landscaping business with HJ47s utes

[The Red Camel]

In don't know if this is the right area for this but anyways I was wondering if a couple of 1983 or 1984 HJ47utes could handle hauling a trailer around with a couple yards of dirt and such and also be used as a truck a chipper combo.

They would be imported from oz and never driven in winter and under coated every year. I just thought they would be different looking and a advertising plus. Maybe on one tray back put a dump box with canvis cover and haul wood chips.

Any answers would be a plus.

 

[andrews520]

Isn't hard work that vehicle's entire reason for existence?
I think you'll be fine.

 

[AussieHJCruza]

Why not?

I don't see why not. They should be able to tow that weight just fine. I've towed 4 tonnes with a HJ47. Pretty slow and the brakes weren't that fabulous but she did very well.

The only problem could be the size of the chip bin you could put on the back. If you weren't doing a lot of tree work, it shouldn't be a problem. Having to go and unload regularly would get pretty old pretty quickly IMHO.

Another thing to consider would be the weight of the mulch. I don't know how much a load of mulch would weigh, but you'd need to be mindful that they're rated for 1000 kg on the tray.

For what it's worth, I'd say go for it. On a similar note, I hope to use a HJ47 and do a bit of firewood selling with the weather starting to cool down. (Hooray, 46 degrees C gets a bit tiring after about 2 weeks straight)

Sorry about the rave. I hope something here is of use to you.

 

[Douglas S]

Hard to find parts for, old, expensive to fix.


Get an F150.

 

[The Red Camel]

landscape

I have a 2003 GMC 2500 pickup and it can haul loads over and above any truck around here. My reason for asking was everyone here has the same trucks and all landscapers use the same names they take two words and put them together. Like rock crest, spring valley, green leaf, anyways I always thought outside the box and I only live once.

I know the hj47s would be harder to maintain and such I'm only thinking of using one or 2 and I would keep my GMC for the s*** kicking work. I would put the Ute's away in the wet months and snow because the salt here would kill them.

Maybe change my business Nam that I have had to 8 or 9 years now to desert oak landscaping or something.

I have loved landcruisers for years and to be honest the 40 style troopy and Ute's and shorty,


I figure I can get a ute in oz for around $6,000 to $8,000 after doing some research .

Example below

 

[The Red Camel]

another

Heres another

 

[chappohj47]

Mate buy a gmc or a ford or a dodge stop stealing all of our hj47s from us

 

[The Red Camel]

ute

Don't worry you will not miss one or two out of your millions of landcruisers.


This one is perfect with tipper

 

[chappohj47]

Very nice ute

 

[jfz80]

I like the idea... But I'm a little biased

And am digging the tilt tray there too

As mentioned the chipper bin would fill up quick so could be a hassle depending on how much/often you were grinding and hauling. A well matched Trailer with brakes would be nice and should tow around pretty decent. As Long as you weren't hauling the heavy stuff I say go for it. You got the gmc for the down and dirty work. The non stock box or tray would alleviate rust and corrosion concerns and be easier to clean out as well. I hate being nervous to put a bag of fertilizer in mine for fear of the granules getting into places they shouldn't. But a tarp usually goes everywhere so I just take a few minutes extra to be cautious.

Some spend that much a year on marketing their businesses, you get marketing and a sweet ride all rolled into one.

Mine is admittedly on the large side but hopefully one day it will have a milder lift and monogrammed canvas cover .... One day.

Works great for me as a one man show designer/consultant and occasional install. Gets great attention when shopping at green industry vendors. It'll fit partial pallet of stone 5 shrubs 20 perennials tools and supplies and the room to cart away debris and trimmings when done for small projects like above. Although carting that Acer in the first pic through the capital wrapped in a synthetic tarp got me a few suspected terrorist looks LOL

 

[The Red Camel]

I'm going to change my business name as well its called I'm Stumped landscape and tree removal I'm thinking Desert oak landscape & Tree service what's you think and incorp a ute or two ,


Like I said I'm not out to kick the s*** out of the Ute's just the gmc

 

[The Red Camel]

hj47

Here's another nice truck.

 

[stainless 40/45]

Here's another nice truck.

Not likely you can get any of those rigs for $6000 or even $8000 with shipping and fees. I wipould think maybe $8500 would be the least expensive. Oz is not as inexpensive as it was 5 years ago. And if you don't have a contact you know that could checkout the rigs you might be taking a chance. But it's a great idea.

 

[The Red Camel]

I have been talking to a few guys in Australia that are willing to do the leg work. If you look at Gumtree they are in the range of $7,000 give or take a few thousand. I know this can work its just finding the right trucks. Any trucks I do see I add another $3500 for shipping and so on.

But I'm taking my time I have learned the hard way the right trucks do come up.

 

[CycloSteve]

I would go with something unique, like the tipper-bed one.

 

[merbesfield]

I run a landscape business as well as a hardscape business, 33 years now. I think any of these vehicles would be fine for an estimating truck, but for actually hauling men and supplies I don't think such a good idea. I'm building an LV for running around and might put some logos on it. If you are a one man show you might be able to make it work and you could add a cool trailer for more carrying capacity, but still, I think it's not very practical. Not trying to bust your bubble.

 

[The Red Camel]

I hear what your saying about hauling around guys all day and hauling loads. I do think there unique and will draw some attention and since I have a few days of lawns I'm sure I could haul a trailer and mowers. As it goes for the landscaping jobs I'm sure its ok for 2 yards on the tray dirt or gravel.

I'm not a big business and I don't take on more then I can handle. At the very most I have 3 guys working for me.

Im thinking two months maybe 3 i will find one or two and ship them over and I will post pictures. As for when there on job sites that may not be until mid summer. I would need to put advertising on them and learn how to use right hand drive.


As it goes for your LV that would be really cool and to say you have been in landscaping 33 means you have done something right.
Good going

 

[FXR UPR]

I would hire you if you were local and showed up with a couple of sweet cruisers.

 

[The Red Camel]

I have to make sure the money is well spent before I send off $8,000 over seas. I have been taken before sending money and it sucks.

I have to trust the guys in Australia.