Talk me out of an excavator!

[Jaybr]

We just purchased a new property thats 48 acres, approximately 25 acres in hardwoods, 20 in pasture, and half of a 5-6 acre pond. I've got the pasture maintenance covered, and have a grapple to clean up downed trees, etc. I've gotten really interested in a 3-5 ton mini excavator with a flail or mulcher head to clean up the woods and pond bank. I've been watching videos lately and they just seem so useful for keeping the underbrush in the woods cleaned out, which makes for a much nicer property. On the flip side, I don't NEED to clean out the underbrush or most of the pond bank, and their very expensive.

Am I better off just leaving the woods natural? Hiring someone with an excavator to come clean up a little? maybe just the pond bank? Or are these things really as useful as they look and a great investment for a landowner?

 

[Hay Dude]

Or maybe a rental unit?

 

[scootr]

Buy it - what a great toy it will be!

 

[Mike1955]

Jaunt I can’t do that. I love mine to much! Nothing like it to easify my dirt work chores. You will never regret that move

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

Sorry, I am not gonna talk you out of it. I want one too... Been thinking of all the things I could use it for. Like you I could clean around the pond, make trails around the pond.

Just digging a hole to see what's underneath. I find indian artifacts on my property all along after some heavy rains. If there isn't anything there I'd just put the dirt back anyway. Aerating the soil.

The idea of renting is a valid point too though. I could still get those things done I want to do and no maintenance. If I had full access to it 8 hrs a day I am sure there are not an infinite number of things I could do with it.

Especially if you got a mulching head. Didn't know you could put one on a small mini... hmmm.

 

[JeepHead]

You only live once. If you can afford it, and want it, why not own it.....

 

[arrow]

You only live once. If you can afford it, and want it, why not own it.....

and its a blink.
40 years ago is still like two weeks ago to me.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

If I had money to burn I would buy one, because I have a number of projects I need one for. But to be honest, I think once those handful of projects was over it would become a very expensive lawn ornament. Therefore, I rent. But it would be REALLY nice to have my own to take my own sweet time. For the purposes you talk about you can rent one and clean things up and then use your tractor to keep it clean. I do love a forest with a clear understory.

 

[Hay Dude]

I can actually justify one for all the woods/brush clearing we do.
A team of guys with weed wackers w/ saw blades is sure gettin old.
Then there’s the ability to dig rocks out of fields….

Sheesh, maybe I just talked myself into one….

 

[HawkinsHollow]

I can actually justify one for all the woods/brush clearing we do.
A team of guys with weed wackers w/ saw blades is sure gettin old.
Then there’s the ability to dig rocks out of fields….

Sheesh, maybe I just talked myself into one….

From what I know about your business seems like you could easily make some good money with one and make it pay for itself. But for guys like me, a guy that "has a few projects to do" they just don't make good financial sense IMHO. If you have plenty of money sure or buy a $5000 chinese digger to get it done slowly, maybe . But to buy a decent used machine for $30K+, hard to justify for your average Joe.