Stump Bucket vs Mini-Ex for Shallow Digging

[jigs_n_fixtures]

Seeing the diverse opinions and actual experiences of all who contribute here is why I even ask the questions and use this site. going into this subject I knew that a mini-ex is the BEST tool for the job and I do plan to purchase one probably next spring but until then I will improvise and try to make progress this year with my front yard landscaping projects using the tools I have and can afford for now.
As always, the discussions here bring up things I hadn't thought about or provide actual experience on what works and what doesn't which is exactly why I started the conversation. I'm pretty good an improvising and using the tools I have at my disposal. I'm also not opposed to getting down off my tractor and working a shovel to cleanup and finish a task that I started with maybe not the best tool but one that works good enough. Keep the opinions and comments coming.

I have a decent local option to rent mini-ex or skid-steers. A couple of local contractors own the rental fleet, and anytime they have more equipment than work, the unit goes into rental. Or if they buy new equipment, they put the used unit it replaces into the rental fleet. And I know most of the other local contractors. So, if I need a piece of equipment, I can find one to rent for a reasonable price.

I think you said you are a mechanical engineer. So, you should have taken Engineering Economics. Before you buy a backhoe or mini-ex, do an economic analysis of the cost of ownership versus the cost of renting. Unless you have a lot of backhoe work, it generally doesn't make sense to buy the backhoe. I've analyzed it a couple of times, and both times buying and maintaining a backhoe is more than twice the cost of renting for the anticipated uses I have.

 

[arrow]

Seeing the diverse opinions and actual experiences of all who contribute here is why I even ask the questions and use this site. going into this subject I knew that a mini-ex is the BEST tool for the job and I do plan to purchase one probably next spring but until then I will improvise and try to make progress this year with my front yard landscaping projects using the tools I have and can afford for now.
As always, the discussions here bring up things I hadn't thought about or provide actual experience on what works and what doesn't which is exactly why I started the conversation. I'm pretty good an improvising and using the tools I have at my disposal. I'm also not opposed to getting down off my tractor and working a shovel to cleanup and finish a task that I started with maybe not the best tool but one that works good enough. Keep the opinions and comments coming.

The sifting of data gleaned from posts here, is one of the main advantages of this site.
No one knows exactly the situations of the original poster and just about all posts contain experiences from contributors that may or may not parallel usage situations of the op.
None the less, all contributions possess info that helps the op arrive with some clarity, as to whats best for them.
May all of your projects meet your success criteria.

 

[garry1p]

I have the Titan stump bucket and well pleased, it is well built and stronger than you think.
I have removed at least a dozen stumps so far.

Cons.. Can't see the angle of the bucket, but with practice you get better at it.
........ It is limited as to how deep it can dig, so far for stumps it has been OK,
......... I watched several YouTube videos before purchased and it's not quite as easy as they show.
......... Takes twice as long to do a job as you think it should.
......... I am concerned about the strain put on the loader arms but so far no problems.

Pros: The more you use it the better you get at using it.
........Cost effective depending on how much you use it as opposed to rent or buy excavator or backhoe.
........It does a surprisingly good job at stump removal.
........it will dig around knee deep below ground level.

The idea of using a subsoiler would make the job of digging a shallow ditch a lot easier, the biggest drawback digging a ditch would be for the stump bucket to dig in.

My winter project was too build and test a device for less than $30 that will tell me when the bucket is level
so far so good, now I just have to figure out how to make it waterproof and mount it. It will attach to the loader arms so it will also work with forks.

Of course the ideal thing is an excavator.

 

[AnotherBueller]

No question the proper tools would work best but just trying to get opinions on how successful I might be trying. The slopes where I want to lay drain line and wall are relatively flat and I can line up the tractor/bucket directly along each run. My thought is making a few passes with the subsoiler will loosen the ground then the stump bucket could finish digging and scooping out loos dirt.

The retaining wall will run along the high side of the driveway and be approx. 30" high to hold additional top soil I'll bring in to level the front yard. It will be built with something similar to Allan blocks and only be 3 block high. I don't think the footing will need to be any deeper than 24" for a 1st course gravel bed and maybe 30" wide to accommodate a drain/weep line behind the wall.

It may not work out but I still plan to use the stump bucket for other small stump and rock digging.

I was wanting to build a block retaining wall like you.
when I ran the numbers on cost for the blocks, then back filling each layer to get the required weight and then the time it would take to get the blocks level with each other on the side grade, well the work hours got to much for a 74 yo. So I looked in to lego blocks. They can be had surprisingly cheap.
My L shaped 60' X 40' wall with a max wall height of 5' had a high bid of 8 K and a low bid of $3K from a semi retired foundation guy. Guess who I'm waiting on. Prices are in Jefferson County Mo.

 

[bcs001]

Before you buy a backhoe or mini-ex, do an economic analysis of the cost of ownership versus the cost of renting. Unless you have a lot of backhoe work, it generally doesn't make sense to buy the backhoe.

That’s a good point and one that could make sense for some and not others. I considered it and still might but without any experience operating I think the cost vs progress won’t be so good. Long term I think ownership for me makes more sense considering I’m on a large property with many potential projects and I’d like to be able to work on my schedule rather than needing to schedule days, do the pickup/drop-off and then feel crunched for time to complete work. With that in mind I’ll probably go with a Chinese 1.5-2t I can get at auction and use the cost savings to deal with repairs/upgrades if/when needed.

 

[2manyrocks]

I think that's why these are so popular. The rental cost in my area is something like $350 a day for a mini-ex. Dealing with rentals is a real pain from a convenience viewpoint.

 

[arrow]

With that in mind I’ll probably go with a Chinese 1.5-2t I can get at auction and use the cost savings to deal with repairs/upgrades if/when needed.

Id rather see you get something like this as mostly my reasoning is based on what I would want and has nothing to do with you. I think that's only fair. [Hot Item] Second Hand Kobelco Sk75 Crawler Excavator Used Kobelco Sk55 Sk135 Sk200 Excavator for Sale