VIN on the old safety test sticker on the cab. |
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Central Illinois |
The truck I was driving was a Ford LTS (Louisville Tandem Short ?, it had the front axle "set back" ) with an 18 foot bed. When I was stopped the first time, the cop pulled out a tape measure and said "Let's go measure her".
If I remember correctly, he said to gross 50,000 pounds, it needed to be 18 feet from the center of the front tire to the center of the 2 tandems (thinking that was the rear measuring point, I was at the front), and it sure wasn't much more than 18 feet.
I weighed the front once, when I had a big load on the front, 14,000 pounds and you could sure feel it. GVWR of the truck may have only been 46,000. Probably lucky I didn't get ticketed for that too.
Edit: Now that I think about it, after I talked to the cousin about axle weights a month ago, we didn't go down the interstate to get to the terminal. He may not know any more than I do.
Edited by Ron (Cen. IL.) 1/18/2013 19:19
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West Union, Illinois | gaedyb - Would it be worth converting one of the chevys to a single axle semi (adding 5th wheel and air brake kit) and then getting a small hopper trailer? No. Unless it has air brakes now converting is too costly even if possible. It's better to do it right to start with. |
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Leeds, North Dakota | Josh, a darn good diesel tandem truck here is 35,000.00 plus, that are in nice condition, thats why farmers here are going with semi's, guess it depends on how your farm is set up, if you want to unload at bin site, semi trailer can be a pain if you can't drive straight in, Scott. |
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Grain Truck
