Insight on buying a mini excavator vs renting

[TnAndy]

I'll give you 10k for it

Nah.....it's just one of the things that is going to make the estate sale worth attending.....

 

[gtbensley]

I wish I could find one for cheaper money....I would buy one in a second.

 

[JethroB]

Can you find a diesel or hydraulic mechanic to look it over for you? Slip him $100 for his time.

A family member bought a very well used backhoe at a farm auction once. It quickly died and the repair costs were up there. Our local heavy equipment guy looked it over and said "next time invite me to go to the auction with you."

 

[4570Man]

I’d buy the mini. You’ll use it WAY more than you’d justify renting one for and you probably won’t loose as much as your guaranteed loss of renting. The machine would have to depreciate close to half over a years time to loose the same $7k as renting and it’s probably not going to. Plus you’ll use the one you own that cost you nothing to go dig for a few minutes. I bought a mini mid December and I’ve put over 10 hours on it so far and it’s yet to do anything that would justify renting.

 

[4570Man]

Can you find a diesel or hydraulic mechanic to look it over for you? Slip him $100 for his time.

A family member bought a very well used backhoe at a farm auction once. It quickly died and the repair costs were up there. Our local heavy equipment guy looked it over and said "next time invite me to go to the auction with you."

I don’t disagree with having a mechanic look over it still but you’re generally better off buying a nice piece of equipment that will survive the couple years use without breaking down vs a scrap heap.

 

[4570Man]

I wanted a HVAC cab unit about 10-12,000lb range. Cant touch a clean used one for under $30,000.

I started out wanting an 80 and quickly determined they’re far too expensive and then lowered my standards to a 57 and decided they’re probably a worse value than a 80 and then bought a Kubota 40. I’m pretty happy with the hydraulic power of the machine and I like being able to load it behind my ton truck and roll on vs the more involved process of moving the 80. If the idea was digging a basement or pulling stumps the 80 would be way better but the 40 handles a 36” bucket pretty good and wouldn’t have any trouble putting in a septic.

 

[fried1765]

I don’t disagree with having a mechanic look over it still but you’re generally better off buying a nice piece of equipment that will survive the couple years use without breaking down vs a scrap heap.

BEST ADVICE YET !!!

 

[4570Man]

BEST ADVICE YET !!!

The mini in discussion probably is nice enough. I was referring more about the scrap heap backhoe from the quoted post.

 

[gtbensley]

I don’t disagree with having a mechanic look over it still but you’re generally better off buying a nice piece of equipment that will survive the couple years use without breaking down vs a scrap heap.

Yes I have concluded if I buy to stretch my budget to buy something nicer. Or as nice as I can or want to afford. Going open station helps greatly with this.

I'm pretty mechanically knowledgeable as I work in the automotive industry and have owned and worked on plenty of diesel vehicles.

My understanding is leaks are bad, slop in the boom and spin bearing are bad...and the basics of a healthy diesel engine apply.

If anyone is local and knows more about excavators I would welcome their company and would toss some money if they came and looked at it.

I greatly appreciate all the help and insight and hope it continues. This has greatly brightened my day discussing this with you all

 

[fried1765]

Yes I have concluded if I buy to stretch my budget to buy something nicer. Or as nice as I can or want to afford. Going open station helps greatly with this.

I'm pretty mechanically knowledgeable as I work in the automotive industry and have owned and worked on plenty of diesel vehicles.

My understanding is leaks are bad, slop in the boom and spin bearing are bad...and the basics of a healthy diesel engine apply.

If anyone is local and knows more about excavators I would welcome their company and would toss some money if they came and looked at it.

I greatly appreciate all the help and insight and hope it continues. This has greatly brightened my day discussing this with you all

Ah Ha.....this sounds like it might be a good job for... Peter 315.... here on TBN.
He is also in Cow Hampshire, and appears to know a lot about this stuff.
He is currently on the prowl to "steal" a one owner Kubota L48TLB, somewhat South of you.