http://www.crestlinesoaring.org/a_loader_off_our_minds

Congrats everyone... we now own a 1999 John Deere 210LE. 4100
hours. Well maintained, strong engine, tight pins, good tranny. Should be at the
LZ mid next week. We used to rent machines like this at $450 a day. Diesel fuel
and a grease gun and we're ready to take our time repairing roads parking lots,
training hills etc. After taxes it came to $18,377.00.


Back to the Ritchie Bros. Auction in Phoenix on Feb 15th/16th. Of the 28 skip/gannons
there were 14 that we had rated "undesireable" due to a series of problems like
hairline frame cracks that probably nobody else would catch, or low compression,
or engine mounts going out or hydraulic pump failing, seals, repair welds and
the list goes on. I was able to evaluate the condition of the tires and whether
they had enough air. Gene kept reminding me that rubber was minor in the long
run.


The auction had over 2000 heavy equipment items (they call them "lots") in the
schedule. The 28 tractors we were interested in were near the beginning being
lots #98 thru #125. As the auction started with #1, I listened and learned at a
quick pace as 97 lots sold in a short 70 minute period starting 7 AM our time.