Mini excavator/skid steer vs backhoe.

[ovrszd]

The excavator has killed all TLBs here, don't think I have seen one in commercial use since the late eighties. Suppose the same happens in the US to.

Not so much. The first midi/mini Ex I saw was in Korea in the late 80s. Other countries have been way ahead of us in that regard. Another one is excavators on 4 wheels. We rarely see those here.

Off topic Agvg, check out this thread concerning front mounted 3pt hitches. You have a lot to contribute to that subject.
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/421343-front-3-point-hitch-factory.html

 

[DK35vince]

The excavator has killed all TLBs here, don't think I have seen one in commercial use since the late eighties. Suppose the same happens in the US to.

Some Townships still use the TLB's around here because they can be driven throughout the Twp for ditching/road repairs vs hauling.
Also can be used to load the trucks with gravel, anti skid, Etc.

 

[ovrszd]

Some Townships still use the TLB's around here because they can be driven throughout the Twp for ditching/road repairs vs hauling.
Also can be used to load the trucks with gravel, anti skid, Etc.

Yep. There are a lot of TLBs still used here too.

 

[Big Barn]

The municipalities around here all own TLBs but rent mini exes for various small projects. Bigger jobs are contracted out.

Growing up the only wheeled excavators I ever saw were the Gradalls with telescoping boom for roadside ditch maintenance.

Now I see a lot of wheeled excavators. Mostly Cat and JD.

 

[Agvg]

The first I saw and tryed was a Takeuchi tb12 around 1985.

To be a little more off topic, any using a rotortilt as shown on the pictures?

 

[ovrszd]

The first I saw and tryed was a Takeuchi tb12 around 1985.

To be a little more off topic, any using a rotortilt as shown on the pictures?

I've never saw one personally.

 

[Agvg]

Here rotortilt is almost mandatory on excavators.

Bjørn Granerud om Rototilt® - YouTube

 

[hayden]

I don't entirely agree. In fact I think I mostly disagree.

I've had a tractor + backhoe, and a while back traded the BH attachment for a mini-ex. I haven't once missed the BH, not even the slightest, ever. The mini has better reach, more power, significantly more maneuverability, and works with a bunch of other implements like mowers and mulchers. It's hands down better.

Now I agree that a real TLB would be better than tractor+BH, but I would still take a tractor + mini ex any day.

I think the argument is about what to get if you can only have one piece of equipment. Then I definitely agree it would be a TLB or a tractor+BH. But given the ability to get a second piece of equipment, I'd dump the BH or TLB in a second and get another mini.

I'm also probably one of the few people who doesn't like skid steers. They work great on a construction site, but otherwise I'm not a fan. Too easy to get stuck and/or trash the ground. I think a wheeled machine is much better.

 

[ddbackhoe]

Here rotortilt is almost mandatory on excavators.

Bjørn Granerud om Rototilt® - YouTube

But you guys eat Santa’s reindeer and those lutefiskyuck too. Doesn’t inspire me to follow the lead.

 

[ovrszd]

I don't entirely agree. In fact I think I mostly disagree.

I've had a tractor + backhoe, and a while back traded the BH attachment for a mini-ex. I haven't once missed the BH, not even the slightest, ever. The mini has better reach, more power, significantly more maneuverability, and work with a bunch of other implements like mowers and mulchers. It's hands down better.

Not I agree that a real TLB would be better than tractor+BH, but I would still take a tractor + mini ex any day.

I think the argument is about what to get if you can only have one piece of equipment. Then I definitely agree it would be a TLB or a tractor+BH. But given the ability to get a second piece of equipment, I'd dump the BH or TLB is a second and another mini.

I'm also probably one of the few people who doesn't like skid steers. They work great on a construction site, but otherwise I'm not a fan. Too easy to get stuck and/or trash the ground. I think a wheeled machine is much better.

You can't disagree and then interject tractor + backhoe. We've all agreed that's at the bottom of the list.

If you've never owned a real TLB then it's hard to go with your preference of a tractor (with FEL I assume) and a mini.

Yes, the discussion is about only owning one. And again, if you've never been around a TLB it's hard to defend a mini.

I agree concerning Skid Steers. That's why I would always go with a CTL.

 

[Agvg]

Owned one bachoe, used it once and sold it, never had such a helpless machine, impossible to use as it needed a ocean of space, couldn't climb anything and you couldn't get rid of what you had in the bucket.

 

[ovrszd]

Owned one bachoe, used it once and sold it, never had such a helpless machine, impossible to use as it needed a ocean of space, couldn't climb anything and you couldn't get rid of what you had in the bucket.

So what did you replace it with?

 

[Agvg]

At the moment nothing, but if a cheap older 6 to 8t excavator would be nice. Or a 3.5t. But I have a close relative that runs his own firm so he has done the digging with his Hitachi EX 8t if I have needed something done.

It's a nice machine and an excellent operator so I haven't felt the need to buy anything my self.

 

[ovrszd]

At the moment nothing, but if a cheap older 6 to 8t excavator would be nice. Or a 3.5t. But I have a close relative that runs his own firm so he has done the digging with his Hitachi EX 8t if I have needed something done.

It's a nice machine and an excellent operator so I haven't felt the need to buy anything my self.

So if you need to move material what are you going to pick it up and carry it with? Or if you need to load a truck are you going to do it Ex bucket at a time? Or if you need to move a mile are you going to road it?

These considerations are what this discussion is about.

 

[Agvg]

If you only can have one machine and have the space, terrain and able to handle the limitations of a tlb without getting to irritated it do works.

 

[4570Man]

Owned one bachoe, used it once and sold it, never had such a helpless machine, impossible to use as it needed a ocean of space, couldn't climb anything and you couldn't get rid of what you had in the bucket.

I assume by your previous statement it was an old ancient machine. There’s a world of difference between those and a new 4x4 TC transmission and a not worn out boom one.

 

[ovrszd]

If you only can have one machine and have the space, terrain and able to handle the limitations of a tlb without getting to irritated it do works.

Is that your answer to my questions?

 

[Big Barn]

Skid steers are archaic but in all fairness I haven’t operated newer models.

 

[4570Man]

Skid steers are archaic but in all fairness I haven’t operated newer models.

An old wheeled one is trash. A good backhoe is a lot better. A tracked one is the only way I’d have one.

 

[ptsg]

An old wheeled one is trash. A good backhoe is a lot better. A tracked one is the only way I’d have one.

What about booth?