Choosing the right HP and Weight (for a tractor), is related to the general concept of choosing the right tool for the job.
One approach is to select the most efficient tool for the task based on time, dollars and availability, while another approach is to select the most enjoyable experience. In some situations, many of these factors are aligned. In other situations, you may weigh one or more factors more than than others.
When you're in charge of the decisions, the most important aspect is that the end-result provides you with satisfaction.
Identify which criteria are most important (e.g. dollars, time, personal achievement, skill development, etc.). If your goal is to maximize tractor seat time, you're likely going to prefer options that involve a tractor. If your goal is solve the puzzle quickly and move on to other tasks, you may be open to options other than operating a tractor you own, especially if there is better tool for the task within easy reach.
If you enjoy using the equipment and achieve a sense of accomplishment from doing the work yourself, the overall cost in dollars and time may not be as important as how doing the work results in its own reward.
If an activity is going to be performed only once, purchasing equipment is likely to be more expensive than renting or hiring out. If an activity is going to be performed repeatedly, the effort in owning and maintaining equipment to have it readily available becomes increasingly worthwhile.
Example rental rates at Home Depot; prices shown are
daily / weekly / monthly (as of October 2020), and vary by location:
$
329 / $987 / $2468 - TLB Mini - Kubota
B26 or John Deere 2032R tractor with loader, bucket and backhoe
$
329 / $987 / $2468 - Mini Excavator - Kubota KX91, Bobcat E26 or John Deere 26G (rates from $200~$460 per day based on excavator size)
$
359 / $1077 / $2693 - CTL - Bobcat T450 or Gehl RT135
Heavy equipment rental companies provide access to large dozers, excavators and specialty equipment. Some of these companies offer delivery and pick-up, and may charge for runtime hours versus days. You can focus on just the seat-time, with no burden performing maintenance.
Below are example rates from hiring out recent work, where the rate includes equipment plus professional operator:
$70 per hour - tractor work - shredding, discing, etc.
$75 per hour - CTL work - grading, spreading gravel, building pads, etc.
$125 per hour - dozer work - pond digging, large berms, etc.
$175 per hour - excavator work - large-scale digging and speciality work, lifting multiple tons, etc.
For construction tasks, obtain quotes from local contractors and ask for fixed-price bids per job. Place a dollar rate on your labor plus an hourly rate for your equipment. Compare your estimated run cost for the task versus hiring out.
A well-informed decision often results in an optimal outcome.
