Mrs. Suggested that we might consider a Mini-Excavator in our future.

[KilroyJC]

So to get your capabilities the OP needs to look at a $50K investment.

I might be able to swing $15G.

I pulled the engine out of my first car with a friend, a chain, and a couple 2x4s (I have a picture somewhere). . .

 

[Creamer]

According to my Kubota dealer he said contractors are replacing their backhoes with a Skidsteer and a minix

For contractors these two machines make a lot of sense since the mini-ex can do a lot of digging quickly and the two machines can often be hauled on the same trailer or on alone on smaller trailers pulled by 250s or maybe 350s versus large trucks. They are very powerful, compact machines that when used in the right applications cannot be beat in their quickness and ability to get the job done.

Personally I would not have a skid steer because whenever it turns it is tearing things up. In a contractors world this is not a problem because they are usually in a compelte tear-up, but as a homeowner it is a mess. I had a guy that baled hay and picked up his bales with a skid steer. After a couple of years of piled up sod where he turned very sharp I changed to a different guy who uses an FEL. The other issue is tipping forward - there have been a lot of deaths on a skidsteer from people trying to lift just a little to much and once it gets up high it tips forward - sometimes it waits until you start to dump ad the load in the bucket shifts a little forward, i.e. inadequate warning. I much prefer my Versatile 150 in that it is a better loader, can move much faster, and does not tear things up. For instance, this fall I moved 80 ton of rock across my lawn to put around my my lake edge with my 150 and you would never know it by the look of the lawn. Now I did it at a dry time of year for minimal damage but when you have a ton of rock on your bucket you need decent size tires to not leave tracks and when turning skid-steer or tracked skid steer does a lot of tearing. My son, who works construction helped me with this project and uses a skid steer daily, never even thought about the difference until I pointed it out after we were done and he said no way could we have done it as fast or as nicely with a skidsteer.

Eddie laid out the mini-ex negatives very well which are similar very good at what they do well but limited in versatility. And yes I would love to have one which is why I rent one sometimes when I have the right job - they are fun to play with.

 

[ovrszd]

An older full size backhoe absolutely wins the less money spent comparison. And for a homeowner that’s likely a good option. But when the comparison shifts to getting work done with less emphasis on cost the the mini and CTL win by a significant margin.

Absolutely!!! I want an excavator. But I can't justify one monetarily.

 

[ovrszd]

I might be able to swing $15G.

I pulled the engine out of my first car with a friend, a chain, and a couple 2x4s (I have a picture somewhere). . .

$15K will buy you a decent TLB. Or a well used mini.

 

[dirttoys]

He didn’t specify what size but my KX-040 is still well within the mini category.

Yup I have a 3.5 ton, would love bigger but couldn't haul it.

 

[dirttoys]

I think the biggest I would need to move is 30” dia by 14’ length

My 3.5 ton will lift 24" X 12 foot (red oak) full height and half reach over the blade. 30 X 14 I might be able to get off the ground and on a low trailer. Probably cut those in half

Best,

ed

 

[dirttoys]

Absolutely!!! I want an excavator. But I can't justify one monetarily.

You can do a lot of work with a backhoe, I have one for the skid, it has more raw power than the x. I haven't hooked it us since I had the x. The x is just so much faster and more comfortable. I wouldn't mind a dedicated backhoe, but, you can't mow with the damn thing, so you still have to have a tractor. Everything is toooooo expensive now, maybe with time on the OP's there will be a deal when he is ready. I looked for mine for over a year..........

Best,

ed

 

[KilroyJC]

My 3.5 ton will lift 24" X 12 foot (red oak) full height and half reach over the blade. 30 X 14 I might be able to get off the ground and on a low trailer. Probably cut those in half

Best,

ed

I only Have a couple trees that big, and I would have to slab off the sides with an Alaskan Mill to get it on my LX55. Bit their is nothing wrong with ambition, amirite?

 

[KilroyJC]

You can do a lot of work with a backhoe, I have one for the skid, it has more raw power than the x. I haven't hooked it us since I had the x. The x is just so much faster and more comfortable. I wouldn't mind a dedicated backhoe, but, you can't mow with the damn thing, so you still have to have a tractor. Everything is toooooo expensive now, maybe with time on the OP's there will be a deal when he is ready. I looked for mine for over a year..........

Best,

ed

I have a 5’ brush hog for my tractor - that is close enough to mowing for my purposes!

 

[sd455dan]

I think the biggest I would need to move is 30” dia by 14’ length

Oh well a grapple and a large CUT will do that

$15K will buy you a decent TLB. Or a well used mini.

edit: Agree, OP Keep scanning CL and others for a deal

 

[KilroyJC]

For contractors these two machines make a lot of sense since the mini-ex can do a lot of digging quickly and the two machines can often be hauled on the same trailer or on alone on smaller trailers pulled by 250s or maybe 350s versus large trucks. They are very powerful, compact machines that when used in the right applications cannot be beat in their quickness and ability to get the job done.

Personally I would not have a skid steer because whenever it turns it is tearing things up. In a contractors world this is not a problem because they are usually in a compelte tear-up, but as a homeowner it is a mess. I had a guy that baled hay and picked up his bales with a skid steer. After a couple of years of piled up sod where he turned very sharp I changed to a different guy who uses an FEL. The other issue is tipping forward - there have been a lot of deaths on a skidsteer from people trying to lift just a little to much and once it gets up high it tips forward - sometimes it waits until you start to dump ad the load in the bucket shifts a little forward, i.e. inadequate warning. I much prefer my Versatile 150 in that it is a better loader, can move much faster, and does not tear things up. For instance, this fall I moved 80 ton of rock across my lawn to put around my my lake edge with my 150 and you would never know it by the look of the lawn. Now I did it at a dry time of year for minimal damage but when you have a ton of rock on your bucket you need decent size tires to not leave tracks and when turning skid-steer or tracked skid steer does a lot of tearing. My son, who works construction helped me with this project and uses a skid steer daily, never even thought about the difference until I pointed it out after we were done and he said no way could we have done it as fast or as nicely with a skidsteer.

Eddie laid out the mini-ex negatives very well which are similar very good at what they do well but limited in versatility. And yes I would love to have one which is why I rent one sometimes when I have the right job - they are fun to play with.

I learned a lot about the overhead lift with out or little Bobcat 610.

the first time it happened, I was dumping into a dump truck so I caught on the sides and caused no damage or injury. But I rather quickly installed a 4-pt racing harness and wore it religiously.

I also learned the value of tarping materials to keep out water - an overfill bucket of dry soil is not as heavy as an just-under-full bucket of wet soil - and it also empties much better!

 

[3Ts]

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My loader will lift 3000# according to the manual. But using it like this I've increased the reach to 20 ' and the height to 16', but only lift about 200#

 

[ovrszd]

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My loader will lift 3000# according to the manual. But using it like this I've increased the reach to 20 ' and the height to 16', but only lift about 200#

Yep, horizontal distance from the FEL hinge and the hook magnifies effort required dramatically. Not to derail the discussion, but here's a few of the things I've lifted with my tractor FEL.

 

[m7040]

Large backhoe like Eddie described can do most things except pulling mowers and implements. And they can be had from 25K or so depending on age and condition. In addition a regular tractor would likely be needed and maybe a zero turn for mowing. A minix used starts at 25 K and goes up from there. A new one 50K plus depending on options.
For a home owner the backhoe makes sense.
For having a more convenient and fun machine go with the excavator. They can be sold likely a few years later for the same money as you paid new for one especially since it will not be an abused machine or former rental
Used excavators with 5000 plus hours can be good value if maintained. Repairs on hydraulics can cost a lot so condition and how it was maintained is important. The ability to make 360 degree swings when needed is great and the small footprint is also good

 

[zzvyb6]

Does she have a sister ?

 

[KilroyJC]

Does she have a sister ?

No, sorry.

 

[Creamer]

I learned a lot about the overhead lift with out or little Bobcat 610.

the first time it happened, I was dumping into a dump truck so I caught on the sides and caused no damage or injury. But I rather quickly installed a 4-pt racing harness and wore it religiously.

I also learned the value of tarping materials to keep out water - an overfill bucket of dry soil is not as heavy as an just-under-full bucket of wet soil - and it also empties much better!

And do not dump over things. A guy near me was dumping manure over a fence into a manure spreader and when the wet load moved forward so did the skidsteer and steel post in the fence became a spear with not a good outcome. It happens quick!

 

[Creamer]

Another guy I know was picking rock and had the bucket up in the air. Saw something he wanted to pick up and stopped and got off walking under the bucket. His pant leg caught the dump lever and he got an 80# rock on the head. 6 months hospital and permanent brain damage. Consequently no matter how wet, dirty, and ugly that bucket is step in it to get on and off.

 

[4570Man]

Another guy I know was picking rock and had the bucket up in the air. Saw something he wanted to pick up and stopped and got off walking under the bucket. His pant leg caught the dump lever and he got an 80# rock on the head. 6 months hospital and permanent brain damage. Consequently no matter how wet, dirty, and ugly that bucket is step in it to get on and off.

That’s a nice use for power quick attach which my skid steer has. If I’m using the grapple or forks both of which are hard to climb over, I can detach them and back up.

 

[dirttoys]

That’s a nice use for power quick attach which my skid steer has. If I’m using the grapple or forks both of which are hard to climb over, I can detach them and back up.

Another guy I know was picking rock and had the bucket up in the air. Saw something he wanted to pick up and stopped and got off walking under the bucket. His pant leg caught the dump lever and he got an 80# rock on the head. 6 months hospital and permanent brain damage. Consequently no matter how wet, dirty, and ugly that bucket is step in it to get on and off.

Saw a guy crinkled in an articulated tractor, I am a big wuss now, I will get the wife to come help before I walk under a raised bucket.

Best,


ed