compact TLB vs. full size TLB

[AlanB]

Well said JMF.

There are things in my house, I want the way I want them, and honestly, it does not happen that way unless I do it.

Am I wrong in the way I want them? Quite possibly, but it is still what I want.

 

[Dirthog]

If you paid for something that was wrong or not done to your specs shame on you I always try to please the customer If I see something that I feel is not right I try and explain why it should not be done that way. If the customer will not change and I know it is going to cause problems I can and have walked away seeing they are done right and my good name in tact are worth more than the money!!

 

[jmfox]

I guess I'm the kind of guy who gets the wrong meal at the diner and eats it anyway. In my many years of doing these kinds of things I know it is near impossible to get someone to share the same vision. I paid the guys because they did what the know best.

jmf

 

[JPCjr]

I agree jmfox.

As I have said, I have no doubt that a profesional can accomplish the work that I want done faster than I can. But I don't think a profesional can do it better. It's my property, so I'll spend as much time as it takes to get the result I want. A profesional won't. He'll do it as quickly as he can using the tools/skills he has and then move on the the next job. That's just the way to make money in construction. I'm not trying to make money, I'm trying to build my home exactly the way I want it.

As a good example, check this out:
Building a timberframe home from scratch.: June 2007
There is absolutely no way a contractor would ever produce something like that. Although whatever I build will pale in comparison to that house, the philosophy is the same.

Also, I really don't think I can hire out the work I have for less than the cost of a used TLB. This is what I need done:
At least a 750 ft. driveway cut in and graded.
At least one, probably two culverts installed.
Site cleared for a barn.
Slab/foundation prep for a barn.
Septic system installed.
Trench work between well, barn, and house.
Rain water collection system installed.
Site cleared for house, possibly harvesting the hardwoods for future woodwork in the home.
Basement and foundation excavation
Backfilling and rough landscape work
Clearing and grading an area for a garden
Lots of rocks moved
Materials transport duing barn and home construction

The property isn't very accessible to large equipment. It's a good half mile down a narrow hilly dirt road with lots of curves.

I think Builder (and others) is right, a used TLB is my best bet. Although the SS/Excavator combination sure is tempting, I think it would cost a lot more and I may struggle with some of the rocks that need moving.

 

[coopers]

I agree jmfox.

As I have said, I have no doubt that a professional can accomplish the work that I want done faster than I can. But I don't think a professional can do it better. It's my property, so I'll spend as much time as it takes to get the result I want. A professional won't.

I agree with that 100%. It may be easier in some aspect to hire out, but you're right, it won't be done exactly how you want it to be done. A handful of people will do the best they can (if they're truly in it for the right reasons) but they will get tired of all the nit picking and their are other jobs lined up. That's why the landscape of a home never stays the same. You're always modifying it and even hiring some professional to design a better landscape and then redoing it. I like the idea of having the machines to do the work yourself and you know EXACTLY how you want something done.

Also, I really don't think I can hire out the work I have for less than the cost of a used TLB. This is what I need done:
At least a 750 ft. driveway cut in and graded.
At least one, probably two culverts installed.
Site cleared for a barn.
Slab/foundation prep for a barn.
Septic system installed.
Trench work between well, barn, and house.
Rain water collection system installed.
Site cleared for house, possibly harvesting the hardwoods for future woodwork in the home.
Basement and foundation excavation
Backfilling and rough landscape work
Clearing and grading an area for a garden
Lots of rocks moved
Materials transport during barn and home construction

You're right, I think it would cost far more to have all this done by a dirt work guy than just buying your own machine. Machine = cheaper.

I am very glad that this thread was started, despite some differences in opinions this allows other out there who are lurking on this website to learn a lot about machinery and their little places they fill in the construction world. The disagreements also help solidify ones beliefs and possibly help give new insights as well.

JPCjr: Have you had the chance to look at any machines yet? Anything jumping out at you?

Blake
WA

 

[coopers]

Just a few I found: 2003 CASE 580M For Sale at MachineryTrader.com

Second: 2001 CASE 580M For Sale at MachineryTrader.com

I like the looks of the second, I'd be a little inquisitive about the painting of the machine but if it runs great then sweet! A new paint job is always nice too if it runs great.

The first one looks like it's from Hertz along with the other backhoes, but sometimes a rental place isn't always that bad. We had machines I'd buy from my old rental company and some I wouldn't. Some machines get beat more than others. You can also ask them if anything is for sale ahead of time, these are probably just being kicked out because they want '07's or something. A lot of 580L and SL's are going for around $35K. I'm sure you could talk someone down to that too if you find a good M model that is a little higher than $35K. I know that these two don't have cabs and I'm not sure how big of a deal that is for ya but just thought I'd pull those for examples. Both are e-hoes.

Blake
WA

 

[Builder]

I actually almost bought a Super M with an AC cab for $36,000! I think working in those hot NC summers, you'll love it.

There's deals to be had out there. Just gotta keep your eyes on the sites that move equipment and don't be afraid to ask them to take lots off the asking price.

Like Coopers said, you're buying the right machine, now you just need to find a good one!

 

[heymack]

JCPjr, there's a lot of good info, discussion and debate going on around here and I figured I'd add my 2 cents. I decided to buy a used TLB a couple years ago to do a variety of tasks on my 100 acre place after using an old 580C on our ranch during the 1980's. Trying to stay with mainstream brands like Cat, Case, JD or Ford, I wound up with a 1984 555A that I bought from a local municipality with only 3000 hours for less than $10K. I considered 4x4 for about two seconds but easily decided against it (and its extra cost/maintenance) when I determined I wouldn't be using the machine in muddy conditions because I don't want to tear my place up, my land is mostly flat, and because I didn't intend to use the machine for tons of loader work where the added traction "might" be needed. To date, I've used this machine for so much more than I ever could have imagined. I won't bore you with details, but once you get one, you'll realize how versatile it really is (I think I'm over 1000 uses and counting). Also, as far as maintenance is concerned, to date all I've done is general/routine maintenance and a couple hydraullic hose replacements.....knock on wood.

Now to my point, while a $30-40K machine I'm seeing in the above links would probably do your job a little quicker, don't discount an older machine for much less cost. The way I figured it, if I want to eventually sell, I'll easily get my money back because these things tend to "bottom out" down around the $10K level for a clean machine, BUT if I want to keep it for many years to come, I won't feel bad because I'm into the deal for so little money, I can easily afford to let it sit idle while not worrying about it paying for itself on a jobsite. Additionally, I'm not out the high rental fees and not under any time constraints as I would be had I rented one.

By purchasing the lower cost TLB, I now have a very handy full-sized TLB and a brand new 55 HP NH farm tractor for less than $24K total investment. It's funny, when the NH dealer was delivering my new tractor, he looked at my backhoe and commented that I would have to be crazy to get rid of that good old 555 (we'd briefly discussed adding a front-end loader to my new NH) but that if I ever did, he always has three or four guys ready to buy.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[coopers]

Now to my point, while a $30-40K machine I'm seeing in the above links would probably do your job a little quicker, don't discount an older machine for much less cost.

Good point, I was thinking about that while I was looking at the 580D's and E's (for my own interest). Going with an older cheaper machine will give you the opportunity to buy a nicer newer if not brand new CUT with all the implements you need. Either way is good.

Blake
WA

 

[Kendall69]

These numbers are a little skewed. A new cab and air unit XYZ brand will run about 30-35k.
A used ( IN MY AREA) Southern Ca. and according to a local dealer, who I just talked to - Case full size, 400-700 hours 70-75k. 5000 hrs, 40k -
A junker with parts needed ( air compressor ) 28k.

According to Machinery trader, they have some 1992 with 2,500 hrs. $38,500k.

For my money smaller new is always better than buying someone else's junk.

When you figure the time a used piece of equipment has to spend in the shop, a smaller tractor will out dig a bigger tractor anytime. Heck you could out dig a used piece of junk with a teaspoon.

Oh sure you "MAY" find that one Jewel out there, " my brothers Uncle twin's cousin just bought a ..." but the reality is people that buy these full size tractors USE THEM, and abuse them, then trade them off to suckers that want to save a buck.


1997
Manufacturer CASE
Model 590SL
Price $41,500
Location Rapid City, South Dakota
Serial Number JJG0208660
Condition USED
Drive 4WD
Horse Power 100
Hours 6,086

And by the time you put on tires and go through it, your up to 50k plus.

For $41,500, and 6k hours, definitely NOT a bargain, and there a lot more of these then there are “ Sweet buy’s “

1997 CASE 590SL For Sale at MachineryTrader.com