How difficult to operate a mini excavator

[AlbertC]

I have about 3 acres that I want to clear on my property. Quite a few big pines and sweet gums but a lot of 4-6 inch trees that I don't want and lots of smaller privet and brush.

I don't want to get it mulched because it leaves a lot of splintered stumps that will re sprout back out and difficult to mow because of the stumps. I was thinking about renting a mini excavator. Could dig up the smaller trees and brush and if I did have any regrowth it would be easier to mow.

I thought about buying a used mini ex and then selling after I'm finished but I saw that I can rent one for $2000 per month. Problem is I have no experience operating anything like this. Can someone tell me what the learning curve is to use one of these to clear land as I described. Land is level and flat.

Thanks

 

[Waynebob126]

Interested and following

 

[Kentuckyfarmer]

For just three acres 2000 dollars will get you someone else that knows how to run one do it for you. Lots quicker too. You could be burning while he cleared and be done with it.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

If you want to pay for the experience and possibly have alot of frustration it can be done. The best teacher is by doing but its not nearly as easy as it looks. Do you have any equipment running experience? Personally, I love running excavators and I'd do it in a heart beat. Just realize that the digging is the easy part, the cleanup is where the real work is!

 

[/pine]

Not difficult at all on mostly level ground...you will get better by the hour after initial orientation of the controls...both track and boom/bucket

 

[AlbertC]

For just three acres 2000 dollars will get you someone else that knows how to run one do it for you. Lots quicker too. You could be burning while he cleared and be done with it.

Around here I can't get it done for $2000.

 

[kevin37b]

If you have no experience , trees are not where you want to get it .

 

[/pine]

I say go for it...Rent the machine for a couple of days and see how you do...if you have not damaged anything and can see some improvement in the operation...rent it for the month...it will be very rewarding...

 

[millsan1]

I have about 3 acres that I want to clear on my property. Quite a few big pines and sweet gums but a lot of 4-6 inch trees that I don't want and lots of smaller privet and brush.

I don't want to get it mulched because it leaves a lot of splintered stumps that will re sprout back out and difficult to mow because of the stumps. I was thinking about renting a mini excavator. Could dig up the smaller trees and brush and if I did have any regrowth it would be easier to mow.

I thought about buying a used mini ex and then selling after I'm finished but I saw that I can rent one for $2000 per month. Problem is I have no experience operating anything like this. Can someone tell me what the learning curve is to use one of these to clear land as I described. Land is level and flat.

Thanks

I was in a similar situation. 15 Acres, but in reality, only working on about 3 or 4.

I bought a used Takeuchi machine, did all the work, then sold the machine for a $1000 profit. Of course a cheap used machine comes with its own set of problems, overheating, wiring, etc.

Once I sold my Takeuchi, I actually ended up buying a brand new Volvo. I love that machine. It is my mid life crisis toy. I find more and more reasons to use it.

So IMHO, I sugegst buying a used piece of equipment, do your thing and then sell it. Anything in the $15K range should hold value for a year or two without any question and should be usable.

 

[bspeedy]

If you have no experience , trees are not where you want to get it .

1000% true. An inexperienced operator trying to take down trees = broken machinery or WORSE. If you really want to DIY, buy a machine and use it to dig stumps for a few hundred hours. Then you can tackle 20-foot trees and other things that won't kill you. Taking down 80-foot trees that are 24" DBH is certainly possible with a mini-ex, but it can get very exciting very quickly. There is no opportunity for mistakes. The machine has to work like an extension of your own body, and it takes a lot of experience for most people to reach that level of proficiency.

 

[ovrszd]

Not knowing the tree varieties, you might consider renting a CTL with tree puller. If it can pull them you'll make a lot less dirt mess and all that's left are small roots that will mostly die.

Regardless of tool used to take them out of the ground, what are you going to do with the mess?? You haven't mentioned whether you have a tractor or not?

 

[mike69440]

I was in a similar situation. 15 Acres, but in reality, only working on about 3 or 4.

I bought a used Takeuchi machine, did all the work, then sold the machine for a $1000 profit. Of course a cheap used machine comes with its own set of problems, overheating, wiring, etc.

Once I sold my Takeuchi, I actually ended up buying a brand new Volvo. I love that machine. It is my mid life crisis toy. I find more and more reasons to use it.

So IMHO, I sugegst buying a used piece of equipment, do your thing and then sell it. Anything in the $15K range should hold value for a year or two without any question and should be usable.

Buying an excavator is a gamble that may pay off, or cost dearly. I guess I'll never know. I keep telling myself I should sell mine now that I use it only about 30-35 hours a year, but it is just so handy.
When I was putting 500 hours a year, I could do stuff that amazed myself, but I've got rusty. Yes I still know how to operate it well enough, but for a pro, it is like your right hand.
Weigh the time vs. the fun factor. Trees need a 12-20 ton machine to make quick work of them. Mini can do a lot, however.

 

[deezler]

I've rented a mini-ex (bobcat E35, w/ hydr thumb, about an 8000 lb machine) a couple times for the weekend. Unfortunately around here the rates are $300+ / day with no affordable option for long term rental. But I would save up my jobs and attack them all weekend long (~8 hours on the machine per day!). After a couple awkward hours fumbling the controls (there are seriously 8 different 2-way controls to master navigating between, so 16 main control options at any time, not to mention the engine controls), I would get really freakin smooth with it. And like others mention, it really becomes an extension of your body.

I did a heck of a lot of tree removal. Anything up to 6" diameter was childs play. A tiny bit of digging, if even needed at all, then just fold the tree over, grab it with the thumb, YANK it right up out of the ground, rotate the machine and literally "throw" the tree to the side. SO FUN. I also did some 12-18" dia trees and those were kind of scary, since I was too cheap to get rental insurance. But careful digging of the roots and the tree starts to wobble, then you just push it the easy way it wants to go down. And don't work during a windstorm, lol.

I wasn't renting it to do clear-cutting or straight land clearing, but probably could have done at least a half acre per day of tree clearing if that was all I was focused on (and the trees were mostly small).

 

[AlbertC]

Not knowing the tree varieties, you might consider renting a CTL with tree puller. If it can pull them you'll make a lot less dirt mess and all that's left are small roots that will mostly die.

Regardless of tool used to take them out of the ground, what are you going to do with the mess?? You haven't mentioned whether you have a tractor or not?

What is a CTL and yes I do have a tractor - NH 3930

 

[4570Man]

What is a CTL and yes I do have a tractor - NH 3930

Compact track loader.

 

[Rmart30]

If you have no experience , trees are not where you want to get it .

Agree with that especially any with some size to them you want a larger machine 15k or better.
A 6-8k machine wrestling or trying to shove over a half dug out 15k or larger tree wont be pretty for a inexperienced operator.

 

[ovrszd]

Compact track loader. View attachment 527703

Yep. And that machine with a tree puller will make a mini-ex look stupid in regards to removing trees 6" diameter and less. If they are near each other it will remove at least 6 for every one the mini can dig up. And make less mess in the process.

 

[tungularafishcamp]

I say go for it...Rent the machine for a couple of days and see how you do...if you have not damaged anything and can see some improvement in the operation...rent it for the month...it will be very rewarding...

Ditto

Depends a lot on you, if you have oodles of money, no free time, and hate being outside messing around (then you probably wouldn't be on this forum then hire it done.
Otherwise go for it and put some new skills in your toolbox while having "fun"

 

[MESSMAKER]

I know it is a bit "Old School" but a bulldozer can do a lot of clearing in a short time. A good operator with a decent sized machine can do wonders.

 

[mike69440]

Depends on the type of trees and terrain. A dozer and an excavator together are a great pair. Dozers are often more expensive to fix than an excavator, and excavators are really expensive to fix.