**** backhoe's are expensive

[kspring61]

Wow, started this thread thinking I would get some recommendations to find a used one or after market one. Lots of good information here and thanks. Priced some used Mini's and at $15K-$23K that really doesn't make much sense as much as I would use it. I priced a rental that is only 20 minutes away and it's $200/day. I can get a lot of days before getting the the half life ($8K) of a used mini.
Think I will keep looking around and if I fall into a deal for a used backhoe I might go that way or just rent one and let the maintenance be someone else's problem.

 

[Jesse masterson]

I bought a new rhino 95c for 9 grand with subframe

 

[tman1020]

I have used many different backhoes but have owned these two. They both dig about the same and are about the same usefulness.
I’m on the fence about whether I would have spent the money on the tractor backhoe again. Yes it pretty well paid for itself over the years but I have had to hire larger machines for big stuff. Plus it does take up quite a bit of space in my barn. When I purchased it there was a used many excavator for about the same price I kind of regret not going that route.

 

[Sysop]

An excavator for the price of a Bobcat 7TB tractor backhoe attachment? I think much would have needed done to the excavator to keep it in operation at that sort of cost. I sincerely doubt it would have been a trouble-free machine... How many mechanical issues did you have with the 7TB?

I look at such a thing as I do any tool. I don't need the largest or most powerful of everything to complete my day to day tasks. If I occasionally need something bigger or more powerful than I have, that is what rental places are for. If I regularly need something bigger or more powerful, I purchased the wrong thing and should have spent more money... Having something adequate for my day to day needs allows me to complete 90% of what I need to do and is well worth being able to do it on my own schedule without racing a clock on a rental. I also prefer reliability in my machines. Too many unknowns with inexpensive used machines.

 

[tman1020]

An excavator for the price of a Bobcat 7TB tractor backhoe attachment? I think much would have needed done to the excavator to keep it in operation at that sort of cost. I sincerely doubt it would have been a trouble-free machine... How many mechanical issues did you have with the 7TB?

I look at such a thing as I do any tool. I don't need the largest or most powerful of everything to complete my day to day tasks. If I occasionally need something bigger or more powerful than I have, that is what rental places are for. If I regularly need something bigger or more powerful, I purchased the wrong thing and should have spent more money... Having something adequate for my day to day needs allows me to complete 90% of what I need to do and is well worth being able to do it on my own schedule without racing a clock on a rental. I also prefer reliability in my machines. Too many unknowns with inexpensive used machines.

It was a mini excavator and it was used. But actually it was very close in price and seemed pretty decent even had a cab. It was about the same size as the seven TB that I have. And yes I have had some problems with my 7 tb.
The thing seems to continuously drip hydraulic fluid and every time I tighten the fittings they want to split open and then I have to replace the whole hose. And they must’ve used cheapie valves because they drift down very quickly. Plus it does seem very hard on the tractor when I’m digging. I have seen where the sub frame can break away from the castings where it connects to the tractor. So that also is a concern.

 

[cdaigle430]

A tractor mounted hoe is not a construction hoe, just like a construction hoe is not a full sized excavator with a two yard bucket. But, if you have the time, the tractor hoe will do a lot around your place. No, it will not dig a basement, and it takes awhile to dig out a stump.... I looked for several years for a used TLB, but most were rode hard and put away wet. And they wanted top dollar for them. I have floor jacks to work on fairly heavy stuff, but not to work on 10 or 20 K pound stuff... and my barn only has 10' high doors.... A tractor hoe may not be perfect, but it works for an old retired guy with lots of time to ' play ' ...

Well somebody should have told me that earlier, I dug out 2 basements with my little backhoe and loader combo.

 

[ovrszd]

Well somebody should have told me that earlier, I dug out 2 basements with my little backhoe and loader combo.

You dug 9ft deep basements? That's very impressive!!! How did you get the dirt away from the holes?

 

[Jchonline]

You dug 9ft deep basements? That's very impressive!!! How did you get the dirt away from the holes?

He will tell you once he figures out how to get the tractor out of the hole....

 

[Jchonline]

For me the real question is cost recovery. It seems like too expensive to justify because it is "handy". Just rent and knock out a years worth of stuff on your list with a mini-ex.
My BH was broken out at around $16k with the thumb. I am doing the majority of my new home build digging with it. Septic, water, electric, sewer, solar, footings, foundation, etc. It should pay for itself. In the CO mountains trenching is crazy expensive. It seems like they want a few grand just to show up and start their machines.

 

[Jchonline]

Wow, started this thread thinking I would get some recommendations to find a used one or after market one. Lots of good information here and thanks. Priced some used Mini's and at $15K-$23K that really doesn't make much sense as much as I would use it. I priced a rental that is only 20 minutes away and it's $200/day. I can get a lot of days before getting the the half life ($8K) of a used mini.
Think I will keep looking around and if I fall into a deal for a used backhoe I might go that way or just rent one and let the maintenance be someone else's problem.

Sounds like a well studied decision and I agree. What's more you will love operating the Mini Ex. They are a ton of fun!