What machine would you want to do this task?

[4570Man]

So my Dad and I build and remodel houses. 3 builds and 3 remodels to date and probably leaning to the building side for future projects. So up until last year our equipment wasn’t adequate to tackle the whole project and we hired out a lot of the dirt work. For the current not yet completed build I owned a John Deere 310 and we’ve done all the dirt work. I do some work for hire to help justify owning the equipment. I don’t really care how it affects the bottom line. Playing in the dirt with equipment is my favorite part. But the point of this post. The 310 is way overkill for most of the work and I’m really suffering with the lack of versatility. My dad wants to buy a 75 Kubota CTL and keep the 310. I want to trade my 310 for a M59 and buy a midi trackhoe for doing the heavy work mostly lot clearing. The M59 would be seriously lacking for clearing without the midi hoe and would probably suffer using a 36” bucket required for a septic install. The skid steer would fall short many times throughout the project and I’d have to use the 310. The M59 could handle the whole job after the clearing was done. The M59 would be a lot better working by itself on the other side jobs. Buying the midi wouldn’t be absolutely essential but I figure that’s a few year break even point and doing any other work for other people with it would shorten the timeframe. The 310 is mine and I can do whatever I want with it but failing to convince him to buy a midi hoe instead of CTL wouldn’t go good with my plan.

 

[jaxs]

IMO,a Deere 310 industrial at around 50 horses and 12k Lbs with loader and hoe mounted shouldn't be overkill. One of the newer 310 letter machines such as 310j at 85 horses and 16k might be more than I'd want to haul for what you are doing.

 

[4570Man]

I own a 310 j turbocharged at 95 hp. But I really need a quick attach bucket and I really need to be able to set the hoe off for tighter places. Keep in mind I’m usually working on half acre lots or less. Next problem the 310 is 9.5 feet tall and doesn’t fit through any residual garage doors. I know I’d miss the strength of the 310 otherwise I’d already own the m59 and this thread wouldn’t exist. On the other hand it’s really lacking for some job. I own the truck to move it but I could sell that truck and cancel the nearly 2k a year insurance and license for it with the lighter m59.

 

[mikester]

I own a 310 j turbocharged at 95 hp. But I really need a quick attach bucket and I really need to be able to set the hoe off for tighter places. Keep in mind I知 usually working on half acre lots or less. Next problem the 310 is 9.5 feet tall and doesn稚 fit through any residual garage doors. I know I壇 miss the strength of the 310 otherwise I壇 already own the m59 and this thread wouldn稚 exist. On the other hand it痴 really lacking for some job. I own the truck to move it but I could sell that truck and cancel the nearly 2k a year insurance and license for it with the lighter m59.

Id buy a good sized bigger mini-ex with a blade if the 310 is too big for some spots. M59 is tall and wont fit in a residential garage with the ROPS on. Add a small trim dozer for grading and a compact telescopic crab steer telehandler...try the telehandler out you will be impressed with the versatility.

Hmmm, a tandem or tri-axel hooklift with a flat bed and dump box bed would be handy too, too bad about the commercial insurance. Its fun spending other peoples money!

 

[Gary Fowler]

So my Dad and I build and remodel houses. 3 builds and 3 remodels to date and probably leaning to the building side for future projects. So up until last year our equipment wasn’t adequate to tackle the whole project and we hired out a lot of the dirt work. For the current not yet completed build I owned a John Deere 310 and we’ve done all the dirt work. I do some work for hire to help justify owning the equipment. I don’t really care how it affects the bottom line. Playing in the dirt with equipment is my favorite part. But the point of this post. The 310 is way overkill for most of the work and I’m really suffering with the lack of versatility. My dad wants to buy a 75 Kubota CTL and keep the 310. I want to trade my 310 for a M59 and buy a midi trackhoe for doing the heavy work mostly lot clearing. The M59 would be seriously lacking for clearing without the midi hoe and would probably suffer using a 36” bucket required for a septic install. The skid steer would fall short many times throughout the project and I’d have to use the 310. The M59 could handle the whole job after the clearing was done. The M59 would be a lot better working by itself on the other side jobs. Buying the midi wouldn’t be absolutely essential but I figure that’s a few year break even point and doing any other work for other people with it would shorten the timeframe. The 310 is mine and I can do whatever I want with it but failing to convince him to buy a midi hoe instead of CTL wouldn’t go good with my plan.

Unless you are clearing huge boulders, I cant see where clearing a 1/2-1 acre lot of trees that need to be removed for the house would be outside of the M59 capabilities. Sure it isn't going to be as fast as the 310, but with a little patience it will get the job done. Unless you have lots of work for the 310, I would sell it and save the truck/insurance cost associated with ownership and just get the M59 and add a small trackhoe to the stable of implements that you have. You might save a bundle by going with a slightly used M59 rather than new.

 

[Jchonline]

SS + excavator seems to be the way to go. Plus they will grow with you (if you decide to clear larger projects). Sell the 310 and get the pair. If you expand enough and have need for a backhoe then you can pick up a suitable option down the road.

You could also rent for a bit and make sure it was a good decision.

 

[4570Man]

I don’t like a mini excavator for various reasons. If I get an excavator it’ll be a 20,000 pound one. The telhandlers can’t dig which doesn’t make them any better than a skid steer.

 

[finn1]

CTL plus a mini excavator. I wouldn’t go much over a 35-45 though, as you want to be able to tow it with a regular pickup and tag trailer.

You might want to consider a small dump truck or at least a dump trailer, too.

 

[4570Man]

The mini excavator requires the investment of owning 2 machines, paying insurance on 2 machines, still needs my big truck to move them both at the same time. Making 2 trips to move them looses more time than you ever stood to gain, the mini helps nothing or very little with the M59 not being strong enough, I really hate how slow they move around. That by itself is pretty much a deal breaker. Next problem with me only owning one of the 2 it would lead to nothing but trouble doing side work vs me owning the m59 and doing whatever I wanted with it.

 

[tradosaurus]

Get the M59 and rent the excavator.