JohnFourteenSix
Bronze Member
I bought a used John Deere 3032e from a dealership a few months ago for $15000. It has low (<200) hours, and it's a very maneuverable machine. But I'm coming to realize I'm not using it for any of the tractor related tasks that people use tractors for. I have no grass to mow, no bales of hay, no plowing, tilling, etc. I graded my driveway once.
The main tasks I'm finding myself doing is trying to dig deep drainage trenches/swales, using a posthole digger for planting seedlings, and just digging in the ground for dirt and moving it around the property. I also have a few utility trenches (3 ft deep) that I need to dig. The tractor fails at all the tasks except for using the posthole digger.
Based on some research, it seems a mini excavator is the best tool for the job, but the pricing seems cost prohibitive, and I'd be losing the maneuverability and speed of the tractor (if I sell the 3032e to fund the excavator). I can't afford to spend another $15-20k+ on an excavator (I'm looking at 3 ton units). I've been looking at the JD 370B backhoe (made for my tractor), but that looks like another $8k, and I'm not sure if the tractor's hydraulics can really make it do a whole lot anyway. Furthermore, it seems like backhoe attachments don't retain their value as much as the actual tractor itself.
The option that seems most viable is to get an older large tractor with a backhoe attached to it. This should land me at around the same $8k cost (and keep the 3032e), but with a much larger and more capable machine that even if not ideal for digging, will certainly not be underpowered. The problem with those is that they are mainly 2wd so I would need to propel myself with a bucket once I get in the muck.
I've looked at all the threads that say to rent an excavator, but renting is only good when you have everything planned out and have a specific task at hand. For us, it's likely going to be a lot of trial and error until we figure out what works.
My overall budget is around 20-25k, and I need either one or two machines that can:
I'm in what's known as Florida flatwoods, so I have muck, sand, and a water table that's about 4 ft below the surface, so little point in digging below that.
The main tasks I'm finding myself doing is trying to dig deep drainage trenches/swales, using a posthole digger for planting seedlings, and just digging in the ground for dirt and moving it around the property. I also have a few utility trenches (3 ft deep) that I need to dig. The tractor fails at all the tasks except for using the posthole digger.
Based on some research, it seems a mini excavator is the best tool for the job, but the pricing seems cost prohibitive, and I'd be losing the maneuverability and speed of the tractor (if I sell the 3032e to fund the excavator). I can't afford to spend another $15-20k+ on an excavator (I'm looking at 3 ton units). I've been looking at the JD 370B backhoe (made for my tractor), but that looks like another $8k, and I'm not sure if the tractor's hydraulics can really make it do a whole lot anyway. Furthermore, it seems like backhoe attachments don't retain their value as much as the actual tractor itself.
The option that seems most viable is to get an older large tractor with a backhoe attached to it. This should land me at around the same $8k cost (and keep the 3032e), but with a much larger and more capable machine that even if not ideal for digging, will certainly not be underpowered. The problem with those is that they are mainly 2wd so I would need to propel myself with a bucket once I get in the muck.
I've looked at all the threads that say to rent an excavator, but renting is only good when you have everything planned out and have a specific task at hand. For us, it's likely going to be a lot of trial and error until we figure out what works.
My overall budget is around 20-25k, and I need either one or two machines that can:
- Use posthole digger in tight areas
- Carry dirt around
- Carry stuff on forks (boxes, lumber, etc.)
- Dig 3-4 ft deep trenches in muck
- Excavate small retaining ponds in muck
- Perform some kind of grading
I'm in what's known as Florida flatwoods, so I have muck, sand, and a water table that's about 4 ft below the surface, so little point in digging below that.