How I got here............... Kinda long, w pics!

May 2009 we bought 10 acres further out in the country to build our retirement home. Both wife and I grew up in the country, want to get back when we retire. In anticipation of this move, a year before I purchased a 2004 John Deere 4510 utility tractor, loader, forks, box blade, backhoe attachment, etc.. we beagn work that first weekend in May. Our plan was to clear, cut in a road, grade and prepare the site for building over a couple years. We would then hire a builder to build the house and shop.

Last Feb. we purchased and old worn out very tired 1988 Cat 935C trackloader for the heavy work. During the purchase shopping process I found this site, many contributed advice which helped me decide to buy, as well as guide me through the process of getting the old machine back into service. Thanks to all! My plan is to complete our work, and sell the loader once we are done. Unless a unforseen set back occurs, I expect we will get our investment back. I am however getting attached to this old machine, it has done very well. Pictures just don"t cut it, we have cleared lots of tree"s, very thickly forested property we bought! I made and attempt at calculating how much dirt we have moved in the process of cutting the road in, and preparing the building sites, it is close to 2,000 yards. We installed 4 culverts, graded 3-4 acres of what will be pasture. Cut in 1"378 feet of road. We are close to done with this phase, maybe 2-3 more weekends and we will have the lot ready for building. Pretty proud of the completed project. Thanks to everyone here for the advise and support!


First 2 pics, the day we bought the lot looking both directions down our road. That"s our rig parked there.

3rd pic, after the fence modification and first culvert where our new driveway will be.

4th, new driveway.

5th, loader earning her keep clearing the house site.

Last pic, future home site of Lloyd in South Carolina!

Thanks to all of you!

Good pics. Looks like you have a great start on it. Keep it up and you'll get attached to everything you own, just like me.

very nice! best of luck

What part of SC Lloyd? (Excuse me if asked you already)

Can you seed that as is or do you have to haul in topsoil or sod it?

Gordo

Looks good! Greg

How many hours on that Cat it looks pretty clean.

Ditto - Jim

Real nice photos Lloyd.
I always like the photos you guys post.
I did a similar thing back in 1992.
Bought a piece of lakeshore property and needed to put a road in.
Called a couple of local contractors and they both wanted somewhere around $6500 to put a road in. So I found an old Cat 955H trackloader like yours and started digging. It took me a while to get my grades and ditches right but after fussing with it for a couple of seasons I had built a nice road. I had a lot of fun with the old Cat and did odd jobs with it for my neighbors up there. Then I sold the Cat. When all was said and done and I'd bought 10 loads of gravel, fuel and paid to have it hauled, the road cost me under $2K. Plus I'd had a lot of fun.
Good luck with your project there and Happy TG to you.

Hours on the loader is unknown, one of its problems when I got it was all the wires had been cut to the electrical system, had a starter wired only. The meter said somewhere around 3,600 hrs. It is wired now, I've put nearly 140 hours on it so far.

I paid $4,000 for it, put almost another $3,000 in it,,,, brakes and steering clutches, some track plates, sprocket segment, a roller, welded a bunch of bucket cracks, wiring, had to fabricate a engine belly pan etc etc... Worked on it for pretty much 3 months, evenings and weekends. It has paid off, so far had to replace a hose, and a track roller. Still running strong.

Our new place is near Sharon, S.C..

Have a great Thanks Giving all!

Lloyd

Oh yes, I missed one question, yup can seed those areas and fescue does pretty good. I have collected a very nice pile of topsoil. Saving it for back around the house so we have the best area for lawn.

I once went to Sharon, Fairly close to Chester, isn't it?

Gorgeous! I am envious. As I have threatened others on here- someday I'm going to escape this wretched NY weather, at least for a little bit, and visit you/all!