Skookum
LawnSite Senior Member
- Location
- West Lafayette, Indiana
DIGGERMAN, LAZER, and others,
I am sorry that I seemed to have gotten this whole thing going about the big v's on the 1/2's. I in no way was trying to say anyone was an idiot or such. My very first comment was just a poke. If you have been running them and wish to do so, that is your right at your business. I totaly understand your points and issues. If you say the truck works with that setup for you then I believe you!
We all have worked with what we have, what is available, or what we can afford. Lazer also pointed out that by pushing the envelope is why we have such products available in this industry today. I agree, I have even seen guys that could set their stuff setup or build it better than any manufacturer. Although, I have also seen stuff that is a little scary, even some maufactured stuff.
BUT, risk management is a must anymore. Diggerman commented such that he was not going to buy a bigger expensive truck to use a plow just because some manufacturer wants to COVER HIS BUTT, instead Diggerman is going to watch his overhead. I understand this completely! I understand the comment because there is always a minimum just as a maximum when things are designed by the manufacturer which can be pushed alittle bit more. But, risk management makes the manufacturer set those limits to cover his butt so he cannot be held liable.
I have made one trip from the pit hauling 5 tons of sand instead of going back for my legal limit of 2.5, I have mowed with deflectors up, used equipment for things it was not intended for, made my own snowplow mounts, etc... It is just, in a more sue happy world that we live in, we have to think about all those things more than before. When something bad happens like in an accident, there are people, mainly lawyers, that will look for anything at all to use against you.
There is no total protection from liability issues. After an accident, if someone wishes to dig deep enough they will find someway to drag you into court to get an extra buck. The reason this might all sound just too far fetched, is maybe because it has not happened to you in a serious enough way. I hope that it never ever does. But, you have to think about things like: What would you do if your wife and two babies were killed when their SUV flipped over? What would you do when you found out that the steering box manufaturer limited the use to 4,000 lb vehicles and the SUV weighed 4,200 lbs. You would not say "Well the manufacturer was just watching his overhead" You'd find a lawyer and you'd say "Sue for everthing they've got"! It works with snowplows as well.
I am not trying to jam this all down your throats. Just making the comments for anyone that might have never thought this way from this angle. Liability and Risk Management are issues that are just going to get bigger not smaller and the sooner you include them into your business the easier it will be with less effort.
I wish you guys all a good winter full of income and safety 
I am sorry that I seemed to have gotten this whole thing going about the big v's on the 1/2's. I in no way was trying to say anyone was an idiot or such. My very first comment was just a poke. If you have been running them and wish to do so, that is your right at your business. I totaly understand your points and issues. If you say the truck works with that setup for you then I believe you!
We all have worked with what we have, what is available, or what we can afford. Lazer also pointed out that by pushing the envelope is why we have such products available in this industry today. I agree, I have even seen guys that could set their stuff setup or build it better than any manufacturer. Although, I have also seen stuff that is a little scary, even some maufactured stuff.
BUT, risk management is a must anymore. Diggerman commented such that he was not going to buy a bigger expensive truck to use a plow just because some manufacturer wants to COVER HIS BUTT, instead Diggerman is going to watch his overhead. I understand this completely! I understand the comment because there is always a minimum just as a maximum when things are designed by the manufacturer which can be pushed alittle bit more. But, risk management makes the manufacturer set those limits to cover his butt so he cannot be held liable.
I have made one trip from the pit hauling 5 tons of sand instead of going back for my legal limit of 2.5, I have mowed with deflectors up, used equipment for things it was not intended for, made my own snowplow mounts, etc... It is just, in a more sue happy world that we live in, we have to think about all those things more than before. When something bad happens like in an accident, there are people, mainly lawyers, that will look for anything at all to use against you.
There is no total protection from liability issues. After an accident, if someone wishes to dig deep enough they will find someway to drag you into court to get an extra buck. The reason this might all sound just too far fetched, is maybe because it has not happened to you in a serious enough way. I hope that it never ever does. But, you have to think about things like: What would you do if your wife and two babies were killed when their SUV flipped over? What would you do when you found out that the steering box manufaturer limited the use to 4,000 lb vehicles and the SUV weighed 4,200 lbs. You would not say "Well the manufacturer was just watching his overhead" You'd find a lawyer and you'd say "Sue for everthing they've got"! It works with snowplows as well.
I am not trying to jam this all down your throats. Just making the comments for anyone that might have never thought this way from this angle. Liability and Risk Management are issues that are just going to get bigger not smaller and the sooner you include them into your business the easier it will be with less effort.