Grab lorries

[cd722]

Does anyone here run/manage grab lorries? If so would you mind me asking a few questions via pm please? Trying to weigh up if purchasing one is worthwhile.

 

[james_77]

I do not run a grab lorry, but I probably have similar interests to you. You would need an operators license for the lorry, which in all likely hood would mean that you would need a premises to operate from, then 6 weekly checks on the vehicle. Also the lifting equipment (grab) also needs to be tested and certified - (LOLER). You also need a waste carriers license. Most grab lorrys are 12 tonners, so a class 2 license would be required.

It seems that it would be hard to enter in to the industry given the cost of the requirements above unless you already had contacts and could start working straight away. Thats about all I know, but if you want to discuss heavy machinery business ideas feel free to contact me.

 

[Gordon - Commercial Finance]

If you reckon you can get enough work for it so that it more than pays for itself, then its worthwhile I suppose.
Bit more info needed maybe such as some of the stuff @james_77 mentions above.

 

[bodgitt&scarperLTD]

I do not run a grab lorry, but I probably have similar interests to you. You would need an operators license for the lorry, which in all likely hood would mean that you would need a premises to operate from, then 6 weekly checks on the vehicle. Also the lifting equipment (grab) also needs to be tested and certified - (LOLER). You also need a waste carriers license. Most grab lorrys are 12 tonners, so a class 2 license would be required.

It seems that it would be hard to enter in to the industry given the cost of the requirements above unless you already had contacts and could start working straight away. Thats about all I know, but if you want to discuss heavy machinery business ideas feel free to contact me.

Did you mean most grab lorries are 18t? On site we reckon on them holding around 12 cube of muck, unless wet clay etc.

 

[james_77]

Yes, what I meant is that it will be a large lorry requiring a class 2 license. More likely 18 tonner, but weight not important, in terms of the license.

 

[cd722]

We have an operators licence etc in place so that isn't an issue. Would propbably get a 6 wheel grab.

We are a construction company and currently use 3rd party grabs (hardcore/muckaway) which are expensive and unrealiable in this area, but trying to work out if the saving if significant enough to warrant it.

I know land fill costs and the maintenance costs of grab lorries can be expensive.

 

[Gordon - Commercial Finance]

How much would you be looking to spend? If it helps I can give you an idea of cost per month to fund it.

 

[james_77]

Maybe you could collect it from site and arrange a collection from your yard to dispose. I think you would be busy once word got out. There are a few independents round my way and on 2 occasions I had building work done, both firms used independents / small companies to grab. There are so many digger men out there, if you are having trouble, they probably are too.

Sounds like you have the difficult part done, if you have operators license and already running lorry's. I think the key would be able to store the 'muck' because at the end of the day its not really waste and if you bide your time, you might even find a buyer. I think the clay from my extension was used for a pond lining.

 

[cd722]

Thanks for the replies. The problem with storing the muck is then the cost of having it taken away when it builds up too much, which would be the same as grab from site.

 

[Opinion87]

Dependant on your location, there may be farms with large amounts of unused land that might willing to let you use some for storage at a decent price.

 

[bodgitt&scarperLTD]

Dependant on your location, there may be farms with large amounts of unused land that might willing to let you use some for storage at a decent price.

Until the couincil hit them with an enforcement order...

Round here a grab lorry is around £260-£280. It costs £140 for them to tip at the local tip.

No point double handling- plus, if you are going to tip up and store at your yard (and screen, to produce different products), then that's another set of licenses. Clay is useful for pond linings, etc, but the circumstances have to align exactly- same company digging out virgin clay, whilst also constructing a slurry lagoon ten mile saway, for example. I dug out ten eight wheelers of virgin sandy topsoil recently- it all went straight to the tip two miles away. Crazy waste, but not economical for them to do anything else with it on that particular week.

Question is, how far is your local tip and how much does it cost to tip there? Then, can you run it there in your own lorry significantly cheaper than just getting a grab firm in?