I've got 20 acres of timbered property on a mountain in Northern Idaho. I also have 1,000 feet of steep road that I have to maintain. I've been using a Mahindra 2015 for the past several years to log and maintain the road among other things. I've always felt this tractor was about 15hp shy of what I needed for size, power and options for what I'm doing. My long term plan was to get a 30hp tractor with a cab for the winter months.. Lately I've been talking to friends who suggested I consider a mini excavator and keep my old tractor. Thoughts? How well can a 6-way blade on a mini move snow and maintain a road? How well can a mini do at pulling logs off a hill?
Mini Excavator?
- Thread starter reggart
- Start date
- Views: 9350
4570Man
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2015
- Messages
- 18,421
- Location
- Crossville, TN
- Tractor
- Kubota M59, Kubota L3800, Grasshopper 428D, Topkick dump truck, 3500 dump truck, 10 ton trailer, more lighter trailers.
A mini excavator is extremely handy but grading roads isn’t their strong point.
Woody65
Gold Member
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2012
- Messages
- 479
- Location
- East Northport and Oneonta NY
- Tractor
- John Deere 4300 HST 4wd
Terrible at snow removal and road maintenance. A mini with rubber tracks will slide down any slippery road with compacted snow. Not too bad with pulling logs off a hill but by no means the best option.
4570Man
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2015
- Messages
- 18,421
- Location
- Crossville, TN
- Tractor
- Kubota M59, Kubota L3800, Grasshopper 428D, Topkick dump truck, 3500 dump truck, 10 ton trailer, more lighter trailers.
I’m sure you could build a road with one but the final drives are weak and slow. Excavators are made for digging and a dozer is made for dozing.
4570Man
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2015
- Messages
- 18,421
- Location
- Crossville, TN
- Tractor
- Kubota M59, Kubota L3800, Grasshopper 428D, Topkick dump truck, 3500 dump truck, 10 ton trailer, more lighter trailers.
That would be my suggestion. I don’t think you’re going to be happy scraping the driveway at 2 mph.
CausticUrbanCoast
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2018
- Messages
- 554
- Tractor
- Mitsubishi
If you have the money you could contemplate a telehandler, sort of a midway solution between the two.
Or if you can fine one in good condition, a grader can do your road and run as or with a log arch as well.
Suppose a trackless would also be a good option.
Other than digging stumps, why were you thinking about a mini excavator? Is there some project coming up that you would like one for? Maybe it is worthwhile.
Or if you can fine one in good condition, a grader can do your road and run as or with a log arch as well.
Suppose a trackless would also be a good option.
Other than digging stumps, why were you thinking about a mini excavator? Is there some project coming up that you would like one for? Maybe it is worthwhile.
It’s a bit more money than what you’re talking about but this is the only excavator based chassis which is designed for what you want.