backhoes vs mini excavators

radman · Jun 9, 2001

Which is better at digging? Faster? Easier to use? I have seen several used mini excavators for sale near the same prices as backhoes for compact tractors. Many of the diggings specs are equal or better for the excavators. I realize an excavator is another peice of equipment to haul, and their purpose is limited to backhoe-type work. Any other drawbacks?

DarinRay · Jun 9, 2001

radman,

Hands down the excavator will out dig a compact tractor anyday given the same relative sizes and I would bet even if the excavator was smaller it would still work better for digging. If that is all you are going to do is the digging and you don't have to haul or move much soil or material then then go get a excavator and give us some pics so we can dream about it. I am now working on some hillside project with my L35 and Magnatrac and am always thinking about a dozer or excavator to do it easier. Then again it always seems easier with something you don't have then you get it and you have to be able to operate it efficently for it to be better than the way your were doing it to begin with. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Like you said then you do have another piece of equipment to maintain but then again you have another piece of equipment to maintain. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Some more drawbacks are that you don't tread very lawn friendly/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif, have to really look into or have someone that knows undercarrages which is a whole different ball game.

Darin

Anonymous Poster · Jun 9, 2001

Minis will do circles around a compact with backhoe. I've had a ym1702d with loader & backhoe & a 6000 lb mini for over 2 years. This year I got a 4000lb mini. I rent them out & also operate them for hire. The mini outshines the TLB in tight places. You have a 360 degree swing , so dirt can be piled away from the digging. Quick to move both for digging out ditches & trenching since stabalizers don't have to be raised & lowered. And with the blade light excavating can be done easier than with a loader.

JonSpinosa · Jun 16, 2001

Radman,

Mini excavator's are superior over TLB's. I have a L35 and a Kubota mini-excavator. Truthfully, I hate operating the L35 backhoe. The seat is a pain in the butt to switch from the forward position to the rear position to operate the hoe. It is very difficult manuevering the hoe as compared to the excavator.

After running the mini you will not want to go back to the TLB. The only negative point about the mini, is that the tracks can tear turf very fast. Try one out and you will see for yourself.

Jon S.

JayinNH · Jul 5, 2001

Jon S,
I have a L3010 HST and have a need to do some backhoe work from time to time. If you are doing small work around the house and yard does the 5000 to 6000 dollar backhoe attachment pay for itself or would you recommend renting a mini?
Jason

JonSpinosa · Jul 8, 2001

JayinNH,
Mini excavator rental rates are about $30.00 per hour. At $6000 to purchase a backhoe attachment it would take 200 hours of use to pay for it or about 25 days. However, sometimes it is very difficult to financially justify our toys. It is very convenient to have your very own backhoe available when you need it.

Anonymous Poster · Jul 11, 2001

Where are you guys buying your backhoes for $6000??? I paid $3500 for a brand new Kelley B750 which works great. I guess it's not the heaviest hoe out there but it seems to do the job for me.

JayinNH · Jul 11, 2001

donny,
I'm looking at the Woods 9000. With installation it's about $6000. The 9000 has a digging depth of 9 feet. Was that Kelley a subframe?
Jason

cowboydoc · Jul 11, 2001

That's a great price Jay. The cheapest I could find the Woods 9000 around here was $8000 installed. Really makes me wonder even more about the markup on these things if one dealer can make a profit at $6000 and another charges $8000.

JayinNH · Jul 11, 2001

Richard,
Actually they said $5899.00 installed so I rounded up.Sorry to rub it in. I just don't know if it's worth spending the money to get. I would like some other impliments that are a little cheaper but could really use that backhoe soon. I'll keep debating.
Jason

cowboydoc · Jul 11, 2001

I got a great deal on a deere one so I went ahead and bought it. It doesn't take long for one to pay for itself. I've already done about $3k worth of work with mine and I'm going to take out a bunch of stumps this weekend which would have cost me about $1500 to do.

Anonymous Poster · Jul 12, 2001

re Jay in NH
No it's just a 3pt mount and only 7'6" digging depth, I guess that would explain the difference in price.

JayinNH · Jul 12, 2001

Richard,
What kind of things have you done with your BH? What model is your backhoe?Do you feel that a backhoe will decrease the longevity of your tractor?I don't mind renting but if I end up renting for 6 or 7 weekends I would pretty much pay for it. Do you feel that it digs just as well as a mini of equal size?
Jason

cowboydoc · Jul 13, 2001

Jason,
Mine is the JD 48 for my JD 4600. If you look at the setup for this one it is pretty impressive. I don't see how you could damage the tractor. Plus it's setup not to go beyond the stress limits of the tractor. I haven't done a whole lot with mine yet. I've dug a 100 foot long 4 foot deep trench and then put in that septic system with it. I cut down one tree and tore the stump out at the other place and was pretty impressed with it. When it binds up it doesn't tweak things. So far I think it's a good unit and I don't think you could tear up the tractor with it. I've used minis before and I like this one just as well. I don't really see a whole lot of difference like has been mentioned. The only place I see where a mini would be better is in tight places. Other than that, in my opinion, it's just the same. I'll let you know some more after digging these other stumps out tomorrow.

Anonymous Poster · Jun 23, 2002

Hi, I would like to know where and how I would go about getting renters insurance to rent out some of my machines. I would be grateful for any help. Thank you.

Anonymous Poster · Jun 24, 2002

Tell us more about your magnatrac. Was it worth the price? Performance? Thanks

Phred · Jun 24, 2002

Radman,

As the other guys have said, the mini ex will dig circles around the tractor backhoe. I find the little backhoes to be a pain to use in comparison. Also the mini ex will work on slopes that would tip over the back hoe. Ditto for soft ground since the mini ex is tracked. The front dozer blade is also very handy.

Only negative about the mini ex is that they move very slowly. The tractor mountd hoe can be driven a mile and then used to dig. The mini ex's max speed is under ~2 miles an hour. Also you need a heavy duty truck to haul the mini ex since they are the better part of 10K lbs.

I rent a mini ex anytime I need to dig. About $150 / day. Most rental companies have a weekend deal. Pickit up friday afternoon and its a one day charge til monday if you do not use more than 8 hours.

Fred

DarinRay · Jun 25, 2002

Re: backhoes vs mini excavators(Magnatracs)

Well thinkiknowitall.... The magnatrac is worth the money for sure as it will work all day long and do tons of heavy construction work. I have owned and operated two of these machines and would get another if givin the chance. There are a couple owners here that own one now and will jump in some time soon. I've changed the subject to include magnatrac so it sticks out for them. I owned the 25hp gas kohler powered ones with loader, backhoe, dozer blade, 3pt & rear pto. They go alot more places than a wheeled machine can go and are built solid. Parts are available at tractor stores so you don't have to go back to the dealer. If you do a search here on magnatracs you will find some topics on them that will help you out. Talk to you later.

Darin

Anonymous Poster · Jun 25, 2002

Re: backhoes vs mini excavators(Magnatracs)

Thanks. I've seen the ads and brochures, never had a chance to play with one though. Getting ready to build a livestock pond, 150' x 250' and was wondering if one would work. See some used ones out there, not many though. By the time you rent an excavator or loader, that money could be at least a down payment on new toy, I have more time than money and moving dirt is almost as therapeutic as target practice.

DarinRay · Jun 25, 2002

Re: backhoes vs mini excavators(Magnatracs)

Well thinkiknowitall that's how I've always felt about renting and then having a time schedule and a high cost of it all then nothing to show for it. If a person had it all planned out and nothing could interupt his or her schedule then renting is fine but everything seems to happen wrong when I have a plan /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif Another thing is I guess it could be therapeutic (sp?) but that is a LOT of dirt that would have to be moved--dug up, hauled to spot, cleaned up. WOW! just thinking about my 20 to 40 foot ponds cleaning experience and uuuggghhhhh. Although these ponds were full and had to be drained (pumped and dikes taken out) then getting in the muck and then realized that when you take a bite out of the bottom with your bucket it just fills righ back in meanwhile making the water into a huge mud thick pie. Anyway (catching myself before going into frenzy) my point is that is a big expectation that I hope you can fulfill with a magnatrac (tons of time though I guess) but I personally couldn't do it or wouldn't do it even if I had a wheeled tractor...Nothing against the magnatrac at all.

Now don't get me wrong I say go for it and if nothing else you now will have something to do other construction jobs around and you will have fun doing it. I have to tell you it's addicting....once you start. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif Well I am hoping someone else that owns a magnatrac will chime in here. Talk to you later and goodluck.

Darin