Excavator v. Skid Steer for Hobby Farmer?

[Xfaxman]

One thing missing from the Mini telehandler infomercial is rocks. I would like to see it dig like that when you dig down 6" and start hitting rocks the size of that bucket like in these parts. Anything can dig in soil like that.

With the stump bucket digging in the dirt I was showing how it could dig down next to his big rocks to get them out.

I already showed here Excavator v. Skid Steer for Hobby Farmer? how to get one out without digging.

Here is another method that I have used. Not a rock, but similar:

 

[Xfaxman]

Its true no ONE machine can do everything well, but as Xfaxman has shown over the years, the properly equipped telehandler is the award winner for the single machine capable of doing the biggest list of chores better than any other single machine.

It can also do many of the individual chores on said list very well.

Right, but it has to be a compact telehandler.

Full size telehandler booms are not made for digging with a bucket.

 

[Hay Dude]

These look kind of interesting as a swiss army knife construction tool, too. I rented one years ago to remove a locomotive boiler tank buried in the ground as a water pipe. Does not have telescoping boom, but can be driven down the road. Local Railroad has one. It runs on attached rail gear to cut back branches.

 

[Xfaxman]

Of course, I don't want the best single machine. I want the best machine for someone who has a tractor.

I sold my tractor soon after I bought my first compact telehandler in 2009, a V518.
Used it as an anchor here for the winch on the front of the tractor:

 

[Hay Dude]

I sold my tractor soon after I bought my first compact telehandler in 2009, a V518.
Used it as an anchor here for the winch:
View attachment 754607

Nice 240. I woulda bought that thing from you. You are extremely talented at equipping tractors and equipment with accessories.

 

[Xfaxman]

Nice 240. I woulda bought that thing from you.

Too bad you didn't see the ad on craigslist .

You are extremely talented at equipping tractors and equipment with accessories.

 

[dfkrug]

Its true no ONE machine can do everything well, but as Xfaxman has shown over the years, the properly equipped telehandler is the award winner for the single machine capable of doing the biggest list of chores better than any other single machine.

It can also do many of the individual chores on said list very well.

That is a very fair assessment.

Being enthusiastic and posting lots of pix about the Bobcat compact telehandler should not be discouraged. (Thanks, XFAXMAN). I have not seen anything to indicate that there is some kinda profit motive in those posts (perish the thought!).

Your other point about implements is also a good one: So many CUT owners I know do not buy and integrate the appropriate implements to vastly increase the utility of their tractors.

 

[Xfaxman]

Being enthusiastic and posting lots of pix about the Bobcat compact telehandler should not be discouraged. (Thanks, XFAXMAN).

You're welcome.

I have not seen anything to indicate that there is some kinda profit motive in those posts (perish the thought!).

You can perish the thought. No profit made. Just trying to show what compact telehandlers can do.

I did not know about them until I saw one with a big bucket for sale on eBay. We needed the silt removed from our pond. The contractor with a wheel loader wanted $150 an hour to clean the silt out.
I was retired and found the V518 for sale with forks and bucket, so I bought it for $26,000:

 

[dfkrug]

I was retired and found the V518 for sale with forks and bucket, so I bought it for $26,000:

That seems a very good price if those 2200 hours were well-maintained. If a rental, maybe not. Isn't an equivalent machine new today close to $100K?

I suspect most telehandlers are owned by construction companies or rental yards. You have shown that the smaller ones make a lot of sense for the rural homeowner/farmer/rancher.

 

[Hay Dude]

That seems a very good price if those 2200 hours were well-maintained. If a rental, maybe not. Isn't an equivalent machine new today close to $100K?

I suspect most telehandlers are owned by construction companies or rental yards. You have shown that the smaller ones make a lot of sense for the rural homeowner/farmer/rancher.

The decal on the back is the name of a rental company.

Williams Equipment - Construction Supplies and Rentals

Williams Equipment & Supply has 12 convenient locations across the Mid-South. Give us a call for your next construction project or rental.

williamsequipment.com

So it’s possible that it is or was a rental at some point. The tires look to have a good amount of remaining tread. 2200 hours ain’t much