Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

[dfkrug]

Everyone should try a real TLB even a compact one like a M59 before coming to the conclusion backhoes suck.

I don't know anyone who says, categorically. that "backhoes suck". The reason that most of us on TBN have CUTs, some with backhoe attachments, is that they provide good-enough performance for many different tasks. An articulated wheel-loader is going to load materials better than any TLB/CUT. Just as an hydraulic excavator will dig better than any TLB/CUT.

I will bet that there are very few excavator owners on TBN who do not own other equipment, usually tractor(s). If you allow yourself only one piece of equipment, then a general-purpose tool, like a TLB/CUT will usually make more sense.

 

[4570Man]

Of course a excavator and skid steer beats a backhoe but you have 2 machines to buy, 2 machines to pay insurance on, and unless you have a semi you have to make 2 trips to move. A mini excavator by its self can’t compete with a backhoe. And you have to go to a rare class of excavator to compare to a full size backhoe.

 

[MossRoad]

Of course a excavator and skid steer beats a backhoe but you have 2 machines to buy, 2 machines to pay insurance on, and unless you have a semi you have to make 2 trips to move. A mini excavator by its self can’t compete with a backhoe. And you have to go to a rare class of excavator to compare to a full size backhoe.

I don't think anyone's trying to compare a mini-excavator to a full sized TLB.

However, when you're doing an excavating task, an excavator of similar size will outperform a backhoe of similar size in that it can dig faster, around more obstacles, reposition itself faster, and backfill the hole/trench faster.

Of course if you only have one machine, a multi-purpose machine is the thing to get. If you can afford two machines, though, why not do it?

 

[Agvg]

The largest problem with a backhoe is space, it needs a lot of space. And they don't climb very well up rock piles and such. And wheels are hopeless on wet ground.

 

[pmsmechanic]

And wheels are hopeless on wet ground.

You set FEL, wheels and stabilizers more or less level and with the hoe you can skid yourself pretty well where ever you want to go.

 

[farm boy00]

You set FEL, wheels and stabilizers more or less level and with the hoe you can skid yourself pretty well where ever you want to go.

Yes but what about getting there when its slick mud or your sinking?

 

[4570Man]

You can’t work in such conditions anyway. The better muddling abilities of the mini comes at a steep price to build, tears the ground up worse and is slower to get around.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Yes but what about getting there when its slick mud or your sinking?

I worked really well when I did it a number of years ago. I went through about two feet of water and cattails until I got back onto good grass. I would think it depends more in the type of soil than anything else.

 

[4570Man]

Yes but what about getting there when its slick mud or your sinking?

I’ve only had one job that I couldn’t have done with a backhoe that required renting a mini excavator and 360 swing was more important than the tracks. The job was digging a pond deeper. Had I have had my 310 backhoe then I probably could have taken a different plan of approach and made it work.

 

[Agvg]

In my part of the world classic backhoes doesn't exist anymore, a few old 30 year + is still used as hobby machines but the 6 - 8t excavators have killed it totally.