Since we are talking about excavators: Chinese Mini X vs. Subframe backhoe on tractor.

[HawkinsHollow]

You need to compare in the same weight class.

Many years ago I added a 3pt backhoe to my little MF GC2300. It would dig and do some very light trench work but was a pain to work with. I converted it to a skid steer mount unit and it became much more handy but still rather limited trying to trench. A year and a 1/2 back I picked up a 1-ton gas powered micro-ex and it easily outperforms that backhoe attachment for general digging and trenching (I sold the hoe off). The limitations of the micro is being too light for stumping and too slow getting around. It is strictly a rare use machine for me. But it was dirt cheap and they can be found now for less than I paid.

If I had the money and I would buy a Chinese mini-ex at of least 3-ton for the diesel engine and more refined controls. You can find them now for under $20k in the US.

That’s the info I was looking for. A direct comparison between the 2 diggers. Yeah, I have no false hopes nor great need to dig many stumps. The videos I have watched look this those micros can dig pretty well. It's not a huge amount of digging, nor do I think it will be very rocky. So I am pretty confident I can get it done with one of those chinese diggers.

 

[WranglerX]

Chinese excavator (cheap) .... Buy it, use it, sell it when no more work for it.... Anyway that is my thought process at the moment... The thing is the excavator in more mobile than a BH and can you BH lift 1.5 tons?

Google Search

Also check out Y-tube videos for $5-8K cheap excavators...

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Chinese excavator (cheap) .... Buy it, use it, sell it when no more work for it.... Anyway that is my thought process at the moment... The thing is the excavator in more mobile than a BH and can you BH lift 1.5 tons?

Google Search

Yeah, I doubt they hold much resale after 50 hours of work. But if it's still working you should be able to get half your money back which would be a win in my book. Did you buy one yet or are you still in the market?

 

[Vigo327]

I haven't been on a chinese mini-x (have been on a couple commercial quality units) but I can confidently tell you that the smallish amount of money between size classes will pay itself back in ease of use. Fighting a machine that is too light to do anything but pull itself over is no fun.

As far as resale value, i'm seeing the small machines for 5k constantly now, and im pretty sure if a 50hr one was listed for half ($2500?!) it'd sell basically instantly.

 

[FullMetalBucket]

I opted out getting one on my T25 for a couple reasons. I use multiple rear attachments and it looks like it would be a pita to hook and unhook a backhoe.

I wasn’t fond of the idea that every time you need to move the tractor back to dig some more, you have to jump off and go to the main seat to move it. Seems like a mini ex or backhoe would be better .

Also the backhoe for my T25 is 7k . Maybe it it were like 3k I could overlook all the negatives.

 

[WranglerX]

Yeah, I doubt they hold much resale after 50 hours of work. But if it's still working you should be able to get half your money back which would be a win in my book. Did you buy one yet or are you still in the market?

Have not taken the plunge (yet)... Only thing holding me back is I only need it for a few weeks to a month removing fire/storm damaged trees but would also be better than having to pay a crew to come and do the work at the sum of $1800 a day... And my SUB compact tractor is not really BH capable... We are talking some financial recover here for resealing it....

 

[HawkinsHollow]

I haven't been on a chinese mini-x (have been on a couple commercial quality units) but I can confidently tell you that the smallish amount of money between size classes will pay itself back in ease of use. Fighting a machine that is too light to do anything but pull itself over is no fun.

As far as resale value, i'm seeing the small machines for 5k constantly now, and im pretty sure if a 50hr one was listed for half ($2500?!) it'd sell basically instantly.

Yeah it seems like $4500- $5k is the average for an "almost new" one on Marketplace in my area. Like with 5 or 6 hours on it. I get what you're saying about light weight. I have run a number of larger to smaller minis so I know what to expect from their performance. I would definitely try one out before purchasing to determine if performance meets my expectations.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

I opted out getting one on my T25 for a couple reasons. I use multiple rear attachments and it looks like it would be a pita to hook and unhook a backhoe.

I wasn’t fond of the idea that every time you need to move the tractor back to dig some more, you have to jump off and go to the main seat to move it. Seems like a mini ex or backhoe would be better .

Also the backhoe for my T25 is 7k . Maybe it it were like 3k I could overlook all the negatives.

Yeah, I am starting to see the merits in a dedicated Mini. Not only that but the tractor+mini combo is pretty powerful duo.

 

[Carl_NH]

I have both - my B21 TLB and bought the "2 Ton" Terror (Hightop Brand) off ebay last summer - Kubota 722 3Cyl diesel. They arent really 2 Ton - mine is 3450 without the operator, or about 1.8 tons with the operator.

It's very well built for the $ 9500 now on ebay - Kamran Motors sells the same hightop brand and they get good reviews and have the bigger Kubota 902 Diesel. The smaller machines will weigh in about 2000 lbs with no pilot controls, a gas engine and you can get them as low as $4K.

For th $9K ifs a good value, and will dig as good as my BH but where it shines is the 360 rotation and digging and picking rocks etc. as a helper to load the Kubota.

Down side, it's slow to transport. I can see where you would use this alot HH to load your sawmill and i am sure much more

 

[check 6]

As others have said, I tried a backhoe on a small tractor years ago and if you only want to dig a hole like for a tree, it works, but if you have to dig a trench or something where you’re moving, it becomes cumbersome as you constantly have to bring in the outriggers move the tractor shut everything up I now have a mini excavator a Kabota, not a Chinese. and I’m very happy with it. I can dig and move and dig and move without having the constant set up required with a backhoe. My excavator is the smallest Kabota. It weighs 2500 pounds. Does everything I wanted to do? I just have to remember to do it slower because if it’s weight limitation and oh by the way, if you wanna move it to another job down the street it’s max ground speed is 2 1/2 miles an hour so pack a lunch