Hello Backcountry Pilots,
The local power company is being a real pain in the ass regarding my new airstrip, (long story). They have a complete monopoly, no competition. However, I'm not going to let these knotheads ruin my dream of owning my own airstrip! I'm saving up to buy a tracked loaded to construct part of the airstrip and use around the ranch too.

I also have applied to the FAA for designation of a private airport. Its not that I want the goverment to know that I have an airstrip on my property, but if you bend your airplane on a "FAA Designated Airstrip" the insurance company is more likely to pay up. Another benefit is that new or future "airplane unfriendly" neighbors would have to deal with a pre-existing airport.

Anyway lots of work and $$$ I don't have to spend. Looking forward to someday landing on my own property.

James
The crawler I want to buy: The power-pole(s) they want to keep?

The power pole they want me to replace?
Obstructions/ lots of deer:
Cottonwood trees & wires are the enemy:

looks like a fun project! The name wouldn't happen to be associated to Clear Creek county CO would it!?

It's a little longer flight for us than that Nate, Clear Creek in Northern Idaho.

It would be cool if someone built a strip along Clear Creek in CO though!

I was looking for a cheap dozer to put an airstrip on my sagebrush land. I've looked at several, and each one of them needed too much maintenance to get it back into shape. I've now heard several horror stories from people that bought an older piece of equipment that was "running when parked" for a bargain price of 5K to 10K, then had to spend twice that much on repairs. Inspect it carefully!

Folks that use big yellow equipment for a living park and sell the old stuff for a reason. I heard a friend in that business say that you either have to make big payments on new stuff or work on the old stuff every day. And that track loader that you want to buy (John Deere I think) is a match to one my friend has. He would sell it to you for scrap prices.

Tim

I was looking for a cheap dozer to put an airstrip on my sagebrush land. I've looked at several, and each one of them needed too much maintenance to get it back into shape. I've now heard several horror stories from people that bought an older piece of equipment that was "running when parked" for a bargain price of 5K to 10K, then had to spend twice that much on repairs. Inspect it carefully!

I'm having a pre-buy inspection on the crawler. Some used airplanes are ran-out pieces of junk too. We had an old Case 310 dozer that paid for itself. It is a buyers market on machinery just like airplanes right now. What people ask and what they get are two different things. Wave some cash under someones nose after a tough winter and there are some deals to be had.

James

Can't help you with those poles but have some thoughts on clearing.
A chain saw is best for the trees. You already have a small wheel loader for light work. The track loader is useless in snow or ice and chumsy digging stumps. A small dozer with good grousers will move the dirt and dig out the stumps.It will move snow as well. It will pull but pulling stumps is not adviseable and a small dozer won't do it anyway.
One with a 6-way blade is best. These have been hard to find and as was pointed out, often peddled because they were worn out. Lately I have seen more and maybe better ones because of the economy. I used a small JD1010 dozer for a long time but wanted a hydraulic 6-way. I settled on a Komatsu but it was at least two years before I found one (used ,800 hrs,cab and $20,000). I have used it 300+ hours and am building a brush rake to clear brush. The down side is that it is not USA.
If you are not up on crawlers you might have a mechanic who is, check over any posibilities that you find. Dismantling yards have used parts for common brands.
Good luck and persevere

Well I would be happy to volunteer for any deer removal if needed...

A six way blade is the way to go, especially if you need to put in a bit of a crown.

How is the battle with the power company going?

I agree with maulewaco and others.

I have a Case 9020B excavator (trac-hoe) that is the berries for knocking down trees. If they are real big, dig and brake the roots and then push over. They can reach so high the leverage is so much better then a dozer. I also have a Cat D5 high-trac dozer. The case could take down 10 trees while the dozer is working on one.

If you have lots of trees, maybe go the hoe route until the trees are all knocked down and buried. Then sell/trade it for a dozer to do the finish runway work??

And the market is way off. What once would bring 50K is now getting 20K.

Hey Guys,
Thanks for the imput. The perfect machine for me would be a John Deer or Case 450 size track loader with a 4 in one bucket, and a hydraulic winch on the back. A cage preferably or a cab is a must working in our timber. After I'm done with the airstrip I need to cut some roads and then use the crawler as a skidder. A loader would be real handy for redirecting the creek, lifting trusses ect.

This John Deer 550A tracked loader for sale is located only 12 miles away from our property. Transporting a 19,000 pound dozer can cost 1k to 3k from the Seattle or Portland areas to Idaho. I've got a guy that really knows dozers that will do a pre-buy for me. I grew up running a HD-11 farming, but didn't do to much of the maintenance side. Again thanks for the advise. Cash donations are greatly appreciated too.
James

[quote="Super-Maule"]Hey Guys,
Thanks for the imput. The perfect machine for me would be a John Deer or Case 450 size track loader with a 4 in one bucket, and a hydraulic winch on the back. A cage preferably or a cab is a must working in our timber. After I'm done with the airstrip I need to cut some roads and then use the crawler as a skidder. A loader would be real handy for redirecting the creek, lifting trusses ect.

This John Deer 550A tracked loader for sale is located only 12 miles away from our property. Transporting a 19,000 pound dozer can cost 1k to 3k from the Seattle or Portland areas to Idaho. I've got a guy that really knows dozers that will do a pre-buy for me. I grew up running a HD-11 farming, but didn't do to much of the maintenance side. Again thanks for the advise. Cash donations are greatly appreciated too.
James

Re-directing the creek can land you in a world of hurt with the Idaho Department of Water Resources, and that's just for a start, government agency wise! Even if the creek has been re-directed in the past, nowadays it's a whole different deal. And they WILL do a water resources inspection every few years, and they don't need permission to come on your property to do so. I just got informed my hydro electric plant was inspected (6 years after I paid the initial fee, I guess they were busy?) after the fact, no prior notice given. Just a heads up, I'm not saying it can't be done, but it will take engineering studies, permits, fees, etc. etc. In my case I COULD have just done it and PROBABLY gotten away with it, but for less then 200 bucks and some paperwork I got them, mostly, off my ass.

courierguy said:
Re-directing the creek can land you in a world of hurt with the Idaho Department of Water Resources, and that's just for a start, government agency wise! Even if the creek has been re-directed in the past, nowadays it's a whole different deal. And they WILL do a water resources inspection every few years, and they don't need permission to come on your property to do so. I just got informed my hydro electric plant was inspected (6 years after I paid the initial fee, I guess they were busy?) after the fact, no prior notice given. Just a heads up, I'm not saying it can't be done, but it will take engineering studies, permits, fees, etc. etc. In my case I COULD have just done it and PROBABLY gotten away with it, but for less then 200 bucks and some paperwork I got them, mostly, off my ass.

Hello courierguy,

Thanks for the warning but Uncle John, the attorney did obtain the required permits to alter the flow of the creek on our property. This involves using pre-existing channels. We can not utilize forign fill of any kind. Backfilling behind downed cottonwood logs is permitted.

They don't allow us to drive through the creek at all. Its amazing the power of a swollen creek in the spring time (hydraulic mining).

James

I'm hyper aware as a friend here locally got in big trouble for doing just that, they made him out to be a big enviromental criminal. I mean front pages news! That's a good looking creek, too bad you don't have any drop (?) or you could have some hydro power. My own creek falls 147' in 1/4 mile, and with a 3" line that's good for near 800 watts 24/7.

Hello Backcountry Pilots,
Flying down to Kooskia, Idaho for a tracked loader pre-buy inspection on Saturday. The guy going with me was a Caterpillar Service Rep for over 20 years and with John Deere for about another 5 years. He knows his stuff. Hope we can negotiate a good good price. Maybe the airfield construction can start in October?

James