Peter 315
Super Member
Ok let me know.......
Insight on buying a mini excavator vs renting
- Thread starter gtbensley
- Start date
- Views: 85576
Ok let me know.......
Carl_NH
Elite Member
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- Coastal NH
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- 01 Kubota B21TLB, 2010 Ferris 52" ZTR, Cub Cadet 1811, Gravely Super8
Since the dealer has the Case 36 on the lot, see if they would rent it for two weeks, to test it out, install your septic, and have a mechanic look it over too.
You get to use it before you buy and see how you like it, and if it has any "quirks" or issues, and if everything checks out, the rental is the down payment. If it doesn't work out or is not as expected, you have your septic installed for a reasonable cost.
You get to use it before you buy and see how you like it, and if it has any "quirks" or issues, and if everything checks out, the rental is the down payment. If it doesn't work out or is not as expected, you have your septic installed for a reasonable cost.
OP
gtbensley
Silver Member
He may go for that....He is a used equipment guy more so then a dealer. I also will need to wait until spring for this to happen and who knows if the Case will stay there that long.
MB just got back to me about the U25. May go take a look at that.
MB just got back to me about the U25. May go take a look at that.
metalchomper
New member
I haven't read the entire thread. I bought an 18000lb backhoe with extended boom. Has enclosed cab and heat, no air. Paid 14k 5 years ago. I've done a few jobs for neighbors along with slowly clearing 3 acres. Have taken out about 50 trees with stumps. Only run it when I have a few minutes. It's already paid for itself and I haven't dug my basement or septic yet.
4570Man
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- Kubota M59, Kubota L3800, Grasshopper 428D, Topkick dump truck, 3500 dump truck, 10 ton trailer, more lighter trailers.
It’s impossible to beat the bang for your buck of a full size backhoe. I may buy another one just because but they’re in a different league than a 5 ton mini x.
Hay Dude
Super Star Member
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- Challenger MT655E, Massey Ferguson 7495, Challenger MT535B, Krone 4x4 XC baler, (2) Kubota ZD331’s, 2020 Ram 5500 Cummins 4x4, IH 7500 4x4 dump truck, Kaufman 35’ tandem 19 ton trailer, Deere CX-15, Pottinger Hay mowers
Backhoes are the swiss army knife of excavating. They can be used to do almost anything. Bang for the buck factor is excellent, as 4570 said. I owned 2 different backhoes and made money with both. I have the type of business where they can be roaded from local customer to the shop and out to another local customer. Snow removal a big plus. The end of the line with me came when I decided that expanding greatly in farming was more important than being able to do my own excavating. I sold the Case 590 SuperM , my dump truck and my trailer. Since then, I have since been renting backhoes and excavators. Not a bad way to go since they are plentiful and easy to rent. Side benefit was it gave me a chance to run 10-14k midi excavators and get to know them.
I was sold on buying a used excavator until I saw backhoes have fallen out of fashion quite a bit and they can be had really CHEAP now compared to 20 years ago. Itll probably be an excavator if I do one or the other, but you know, backhoes make a heck of hay bale loader too!! LOL :laughing:
Choices, choices, choices.....
MooseOnTheLoose
New member
I don't have time to read all this thread, but I've been down the road. I picked up a mini-x as part of building a second home on our property for my dad (bobcat 331 - ~8k machine) - got it with about 3000 hours on it for $9k (good deal I think). I did the septic, waterline and a lot of little projects including helping some neighbors. It was awesome and there are days I still miss it.
It had a few issues that were going to be costly to fix cuz it was beyond me (pins/sleaves and the blade was pretty screwed up). I got to thinking "this is a machine you have to make money, not save money". Sold it for a bit more than I paid for it. Typically I've gotten by without it, but last summer I did rent for a day ($200/day) to buy an irrigation line.
If I had one yet today and had a big job, I'd probably go rent the $200/day one and beat the snot out of it instead of wearing on mine. Save mine for the small jobs here and there. These things can be very expensive if something goes out - VERY from the prices I looked at on things. And then there is regular maintenance.
The other caveat is the backhoe vs mini-x which I see some of here. Getting that thing up to my neighbors either required a hassle loading on my dump trailer or half an hour in the seat doing a lightning mcqueen "Speed, I am Speed". I hated getting that thing from place to place. But once you started working, I'll take the mini-x any day of the week - smaller, easy to maneuver, faster, etc.
I did NOT dig my own foundation for my dads house with it - too much for that small machine. Again, choose what you will beat it up on.
The other nice thing was, before I owned this, I'd never run one. It was nice to learn and not be in a time crunch.
If you've got the money to put it in and can find a deal, I love the "craigslist rental policy". It worked well for me. I sure do miss it. I'm glad its gone. Sure do miss it.
It had a few issues that were going to be costly to fix cuz it was beyond me (pins/sleaves and the blade was pretty screwed up). I got to thinking "this is a machine you have to make money, not save money". Sold it for a bit more than I paid for it. Typically I've gotten by without it, but last summer I did rent for a day ($200/day) to buy an irrigation line.
If I had one yet today and had a big job, I'd probably go rent the $200/day one and beat the snot out of it instead of wearing on mine. Save mine for the small jobs here and there. These things can be very expensive if something goes out - VERY from the prices I looked at on things. And then there is regular maintenance.
The other caveat is the backhoe vs mini-x which I see some of here. Getting that thing up to my neighbors either required a hassle loading on my dump trailer or half an hour in the seat doing a lightning mcqueen "Speed, I am Speed". I hated getting that thing from place to place. But once you started working, I'll take the mini-x any day of the week - smaller, easy to maneuver, faster, etc.
I did NOT dig my own foundation for my dads house with it - too much for that small machine. Again, choose what you will beat it up on.
The other nice thing was, before I owned this, I'd never run one. It was nice to learn and not be in a time crunch.
If you've got the money to put it in and can find a deal, I love the "craigslist rental policy". It worked well for me. I sure do miss it. I'm glad its gone. Sure do miss it.
Missouri Pioneer
Gold Member
Around SW Missouri, rental use is limited to 8 hours a day.
I have had a backhoe for 20 years and there is places that it will not work.
I have rented a mini excavator a couple of times. It is a bit of a hassle and prices are going up. And they are small machines.
I have been looking at buying one for a few years and know it will sit 99% of the time.
I found a 8k machine that needs a 3/4 ton or 1 ton to pull and a heavier trailer, from shopping around I knew how much I wanted
to spend and I knew what to look for. A great deal came up on market place that I jumped on. While I was loading it on
my trailer the seller said he just got a message offering 5 thousand more than I just paid him. He would give me the information if I was
interested. When I buy something it seems to stay with me forever. The seller posted it at midnight and by morning he had 30 messages about the machine. I messaged him that I was interested, said I had a trailer and was 1 hour away and gave my phone number.
He called me and we talked for about 15 minutes going over the machine and set up a time to meet. It was everything he had said, and I paid him. Then I asked with all the messages why did he call me back, He said because I gave him a phone number, no bs messages back and forth. Like I said he posted it at midnight, I was driving out his driveway about 3pm.
So I would say buy one, don't rush into it. Know what to look at, pins, under carriage, oil, ect. Deals are out there but most of the time you won't have time to mess around, there will be 10 people in line or first money buys it.
I have rented a mini excavator a couple of times. It is a bit of a hassle and prices are going up. And they are small machines.
I have been looking at buying one for a few years and know it will sit 99% of the time.
I found a 8k machine that needs a 3/4 ton or 1 ton to pull and a heavier trailer, from shopping around I knew how much I wanted
to spend and I knew what to look for. A great deal came up on market place that I jumped on. While I was loading it on
my trailer the seller said he just got a message offering 5 thousand more than I just paid him. He would give me the information if I was
interested. When I buy something it seems to stay with me forever. The seller posted it at midnight and by morning he had 30 messages about the machine. I messaged him that I was interested, said I had a trailer and was 1 hour away and gave my phone number.
He called me and we talked for about 15 minutes going over the machine and set up a time to meet. It was everything he had said, and I paid him. Then I asked with all the messages why did he call me back, He said because I gave him a phone number, no bs messages back and forth. Like I said he posted it at midnight, I was driving out his driveway about 3pm.
So I would say buy one, don't rush into it. Know what to look at, pins, under carriage, oil, ect. Deals are out there but most of the time you won't have time to mess around, there will be 10 people in line or first money buys it.
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HayFarmer
Bronze Member
I'm amazed at the responses.
I have an ARPS backhoe, and I am beyond what those old things are good for. Looking for a couple years for a small, not mini, excavator. I wouldn't try a septic system with a mini, after watching the neighbors get their's done with a full size. I have a lot of ditching to do around the barnyard and stumps to remove.
I have an ARPS backhoe, and I am beyond what those old things are good for. Looking for a couple years for a small, not mini, excavator. I wouldn't try a septic system with a mini, after watching the neighbors get their's done with a full size. I have a lot of ditching to do around the barnyard and stumps to remove.