The "want" is already there, I can create the "need" but in an attempt to be somewhat financially responsible I need to pace myself. I can see an M in my future but not for a couple of years at least.
The reality of selling a late model used Kubota in today's market.
- Thread starter McMXi
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You will look good in that M in the future, I am sure. Am I being much help here with tractor buying restraint?
You're not helping! But you are inspiring with that collection you have.
It's not directly related to the discussion but in the last year I've found my focus shifting significantly. I've been a firearms engineer for the past 12 years working for major companies including Remington, Kimber, Bergara and Ruger. There was a time when I was obsessive about buying firearms and I still have a large collection of quality products but have started to part with items that don't interest me anymore. I still like, use and enjoy quality firearms, but I can honestly say that I'd rather have all that money invested in tractor related equipment. My point is that there are ways to pay for our hobbies or passions, and we usually find a way to achieve what we want.
fried1765
Well-known member
Equipment
Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
You really should research some government cost issues that YOU may consider to be "urban legend".
Most of them are INSANE FACTS!
jyoutz
Well-known member
Equipment
MX6000 HST open station, FEL, 6’ cutter, forks, 8’ rear blade, 7’ cultivator
Yes the military spends billions, but not on $1000 hammers. FAR (federal acquisition regulations) are far more regulated than any corporate procurement process.
Firearms engineer, hell yeah! Oh I would enjoy a conversation with you. I am kinda partial to Ruger, being and old guy I prefer revolvers and bolt action Hawkeye 77 rifles. I had to stop buying guns, the safe is full, maybe that is why I have so many tractors.You're not helping! But you are inspiring with that collection you have.
It's not directly related to the discussion but in the last year I've found my focus shifting significantly. I've been a firearms engineer for the past 12 years working for major companies including Remington, Kimber, Bergara and Ruger. There was a time when I was obsessive about buying firearms and I still have a large collection of quality products but have started to part with items that don't interest me anymore. I still like, use and enjoy quality firearms, but I can honestly say that I'd rather have all that money invested in tractor related equipment. My point is that there are ways to pay for our hobbies or passions, and we usually find a way to achieve what we want.
fried1765
Well-known member
Equipment
Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
jyoutz
Well-known member
Equipment
MX6000 HST open station, FEL, 6’ cutter, forks, 8’ rear blade, 7’ cultivator
Where you you come up with this stuff.? You obviously aren’t familiar with federal purchasing laws and requirements.
I bet if all those tractors really care about you, they would want you to get another safe too
I bet if all those tractors really care about you, they would want you to get another safe too
I like the way you think, maybe I should be off to the gun safe store!
Just picked up a Ruger American in .45 today, it will be the 5th in the safe in the Ruger family. MADE IN AMERICA.
GreensvilleJay
Well-known member
Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
I could sell my 3 yr old BX23S ,buy a new B2601 and still have money in my wallet.....
..dang silly 'market' for sure.
..dang silly 'market' for sure.
fried1765
Well-known member
Equipment
Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
It appears that you must be too young to be aware of the history of military purchasing issues.
Did you ever spend time serving your country in any of the four US military branches + Coast Guard?
jyoutz
Well-known member
Equipment
MX6000 HST open station, FEL, 6’ cutter, forks, 8’ rear blade, 7’ cultivator
I have 32 years of federal service and understand federal procurement all too well. Yes, I’m sure there have been incidents of these things, but you are acting like it’s the normal every day thing. It’s not. And contracting officers can be prosecuted if they knowingly disregard FAR ( federal acquisition regulations). FAR applies to both DOD and civilian federal purchasing.
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GreensvilleJay
Well-known member
Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Well I know for a fact that the steel used in armour plating tanks 40 years ago was bought at an 'inflated' price. The actual cost for that steel was less than $1 per pound but it SOLD for a lot more than that !
A lot of the hardware on the ISS cost a lot more too. 'Special' bolts for $15, real cost $1.22.....
A lot of the hardware on the ISS cost a lot more too. 'Special' bolts for $15, real cost $1.22.....
fried1765
Well-known member
Equipment
Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
Elliott in GA
Well-known member
Equipment
LX 2610SU w/535,LP RCR1860,FDR1660,SGC0554,FSP500, DD BBX60005
Does the government pay inflated prices for some or many items - the answer is yes. However, some of those inflated prices are due to government requirements, including testing. Many government purchases for military and other life on the line hardware require each component to be tested. It is not just a bolt; it is a bolt that has been individually tested (it is a common source of civil and criminal action by the government against contractors/suppliers that fake the testing).
Also, the government does not do itself any favors by often having ridiculously high specifications. I remember a story in the 70s about an outrageously expensive coffee maker for some military plane (transport or bomber). Well, it turned out that the military specified a coffee maker that would be capable of brewing coffee in artic conditions at reduced atmospheric pressure with the ability to survive massive G loads (beyond what the plane could endure).
GSA (general Services Administration) is another enemy of the tax payers. Government office space and procurement from the GSA price list in usually much more expensive than the open market. Something as simple as office supplies from Office Depot are more expensive from the government/GSA portion of their website. If a government worker is motivated and conscientious (not as common as one would hope), they can submit a justification to buy open market versus GSA, and the request has to be approved in advance.
Finally, the greatest source of cost overruns on government contracts is change orders issued by the government. A typical example is the government changing design requirements halfway through a project. The headline in the paper might read - Government pays 40 million dollars to run a 3 inch conduit 100 feet in new aircraft carrier. The reality is that the change order for the new conduit caused the ship to be extensively re-engineered as there was no space for the conduit in the previous government approved final design.
Also, the government does not do itself any favors by often having ridiculously high specifications. I remember a story in the 70s about an outrageously expensive coffee maker for some military plane (transport or bomber). Well, it turned out that the military specified a coffee maker that would be capable of brewing coffee in artic conditions at reduced atmospheric pressure with the ability to survive massive G loads (beyond what the plane could endure).
GSA (general Services Administration) is another enemy of the tax payers. Government office space and procurement from the GSA price list in usually much more expensive than the open market. Something as simple as office supplies from Office Depot are more expensive from the government/GSA portion of their website. If a government worker is motivated and conscientious (not as common as one would hope), they can submit a justification to buy open market versus GSA, and the request has to be approved in advance.
Finally, the greatest source of cost overruns on government contracts is change orders issued by the government. A typical example is the government changing design requirements halfway through a project. The headline in the paper might read - Government pays 40 million dollars to run a 3 inch conduit 100 feet in new aircraft carrier. The reality is that the change order for the new conduit caused the ship to be extensively re-engineered as there was no space for the conduit in the previous government approved final design.