I Wouldn't Buy This Equipment... Here's Why

You know, there are little details about equipment that tell me almost immediately if it's worth buying or not. And today we're going to be looking at a few amazing pieces of equipment, but one clearly stands out where you should pay closer attention before you decide to purchase it. And I'm going to show you exactly the criteria I use when making a decision like that. Now, this first piece of equipment is pretty awesome, but with one major defect. Let's take a look at it. All right, Michael, we've got something new in the Iron Valley booth today. What are we looking at with this bad boy? >> This is the Ugg Home 2150. It's a multi-purpose utility tractor. >> So, you actually have this one set up for winter work. So, it's just a matter it's basically this is now a tool carrier if I'm understanding this correctly. >> So, I've got a salter in back. I got a blower in front. I can swap it out to a blade or a broom to do sidewalks, small parking lots. Should have a brine unit available for it. Fly press. >> Now, the market that these guys are going after is currently held by a company called Ventrac. And Ventrac is a phenomenal organization and they have got >> [snorts] >> a well-built reputation and a well-built very simplified tool that handles it. And that's all almost all of the equipment in the Ventrac line, but that doesn't mean there isn't an opening for someone to come in, capitalize on it, and build the next best version. So, as you look at this, just think of that. If you're anywhere familiar with a Ventrac, think of this machine potentially replacing and doing some of the same jobs as a Ventrac. Now, if a man wanted to make a living with this 365 days a year, so spring, summer and fall >> Yep. >> I see what you can do with it in the winter time. What are you going to do with this in summer time? Are you How are you going to optimize the back? Can you put a spray tank on the back? >> So I can put a spray tank to water plants. I can spray tank to fertilize. >> Okay. >> I can put a vacuum unit on it to do parking garages. Lowest clearance you're going to be well under 7 ft >> Okay. >> which most parking ramps are at. I can put a mower deck or a vacuum deck to clean up leaves. It's got a vac system in back and a bagging system in back in the summer. >> Okay. >> Or I could put a flatbed on it and use it like a tow truck. >> Okay. And I'm looking at the turf tires that you have on it >> Yep. >> and the way it's set up right now I would assume that this is not going to tear up any turf as you're operating over the top of that. >> I'm well under 2000 lb. >> Okay. >> Closer to 15. >> What is the price point on this thing? >> So as it sits with the blower and that >> How about just the bare bones unit for Can't tell me is it top secret or you just don't know? >> It's uh yeah. >> You don't know. >> I don't know. >> That's all right. As we see it now >> And and part of the issue we face is it's coming in from Denmark and we don't know what the tariff is. >> Oh. >> So anything I tell you is going to be plus or minus 15% depending on what the tariff is. >> Okay. >> We bring it across. >> But the tariffs have been ruled illegal. >> Understood. >> And guess who still pays the bill for it? You and me. We are still paying the bill on those tariffs. We're not getting the refund but the companies are getting the refund on it. So the pricing should go down on all of this equipment very soon as soon as all of the regulations go through. >> So as this sits show special you're looking about 65,000. >> The price does have to come down on it. Now I'm actually impressed with how this is built. A-Tak Home isn't a new company. It was actually established in the 1990s in Denmark. But here's where I struggle with this. This machine as you see it set up starts at around $65,000 and that's the show special. Now if we're going to actually compare and contrast that to a Ventrac, the Ventrac 4520 starts in the low 30s. Now this is not a perfect apples-to-apples comparison by any means. But if you're a contractor trying to make money with this machine, that price difference matters. Now I'm not asking if this machine is worth $65,000 to a golf course, a municipality, or a specialized contractor by any means. But what The question I am asking is can a contractor afford to go out and buy this machine, put it on a trailer, and make a living with it putting food on his own table at that price point? Now as much as price matters, there's also a story behind the name on every piece of equipment and this next one is a great example of that. Not only does price justify your purchase decision, but one of the other things that you should take into consideration is who builds it, how they build it, and what's the story behind their name. So let's check out this next one. >> One more actual brand before that, but I don't know >> So it was who Case first? >> Case, Aztec, and then Toro, and now Ditch Witch. >> So Toro actually owns Ventrac and Exmark and Ditch Witch and all of these other companies, but they all interestingly enough compete against each other. >> Mhm. >> They don't They don't cooperate as much as they They like a rising tide raises all ships. >> Yeah. >> So um now this was Is it still manufactured by or does Toro sell their version or no? >> They do? >> They both come out of the Ditch Witch plant. >> Okay. >> And the changes they made is got a Ditch Witch shaker. >> Uh-huh. >> And then they beefed up like the center pinion. >> Okay. >> Um but essentially they're both, the red one and the orange one, are coming out of the ditch witch plant going to two different paint stations, basically. >> Interesting. >> All right. 37 horse Yanmar diesel. Um, you have the option of a real carrier or a trencher on front. >> Okay. >> And then you can also set it up with dual wheels as well. >> Oh, I suppose so you've got better flotation and better traction and all the other side hills and ditches. >> Yep. So many So many variables. >> How do you actually hook that up with the duals, do you know? >> Uh, there is a a bracket essentially that makes an extension that goes in. >> So that hooks to here, here, and here and then that allows it to put your extra set of dualies on it. >> And I believe there's an articulation stop that keeps it from over articulating. >> Okay. >> So you might lose a little bit of steering. >> Now, if a guy wanted the Toro version versus the Ditch Witch version, is there a benefit of one over the other or vice versa or is it just the color of the paint that they prefer? >> Uh, the color of the paint, the dealer, who's the dealer in the area. >> Okay. >> If you have a Toro dealer that's next door, it's going to make more sense. If you have a Ditch Witch dealer, that's going to make more sense. It's who's going to support you. >> Is the warranty the same on both brands, do you know why? >> I believe so. It should be 1 year bumper-to-bumper minus the wear parts. >> But now we have to disclose you don't actually work for Toro. >> I do not. >> You work for Ditch Witch, but you don't actually work for Ditch Witch, you work you're an independent dealer, is that right? >> Yep. >> So you actually you're not a representative of Ditch Witch either. You just know this equipment because you saw this equipment. >> Yep. So, we're a dealership. We have four stores in Minnesota and Iowa. So, just delivering the equipment. >> So if you guys are in Minnesota or Iowa, where would they go to find you, Wyatt? >> So, uh, Ditch Witch Minnesota, we have a store in Shakopee. We have a store in Fergus Falls. And then we also have a store in uh, Huxley, Iowa, which is by Ames and then one in Davenport. >> Okay. >> Those are both new buildings, so >> And you actually don't just represent this one, you actually use the Ditch Witch SK 1050 over here. >> Mhm. >> The big dog over here, the Ditch Witch or the Yeah, the Ditch Witch SK 3000, which I've ran a couple of these Ditch Witches and I I love I think they're phenomenal equipment. I mean, I really do believe Ditch Witch makes really good equipment. And then the Ditch Witch SK 1750 and the 800. And I know I'm saying a bunch of models, but is there any other sizes for these mini skid loaders? >> Uh, the SK 1000. >> Okay. >> So, that's in between these two would if it was here. Um, it's a 1000 rated machine, 1000 lbs. It's got a 24 horse turbo Yanmar. >> Why would we want a 1000 over this 1050? I mean, it seems like a minuscule difference. >> Um, you have a 37 horse engine in this, so your horsepower is going to be it only it's only 13 horse, but when you're in such a small machine, it makes it a huge difference. So, if you're running hydraulic attachments like a trencher, a vibratory plow, a mulcher, brush mower, things like that, you're going to be able to power that attachment significantly better. >> Now, do you sell the hydro buckets? >> We do. >> Okay. So, but made by CMP attachments. >> Yep. >> Okay. Perfect. And you've got a hydro bucket on there. But before I show you what caught my attention for all the wrong reasons, let me show you what this stuff looks like when it's done right. All right, guys. Storm Equipment, this is a new equipment line. >> Correct. Correct. >> Correct. >> But you're not new in the industry by any means whatsoever because the owner of Storm Equipment is Jordan. >> Yep. Jordan Smith. >> Jordan Smith, who happens to be a friend of mine, who actually started VSI Equipment, who then sold out to Boss, and now he started his own new line of equipment. Is that correct? >> Exactly. >> And Jordan was in love with Metal Plus, but there were certain things he did not love about Metal Plus, so he changed the design and created his own version. Am I right with this? >> Yeah. Yeah, we've just taken uh the years of user feedback from you know people all over the US. Um and we've just incorporated that into our design here today. >> As I look at this, this is I can't see where you could improve upon any component of this and make it even heavier duty cuz as I'm looking at this, I'm looking at these massive single cylinders right here. I'm looking at this massive box frame design where you're pushing into the blade. >> Yep. >> I'm looking at this canterlever right here and there's no weak points in there. As I go through and I look at the pins and I look at the cutting edge, I don't see a single weak point on this. What am I missing? >> Well, the biggest thing is is you know we're we're we're snow contractors as well, so we understand like the rigors of snow removal. So when we set out here the last year designing this plow, the biggest thing you know we took into account like we would rather over build a lot of things than cut corners. Um and and that was just our our our big thing when we set out designing this was making it built the best way possible. >> So now you also have the floating moldboards. >> Yep. Floating wings or floating wings. >> So the entire >> So if I'm looking at this right, this entire section right here can has 3 in of travel? >> Yeah. Yeah, it's a little more than that. Um but yeah, essentially the whole edge from tip to tip floats. Um and then we have uh a floating edge on the center there as well. >> And then each of the sections you got 1 2 3 4 sections that are also floating. >> Exactly. >> And they trip as well. So they're floating and trip. >> Yep. Yep. Both. So, it's a simultaneous. I want to make sure that the audience knows they'll go up and down. >> Yep. So, it'll travel left to right and it also trips back each section independently. >> Okay. And then as we look at back here, look at what they did with this sec center section right here. Look at the thickness of this steel. Look at the thickness here. Every single little thing, this is where you start to notice the nuances of how a company does it. When I look at a piece of equipment, I look at every minutia, Craig. I'm looking at your welds here. I'm looking at the thickness of the steel. I I And I look at the system how you actually have these centered right here so that you could actually pop them springs off and replace those springs if you need to be, right? >> I'll revert back to our contractor roots. Like we're out there at 2:00 a.m. using these plows and uh you know, our our job is to make it easier for all the snow contractors out there. >> Excellent. So, what is the price point on a unit like this, dude? >> Uh so, this will top out right around 30,000. >> Now, this is where I get sticker shock, but for all the right reasons. I was expecting this blade to come into the mid-40s range, for sure. It fits. >> Yep. >> For real? >> Yep. >> What's the uh what's the weight? What's the length that'll go from what's the >> So, so this model here is what we call our C16. So, we have a compact version uh and then we have our E-Series, which has a 4-ft moldboard versus this 36-in moldboard. Uh this is our only 8-ft moldboard width that we make. All the rest of them are 10-ft. And then we have wing calibrations of 2, 4, 6, and then our large largest models have 8-ft wings. >> I'm I'm kind of reeling from the 30,000. But, was legitimately thinking >> Yeah, so that's the base of this all right. >> range. >> plows do push that like yep. >> They're up in the 40 >> Yep. >> Okay, that's what I was thinking you were going to say right out of the gate. >> Yep. >> Okay, okay, okay. >> You got it. >> We're on the same page. Uh so, when we look at this equipment, not only do we look at the manufacturing, but I also like to analyze the history of the equipment. Who exactly is making it? Where did they come from? How long have they been in the industry? What's their experience like? What are they known for in the past? So, as we analyze and break down each piece of equipment, it's not just the visual factors that go into something like this. It's the history behind the piece of equipment that also factors into that. So, as I look at something like this, I would be very confident in in this. I know Jordan. Jordan, if you guys you guys know Jordan if you've been to my channel, him and I walked you and taught you guys how to do all of your salt brining. He gave away all of the numbers. He gave away all of the information to help you guys do a better job. And he's been in this industry for how many years? >> Longer than I've been around. >> So, it's those nuances that add up to a big difference. >> Okay, we've seen what good looks like and in this next segment, I'm trying to find the good. But as we start walking around this piece of equipment, my red flag alerts start going off. And I just let them cruise under the radar in the beginning until I finally just can't hold off anymore. So, instead of me interrupting this video, I'm going to let you guys do the walk around with me and then afterwards, let's revisit a lot of the red flag areas that we seen and why they're red flags. So, let this one roll. >> I'm Tana and I'm with Central Trailer Sales. >> Hi Tana. Um this is a PJ Trailer, correct? >> a PJ Dump Trailer, correct? >> Um I noticed you have what's called monster rails on this. So, as we look at this, what are we What are we looking at, and what do we What do we need to know about the monster rails? >> So, what we're looking at is we're looking at kind of the structural integrity of this um dump trailer. So, I mean, you can kind of see the the beefiness of it. It's all a 7-gauge flooring. >> Mhm. >> Um but the way that they kick out these monster rails just gives it so much more structure when you're putting a lot of things in here. >> So, it's not a true box frame. I notice it's an indentation. >> indentation. >> Which is a way to add rigidity so that, you know, if you It reminds me of the uh the RAM pickup trucks. >> Yeah. >> They don't have the indentation on them, so you you push on them, and they tend to dent >> Correct. >> a lot easier, where if we look at a Ford, they have that structural indentation, and that's what they did with with this one. >> Correct. It's a good analogy. >> Mhm. Mhm. Is there anything else that we should know about this? I mean, I'm looking at it. >> awesome because it has a five-stage telescopic hoist. >> Okay. Nice. >> Um you're going to get a lot more power when you're putting that hoist up in the front. So, >> And it looks like a very beefy hoist, as well. >> hoist. >> Do you know what the rating is on that one? >> This one is rated I believe for 20,000 lbs. >> 20,000 lbs. >> Yep. So, you can overload this thing, and uh it just will get it up. >> And is this a powder coated? >> This is a powder coated, correct. >> What's the axles on this unit? >> is a 7K axles, and they are They have the 14-ply tires, which is very nice. >> 14-ply tires. So, and as we go, you've got on the front of your dump trailer, it looks like you've got dedicated tool storage on the top. And And then here's your hydraulic reserve, and an extra-big hydraulic reserve. I notice it's not a plastic tank. >> It's not. Okay. KTI. Um and then we've got the hydraulic jack, so you've got your controller for your dump and for your hydraulic jack. >> Okay. Now, as we walk around here and your first name again was? >> Tana. >> Tana. Um Tana, one of the things I I see one of the things I see is a lot of sloppy welds. >> Mhm. >> And I wish they would take pay closer attention to the the little details like this >> Sure. >> because this doesn't tell me quality craftsmanship and it makes me worry that if they're willing to sacrifice on a very easily exposed part >> Sure. >> is there anything else that we need to know that they're not doing? But the history of PJ is there a mid-tier level trailer? >> They are mid-tier. They are so if you're somebody is wanting kind of those cleaner welds, I would probably walk them over to a Diamond C. >> A Diamond C. Is there anything else we should know about this trailer before I let you get back to your job? >> I think a big selling feature is the long arm tarp. So, you know, you've got people who are a little bit shorter where you sometimes need two people to bring that tarp behind. Whereas this one, all you got to do is crank it and the tarp does its job. >> Awesome. Now, where do you guys find out more information if they want any more? >> Um we are centraltrailersales.com. >> centraltrailersales.com >> are located in East Bethel and Jordan. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, thank you. >> Have a good one now. >> Okay, let's get technical on this one. Red flag number one was those that box frame side, the indentation. And I just seen the opportunity for those guys to completely create a box frame which would have immensely strengthened those sidewalls because that top rail, that monster rail that they're bragging about, that is the crash point on a dump trailer. That's the point…