My new U17

[rswyan]

Have around a week or two's seat time on that model - very nice little machine ... :thumbsup:

 

[newtattoobob]

Yeah I'm excited to use mine too. It will probably be April before I get the chance. I did order a thumb for it, should have it in a couple days!

 

[RaydaKub]

I have no use for one of those. But it sure would be fun to take it out and play. :thumbsup: Congrats!

 

[David Devuono]

I have no use for one of those. But it sure would be fun to take it out and play. :thumbsup: Congrats!

SSSSH, we don't use the play word. Take it out and work it.

 

[radair]

newtattoobob, how's that U17 working out for you? I just put a deposit down on one. Just a little bit excited!

 

[firemech]

Have had a U25 for about three months. Didn't think I honestly had a legitimate amount of use for mine either but can't believe how often it is utilized. Oh ya; even my wife has found she can move rocks and timbers with the hydraulic thumb without bothering the old man. Might have to hide the keys!

 

[newtattoobob]

So far I really like it even though I haven't had a chance to use it as much as I would like to.I added a manual thumb which was a nice addition. I'm amazed at how much power it has compared to the old tractor backhoe I had.

 

[radair]

Mine finally arrived today after more than a month delay waiting for the correct hydraulic thumb to arrive and be installed. I've never used an excavator before but have a fair amount of backhoe stick time on a BX-23 and B3000 with BH-77. The U17 outperforms the BH-77 at 1/4 the rpms, wow. In the first hour after delivery I ripped out a half dozen saplings, stirred my woodpile to get some of the inner stuff drying, excavated a boulder and put it in my rock wall, expanded my gravel pit slightly and stockpiled some gravel, and improved the (formerly) off-camber trail to my brush piles. Then when I couldn't make myself sit at my desk any longer I pulled a pair of nasty stumps and a couple boulders.

I'm really looking forward to building some interesting trails with this machine and saving the backs of our aging labor force. Love that hydraulic power!

 

[radair]

Just an update to rave about how incredibly useful a mini-ex is. I have been pulling rotten rock from my gravel pit and there is no comparison to using it vs. using the BH77 on my B3000. Besides being way faster (I hate waiting on backhoe hydraulics), minor position changes are instant compared to getting off the hoe and into the cab, moving a few feet, putting stabilizers back down, etc. I can stockpile in 10 minutes what would take 20 or more with the backhoe. Then pull it out of the way and go to town with the loader.

I've also found it really useful for dealing with firewood. I can grab logs or brush with the thumb and load up the tractor's forks far quicker than manually muscling each log into place. Not to mention getting into places that would be tenuous with the tractor. Together they are quite a force!

I just had a garage built and did most of the site work. The U17 was superb in tight spots when backfilling. Loving this little machine.

 

[Will_C]

I never had the desire for a backhoe on a tractor, but a mini-ex, I'll have one some day!

Will