Insight on buying a mini excavator vs renting

[ManUpNawth]

Was faced with the same decision when we found we needed to add on to the barn, so digging a foundation, adding/spreading gravel, grading, etc.
I have a tractor with a decent sized backhoe on it already. I could have done the barn work with it, although a backhoe is not as efficient as an excavator, especially with the size of the project. So, rent, or buy an excavator? The decision for me came down to what ELSE I would use an excavator for. For my situation, I was also going to be clearing some more land, with large rock/boulder and stump removal, and digging out a few small permaculture ponds to make better use of the water on the property. Figuring how long and how often I would want or need to rent an excavator, how much time it would save me over using the tractor-hoe, it turned out to be more cost effective (including service/maintenance) to buy a used one, use it for three years and then re-sell it - even if I were to only be able to sell it for half what I bought it for, which is a worst case scenario I don't really expect to happen.

The most important factor in the decision was my wife was on board. She saw how much more work was done in a shorter period of time with an excavator we rented for another job vs the tractor+backhoe on a similar project. Not one to want to waste my time (there are so many projects she wants me to do we've lost count... her response was "buy it". Found a great deal on an 12,000 lb machine and already got double the work done with it as I could have done with the tractor - plus it frees up the tractor for actual farm and 3-pt hitch+ pto work without having to take the backhoe on and off the rear subframe mount all the time. Then winter set in and I've had to park it for now. But knowing that it's here, when I need it, has already increased the number of pages filled out with ideas and plans on my yellow lined project pad. Looks like in our case it will be money well spent.
So my vote is: If you have more work lined up than just the septic project, you'll probably be better off buying. You might even find that having bought one you'll discover all sorts of new and interesting projects that just have to be done, now that you have the right tool for them.

Good luck!
And let us know what you do decide.

 

[calman93611]

Obviously buying/renting would depend on your needs. You should have a lot of other intended work if you are planning on buying a mini ex. I have a mini ex but use it often enough to justify the cost, well almost. An excavator will out dig a backhoe but you will probably use a TLB more than an excavator. Contrary to popular beliefs, an excavator is easier to get stuck than a TLB. And an excavator is a lot easier to tip over than a TLB. For confined areas I think an excavator does a better job. I own both, a mini excavator and TLB and the TLB gets used a LOT more than the excavator. And if you have a bit of property the TLB moves a lot faster than the excavator. Sometimes on larger job sites I will actually put the mini ex back on a trailer to move it 150 yards. Just my opinion. If you are looking at a used excavator look at the hours and the tread condition. If the treads are badly worn then it was driven under its own power. Lots of wear on the hydraulic drive motors, one on each side. These are not cheap.

 

[4570Man]

Obviously buying/renting would depend on your needs. You should have a lot of other intended work if you are planning on buying a mini ex. I have a mini ex but use it often enough to justify the cost, well almost. An excavator will out dig a backhoe but you will probably use a TLB more than an excavator. Contrary to popular beliefs, an excavator is easier to get stuck than a TLB. And an excavator is a lot easier to tip over than a TLB. For confined areas I think an excavator does a better job. I own both, a mini excavator and TLB and the TLB gets used a LOT more than the excavator. And if you have a bit of property the TLB moves a lot faster than the excavator. Sometimes on larger job sites I will actually put the mini ex back on a trailer to move it 150 yards. Just my opinion. If you are looking at a used excavator look at the hours and the tread condition. If the treads are badly worn then it was driven under its own power. Lots of wear on the hydraulic drive motors, one on each side. These are not cheap.

An excavator will drive places a backhoe would never attempt to go. Once they do get stuck they can’t self recover as well as a backhoe. Usually there’s nothing solid enough to pull the bucket against and they’re just pretty much stranded. I have to disagree again with tipping one. Sure you can tip one track off the ground pretty easy but to go all the way on its side would take some doing. The front bucket will flip a backhoe pretty easily if you aren’t careful. The very slow travel of the excavator is a downside. I wish someone made a faster one. They make some big ones with wheels but I’ve never seen a mini in this country with wheels. An excavator is a terrible one machine show. A well equipped backhoe will destroy them at everything. But an excavator and CTL destroys the backhoe.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I want all the views and insight I can get! Honestly not sure yet, one day I am dead set that buying it is the correct path forwards, the next day I am convinced its a vain idea and just something that I want and this is my justification. No clue telling how this will end.

I havent read all of the comments, but I will go ahead and make my position clear. Buy it, you will have almost half of the cost saved in installation of the septic system. Then figure the rest of your projects that come along and you can quickly see that it is a wise investment. If you just keep it a couple of years and finish all your known projects of 2021 then sell if, you can surely recoup 75-100% (maybe more than 100%)of your investment and have all of your projects completed while having lots of fun with the excavator.
I bought my TLB with nothing really pressing in my mind that needed doing. It was also a $20K investment ($22500 counting the trailer to haul it on) but 11 years later I have 800 hours on it, all of them with the FEL/Backhoe work. I finally sold my larger 70 HP tractor since I rarely used it. I will keep my TLB until I am no longer able to get on it because something alway comes up that I need to do with it.
I think you will find the same issues with your excavator, but if not, sell it and recoup your money. 900 hours is nothing on that equipment, 10,000 is not unheard of for a still operating machine. If properly maintained (a little touch up paint now and then helps too), you can likely sell it in a couple of years for more than you gave for it.

 

[gtbensley]

Well MB Tractors is a freaking joke. Can't say anything nice about them. Have been trying to see it all week and getting the run around.

Was supposed to have it brought to Tilton so I could see it. Never happened so the sales guy said come to plaistow.

Got here and turns out they sold it two days ago. What a waist of time. Can't say I recommend doing business with these folks. Not the first bad experience I have had with them. Jokers

 

[Peter 315]

That's crappy...I have good luck with them....:confused3:

 

[Dennis Mohn]

Hoping the forum can help me make a decision on possibly purchasing a mini excavator vs. renting a machine for my projects.

I will be installing a new septic system this summer at my house (yes its permitted, yes I am able to install my own, lets please not discuss this aspect) as well as doing some stumping work, drainage work, and digging footing for a pole barn. If I buy a machine I intend to use it for a few years max and resell it. The machine I am looking at it a 8k lb Case with multiple buckets and decent shape. Cost would be around $20k for it. It is an open station and I am okay with that.

Renting a machine would run me about $2k for the week and I would likely ONLY do the sceptic and put the other projects on hold.

Do I sink $20k into a machine and do all the projects and HOPEFULLY be able to resell for close to what I paid (I understand maintance and such). Or do I just rent for a week or two and be guaranteed to spend $2k but its a pretty safe bet?

I have the cash to buy it and it wont make me broke to do so....But its also not something I intend to leave the money invested in for too long as thats a significant portion of cash.

Septic quotes are $15-20K installed for and I have a hard time spending that money on something I can do myself.

I used to sell and service material handling equipment. I always advised friends and customers that if you didn't have enough work for the machine to keep it on a job for the majority of the year to either lease for the season you intend to operate or to rent for the individual job. When the machine is setting it is not generating income , but the payments are still coming in. and the same goes for maintenance. You still need to maintain the equipment if it is working a job or not . so Lease for a season or rent by the job for expensive equipment.

 

[DonaldP]

I have been in situations in the past where I have made decisions like this on a very tight schedule and in that haste made the wrong choice. Not necessarily for high ticket items like this, but for smaller equipment.

I am in the process of planning for work on an1850 home in the northeast- repairing a foundation (6-9ft deep), building a garage, doing some excavation for water drainage in the property, and gardening, maintenance to an additional 2 properties I own.

I had NEVER used an excavator myself, nor a front loader or tractor larger than a 15 to 20hp lawnmower. I did install a septic tank (1000gal) myself 3 years ago in an area that still allows this. I paid $1200 to a friend that dug the hole with a 9 bucket and a case mini excavator. I paid $1500 for the tank.

So after some research I realized that from the get go, if I purchased I would have equipment at my availability 24/7 without a concern for scheduling.

Additionally, I was concerned about the amount of wear and tear I might put on something that I would be purchasing new, and whether the amount of work that I needed to do would be more than the equipment might be able to handle.

So... I decided to go new, non excavator, and Kubota. I wanted to get the biggest backhoe I could as that would pretty much determine the overall capability of the excavation capabilities of the system.

The determination, after considering any of the implements I may need right away, was to get a Kubota MX5800 open station tractor.

But after pricing and comparison of all aspects of my age, my expected workload, and some comfort upgrades I decided on an L3560 HSTC Cab based tractor with loader with 1600+ Lb load capacity, 9? backhoe, and a 72 grapple, along with a few other used attachments like a post hole and 80 back blade.

I understand reach, depth and maneuverability is less than a full fledged excavator, but for $50,000 at no interest, I will not be dealing with rental, will not be dealing generally with downtime due to failures (generally), and will have a piece of equipment that will be multi faceted with capability over its lifetime.

Granted ... many just can稚 float $50,000 for a piece of equipment, when a $700 bill to rent will fit the budget easily. I致e also been told that used the Kubota for all those tasks may stress it, but I figure if this is what these machines are meant to do then I probably shouldn稚 be afraid to use it, instead of still renting an excavator to do the work that may max out the Kubota and experiencing the additional costs of minimizing the use of the Kubota.

So far, I知 happy with my choice, and I知 in early with the Kubota, in that I have NO money spent on renting equipment other than the contractor that installed the septic. So applying at a minimum of $700 or $800 two or 3 times a year over a 10 year period is about $25,000 in excavator rental costs. That痴 Half the cost of the Kubota.
Add the other implements I can use compared to renting (grapple, mower, back blade, post hole, work platform, bucket loader, pallet forks), well that is all easily made up in the remaining $25,000 o we 10 years. In fact I would venture to say that the incidental use of all of these additional attachments would add much more value to cost of rental comparisons over that 10 years by at least double that by the backhoe alone (compared to renting an excavator).

So I would estimate the rental value of the additional capabilities of all implements per year at about $5000. That痴 about 10 rentals at $500/rental per year. Or 20 rentals at $250/rental per year which more closely relates to the many more uses per year that I actually use the tractor.

In reality I use it every couple of days for many many more things than just those already mentioned including lots of snow stacking and moving during the winter. And with the heated and cooled cab, it is just perfect for this.

As a homeowner and NOT a business user of the equipment there is a big difference in how folks will interpret this question. Hope this helps.

 

[Hay Dude]

I used to sell and service material handling equipment. I always advised friends and customers that if you didn't have enough work for the machine to keep it on a job for the majority of the year to either lease for the season you intend to operate or to rent for the individual job. When the machine is setting it is not generating income , but the payments are still coming in. and the same goes for maintenance. You still need to maintain the equipment if it is working a job or not . so Lease for a season or rent by the job for expensive equipment.

After 30+ years in construction and farming, I have to agree. Thats the budget minded sensible thing to do. However, theres a certain sense of freedom, power and convenience to owning that cannot be measured in dollars or cents, though. The notion of “ grab and go “ to owning your own machine cant really be properly expressed. When I have a little downtime, it’s nice to grab the backhoe and dig out some pesky rocks in farm fields, for example.

 

[gtbensley]

That's crappy...I have good luck with them....:confused3:

I'm glad that you do! They must do something right once in a while to have such a big business.....but man am I peeved at the moment.