Putting a Deuce to work for me?

[dieselfuelonly]

Hi everyone, finally signed up here and decided to make a post.

I was wondering how well a Deuce would work for me in the business I plan to start up - working with my skid steer, tractor, etc.

Where to start... My name is Dennis, I currently live on the outskirts of Chapel Hill, NC, and go to ECU in Greenville, NC.

I have a 1996 Dodge Ram 3500 dually w/ the Cummins diesel... I really enjoy working on it. My recent project was converting the truck from an automatic transmission (47RH) to a 5-speed manual (NV4500). That was a very challenging project, but at the time extremely rewarding for me. I am a pretty mechanically inclined person, I'm good with diesels, and I like to take on projects even when I get a lot of "don't waste your time with it" from others.

So far my plans to start up a small business using my Bobcat 753, tractor, etc. are going well.

I guess I could start by listing some of the "pros" and "cons" that I can think of - maybe some others can help.

Cons:
* Not a very "comfortable" vehicle - though I drive with a straight piped Cummins, non-working AC, and the "ride" of an empty dually whenever I'm going somewhere
* Quite a big vehicle - While I'm already used to parking in the "boonies" with my dually, watching out for people creeping into my lane, etc., a Deuce would be even bigger
* Harder/more expensive (in some respects) to maintain - that goes without saying... stuff like fuel will cost more, and some special parts I would have to order online (though I do that all the time, anyways).

Pros:
* AWESOME advertising for my business. I don't know anyone else around here that owns one. With a logo slapped on the side, I would be hard to miss for sure.
* I would have two trucks instead of just one - I'm not relying on one vehicle to transport my equipment. If the Deuce is down, I rent a trailer (until I buy one of my own, which I need to do anyway) and pull my stuff behind my Dodge.
* Can go where my Dodge can't - 2WD Dodge duallies, coupled with the torque of a Cummins get stuck in wet grass - if I needed to clean up some debris for someone in a wet area, I could back the Deuce up so I'm not making long trips to dump stuff in the truck bed/trailer with the skid steer.

Those are just a few of the things that come to mind, and there are others as well.

I know it may seem like a crazy idea at first, but then again thats the reaction I got from everyone when they heard I wanted to convert my Dodge from auto to manual.

The 45ish MPH cruising speed isn't a huge deal for me. While it is a bit slower than what I woudl be doing on the freeway with my truck and a trailer, most of the speed limits around this area are 45MPH and below.

Mainly I just need to know if a deuce would be a pretty reliable truck. I realize it may have a few quirks here and there, but I figure they must be made pretty darn good considering what they were used for in the military.

Sorry for the long post, I just want to provide as much information as I can to help others give me some good feedback.

Thanks!

Dennis

 

[TBigLug]

Take my two cents coming from someone who hasn't yet got their first. Harder to maintain is not an issue. They were designed to be maintained by your typical fresh out of high schooler. Fuel is not a big deal either since you can burn old motor oil, old tranny fluid, etc. to offset the cost. If you can put up with the ride, lack of speed and size you'll be fine. Oh, and it helps ALOT if you're short!

 

[TBigLug]

Oh, and they are cheaper to buy initially considering how much truck you get. You could buy 5 of these for what a decent used dually would cost.

 

[dieselfuelonly]

Thanks for the tips.

I don't think I could bring myself to burn oil motor oil or tranny fluid... though its good to know I could if necessary. It would probably just see good old #2 diesel with some Power Service.

I'm about 5' 10", and I've been out of high school for about half a year now... just finshed up my first semester at ECU... so I guess I may be on to something here .

Thanks for your input.

Dennis

 

[tractorpuller1]

I use mine for my business.
It is worth many times what I paid for it in stress relief alone!

 

[kendelrio]

Welcome to the site! While I cannot think of any negatives for using your deuce as you want to, here are some of my own observations:
Reliability. With proper maintenance (and they aren't too awfully maint. intensive) your deuce should be very reliable.

10k of cargo capability on-road. Bet your dually won't quite haul THAT much.....

Cool factor. Even if you aren't hired by the people who see it, you will create top-of-mind awareness for them. (Ie; you need some brush removed? There's this guy with a freakin army truck......) (Make your phone number easy)

Muti-role. Use it M-F for work, camping, crawling or tailgating on weekends!

Good luck and let me be the first to say POST PICS!

 

[TaylorTradingCo]

Worker

I think that the Deuce is an excellent idea for you.

It is a very heavy duty rig that can be had for a fraction of the cost of lesser civilian vehicles. It should be very cheap to maintain as parts are super cheap and plentiful. I would just buy another truck and have a spare of everything they are so cheap.

The visibilty thing can have pros and cons. It will definitely get you noticed, but may scare away some people.

One thing you may want to look for in a worker is a dropside bed. It makes things so much easier if you can access the bed from the side.

Also, for your type of work you would probably want to install a hydraulic system so that you could dump the bed.

A winch is also a big plus, but adds a lot to the price.

Those options would make you a great worker.

I am down near Chattanooga and have a decent selection of trucks at reasonable prices.

Derek Taylor

 

[bgekky3]

I just drove 1800 miles with my wife and my cat towing a m105 and all my stuff. When I looked at the cost of renting a U haul or buying a deuce, I went with the deuce. I had some bad luck at the begining and swapped the trans and engine (thanks again FMJ). My truck and trailer are currently storage sheds for all my stuff.

Once I get an unfurnished appartment, sell my house, and buy a new one, I am going to put the deuce to use. My dad owns a shop and I offered it to him to use. My brother wants to use it to haul wood. I used it to haul wood, iron, and gravel before I moved.

I would say go for it. With the 9.00 x 20s you can do 55 all day. I ran 2500 to 2600 rpm every chance I could on my move. I had a heavy truck truck 22 to 23k (estimate). It was weighed at 19,920 with the truck empty and the trailer half full and I got 8.87 mpg overall.

 

[dieselfuelonly]

Awesome. Sounds like I will definitely give this some more consideration.

A couple more questions:

Right now its pretty much a nice equipment trailer OR a Deuce... not both. So, I need to be pretty careful with the decision. I have a feeling that with the Deuce, I could earn back what I paid for it pretty quickly, and buy a trailer shortly afterwards.

However, this would mean I would need to load my Bobcat (which weighs just under 5,000lbs) or my tractor and an attachment (less than the Bobcat, its a small 4WD Yanmar diesel tractor) into the bed.


Also, kendelrio, you say it has a 10k cargo capacity. For some reason I thought they had a 2.5 ton cargo capacity.

Will I be safe hauling this kind of load in the bed of the Deuce?

I know the deuces don't have a ball hitch, but do they have a pintle hitch? Or would I need to fabricate something myself?

One last question - sorry for asking for so many. If there is someone who lives in NC and has a deuce that could answer this, it would be great - what would I need to license the vehicle as? I don't have my CDL at the moment, and it would be nice if I could hold off on that for a little while. From what I understand in NC, anything over 26,001lbs. and you need your CDL.

Would the Deuce and my bobcat, or the Deuce, a double axle trailer, and my Bobcat, be under 26klbs?

If so, what do I register it as? I'm not sure if NC has the "Collectors plate" like I have seen some say they register theirs as. I have a feeling if it is being used for business purposes, it would need to have a "Weighted" Tag, just like I will need to get for my dually if I pull the Bobcat with it.

Thanks for all the help again - this seems like an awesome site.

 

[Stretch44875]

Yes on pintle hitch... but it's pretty high up. Has hook ups for air-braked trailers. Plan on modifications, such has adding reciever hitch, 12v system if you want electric brake hookup, and maybe spin oil filters. You can search for any of these and find lots of info. Also, dump bed may be handy for you, also just search dump conversion. Search for ramps, and you will find also, I load a jeep in the back with some 12 foot pieces of bus frame.

2.5 tons is off road rating, 5 ton on road rating. About 7 ton is the limit for me.

Dennis

 

[SCSG-G4]

10k is 10,000 pounds, not 10 tons, although you will find some posts here where folks have put 10 tons on a deuce, for short, slow hauls. 2.5 tons (5,000 pounds) is the off-road rating. Since a standard deuce weighs less than 14000 pounds, adding 10k to it still has you below the CDL weight. Commercial plates will be needed if you are hauling for a business, as well as commercial insurance.

 

[Capt.Marion]

So far my plans to start up a small business using my Bobcat 753, tractor, etc. are going well.

Nice, Bobcats are entirely too much fun. And MVs and tractors go together well. I've dreamed of having a deuce as a bobcat-hauler. The tracked ones are heavy buggers.


Cons:
* Not a very "comfortable" vehicle - though I drive with a straight piped Cummins, non-working AC, and the "ride" of an empty dually whenever I'm going somewhere

• Ride- If you single out the rears, they are not uncomfortable unless you are doing a 75+ mile trip, or go faster than 25 MPH over a RR Crossing.

• AC- I've worked summers in NY with 60% humidity and heat index of 116° with a truck with broken AC. Windows and the side vents on a deuce along with the fold out/down windshield will be more than adequate.
• If you weight down the bed with like maybe 10 bags of sand or 100+ Lbs dead weight, you shouldn't have too much problem with chop from the rear end bouncing around. Especially if you single out the rears
  

* Quite a big vehicle - While I'm already used to parking in the "boonies" with my dually, watching out for people creeping into my lane, etc., a Deuce would be even bigger
Experience is key. If you know your truck and are comfortable with where your truck is while your driving, you should be fine.

* Harder/more expensive (in some respects) to maintain - that goes without saying... stuff like fuel will cost more, and some special parts I would have to order online (though I do that all the time, anyways).
Fuel: Use alternative fuels (every time you change the engine oil in you tractor and bobcat, plus if you drain the trans. fluid in the tractor and thin it out good. Not sure about Hyd. Fluid from the bobcat, since it uses loads of it.

Parts aren't too bad. At least you won't have to worry about the computer frying and your engine not being able to run because of it.


Mainly I just need to know if a deuce would be a pretty reliable truck. I realize it may have a few quirks here and there, but I figure they must be made pretty darn good considering what they were used for in the military.

From reading here and talking with friends, very little are more reliable than a deuce. They have their quirks, but they seem petty once you get used to them.

Sorry for the long post, I just want to provide as much information as I can to help others give me some good feedback.

I added answers from my limited experience in the above section.

 

[dburt]

Getting one with power steering would make it much nicer to back a trailer up with the deuce in a tight place. Filter well your used waste motor oil, and mix it with your diesel or 50/50 with gas and then add to your diesel for a cheaper source of fuel. You can add a muffler in the exhaust pipe (like mine which is my avatar), makes it liveable on a longer drive. You are young and tougher then some of us old geezers, so the rougher ride, uncomfortable seat, etc should not bother you too much! Go for it!

 

[maybefixit]

Another nice thing to consider: every Deuce comes with a free air compressor and tanks onboard. At least some (all?) are equipped with an air coupling under the dash, and (someone would have to chime in) the rear air connections may also allow use of the compressed air. Just build a hose connection, from airbrake to quick disconnect.

Maybe see if you can get one of the later models - AM Generals were the manufacturer for the newer ones. I think (again, need an assist) that those might have a 2 circuit hydraulic brake system, as opposed to the single circuit on the older ones. Just a little extra insurance if it'll be regularly hauling loads.

Good luck with the search!

 

[maplehillfrm]

hauling in the deuce

[However, this would mean I would need to load my Bobcat (which weighs just under 5,000lbs) or my tractor and an attachment (less than the Bobcat, its a small 4WD Yanmar diesel tractor) into the bed. ]


hey, here is my take on this,,although I dont have a deuce, and me being 6'8 and having a bum leg not sure if it will ever happen but, btw good luck with your venture,, it is doable..

but keep this in mind, The bed of a deuce is high! Loading and unloading a bobcat or tractor in and out of it daily, sometimes more than daily is going to be a pain,and sometimes downright scary,

I have been in the trucking industry for quite sometime, and have hauled a lot of different stuff,, I know that getting a bobcat or tractor in the back of a deuce can be done,, would I want to do it everyday ? I don think so.

take this into consideration, the compactness and weight of the bobcat make it very easy to roll, or get upended , add this to the angle in which you will be driving this machine up a narrow ramp and I think you are asking for trouble,

and this goes for a tractor with an implement on the rear as well, going up the ramp and having that extra weight hanging off the back makes that front end very light and it wants to dance around,, add that to trying to load these after a long day, muddy tires, wet weather, tire slip.. etc,, it wont turn out pretty,,

I think the deuce will be a very nice addition to your business, but think hard about getting a trailer to haul your machines around on, i

f you can possibly see a deuce ,with your machines ,and see what it will be like to load them you may be able to make a decision. I know I have gone into many things with my eye on the goal only to be thrown a monkey wrench in and have to reconsider the whole thing,,

I think with the savings you could gain by buying a deuce maybe you can buy a used trailer, to start with you could get away with a 7000 lb car trailer, I started with one of those and hauled machines like yours and more, I now have a gooseneck but that will not work in your instance. also if you had a trailer you could save yourself another trip if you had a load in the bed you could still get your equiptment home,, its all about the $$$ saved if you are trying to make money.

just a few things to ponder,, the deuce --very good choice for heavy work.. loading ,machines and unloading them will raise your pucker factor immensly,, backing these machines off are more scary sometimes than loading them, but I am sure you know that already, you get that front end dancing, or the front end wanting to turn sideways way up there you are only going one way,,

I dont want to discourage you in any way, but get the right tool for the job,, I think for hauling a machine once in a while where the conditions for loading and unloading are in your favor,-steep bank, dock, etc,, is fine with the deuce,, for what you are intending I think a trailer is the way to go for hauling,,it will be easier , safer and cheaper in the long run. \\

good luck, fireaway --pat

 

[cranetruck]

Welcome to the site!
The addition of a crane makes the deuce a hard-to-beat work platform...image below is one of thousands of possible uses.

 

[dieselfuelonly]

That is a very cool crane. If I get a deuce, I will be sure to keep an eye out for something like that if it can be "added on" in the future.

One thing I worry about is the talk about the relatively short lifespans of the engines due to the lack of a preluber. The one that I will probably call about tomorrow, and perhaps go check out sometime soon, is a 1971 and has the White 465 turbo engine. I read a post about someone saying that if they are going to be used almost every day (which I'm hoping I have a lot of work with my equipment, and use them often) a preluber should be added. I've done some searching and will continue to do so about adding a preluber, but can someone give me an idea about how much one would cost, and how hard it would be to add the system?

Thanks,

Dennis

[EDIT]

Can adding a remote mount oil filter solve the problem of the relatively long oil pressurizing times?

 

[cranetruck]

The most expedient way to get oil pressure up quickly is to install non-draining oil filters. Check with Jatonka (John Tennis) for adapters...

 

[dieselfuelonly]

Cool, I will check that out if I get one.

I guess here is the last question - one member already touched on this, so hopefully some others can offer their opinions as well.

Like I said - at the moment, its a trailer OR a deuce - not both.

So the big question:

Can I load my Bobcat and Tractor into the Deuce regularly until I save up so I can get a nice trailer (maybe something with air brakes) that I can pull behind the Deuce?

I know they sit high up - I would need some big ramps for sure. Its the kind of thing where I don't mind going slowly, and being careful, maybe even getting a little creative, like backing the rear of the Deuce down into a ditch. But, I'm not always going to have a ditch available. Some days it might be wet, the tires on my Bobcat or tractor may be muddy, etc. A quick thought comes to mind:

What about some kind of winch in the bed of the Deuce? This way, I wouldn't have to be in the piece of equipment, and I would be relying on something to pull me up, and not rely on the equipment itself to get up the ramps.
I would need to build some long ramps for sure. I'm guessing I would have to have some kind of support in the middle.

Here is my Bobcat - its a 2000 753. I need to paint it, but mechanically its great!

And my tractor - a late 70s, early 80s Yanmar YM1401D 4x4 diesel tractor - I love this thing - its like the little engine that could - it'll go through ANYTHING.

 

[silentbob]

I have loaded quads and motorcycles into my deuce with 12' ramps and it is a pretty steep angle. I would get a 5000 lb lift gate installed on the back. Thy are not that pricey and the bobcat is small enough to fit on one.