We are getting ready to dig out our footing for a 30' wall we are building. The footing needs to be 3' wide and 18" deep and is in pretty rocky soil. Would it make more sense to rent mini-excavator or a backhoe?
Digging out footing - mini-ex or backhoe
- Thread starter pohorsky
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truckdiagnostics
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Mini-excavator. Easier to use and maneuver around.
Big Barn
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Billrog
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The job is less than a 1/2 hr. with either unless you get to mini of a machine.
RedNeckRacin
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Are you able to trailer either machine? Do you have any other tasks to complete? A comparable weight mini will out dig the comparable weight backhoe.
I don't think so. All I have is an 3/4 ton. A 3.5 was what I initially thought, but didn't realize it would be so quick. This is my first time using one. Think it would take more than a day with our soil full of cobble and my lack of experience? Would a mini also work fine for removing stumps? I might want to do that if I already have it here.
calman93611
Member
If it is pretty rocky see if they have a rock bucket. Normal bucket is square across the front. Rock bucket is triangular shaped, pointy in the middle then tapering towards the sides. Makes it easier to "feel" around a rock and get underneath it.
RedNeckRacin
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I think that you could do it in a day. I would get the smallest bucket that they have available. It should definitely work digging out stumps. Just don't expect to just tram up and curl out the stump though!
RDrancher
Veteran Member
Depending on the size and quantity of stumps, a 3.5 ton mini would work fine and as Billrog said, will make quick work on a 30' footing. The controls should be switchable on pretty much anything you rent, so you'll have to find which one feels "right" to you. I had my 9 year old step son running a mini pretty well within 10 minutes or so. You'll be fine.
bigtiller
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I remember my first 30 minutes on a backhoe. I was looking for a field drainage tile so I could find and fix a blockage.
It wasn't pretty and I sure am glad it wasn't a wall foundation. .
Good luck to you and....
It wasn't pretty and I sure am glad it wasn't a wall foundation. .
Good luck to you and....